Have you been to a local Lake Macquarie Library lately? There are lots of exciting things happening at Lake Mac Libraries so drop into a branch to borrow books or other items, or book into a library session with your kids.
Lake Mac Libraries operates 10 physical branches throughout Lake Macquarie with libraries located at Belmont, Cameron Park (Sugar Valley Library Museum), Cardiff, Charlestown, Morisset, Speers Point, Swansea, Toronto, Wangi Wangi and Windale.
Windale Hub
The city welcomed a new multi-purpose facility in August 2024 with the opening of Windale Hub. The Windale Hub, bilyabayi offers a multi-use, contemporary, safe, flexible and inclusive space for people to connect, learn, create and collaborate.
The venue features a contemporary library area and casual hire spaces for the community to gather and connect. With indoor and outdoor areas available, spaces for public art and exhibitions, the Fab Lab, Café and parking available onsite, the Windale Hub, bilyabayi is a venue with space for everyone.
Self-access service
A new self-access service is now available across five of the libraries:
- Cardiff Library
- Speers Point Library
- Sugar Valley Library Museum
- Wangi Library Creative Hub
- Toronto Library
Self-access allows members to visit and use library services outside of regular staffed hours. These venues offer self-access daily from 7am-7pm. This new initiative provides Lake Mac Libraries members with greater flexibility and additional opportunities to access our services.
Borrow boardgames, puzzles and cards
Lake Mac Libraries now offers a huge selection of family-friendly board games, puzzles and card games for borrowing. Featured games and puzzles include:
- UNO
- Bananagrams
- Articulate!
- Monopoly
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Cluedo
- Where’s Wally?
- Cards against Humanity
- Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit
Video games for hire
Lake Mac Libraries now has a a range of PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch games as part of the collection. These games are now available for borrowers.
Library of Things
Lake Mac Libraries has rolled out a ‘library of things’ includes some everyday items such as record players, party games, PA speakers, cassette players, cooking items etc. These items are be able to be borrowed in a similar way to traditional library items.
Sugar Valley Library Museum at Cameron Park
Lake Macquarie’s newest library and museum, Sugar Valley Library Museum opened in April 2023. The venue is the region’s only co-located library and museum.
The library offers a modern service for visitors with a multimedia and tech space, a workshop area and a dedicated children’s zone.
There is also a PlayStation5 available featuring the likes of Harry Potter, FIFA and a range of other games.
The family-friendly space is home to regular children’s programming, author talks, history sessions and special events for all ages. Regular programs include:
- Babies into Books
- Read & Rhyme
- LEGO Builders
- Art Play for the whole family
- Book Club
- Local History
- Guided exhibition tours
The museum, the first of its kind in Lake Macquarie, showcases the rich history of West Wallsend with the inaugural exhibition Westy: we built this history.
Developed in conjunction with the West Wallsend District Heritage Group, the exhibition presents the story of the region through enticing and immersive experiences and, objects portraying the life and times of this unique township.
The exhibition is supported by a ‘virtual underground’, the Hunter’s first virtual reality experience of an underground coal mine. There’s even a ‘play museum’ which allows the kids to interact with historical items in a fun and engaging way.
In addition to all the exciting things happening at Lake Mac Libraries, there are regular library programming running at Lake Mac Libraries.
Lake Macquarie City Library offers a number of great programs for babies and kids at their branch libraries. They also have after-school activities and school holiday activities that run after each school term.
Babies into Books (for babies aged 0-1)
You can help develop your baby’s language and pre-reading skills at this six-week program for parents/carers and babies under one. Enjoy and learn songs, finger plays and rhymes you can continue to share together at home.
Babies into Books sessions are free and are held at Morisset Library and Sugar Valley Library Museum.
Books & Babies (for babies aged 0-1)
Share stories and rhymes with your baby and nurture an early love of reading. Enjoy time with your baby and meet other parents.
Books & Babies sessions are free and held at Belmont Library, Cardiff Library, Charlestown Library, Speers Point Library, Swansea Library and Toronto Library.
Read & Rhyme Time (for children aged 1-3)
Toddlers can move and groove with stories, songs and musical instruments. Encourage imagination, build language skills and have fun.
Read & Rhyme Time sessions are free and are held at Belmont Library, Cardiff Library, Charlestown Library, Morisset Library, Speers Point Library, Sugar Valley Library Museum, Swansea Library and Toronto Library.
Storytime and craft (for children aged 3-5)
Listen to stories, sing songs and create something crafty with your pre-schooler. Prepare kids for school and encourage a love of reading, imagination and social interaction.
Storytime sessions are free but bookings are essential. Sessions are held at Belmont Library, Morisset Library, Toronto Library and Wangi Library Creative Hub.
Lego Builders (for children 6+)
If your kids love building with Lego, book in for some creative construction. Ages 6+.
Lego Builders sessions are free but bookings are essential. Sessions are held at Morisset Library, Swansea Library, Sugar Valley Library Museum and Toronto Library.
Tech on Wheels (for kids 8+)
Using Ozobots and Mario Karts kits, kids can learn about coding and having fun with technology. For ages 8yrs+
Tech on Wheels sessions are free but bookings are essential. Sessions are held at Charlestown Library and Toronto Library.
Circuit crafters (for kids 8+)
Join the Circuit Crafters session to construct engaging electronic projects. With user-friendly “Snap Circuits” kits you have access to building components to craft electronic circuits, ranging from basic light switch circuits to intricate creations such as music alarms and spinning rings.
Master these techniques to design your personalized circuits.This engaging program at Charlestown Library is tailored for kids, tweens, and teens seeking an original hands-on experience. For ages 8+
Art Play
Want to do something fun with your kids? It’s time to get creative with artmaking! Young children and their families can enjoy simple art activities guided by friendly art educators. Art projects will be inspired by a digital storytime and works in the Sugar Valley Library Museum or at exhibit on display at SEEN.
Art Play sessions are free but bookings are essential. Sessions are held at Sugar Valley Library Museum and SEEN@Swansea
For more information visit the Lake Mac Libraries kawumalyikilba website.