YPRL: Events, news, books, and more!

Yarra Plenty Regional Library

August 2025

What's On @ YPRL

Yarra Plenty Regional Library acknowledges the Wurundjeri, Woi-wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of this Land, paying respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging who have resided in the area. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Panem Library

BOOK LIST! In Panem, what you know could help you survive. Patrons of the district and capital libraries are pragmatic in their reading choices.

What are the characters from The Hunger Games series reading? Peeta is improving his recipes for the bakery, President Snow is caring for his roses while Katniss is keeping up on her foraging skills.

Family History Month

August is Family History Month, a time to gather family records, interview family members, research, share family stories or perhaps travel to ancestral homelands with virtual reality!

We have a great line up of guests exploring: biographical storytelling, genetic genealogy, researching South Asian countries, Whittlesea farming families, cemeteries, and more!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Local Authors

Author face and book cover

Children's Author:
Annabelle Hale

Sunday 10 August
3.00pm
Eltham Library

Join local and award-winning children’s writer and illustrator Annabelle Hale in celebrating the launch of her picture book The Bin Monster. Enjoy a reading, a craft and to hear her reflect on this special project, developed during her time as the Nillumbik Literary Artist in Residence.

Author face and book cover

Masterclass: Start Writing with
Les Zigomanis

Sunday 24 August
10.00am
Eltham Library

Have you always dreamed of writing but don't know where to start? Or are you stuck in the middle of the story? Don't let writer's block or self-doubt hold you back. Join author and editor Les Zigomanis for a hands-on workshop designed to get your story onto the page.

For Children & Families

Healthy Little Smiles

Friday 8 August

10.00am

Thomastown Library

Join us this Dental Health Week for a Storytime to encourage healthy habits to contribute to strong teeth and healthy smiles.

DIY Slime

Friday 8 August

4.00pm

Eltham Library

Who's ready for ooey, gooey, stretchy slime? Join us for this fun session and learn some cool science and the chemistry behind slime.

Create a Book

Every day 18-22 August

3.00pm

Lalor Library

Get creative this Book Week! Plan, write, and illustrate your own mini book. Take your one-of-a-kind book home or leave it for library visitors to read.

Cosy Yarn Craft

Thursday 21 August

4.00pm

Ivanhoe Library

Cardboard Challenge

Friday 22 August

4.00pm

Eltham Library

Toddler Garden Play

Tuesdays and Fridays

11.00am

Diamond Valley Library

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

We are hosting special Children’s Day Storytimes throughout the week!

These are designed to celebrate and reflect the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

These sessions will include, traditional Dreamtime stories, songs and rhymes, art-based storytelling activities.

For Adults

Banned Together

Friday 1 August

10.00am

Watsonia Library

A documentary screening which follows students as they fight against censorship and campaign to reinstate 97 books suddenly pulled from school libraries. Available on Kanopy at home.

Biographical Storytelling

Sunday 3 August

2.00pm

Diamond Valley Library

Charlotte Chidell researched the life of pioneer Katherine Rose Beale who arrived at Port Phillip in 1839. Her book, This Still Hearth tells her story in a mix of fact and fiction. Charlotte will discuss her research, writing and pathway to publication.

Learn and Play Chess

Monday 4 August, 6.00pm

Lalor Library

For beginners or experienced players, let's sharpen our skills and have fun!

Maternal and Child Health Information

Wednesday 13 August
12.00pm

Ivanhoe Library

Efficient Heating and Cooling

Saturday 16 August
2.30pm

Diamond Valley Library

If you're looking to upgrade your system or optimise what you have, this will equip you with the knowledge to stay comfortable all year.

Heidelberg Cemeteries

Sunday 24 August

1.30pm

Watsonia Library

Cemetery Historian David Weatherill will discuss the history of Warringal Cemetery, Heidelberg and the Heidelberg Old Private cemetery.

Brick Walls Researching your Family History

Monday 25 August
2.00pm

Watsonia Library

We all come across a research roadblocks. Let's discuss strategies and tips to tackle your stumbling blocks and discover the stories of your ancestors.

DNA and Family History

Thursday 28 August
3.00pm

Ivanhoe Library

Craig Smith will describe his family history research journey and how he used genetic genealogy to confirm the identity of his unknown great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.

Protecting Yourself Against AI Scams

Saturday 30 August
2.00pm

Diamond Valley Library

Discover how scammers and identity thieves are leveraging advanced technologies to deceive, manipulate, and steal. Presented by IT specialist.

LIBRARY NEWS

Check out what's new across our library branches, collections, and services.

Our library staff write short articles to help you find information and explore our shelves – from reviews and research tips, to kids learning resources, small business support and upcoming programs.

See all articles

New to our Digital Library

Discover your ancestral roots and make your next exciting family history discovery.

YPRL is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, which means you can access even more genealogy resources.

Miles Franklin Literary Award 2025

Ten outstanding novels recognised in prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award 2025 longlist. The Award celebrates novels of the highest literary merit that tell stories about Australian life. Congratulations to Siang Lu who has won the Award for his novel, Ghost Cities.

Show me longlist

READ ME

Top 3 Fiction Books

What is everyone reading? What's hot? What do you need to add to your 'to-read' list! Click through and reveal the answer.

TOP Non-Fiction

Fiction, not your thing? See what else is trending. Click button and reveal the answer.

Staff PICK

By Laura @ Watsonia Library

Holly Brickley

(Fiction)

"Released in February 2025, Deep Cuts is a fantastic debut by Holly Brickley that shares a lot of literary DNA with Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy and Gabrielle Zevine’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

All three novels focus on incredibly smart, creative women who are passionate about a particular medium (in this case, music) and are unapologetic in their desire to create great art and to be recognised for their contributions.

Brickley’s novel is a love letter to music and the way great songs can connect people through capturing shared human experiences in lyrics."

Choose your format!

Available as: Book or eBook (Libby)

NEW!

Beat the crowds and put new items on hold before they even hit the shelves!

Explore NEW to Shelves

THE DIGITAL LIBRARY

Kanopy

Browse Kanopy! Find films, documentaries, TV shows, educational content and lectures. Stream up to six films per month with your library membership.

Kanopy Kids features children's films, TV shows and ediucational videos.
Unlimited streaming!

Listen on Libby

YPRL eNews

Did you know?

You can also subscribe to our other eNewsletters that are tailored to different interests.

Family Fun: events, book recommendations and School Holiday program release alert for our mini members.

Ageing Well: events, book recommendations and more for older library members.

Booklovers: book news, top reads, new releases, reviews, author events, digital library highlights, and more.

Subscribe by clicking the buttons below.

Subscribe to: Family Fun eNews

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Powered by your Local Councils

Banyule City Council

City of Whittlesea

Nillumbik Shire Council

Crescendo - A Classical Music Showcase

Wednesday 20 August

7.00pm

Plenty Ranges Ats and Convention Centre

35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

COST:

Adult $15

Concession $10

Crescendo is a celebration of exceptional musical craftsmanship, passion, and expression, performed by some of the region's most talented classical musicians.

This showcase features a rich and varied program of soloists, duos, and chamber ensembles performing beloved classical works on beautiful instruments.

Experience the power and beauty of live classical music - right here, close to home.

The BestBiz Awards

The BestBiz Awards are back and it’s all about your voice, your vote and your favourite local businesses.

Celebrate the businesses who brighten your day, go the extra mile and make our neighbourhoods better. Whether it’s your go-to cafe, trusted tradie or friendly local shop, let’s give them the recognition they deserve.

Vote by 31 August to be in the running to win a $100 gift voucher.

Pet Expo

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday 19 October

10.00am till 4.00pm

Marngrook Oval Diamond Creek, Main Hurstbridge Road Diamond Creek

This vibrant event celebrates our furry and feathered companions and has plenty to keep them happy and healthy including displays and demonstrations, nutritional and grooming advice, obedience training, education and much more.

DIDN'T FIND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?

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Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Bag 65 Bundoora, Victoria 3083

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