Reconnect Festival 2021

'Your Library' has missed you!

The Reconnect Festival is about bringing our community back together.

Through engaging talks, practical workshops, and exciting new initiatives, we will explore the themes of community, literacy, time & space, and sustainability, to reconnect you with your library, with your Council, and with each other.

FESTIVAL highlights

There has never been a better time to become a library member! Join during May and automatically go in the draw to win one of 13 fabulous local prizes.

Library membership is free and forever.

Image of Craig Reucassel

Craig Reucassel
Sustainability and You

What can you do to reduce your environmental impact? What role can one person play in saving the planet? Craig, famous for his work with ‘The Chaser’ and for going through your bins on ‘The War on Waste’, will show you the way.
Thursday 27 May, 7pm-8pm
Online event
Belgrave Library, 24 May, 10.30am-11.30am
 
Rowville Library, 26 May, 2pm-3pm
 
Montrose Library, 27 May, 2.15pm-3.15pm
 
Bayswater Library, 26 May, 11am-12pm

Family Stargazing Night
With bedtime storytime

Explore the night sky with expert volunteers from Mount Burnett Observatory. Enjoy a space-themed bedtime storytime with storyteller Michelle. Learn about your place in the cosmos at this special event.
Support small businesses in Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges during Reconnect Festival. Show your library card and receive a special offer or discount.

Writing the Rainbow
Festival within a festival

The Writing the Rainbow Festival — celebrating LGBTQIA+ writers and readers — is back in 2021. This year’s festival within a festival features an exciting line-up of presenters!

A NEW THEME EACH WEEK

Week one

Events to support healthy living, community safety, and lifelong learning.

Week two

Events to help you grow more confident, connected, and purposeful

Week Three

Events to celebrate our shared heritage, community spaces, and future together

Week FOUR

Events to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable community

festival within a festival

Events to celebrate LGBTIQA+ writers and readers

more highlights

child writing

Children's Short Story Competition
Win a prize pack!

Write a short story of no more than 300 words for your chance to win a book voucher! Pick up an entry form from Rowville Library or download now.

Age categories: 6-8, 9-11, 12-13, and 14-16.
Entries close 10 June.

Artistic impressions
Local artists at Your Library

Enjoy viewing the work of local artists at Your Library throughout the month of May.
My Gender Equal Future Poster Competition
Ferntree Gully Library, 5-31 May
 
The Art of Noel Maxwell
Bayswater Library, 1-31 May
 
The Art of Margaret McLoughlin
Healesville Library, 1-31 May
 
Photographic History of Boronia
Boronia Library, 7-21 May
 
Yarra Junction Library, 17-21 May
Image of inflatable flamingo

Community leisure discounts
Get your health back on track

Courtesy of Belgravia Leisure and Knox Leisureworks. There has never been a better time to join the library!

Present your library card at Monbulk Aquatic Centre, Kilsyth Centenary Pool, the Yarra Centre or Knox Leisureworks Aquatic to receive 20% discounted pool entry!

Join Chris at the Belgrave library and learn about the history of linocut printing, the techniques she uses, and the tools, paper, lino blocks, and inks she recommends. Some of Chris’ work will also be on display.
Tuesday 18 May, 2pm-3pm
Belgrave Library
Meet, entreat, swap and share with like-minded enthusiasts at these free events.
Yarra Junction Library, 3-8 May
 
Mooroolbark Library, 11 May, 10am-12pm
 
Ferntree Gully Library, 25 May, 10am-3pm
 
Rowville Library, 27 May, 9am-8pm
Author Heather Morris visits Rowville Library to offer an engaging insight into her writing process, and a preview of her next novel, ‘Three Sisters’.

Thursday 20 May, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Rowville Library

Event program