Outdoor reading venue is a page-turning hit

Want to read outdoors but not into sun, sand and beach? Perth’s Love2Read Café is opening again by popular demand in the Perth Cultural Centre outside the State Library of Western Australia.

From tomorrow to December 9, you can relax into reading one of the many books, magazines or newspapers available for use or bring your own material including e-readers. Discover thousands of e-books that can be borrowed by holders of a State or public library card.

Families can play word games and Lego poetry while spending time together at the Love2Read Cafe.

Family activities built around reading are important because children learn by watching others, said Margaret Allen, State Librarian.

“Reading is one of the best gifts parents can give their children. It is an essential life skill and plays a critical role in shaping the opportunities we have throughout our lives,” Ms Allen said. “It is also a pleasurable pastime that allows readers to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

“Sharing a book for just 10 minutes a day, an hour or so a week, can instill in a child a lifelong love of reading. Help is available for parents who might be not confident readers themselves, so they can learn to read to their children.

“It’s never too early or too late to become a reader.”

The café is an initiative of the State Library of Western Australia to celebrate National Year of Reading. It will also feature author talks and events. They include:

Tuesday 9 October: 11am
Awesome Kids Book Club. Author Jen Benyard will be leading storytelling activities and telling us more about her amazing book, Mystery at Riddle Gully. She’ll even sign your copy. Books available to purchase from the State Library Shop on the day. Suitable for children ages 9 to 14.

Sunday 14 October: 10.30 to 11.30am
Kaleidoscope Ensemble presents Poetry and Music. Come and enjoy this family friendly concert.

Saturday 27 October: 3.30 to 4.30pm
Jacqueline Wright, author of Red Dirt Talking and current TAG Hungerford award winner, will be in conversation with Vogel award winner Julienne van Loon.

Saturday 3 November: 10.30am to 4pm
Find a bargain, and enjoy this one-off opportunity to purchase surplus sheet music at The Big Book and Music Sale.

Saturday 3 November: 2.00 – 3.00pm
Women of Note author Rosalind Appleby will present a fascinating talk about women composers, with local musician Cathie Travers bringing the music to life.

Sunday 4 November: 10.30am to 11.30am
Berty Buttons. Join in the Berty Buttons storytime session and have a photo taken with the real Berty Buttons truck.

Thursday 8 November: 4.30 to 5.30pm
Enjoy some of Theo Kalogeracos’ award winning pizzas and discover the search for the perfect pizza in Theo and Co. Take 2.

Tuesday 13 November: 10.30 to 11.30am
Calling all book club goers! Meet Susan Midalia and hear about her new collection of short stories, An Unknown Sky. Enjoy a coffee purchased from the Aroma Café.

Friday 16 November: 10am to 4pm
Read Out Loud. Come and celebrate reading with the State Library, which will be hosting a nonstop Read Out Loud event in the Perth Cultural Centre. Reading will be children’s laureate Boori Monty Pryor, WA’s reading ambassadors Janet Holmes a Court, Fiona Wood and Lisa Scaffiidi. Local personalities Sally Carbon, James Lush, Vivienne Glance and William Yeoman will also be reading.

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November: various times daily
Stories on Screen. As part of Perth Heritage Weekend, see digital stories about WA’s past which have been created using images from the State Library’s pictorial collection. These short video narratives will be featured on the Perth Cultural Centre big screen.

Wednesday 21 November: 12.30 to 1.30pm
Boat people gives a voice to the survivors of the Vietnamese exodus. Listen to Carina Hoang share these stories that are still topical and relevant today.

Thursday 29 November: 6 to 7.30pm
A stranger in my street is the debut novel of Deborah Burrows. Come and hear her speak at this ‘Glass of Wine and a Good Book’ session, sponsored by Houghtons, with writingWA. Bookings are essential for this event: call 9427 3111 to book.

Sunday 2 December: 10.30 to 11.30am
Cappuccino Concerts. Listen to seasonal music at this event for all the family.

Friday 7 December: 10am to 4pm
Books-to-Go. Meet the Better Beginnings team who will help you create and publish your very own book to take home.

Saturday 8 December: 2 to 3pm
Super Summer Spruik: Fremantle Press and UWA Publishing will go head to head in a battle to win the hearts and minds of Western Australian readers and book clubs, bringing you the musthave West Australian books of the summer season.

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Media contact: Priscilla Fouracres, Manager Communications and Marketing
T: 9427 3150
M: 0416 812 390
E: priscilla.fouracres@slwa.wa.gov.au