Local and family history

All our libraries have family and local history collections.

The local and family history collection includes books, photographs, maps, manuscripts, ephemera (programs, tickets, flyers etc. of the day), access to Ancestry and Find my Past (Australian and UK editions), and access to various historical records on our PCs and microform readers. 

Ask at the information desk for assistance accessing these resources.

While none of the material is available for loan, most items within these collections are available for referral within the library. However some records and documents are not available for public use because of the archival nature of the collection.

Accessing restricted collections

Use of Restricted Local History material is at the discretion of the Local and Family History Librarian as some of the material is both fragile and irreplaceable.

Members of the public may apply online for access to a restricted item or in person at one of the Libraries.  Requests may take several days to process.

  

Enquire at the information desk 

Local history access form

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Go Global - School Holiday Program

Our July school holiday program - Go Global - runs from Monday 2 July to Friday 13 July.

We have many fun, free activities planned for all ages. Here's a guide to what's happening at your local library during the July school holidays.

Performers

Paul Jamieson: The Music Man

Suitable for all ages.
When: Week 1 - starting Monday 2 July

Paul is a multi-talented entertainer who uses reggae, rap, calypso, and many other styles of music in his performances. His contagious rhythms get everyone 'grooving', and audience participation is a keynote of his shows.

Flash Twinkle Toes Silly Circus Show

Suitable for all age.
When: Week 2 - starting Monday 9 July

Flash is a talented circus performer with one big problem ... he just can't seem to get things right! The Silly Circus Show features audience participation, comedic routines, and amazing skills in circus, magic, puppetry and more!

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Ashburton

Seeing is be-weaving!

Suitable for school age children
When: Wednesday 4 July, 11am

Discover all the different cultures that weave and make your own basket (for older children) or mat (younger children) to take home.

Cityscapes

Suitable for school age children
When: Wednesday 11 July, 11am

Build your own global city in miniature using recycled goods.

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Balwyn

Colour your world

Suitable for school age children
When: Thursday 5 July, 2pm

Join us to build and create colourful picture frames using every day items recycled into pieces of art!

Dreamtime Down Under

Suitable for school age children
When: Friday 13 July, 11am

Learn about the art of Australia's indigenous people and create your own beautiful dot-painting.

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Camberwell

Seeing is be-weaving!

Suitable for school age children
When: Tuesday 3 July, 11am

Discover all the different cultures that weave and make your own basket (for older children) or mat (younger children) to take home.

Cityscapes

Suitable for school age children
When: Tuesday 10 July, 11am

Build your own global city in miniature using recycled goods.

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Hawthorn

Passport to the world

Suitable for school age children
When: Tuesdau 3 July, 11am

Come and make your own fabulous passport with stamps, coin rubbing and postage stamps plus lots more!

Olympic dioramas

Suitable for school age children
When: Tuesday 10 July, 2pm

Create your own spectacular Olympic Games dioramas.

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Kew

Bonnie Scottish pom-poms

Suitable for school age children
When: Thursday 5 July, 2pm

Come to Kew and make your very own Scottish pom- pom to decorate a bonnie wee winter beanie.

Norwegian trolls

Suitable for school age children
When: Tuesday 10 July, 11am

Ancient Norwegians believed that trolls with magical powers lurked among the country's fjords and forests. Use your imagination to make your very own cork troll.

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Reserve a spot

Bookings will go live on Friday 22 June @ 10am. 

The 2012 Boroondara Literary Awards are open.

2012 judges

The Open Short Story competition will be judged by popular local crime writer PD Martin, City of Boroondara Library Service's National Year of Reading ambassador.

The Open Short Story competition is a national competition open to all!

Young writers

Judging the Young Writers Prose is well known and popular writer of YA fiction, Paul Collins.

And our Young Writers Poetry judge is none other than the lovely, prolific children's author, Meredith Costain!

The Young Writers competition includes Junior (school year levels 7-9) and Senior (school year levels 10-12 or 15-18 years of age) entry levels in both the poetry and prose categories and is open to young people who live, work or attend school in the City of Boroondara.


More about the Literary Awards

An information brochure for the 2012 Awards is available at any City of Boroondara Library branch or via the Boroondara Libraries website.

Queen's Birthday Public Holiday

All Boroondara libraries will be closed on Monday June 11 for the Queen's Birthday public holiday.

However you can still access a range of library services via our webpage.

Lifelong learning at any age...

The library service has a range of online databases and services to help with all types of learning.

Read newspapers and magazines from around the world.

Learn a language online.

Check some facts in an encyclopaedia.

Trace your family history.

Get information for a school project.

Discover some new authors.

Click here to see all the databases.