Community & Business
20 August, 2026
The GIL Library Hub News
Another week of busy activities, with some time to chill and watch a flick, at The Gil Lib Hub.
DFYM LEGO® Club
August is Family History Month and to celebrate, our Designs From Your Mind (DFYM) builders brought their family histories to life by literally putting their families into trees!
There was a thorough search through all the LEGO® boxes for brown bricks to build the trees, with three levels of branches required.
Our builders and their siblings were placed on the bottom branch, their parents on the middle layer, and their grandparents proudly perched at the top.
The children had a wonderful time searching through the mini-figure box to find figures that looked most like themselves and their family members.
It was a fantastic opportunity to talk about family connections and celebrate the generations that came before them.
These wonderful family trees are now on display in the library, so be sure to take a look!
Tech Club
First pianos, now guitars!
After perfecting their Makey Makey pianos, Tech Club moved on to another instrument in our latest session: guitars!
The design phase was intense, with plenty of critical thinking required to visualise what a guitar would look like and work out how the Makey Makey would need to be attached.
The children sketched their designs onto cardboard before using our cardboard cutting machine to bring their creations to life.
In our next session, we’ll detach the Makey Makeys from our pianos and install them onto our guitars!
Books and Blocks
We had so many imaginative preschoolers join us for Books and Blocks at the library last week for a free-build, interactive play activity.
Pat Hutchins’ book ‘Changes Changes’ introduced us to the idea of creative play with blocks before we began creating our own builds.
We made castles for our families, a library for everyone to read in, a house for our Ooshie toys, towers and train tracks.
Our library puppets also sparked plenty of imaginative play. The preschoolers enjoyed feeding the lion puppet a variety of block based “fruits and vegetables” and trying to discover which one was the lion’s favourite.
They also took the lion to the dentist and brushed its teeth - these simple interactions are important ways for children to interpret, explore and understand the world around them.
Imaginative play, especially when guided by trusted grown-ups, supports children’s development, creativity and understanding. It was wonderful to see so many little imaginations at work!
Preschool Craft
What goes roar and was found in the library?
Preschoolers making plasticine dinosaurs, of course!
Preschool Craft was roaring with fun last week! Our creative little participants squished, rolled and moulded plasticine into their very own dinosaurs, adding spikes, tails and googly eyes to bring their creations to life.
This hands-on sensory activity encouraged children to explore shapes and colours while learning more about dinosaurs. There were plenty of fantastic creations for our little dino-makers to take home and enjoy!
We can’t wait for Preschool Craft to return next month!
Adult Arts and Craft
The library had a fantastic turnout for our monthly Adult Arts and Crafts session last week, with participants ready to get creative with paper!
Using a collage technique, we cut out individual squares and deliberately rearranged them on paper to create a beautiful patchwork quilt effect.
Some clever drawing brought the artwork to life, making the ‘quilt’ look as though it was hanging from a washing line!
Our second craft activity was equally creative: using piano sheet music to make delicate flowers. The petals, crafted from the sheet music, created a stunning and unique effect.
Feeling creative? Make sure you join us next month for our Adult Arts and Crafts session!
Upcoming early learning activities
Books and Blocks returns this week for its second session of the month! Join us for a morning of hands-on fun as little builders explore, create and imagine.
Whether they're constructing towering buildings, sending trains through winding tunnels, or inventing a wildlife zoo, every child can create their own adventure.
Designed for children aged zero-to-five years, Books and Blocks encourages creativity, problem-solving, and imaginative play in a fun, relaxed and welcoming environment.
Storytime will return next week, with a special Book Week session. Dress up as your favourite book character and enjoy lots of songs, rhymes and stories for our young learners. Come and join in plenty of early literacy, sensory activities and craft with friends.
Join us next week for Wiggles and Giggles, a music and movement program designed for preschoolers and their caregivers. Kids get to build motor skills, practice listening, and connect with their caregivers, all the while having an absolute blast at the library!
Upcoming adult activities
Join us this week for Friday Flicks as we screen a recent, well-reviewed G or PG-rated film on the big screen.
Why not visit one of Gilgandra’s great cafés beforehand and bring along some treats to enjoy during the movie?
Can’t make it to the Friday movies? Why not come on Saturday instead! This week for Saturday Screenings, we will replay some of the popular films previously shown on Fridays.
It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on a movie you may have missed or simply enjoy it again on the big screen.
Next week, Riverview Book Club will gather to discuss “There are rivers in the sky” by Elif Shafak. New members are always welcome to join.
Did you know that we have two book clubs that meet monthly at the library, and that everyone is welcome to join? The library also has a range of book club sets of eight-to-10 copies of a book, that are available to borrow, free of charge.
Are you ready to puzzle? Next week Friday Puzzles and Games returns for gaming fun! Enjoy a variety of card and board games, learn something new, and join fellow puzzle-solvers for an engaging and social session.
For adults, this is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with others while spending a relaxed and enjoyable morning together.
Service NSW Savings Finder
Could you be missing out on savings, vouchers or rebates?
Next week, Lisa from Service NSW will be visiting the GIL Library Hub to help community members discover what savings they may be eligible for through the Service NSW Savings Finder program.
Many people are eligible for a range of vouchers, rebates and other savings but may not know what is available to them. Lisa will provide one-on-one assistance to help residents check their eligibility and register for any relevant savings.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and morning tea will be provided.
Revenue NSW Visit
Need help with fines or Revenue NSW debts?
Next week, the GIL Library Hub will welcome Janaya Carney, Outreach Officer from Revenue NSW, who will be available to support community members experiencing difficulties with fines or debts.
Janaya can provide guidance and assistance with a range of options, including:
Lifting licence suspensions
Reducing or disputing fines
Setting up manageable payment plans
Exploring approved courses or volunteer work to help pay off fines
Understanding other options that may be available
If you, a family member, friend or someone in the community could benefit from this support, please feel welcome to come along and have a chat with Janaya.
