By Eleanor Wilson
Members of participating libraries around Australia can soon tune in to monthly online events hosted by best-selling authors Maya Linnell and Ben Hobson.
Casey Cardinia Libraries will be the first of a suite of libraries to collaborate with the authors for the online events, Library Lovers with Maya Linnell and Ben’s Book Club.
Each online event features a series of guests, including an author, a lifestyle expert and a local librarian, with attendees offered the opportunity to ask questions, interact with guests, and enjoy light-hearted conversation about books, gardening and cooking.
The first event of Library Lovers with Maya Linnell took place on Wednesday 16 March at 7pm.
It featured a packed line-up of guests including Gardening Australia editor Jenny Baldwin, cookbook guru Sophie Hansen and Casey Cardinia Library’s own Janine Kimberley.
Ms Kimberley, who has been a librarian for Casey Cardinia Libraries for 13 years, is known for her work championing Australian authors.
“When my debut book was about to come out, Janine was one of the first librarians to pick up a copy of my book and promote it,” Ms Linnell said.
“For her to reach out and say ‘I’ve picked up an advanced copy of your book and I love it and I’m going to tell everyone about it’ was just amazing.”
Ms Linnell is the author of four rural fiction books, with her latest novel Paperbark Hill hitting shelves on 31 May.
Ms Kimberley, who said it is her “mission to get everyone to read Australian authors“, said the online events were a great way to “bring libraries into people’s homes”.
“I’m hoping people will become more aware of what is available online, because they’re often not even aware they can get access to magazines and books virtually,” she said.
“The fact we can take libraries with us nowadays is sensational.”
The online events have been launched as an initiative of library platform Overdrive, whose Libby reading app features digital books and magazines which can be accessed and borrowed free of charge.
To register for the event, head to bit.ly/3MLTDNo
