Library activities and events

We offer a range of free events including speakers, workshops, makerspaces, and digital programs to promote learning and reading in Merri-bek.

See our list of Merri-bek Libraries events below or on our Merri-bek Libraries Eventbrite page.

Upcoming events

Online events

The best ways to stay up to date with what events are happening are to: 

Register to attend an event

We use Eventbrite for all event bookings. You can see all of the events we have on our Merri-bek Libraries Eventbrite page.

When booking with Eventbrite, you need to provide your name, phone number, and email address. You can find out more about this on the Eventbrite website.

Children's events

There are regular online children's activities, storytimes, and school holiday events.

You can see what events are happening for children:

Book groups

Book chat

Book chat is a monthly program for book lovers. Enjoy a relaxed chat about books with library staff and other readers. Bring along your current read or an old favourite to share, or just come along to hear about what others are enjoying. Bookings are not required.

Book chat is held at the Coburg and Glenroy Libraries. Information about dates and times can be found on our Merri-bek Libraries Eventbrite page.

If you are interested in attending, contact us using the details on our visit or contact us at the library page. 

Book groups for adults

Book groups are a great way for readers to share their love of reading with others. They offer great opportunities to meet new people and have interesting discussions in a relaxed social environment. 

We have several book groups for adults. The groups at Brunswick, Coburg and Campbell Turnbull Libraries are currently at capacity. The Glenroy Library group currently has some places available and meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 1.30 pm.

There is also an online book group which meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6.45 pm. Links are emailed to participants a few days before the event.

If you are interested in attending a library book group contact us using the details on our visit or contact us at the library page.

If you are interested in starting your own book group the library has book sets available for you to borrow. For more information about this service contact us using the details on our visit or contact us at the library page.

Libraries After Dark

Glenroy Library is open until 10pm every Thursday for the Libraries After Dark program. During this time all library facilities including borrowing, computers, and workspaces continue to be available. Enjoy community spaces with our very popular community jigsaw puzzle, challenge a friend to a game of chess, or try some of our other games (available on request). In addition, each Thursday evening Libraries After Dark features a range of regular programs and special events as well as light refreshments.

Enjoy regular programs such as:

  • Glenroy Library Chess Club – A weekly opportunity to meet up and play a social game of chess with other likeminded chess players. All welcome – from beginners to experts. Use our chess sets or bring your own. Every Thursday 7.30 – 8.30 pm.
  • Conversation Café – if English is not your first language and you would like to practice, or maybe you are interested in participating in some interesting intercultural conversations. Come sit and chat in a friendly and relaxed group. Every Thursday 7.30 – 8.30pm.
  • Monthly Meditation – led by an experienced Active Merri-bek facilitator and is designed for both beginners and people wishing to extend their existing practice with a focus on mindfulness and meditation with some gentle yoga. First Thursday of each month, 7.30 – 8.15 pm. Bookings required for each session, register on Eventbrite to participate. 

Details of all Libraries After Dark bookable and special events can be found on the Merri-bek Libraries Eventbrite page.

You can find out more about Glenroy Library on our Visit us or contact us at the Library page.

Social and interest groups

Chatty Cafe

Chatty Cafe brings the community together for friendly conversation, English practise and social connection. No need to book, just come along and make some new friends over a cuppa. Learn more about Chatty Cafe on their website. 

  • Wednesdays 2 -3.30 pm, meets in the Makerspace

  • Fridays 11am - 12.30 pm,  meets in the Community Languages lounge

 

English Conversation Cafe

Conversation Cafe is a weekly group for adults who speak English as a second language and anyone interested in intercultural conversations. At these sessions you can practise speaking and listening in English. Updated times, dates, and locations of Conversation Cafe are available on our Learning English and other languages page.

Craft groups

  • Whether you are a beginner or an old hand at knitting, all are welcome to knitting group. Bring your knitting and share your ideas and experiences with others.

    Bookings are not required.

    9.30 am Mondays at Glenroy Library.

  • Regular workshops, events and open sessions are held in our libraries as part of our Makerspace program. Learn more on our Makerspace webpage. Discover and book in for Makerspace events on our Eventbrite page. 

 

Coburg Library is turning 70!

Coburg Library is turning 70 this year and we’d love you to help us celebrate by sharing your library memories with us.

Does Coburg Library hold a special place in your heart?

Do you remember attending storytime as a child and later bringing your own children? 

Perhaps you studied for your high school or university exams here?

Do you remember the Great Flood of 2003? Did you use the library as a place to work or write? Have you seen one of your favourite authors speak here?

We’d love to hear from you!

Share your memories

May we contact you to chat more about your memories?

The memories you have submitted may be reproduced by Merri-bek City Council in publications and/or promotional materials (including online publications), on its website and/or on social media. Only your first name will be published in attribution.

 

Short story competition 2023

Creators of all ages are invited enter the 2023 Merri-bek Libraries short story competition.

Write a story in 500 words or less, or recorded in 3 minutes or less.

Your story can be about anything, but must contain the word library.

Entries close 8 October. Winners announced 31 October.

There are great prizes to be won!

Tips for writing a story

You may wish to consider the following as a guide to make your story stand out.

  • Does your story have a central conflict or tension?
  • Do the characters make things happen in the story, and do they think about what’s happening around them?
  • Is there something interesting about where the story takes place?
  • Is there something important at-stake?
  • Have you made use of techniques? For example: dialogue, character traits, descriptive language, backstory, suspense and climax.

For younger writers

Make sure your story has:

  • A setting (where the story happens).
  • A beginning, middle and end.
  • A problem to be fixed.

Download an entry form now.