Free weekly programs for children are returning to Mildura Rural City Council libraries this month following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Returning nearly a year after pandemic restrictions suspended all in-person library programs, the following activities will start from Tuesday 16 March at the Merbein, Mildura and Red Cliffs libraries:
Baby Bounce for children 0 – 12 months and their carers
Storytimes for children aged 1 – 5 years and their carers.
Bookings opened Tuesday 9 March and are a requirement to take part in programs.
Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Mark Eckel welcomed the return of in-person library programs.
“Our library programs are a great way to introduce our youngest residents to the wonderful world of reading and books,” Cr Eckel said.
“They offer a whole range of benefits to children, from social interaction to early literacy learning, as well as simply being great fun.”
Despite the easing of restrictions, there are still some measures in place to ensure library programs are conducted in a COVID-safe environment.
Firstly, parents or guardians need to make a booking for each session due to limits on numbers allowed under remaining COVID-19 restrictions. This can be done via the Mildura Rural City Council Libraries website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/library its Facebook events page, or online at https://mrcclibraries.eventbrite.com.au
There will also be earlier session times at the Merbein and Red Cliffs libraries, allowing programs to run before these libraries open to the public, which helps adhere to social distancing requirements, and additional hygiene measures.
