5 August, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Library has demonstrated the theme of this year’s Local Government Week celebrations: Councils do, helping the community learn, discover and access services despite the challenges of COVID-19.

The library’s efforts during the COVID-19 closure have been formally recognised, with Brain Training Expanded achieving Highly Commended in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in the category of Special Delivery Initiative.

During the lockdown period the library team continued to deliver the Brain Training program to seniors, hand delivering resources to retirement villages, nursing homes and other residences across the Shire.

Gunnedah Shire Librarian Christiane Birkett said that Brain Training was designed as a form of ‘mental gymnastics’, helping engage and stimulate seniors throughout the isolation period.

“During the time the library was closed to the public we delivered 279 brain training programs a week,” Mrs Birkett said.

“Now that the library has reopened to the public we are running Brain Training again in person, and participants are enjoying the social aspect of being back in the library.

“It is just fantastic to see people using our library, whether physically or remotely, and enjoying lifelong learning opportunities.”

Rose Newall, a Brain Training participant said while some of the timed activities like colouring with your left hand were challenging, the program was good fun and gave her something to think about while in isolation.

“This library has done so much for me personally, I normally visit 3-4 times a week so I appreciated having these services delivered to me at home,” Mrs Newall said.

Brain training was one of many programs that continued to run throughout the shutdown period. Library staff members were busy behind the scenes with a variety of projects, including:

• Organising more than 5000 weekly activity packs for both adults and children,
• Hand delivering more than 1000 library loans during the month of April, and
• Collaborating with Arts North West for the Panorama Project, helping the Gunnedah community document and exhibit their unique experiences during this challenging time.

Those wishing to participate in upcoming library programs are encouraged to phone the library to book their space, with groups capped due to COVID-19 restrictions.

For further information about library services, contact the library team on (02) 6740 2190.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.