Did you know that libraries have existed for thousands of years? The oldest known library is believed to be that belonging to Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal in the 7th Century BC, an area within what is now known as the country of Iraq.

Much closer to home, the oldest continuously operating library in Australia is our very own State Library of NSW, which celebrates its bicentenary this year. Yes, our own State Library is 200 years old!

Libraries are indeed very special places and play a vital role in our community for what they do in promoting learning and literacy, writing, research, exploration and discovery. As receptacles of information, knowledge and learning, libraries offer not only books and physical materials to library users, but also access to a wide range of audio and information services.

Best of all, communities can access their local libraries free of charge.

The importance of libraries was celebrated recently as communities around the country took part in initiatives staged as part of the national Library and Information Week.

An annual event run by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Library and Information Week continues to highlight the vital role of libraries, literacy, and information services in communities.

Macquarie Regional Library (MRL) branches celebrated the national week – which ran from Monday, July 27, to Sunday, August 2 – by holding a range of programs, events, and giveaways, reminding the community just what their local library has to offer.

In partnership with the State Library of NSW and NSW Public Libraries Association, MRL library branches held an Open Day on Thursday, July 30, highlighting this year’s theme of “Open Doors, Open Books, Open Minds”.

Dubbo, Wellington, Coonabarabran, Dunedoo, Coolah, Narromine and Trangie Libraries opened their doors and hosted a Reading Relay on the Open Day.

Participants opened their chosen books and their minds to the material within as they spent 20-minute sessions in designated reading nooks in their libraries to keep the relay in play.

Kylie Clarkson, Regional Library Services Coordinator said more than 100 people participated across MRL branches.

“We had 23 participants in the Reading Relay across Dubbo and Wellington specifically, and 116 across all seven participating branches,” she said.

“Feedback was very positive across all branches,” Kylie added.

“It was great to welcome so many people into the library and celebrate all the library has to offer.

“We saw a diverse range of participants across our libraries and hope to do it all again next year,” she concluded.