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Programs and Events

Programs and Events

You’ll find on this page:

The City of Holdfast Bay libraries hosts various events and programs throughout the year. They include creative, cultural, informative, and educational activities for all ages.

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Adult Programs and Events

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Services

The library offers several services to our community. Please click on the service below to learn more.

Justice of the Peace

A drop-in Justice of the Peace service is available at Glenelg Library during the following times:

  • Fridays 9.30 am -11:30am
  • Saturdays 9.30 am -11:30am

There is no need to make appointment for this service.

Children and Youth Programs and Events

Children's Early Literacy Programs

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Wriggle n' Rhyme, Toddler Time, and Rock n' Read

Holdfast Bay Library Service offers a range of early literacy programs for babies and children ages 0-5, incorporating books, songs, rhyme, music, actions, dancing and musical instruments. Programs are targeted with activities to read, sing, talk and play with your child, and there are several different options depending on your child's age, interests, and development stage.

Early literacy programs run during school terms only. If there are no programs currently advertised, please check back closer to term time or call the library. All regular early literacy programs are free to attend, and no bookings required.

Words Grow Minds is a South Australian government-funded campaign that gets straight to the heart of how parents and caregivers can help babies and young children thrive. Our library collections and our early literacy programs for children from birth to school age support its simple message of Talk, Read, Play and Sing.

To learn more about how to support your children, see the Words Grow Minds website to access their free family resources.

1001 Books Before School Program

Reading aloud with your child has proven to be one of the most valuable activities you can do to set your child up for success and encourage them to love reading for life. In this challenge, we encourage you to read 1001 books with your child before they start school.

Drop into Glenelg or Brighton Library to register. For more information, view the 1001 Books FAQ handout (PDF).

Library Programs Online

Enjoy our regular children’s programs at any time. Follow the slides and listen to the songs at home. Access Library Program online.

Words Grow Minds Kits

A pink character holding a smaller yellow character with the text 'Words Grow Minds Literacy Kits' at the top and 'WORDS GROW MINDS' in colorful text at the bottom right.

Words Grow Minds Literacy Kits are available to borrow from Brighton and Glenelg Library. These carefully developed, high-quality resources aim to boost literacy in young children. Based on the four Words Grow Minds principles of Read, Talk, Play, and Sing, each kit includes a variety of themed activities. Small parts in these kits are only suitable for children 3 years and older.

What’s included? Each themed kit includes books, talking cards, a learning toy, shaker eggs and a QR code to a themed Spotify playlist.
What are the themes? There are 10 themed kits: Transport, Animals, Numbers, Music, Food, Science and technology, Feelings and emotions, Beach, Nature, and Dinosaurs.
Loan period: 2 weeks
Where to borrow? Available at Brighton and Glenelg Library.
Are there more kits coming? We have a few in the pipeline—stay tuned!

Sensory Kits

finger in beans with plastic dinosaurs

We’re excited to introduce Sensory Kits, now available to borrow from Brighton Library! These kits provide a fun and engaging way to develop fine motor skills while enjoying sensory play. Each kit is themed—dinosaurs, under the Sea, and Space—and includes interactive materials designed for hands-on exploration. Our Sensory Kits are also disability-accessible, featuring easy-read books to support individuals with intellectual disabilities or low literacy levels. Please keep in mind that small parts in these kits are only appropriate for children 3 years old and older.

What’s included? Three themed kits with interactive sensory materials.
Loan period: 2 weeks
Where to borrow? Available exclusively at Brighton Library.
Are there more kits coming? We have a few in the pipeline—stay tuned!

Youth Programs

Holdfast Bay Libraries Young Writer’s Competition

A person writing in a notebook with a pen while holding a white mug with floral designs and the text 'be happy' on it. The person's hand is visible, and the background is slightly blurred.

The City of Holdfast Bay Libraries is hosting a young writer’s competition in July 2025, with prizes valued at $150!

The competition opens on 1 July 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.

Categories

  • Ages 8–12
  • Ages 13–18

Prizes

  • One winner per category will receive a prize valued at $150.

Judging

  • Entries will be judged by a panel of three library staff members.

Entry Requirements

  • Open to any form of writing, including poetry, short stories and factual accounts.
  • Must be based on the 2025 Book Week theme, "Book an Adventure."
  • Participants must be South Australian residents aged 8–18.

Ineligible Participants

  • A person who is an Elected Member or employee (including household members of employees) of the City of Holdfast Bay.
  • A person who refuses to comply with or breaches any terms of the Holdfast Bay Libraries Young Writer’s Competition Rules.

By entering the Holdfast Bay Libraries Young Writers’ Competition, the participant agrees to the following terms and conditions:

  1. The writing competition is open to all forms of writing, including poetry, short stories, and factual accounts.
  2. To enter, the participant does not have to live in the City of Holdfast Bay or hold a library card, but they must be a South Australian resident.
  3. The participant must be between the ages of 8 and 18 years and submit their entry to one of the categories (ages 8–12 and ages 13–18).
  4. The story must relate to the 2025 Book Week theme of “Book an adventure.”
  5. The story must be the participant’s own original work and be in English. Artificial Intelligence and generative AI tools must not be used.
  6. The entry must be no more than 2000 words.
  7. If under 18, the participant must have their legal guardian’s permission to enter.
  8. The participant must only submit one entry, and once submitted, the entry is final.
  9. All submissions must be sent to library@holdfast.sa.gov.au with the subject “Holdfast Bay Young Writers Competition” and the entered category. The email must also include the participant’s name and contact phone number.
  10. Entries will not be accepted before the 1st of July, 2025, or after 11:59 pm on the 31st of July.
  11. The judging panel’s decision is final.
  12. Results of this competition will be announced 10 business days after the competition closes, and the winners will be contacted via the mobile phone number provided upon entry.
  13. The prizes consist of one prize for each category valued at $150.
  14. If a prize winner chooses not to accept the prize awarded by the City of Holdfast Bay, the prize will not be substituted with another prize.
  15. By entering your work, entrants grant the City of Holdfast Bay a non-exclusive, personal, perpetual, royalty-free license to publish (including electronically), broadcast, edit, and adapt the awarded entry.
  16. Copyright is retained by the author.

STEM Programs

STEM Programs

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Catch Us!

Would you like a visit from the Children’s Programs Team? We can bring our Wriggle ’n’ Rhyme singing or Storytime sessions to you! To organise an outreach session, don't hesitate to get in touch with the library at librarylearning@holdfast.sa.gov.au