Teenagers Wanted - Youth Reading Group

Teenagers wanted

A youth reading group is on the first Sunday each month, starting 1^st April, from 2-3pm, at Ballina Library. Teens talk books, learn new stuff, make things, and have a mad feed. Share ideas with other teens, give it a go!

Local History Collection at Ballina Branch

Ballina Library has a large Local History Collection. The collection consists of catalogued books, periodicals and maps relating to the history of the local area or written by local authors.
Other items not catalogued include: Newspapers, photographs, clippings, documents and ephemera.
The photographical collection consists of about 1,400 photographs. Some photographs are photocopies of originals.

Friends of Ballina Shire's Libraries

Ballina Friends of the Library formed in 1981. In 1982 when Ballina Shire Council considered withdrawing from the Richmond-Tweed Regional Library to provide an independent service Ballina Friends of the Library marched in protest against the possible withdrawal. The group highlighted the Bookmobile Services in the Shire as these would have been lost.

Children's Activities

Storytime for Pre-school children is held @Ballina Library every Tuesday and Friday @11am.

Storytime sessions help to develop and nurture your child's love of books and the library. It provides an opportunity for your pre-school age child to listen to stories and do a craft activity in a group environment.

Baby Bounce / 10 Minutes a Day is held at Ballina Library at 10.30 am every Monday in the Reference Room.

Baby Bounce is a time for rhythm and rhyme with your baby. Baby Bounce is a half hour session designed to introduce your baby, and reintroduce you, to the joy of sharing the rhythm and rhyme of nursery rhymes, poems and songs with your baby.

Each session involves singing, clapping, musical instruments, poetry and lots of fun with your baby.

Baby Bounce is suitable for babies 0-2 years of age and is provided free. No bookings necessary.

Brief History of Ballina Branch Library

Ballina's library service commenced in the Temperance Hall in 1874. In 1887 Ballina residents raised funds to build the Ballina School of Arts. Initially there were sixty subscribers and about four hundred books available for loan.

In 1962 Ballina Council built a new building which was located in Cherry Street.

In 1970 a joint Lismore-Ballina Service commenced and then in 1974 the Richmond-Tweed Regional Library was formed with a five year agreement between Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Councils. Byron Shire Council joined the Richmond-Tweed Regional Library in 1978.

The present Ballina Library located in River Street was officially opened in 1993. Since then the collection has grown from 40,000 items available for loan to over 68,000 items.

Ballina Library