Over the years we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been told that working in a library must be a ’nice clean job for a girl’! Apart from the fact that we have a number of ‘boys’ on our staff, there’s nothing clean about working with books – ever wondered why we don’t wear white?

Over the past few weeks we’ve been doing a major stocktake at our Forbes Branch which involves checking, handling and re-locating a percentage of the stock. It’s a case f many hands make light work.  Bronwyn, our Librarian at Forbes, has kept the team going with cups of tea and coffee and a great selection of biscuits (no wonder there’s a fight to see who’ll go out there!).

While we’ve been there it’s been a pleasure to meet some of the Forbes regulars.

Watch for the stocktake team at a library near you soon.

And the final segment in our F.O.O.D Week Words on a Plate event belongs to Narelle Small who spoke about Home Economics and how Orange High School is one of the few places that still use that name. She said it’s a very exciting time to be involved in teaching cooking because of the popularity of TV cooking shows, chefs, cookbooks and home baking. She highlighted a few recipes from the Orange High School Centenary Cookbook (available for sale from the Orange Visitor Information Centre, Byng Street, Orange) including her contribution – the Weekend Chicken recipe. Which she admitted doesn’t read well (much laughter because that’s so true – ingredients include: chicken, onion, apples, curry, butter, mushroom soup and cream) but it is absolutely delicious served with rice and eaten while watching afternoon footy. Narelle had everyone laughing about her love of food saying she’s the type of person who sits down to lunch and is already planning dinner, describing mealtimes as a celebration of food. (Good advice Narelle). Other favourite recipes included Croque Monsieur and the OHS Hospitality Students’ Potato, Bacon and Onion Soup. She mentioned the challenges of finding recipes to satisfy student demand, but thoroughly loves her work. Thank you to everyone for coming along to celebrate …well food!

Caleb dressed as Tinman for Storytime

Bailey dressed as a witch enjoys Storytime

Mary the Lion roared at Storytime

Dorothy (Gaby) chats with Storyteller Fiona dressed as Yellow Brick Road

There was more Wizard of Oz dress ups with a variety of characters joining in Storytime today - we welcomed Tinmen, Dorothys & Totos, a wonderful Lion, Munchkins and more to the Library. Storyteller Fiona led the way with an interpretation of the Yellow Brick Road, a wonderful story about the colour yellow and then everyone joined in with the craft project.  It’s a great way to remind everyone to have fun reading and you can join in Storytime for preschoolers at 11am on Tues, Wed and Thurs (also at 2pm on Thursdays) during the school term. Don’t forget to book on 6393 8132.

We are looking forward to more wonderful Wizard of Oz “characters” for our dress-up Storytime theme this week.  Thank you everyone who dressed up today – you all looked wonderful.  Sebastian’s costume, made from carboard and foil, really did make him walk like “Tinman” and Beatrix, 3,  made a “Good Witch” contrasting her back hat and cape with white clothes as she skipped along the Yellow Brick Road.  Did you guess what Storyteller Fiona dressed up as? …….The Yellow Brick Road (she is so clever!)

Tinman Sebastian at Storytime

Congrats to all the creative writers who came along to our holiday workshop inspired by Alison Lester’s book Are we there yet?  Here’s the first story:

Mum was relaxing in the back of the car. She looked very
comfortable. It looked like she was reading an interesting book.  I thought the book was fun and interesting. It was called “Travelling Around Australia”. Mum wants to go to Uluru. By Clare

Stay tuned for more……