What’s on
From Sunday 5 March to Saturday 11 March, we are inviting all Tasmanians to read with us. With events and activities happening across the state there is something for everyone.
Remember that some events do require registration. Reserve your spot with Eventbrite.
Download the full Tasmania Reads What’s On (1MB PDF), or browse by region below.
Find out more by contacting your local library.
Everywhere and Online
| Event name | When? | Where? | Details |
| Read to work challenge | 5 – 11 March | Anywhere and everywhere | Hobart Library challenges you to listen to an eAudiobook on your daily commute. |
| UCTV Alive for Kids webinar with Aunty Patsy Cameron | Mon 6 March 2:00 – 2:30pm | Online Zoom Webinar Registration | This interactive online broadcast is aimed at Year 5 and 6 students, but open to any school or class and is hosted by Dr Louise Grimmer. During the show, students will have the opportunity to celebrate local culture and storytelling with Aunty Patsy Cameron, a descendant of the Pairebeenne Trawlwoolway clan in Tasmania. Aunty Patsy will be reading from her book “Sea Country” and will be available to answer any questions students may have, live. Register here |
| Online Flashmob | Fri 10 March 9:30am | Launch of community Flashmob #GeorgeTownReads #WestTamarReads | |
| In their own hands | 5 – 11 March | Instagram – State Library | Can you decipher the handwriting of archival records? Follow @statelibrary.archives.tas on Instagram and take the challenge. |
East
| Event name /description | Time and date | Location | Details |
| Bicheno Reads Make some fun bookmarks | Wed 8 March 2.30pm | Bicheno Library | Make your own bookmark with Leon. Everything you need provided. |
| Win a Kobo eReader | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Bicheno, Swansea, Orford, Sorell, Tasman, Rosny Libraries | Receive a free entry each time you visit one of the participating libraries and go into the draw to win a Kobo eReader. |
| Orford Reads Book Reviews | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Orford Library | Pick up a form and write your own book review for display in the library. |
| CFLC Pop-up Library | Mon 6 March 11:00am | St Helens CFLC | The library team will be at St Helens CFLC for an exciting Storytime and pop-up library. |
| Read Sing and Create with St Helens Library | Fri 10 March 10:30am | St Helens Library | Come along and share in a Tasmanian themed Storytime. |
| Chat with a local author | Wed 8 March 10:30am | St Helens Library | A surprise local author will be at the library to chat about all things writing. Come for the conversation and enjoy some cake too. |
| Read Sing and Create with St Marys Library | Tue 7 March 10:30am | St Marys Library | Come along and share in a Tasmanian themed Storytime. |
| Swansea Reads Bookmarks and Scavenger Hunt | Tue 7, Thu 9 March Library open hours | Swansea Library | Call into the library to pick up a bookmark template or scavenger hunt form. |
Hobart and the South
| Event name /description | Time and date | Location | Details |
| Win a Kobo eReader | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Bicheno, Swansea, Orford, Sorell, Tasman, Rosny Libraries | Receive a free entry each time you visit one of the participating libraries and go into the draw to win a Kobo eReader. |
| Digital Reading | Tue 7 March 10:00am | Bridgewater Library | Learn more about eResources, the Libby app and reading on digital devices. Stick around for some refreshments and giveaways. |
| Special Rock & Rhyme | Wed 8 March 10:00am | Bridgewater Library | Join us for a special Rock & Rhyme session with free books to give away. |
| Book Cubby Library | Thu 9 March 10:00am | Bridgewater Library | Write your own short story and add it to the ever-growing Book Cubby Library. |
| Bridgewater Staff reads | Mon 6 March 10:00am | Bridgewater Library | Get to know your local library staff at Bridgewater library a little better. Find out what their favourite books are, listen to them share some reading tips and talk about all things books. |
| Bruny Bus Reads | 6 – 10 March | Bruny Island – On the Bruny School Bus | Students will discover the joy of reading on the Bruny bus during Tasmania Reads week. |
| Bruny Reads Online | Wed 8 March 10:00am | Bruny Online | Discover Libraries Tasmania’s online resources, including languages and literacy, and research and reference. |
| Reading Tasmanian for Tasmania Reads! | Tue 7 March 11:00am | Bruny Island – Dennes Point | Join the Friends of North Bruny as they read Tasmanian and talk about their favourite Tasmanian books. |
| Clarence Plains Child & Family Learning Centre (CFLC) Birthday Picnic | Wed 8 March 11:00am | Clarence Plains CFLC | The teddy bears are coming out to celebrate Clarence Plains CFLC’s 11th birthday! You are invited too. |
| Glenorchy Reads Together | Until stock runs out | Glenorchy Council and Glenorchy Library | Glenorchy Library together with Glenorchy City Council’s 26TEN Community project are sharing the joy of reading. We have free copies of books written by Tasmanian authors. Come and see us for your free copy! |
| Glenorchy Reads On the Lawn | Thu 9 March 10:00am | Glenorchy Council lawns | Come and join us on the lawns, there will be something for everyone! Activities include: – Stories Through Dance with Leroy Heart and mob – Special Storytimes – ‘We Love Country’ and ‘Muwanina Country’ – Author talks with Amanda Lohrey, Meg Bignell, David Owen and Sally Wise – Giant book swap – bring a book to swap! – Join Create Crew – spraypaint your own planet skyscape! |
| How it Was! | Tue 7, Wed 8 March 2:00pm | Hobart – Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts | Join renowned actor and director Gary Files as he takes you on an adventure through the Tasmanian Archives from a very personal perspective |
| Share your book review | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Hobart Library | Contribute to our book review display and discover what others recommend. |
| Mystery Book Pack | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Hobart Library | Pick up a mystery book pack and read something new. Packs for all ages. |
| Listening to library books | Mon 6 March 10:00am | Hobart Library | Not sure how to access free eAudiobooks? Come along to our eAudiobook session to find out how. |
| Author Talk – Jackie French | Fri 10 March 5:30pm | Hobart Library | Join bestselling author Jackie French as she talks about her newest book ‘Becoming Mrs Mulberry’. In this special online author talk you will discover a story about the secrets we carry, those that we unearth -and those that are too dangerous to tell |
| Author Talk – J.D. Chadwick | Fri 17 March 5:30pm | Hobart Library | Chad went into the small travel agency in London to deliver a letter. To his surprise, he came out as the driver of a double-decker bus with 19 paying passengers on a 6 week trip around Europe. Join us to hear about his adventures. |
| Monthly Junior Book Chat Launch | Wed 1 March 3:30pm | Hobart Library | We are launching a regular Monthly Book Chat for Tasmania Reads. This relaxed book chat for younger readers will encourage everyone to share books they have read! This month’s theme is Award Winning Books |
| Cosy Corners | Mon 6 – Sat 11 March | Huonville Library | Relax with a book in one of our beanbags or comfy chairs. Enjoy the plant life and take a quiet moment to read. |
| Terror Australis Children’s Short Story Competition – Highly commended entries | Mon 6 – Sat 11 March | Huonville Library | Step into the mysterious world of Agatha Christie and read some of the highly commended Terror Australis Children’s Short Story Competition entries. The winners will be announced on Thursday 9 March at a special Government House event. |
| Books and Badges | Mon 6 – Sat 11 March | Huonville Library Cygnet Library Geeveston Library | Visit our libraries and pick up your very own Tasmania Reads badge whilst you browse the shelves. |
| Community Recommendations | Mon 6 – Sat 11 March | Huonville Library Cygnet Library Geeveston Library | Have you got a book recommendation, or maybe you’re looking for your next book? Why not have a look at and contribute to our great wall of recommendations. |
| Sealink Pop-up Library | 5 – 11 March Ferry terminal open hours | Kettering and Roberts Point ferry depot | Take a book, leave a book and find something new to read on your ferry journey. |
| Storytime with Dads, Grandads and Uncles | Sat 4 March 10:30am | Kingston Library | Come to this special Storytime with your dad, uncle or grandad. |
| Low sensory opening hour | Mon 6 March 5:30pm | Kingston Library | For those who enjoy quiet library time visit Kingston Library’s low sensory hour. |
| Magical Story Tent | Wed 8 March 10:00am, & Fri 10 March 10:00am | Kingston Library | Join library staff for a magical Storytime event. |
| Doggie Storytime | Thu 9 March 10:30am | Kingston Library | Read dog friendly books with Jasper the friendly dog. |
| Kingston Storywalk with Margie Kirk | Fri 10 March 10:00am | Margate – Dru Point Bicentennial Park | Join Margie Kirk and discover the new Storywalk at Dru Point Bicentennial Park. |
| New Norfolk Reads together | Mon 20 March 10:30am | New Norfolk – Charles St | Join us for a talk and morning tea at the library with special guest Meg Bignell, author of ‘Angry Women’s Choir’ |
| New Norfolk Special Storytime | Wed 8 March 10:30am | New Norfolk Library | Come along to this very special Rock and Rhyme with stories and songs. There will be a special guest reader and free give aways. |
| Clarence Reads Rokeby and Clarendon Vale Reading Cafes | Tue 7 March 11:00am | Rokeby Neighbourhood Centre & Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre | Join us for coffee, cake and a free book to take home. |
| Clarence Reads Twilight fair | Thu 9 March 3:30pm | Rosny Library | Join us for a fun evening of author talks, a big book swap, bookish crafts and activities,a graffiti art workshop, community pop-ups and stalls, a toy and teddy sleepover, a free BBQ and much more. |
| Sorell Reads Together Festival | Tue 7 March | Sorell Library | Join us for a fun evening of author talks, a big book swap, bookish crafts and activities,a graffiti art workshop, community pop-ups and stalls, a toy and teddy sleepover, a free BBQ and much more. |
| Tasman Reads Teddy Sleepover | Wed 8 March 11:00am | Tasman Library | Drop off your toy or teddy before 11am on 8 March. What kinds of adventures will they get up to? |
Launceston and the North-East
| Campbell Town Favourite Reads | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Campbell Town Library | Find out what Campbell Town’s locals have voted as their ‘Must Read’ books. |
| Teddy Bears’ Picnic | Thu 9 March 11:00am | George Town (CFLC) Regent Square | Bring along your teddy bear for a picnic in the park and teddy bear activities. |
| Puppy Rock & Rhyme | Wed 8 March 10:30am | George Town CFLC | Join our library team and special puppy guest for stories, songs and fun. |
| Australian Reading Hour Pyjama Party | Thu 9 March 6:00pm | George Town Community Hub | Wear your favourite pyjamas and join us for a special reading of ‘Sea Country’ by Aunty Patsy Cameron. Pizza provided. |
| Storytime with author Sharon Yaxley | Tue 7 March 10:00am | George Town Library | Join local children’s author Sharon Yaxley as she reads her new book ‘In Nan’s Garden’. |
| Launch of Community Seed Libraries | Mon 6 March 10:30am | George Town Library & Exeter Library | Free Community Seed Libraries are being launched for anyone interested in gardening and saving seeds. |
| Friends of the Library, Launceston Annual booksale | Sat 4 march 9:00am | Launceston – St Ailbes Hall | Help kick off Tasmania Reads week with a visit to the Friends of the Library book sale. Select from a wide range of good quality donated secondhand books, DVDs, collectables and Tasmaniana. |
| Gaming Takes Over Launceston Library | 5 March 10am-4pm | Launceston Library | Launceston Library kicks off Tasmania Reads with a community celebration of all things gaming. |
| Multi Story | 8 – 12 March Various times | Launceston Library | Stompin youth dance company take over the library with performances as part of Ten Days on the Island |
| Top 50s Display | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Ravenswood Library and Westbury Library | Find out what the top 50 Tasmanian titles are as voted by Friends of the Library, Launceston |
| Storytime Picnic | Wed 8 March 1:30pm | Ringarooma Library | Join us for a special Storytime picnic with some exciting giveaways. |
| Rock and Rhyme Storytime Special Guest | Mon 6 March 10:30am | Scottsdale Library | Gerard will share stories that are inclusive and entertaining. |
| Inclusive Drama Workshop | Mon 6 March 1.30pm | Scottsdale Library | Come and play in this fun and relaxed workshop for people of all abilities. |
North West and West Coast
| Burnie Reads | Wed 8 March 10:30am | Burnie Library | Join us for a special Indigenous stories Rock and Rhyme and Speed Reading with Chatty Cafe. |
| Burnie Reads | Thu 9 March 10:30am | Burnie Library | Join us for Europa poets, interactive Storytime, author talks and some exciting giveaways. |
| Burnie Reads | Fri 10 March 3:15pm | Burnie Library | Join us for a special Kids Book Club where we celebrate Tasmania Reads. |
| Currie Reads | Fri 10 March 10:30am | Currie Library | Come along for a Tasmanian themed Storytime. |
| Devonport Reads – Library on the Lawn | Thu 9 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Devonport – Opposite the Devonport Library | Come along to our celebration of reading. Borrow books, chill out in the book nook, find a reading prescription, browse the book sale, get tech help and enjoy Rock & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. There is something for everyone! |
| Q&A with Esther Campion | Thu 9 March 2:00pm | Devonport Library | Join us for a special author talk with Tasmanian novelist Esther Campion. Esther will be available for a Q&A session and will give us an update on her latest writings. |
| Latrobe Reads – Library on the Lawn | Wed 8 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Latrobe – Cenotaph Reserve | Come along to our celebration of reading. Borrow books, chill out in the book nook, find a reading prescription, browse the book sale, get tech help and enjoy Rock & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. There is something for everyone! |
| Read with friends | Wed 8 March 1:00pm | Latrobe Library | We will hold a special book club in our libraries to celebrate Tasmania Reads. The theme is books about Tasmania or by Tasmanian authors. |
| Longford Library Reads Online | 5 – 11 March Library open hours | Longford Library | Visit Longford Library to find out more about accessing eResources and getting online at the library. |
| Penguin Reads – Library on the Lawn | Fri 10 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Penguin – Park adjacent to library | Come along to our celebration of reading. Borrow books, chill out in the book nook, find a reading prescription, browse the book sale, get tech help and enjoy Rock & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. There is something for everyone! |
| All Things Penguin with Discovery Ranger | Fri 10 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Penguin Library | Join Discovery Ranger Amanda at this hands-on session and learn all about penguins; how we can care for and protect the, |
| Read with friends | Tue 7 march 2:00pm | Penguin Library | We will hold a special book club in our libraries to celebrate Tasmania Reads. The theme is books about Tasmania or by Tasmanian authors. |
| West Coast Reads | Fri 10 March 10:00am | Queenstown Library | Join Learoy for a special celebration party Rock & Rhyme Storytime. |
| Sheffield Reads – Library on the Lawn | Mon 6 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Sheffield – Mural Park | Come along to our celebration of reading. Borrow books, chill out in the book nook, find a reading prescription, browse the book sale, get tech help and enjoy Rock & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. There is something for everyone! |
| Read with friends | Tue 7 March 3:30pm | Sheffield Library | We will hold a special book club in our libraries to celebrate Tasmania Reads. The theme is books about Tasmania or by Tasmanian authors. |
| Smithton Reads | Wed 8 March 2:00pm | Smithton – Vinnies Hub | Join Author Rees Campbell to find out about growing edible native plants and take a few recipes home to try. |
| How to grow a book and garden | Wed 8 March 5:30pm | Smithton Library | join Rees Campbell as she talks about her best-selling books ‘ Eat Wild Tasmanian and ‘Eat More Wild’ and learn how to use the bush as a library rather than a supermarket. |
| Ulverstone Reads – Library on the Lawn | Tue 7 March 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Ulverstone – Adjacent to Ulverstone Library | Come along to our celebration of reading. Borrow books, chill out in the book nook, find a reading prescription, browse the book sale, get tech help and enjoy Rock & Rhyme and Storytime sessions. There is something for everyone! |
| Read with friends | Wed 8 March 10:30am | Ulverstone Library | We will hold a special book club in our libraries to celebrate Tasmania Reads. The theme is books about Tasmania or by Tasmanian authors. |
| Astronomy with Dr Martin George | Wed 8 March 3:30pm | Ulverstone Library | Join us in welcoming Dr Martin George, Principal Astronomer from The Hive Ulverstone. This program is aimed at primary school-aged children and their parents and carers. |
| Wynyard Reads | Mon 6 March 11:00am | Wynyard Library | Come along for a Storytime with Delta the Therapy Dog and some giveaways. |