Jump into June with author talks at Libraries ACT


Released 03/06/2019

Libraries ACT will host a number of great author talks this June, with a mixture of fiction and non-fiction on offer. The talks will be an opportunity to meet with writers and discuss their latest works.

Executive Branch Manager, Libraries ACT, Vanessa Little said during June there would also be a writing workshop for those wanting to hone their literary skills, presentations from the Canberra Theatre, a gardening workshop and much more.

“The author talks are a chance to hear from and speak with some great contemporary writers in a close and friendly setting,” Ms Little said.

“On Wednesday 5 June from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm at the Gungahlin Library Z T Quinn will be discussing his novel Sanlundia. Mr Quinn was inspired by his work with asylum seekers in the offshore detention centre on Manus Island, in Papua New Guinea. The book is about a journalist who becomes obsessed with finding a woman named Maggie, who disappeared while working with detainees at a detention centre.

“Victoria Purman will be at the Civic Library on Friday 7 June from 12 noon to 1 pm. Her new novel, The Land Girls, is set in Melbourne in 1942 and is about a woman who joins the Australian Women’s Land Army after her brother is given a white feather.

“Canberra author Serina Bird will talk about her book The Joyful Frugalista on Friday 7 June from 6.30 to 7.30 pm at Dickson Library. The book is a handbook for living frugally, mindfully and with joy. Serina will help you learn how to make the most of the money and resources you have, with tips on saving on your energy bills, cutting down waste, feeding your family for less, embracing minimalism, and more.

“On Wednesday 12 June Ian Shaw will be at the Civic Library from 1 pm to 2 pm, to talk about his book Operation Babylift. It is the story of the last-minute evacuation of hundreds of orphaned babies from South Vietnam in 1975. Ian has done extensive research to document and share the story of some of the people involved in Operation Babylift.

“For those looking to learn more about writing, The Write Stuff workshop with Gemma Killen will be held at the Gungahlin Library on Wednesday 12 June from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. The theme for this session is pride and vulnerability, and will explore queer ways of writing and telling personal and political stories through memoir.

“During June there will also be sessions presented by Canberra Theatre. These sessions involve the active storytelling from a book which will be made into a theatre production. Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl will be held at the Tuggeranong Library on Monday 17 June from 3.30 pm to 4 pm and at the Belconnen Library on Tuesday 18 June from 11.30 am to 12 pm.

“A Composting in your garden workshop will be held at the Tuggeranong Library on Saturday 8 June from 3 pm to 4 pm. This is presented by Tracey Bool, as part of our regular series of gardening seminars.

“I encourage everyone to take a look at our program of events for June, including our regular programs like Bilingual Story Time and family history research seminars. If you’re not yet a member, consider visiting your local library where our friendly staff will be happy to show you around and talk about our services. We look forward to seeing you at one of our branches soon.”

All Libraries ACT programs and events are free, however bookings are essential as places are limited. For more information on the variety of programs and events and to book, visit www.library.act.gov.au or call 6205 9000.

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