Expand your mind, a refugee week human library event

 ✨Expand your mind✨

(Image provided by https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/logo/ and used in agreement with copyright.

Azure beach

It is a place where all are welcome, and this includes the various refugees we get here. We here at Azure beach library believe their stories should be shared and heard from.

And as part of refugee week later this year. A human library event here at Azure beach library is being held where you can hear directly from various refugees what it was like, and what their hardships may have been. At their resilience to those hard times as they live out their lives. 

Don't miss this potentially once in a few years opportunity to hear from the volunteers about their personal experiences. Book in your slot, only 25 spaces available.

If you would like to learn more about refugee week the site can be located here: https://www.refugeeweek.org.au

Date

21/06/2024

Times: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Azure Beach public library

Booking fee: None

Email to book

events@azurebeachlibrary.nsw.gov.au

Posted by: Nicholas Davis

Celebrating International Youth Day: Stories of incredible young people

 Celebrate International Youth Day with us!

Image attribution: https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day

Ever wanted to hear stories of resilience and accomplishments from other young people aged 12 to 25 just like you? 

Well, look no further than our very own Azure Beach Library Human Event. To celebrate International Youth Day (IYD), this event will feature young volunteers whom we refer to as "books". They may be borrowed in 20-minute slots where other young people (like yourself) may ask them about their extraordinary stories of resilience and accomplishments.

What is International Youth Day (IYD)?

IYD was first created by the United Nations. The first event was celebrated on August 12, 2000. This is a day in August when we talk about issues facing young people and celebrate young people as potential partners in today's society.

Learn more about IYD here.

What's in it for me?

You will get to learn and be inspired by the stories, resilience and accomplishments of young people. Plus, there will be free finger food and soft drinks!

Potential topics covered by the "books"

• Advocacy in mental health and climate action
• Young leaders in parliament
• Mental wellbeing
• Bullying
• Confidence
• Pursuing art professionally
• ... and more!

👭 Join us! 👬

Day:

12th August, 2024

Time:

10am to 5pm

Location/venue:

Mixed seating around various small tables on the right side of the library from the entrance.

Cost:

Free!

So, how do I book to reserve a place?

Email events@azurebeachlibrary.nsw.gov.au with "IYD booking" as the email subject heading to secure your spot. There will only be 40 tickets, so you don't want to miss out.

See you there! 👏👸😍

For further inquiries, you can send us an email at hello@azurebeachlibrary.nsw.gov.au

Breanna Lo

Human Library – Explore a Multicultural Collection

 

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity

What’s a Harmony Week?

In March each year, Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

What’s a Human Library?

The Human Library creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between human books and readers. All of the human books are volunteers with personal experience with their topic.

The Human Library is a place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered.

About this event!

A Human Library will be held on 21 March 2024 at ABPL. During this event, patrons will be able to “borrow” 1 out of 4 Human Books with different background and diversity, to have a 30-minute informal conversation. The event is an opportunity for individuals to connect with people they would not normally have the occasion to speak to within their community, to better understand the life experiences of others and to challenge their own assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes.

Come and join!

Date: 21 March 2024

Time: 4:00 -8:00pm

Place: Library Courtyard, Azure Beach Public Library

Cost: Free!

Booking is essential due to only 32 spaces available. You can book right here

or please phone us on  (02) 9717 ####

or email us at hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au.

 Labels: Azure Beach Public Library,  human library,  Harmony Week, Multicultural Awareness

Get in contact with us

P: (02) 9717 ####

E: hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au

A: 44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach NSW 2100

 

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm

Saturday: 9am – 4pm | Sunday: 10am – 1pm

 

Image attribution: https://www.harmony.gov.au/resources/web-banners

Daniel Tat Ming WONG

Mental Health Awareness month - Focusing on the Youth of Azure Beach

Libraries help spread the good words. Discover, Dream, Grow.

October is Mental Health Awareness Month - Gippsland Primary Health Network (gphn.org.au)

Did you know that in 2017-18, an estimated 339,000 young people aged 18-24 (15%) experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress.

That is why Azure Beach is celebrating the youth of Azure Beach and will be hosting a living human library event.  A living library, what is it? you ask. The Human Library was created in Copenhagen in 2000 by brothers Ronni and Dany Abergel along with their colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen.  In Danish it is called “menneskebublioteket”.  The Human Library uses a library analogy of lending people instead of books.  These living books have experienced prejudice, stigma and social exclusion and they aim to address people’s prejudices by talking to them.

Next month's topic is all about life issues the youth face.  The many challenges that the youth of today face, can have a lasting impact from stressing over exams, your body, finding your feet, family break up, racism or even bullying, having someone to talk to and hear their experiences can give a better understanding that you are not alone and that there is help out there.   Azure Beach Library will be partnering with Beyond blue to bring this extraordinary human living library event to celebrate Mental Health Month.

Meet our books. 

Nyadol Nyuon

Nyadol is an Australian lawyer and human rights advocate.  At the age of 18 she became a refugee when she came to Australia in 2005 and is an Australian Commissions award winner for 2018.

Jessica Rowe

Jessica is a beyond blue ambassador, author and television presenter who is passionate about removing the stigma around mental health.  

Jason Ball 

Jason is a beyond blue ambassador and an AFL player who is a LGBTI advocate.  

Numbers are strictly limited to 25 tickets, so register quickly before they sell out.  This is a free event. 

Click on the link below to secure your spot!

👇 

https://events.com/

 

Date:    Saturday October 21st, 2023

Time:    11.30am - 2.30pm

Venue:    Azure Room 

RSVP:    Monday October 16th, 2023

For any further enquiries or questions, please one of the options below

☎️ (02) 9717 1212

📧 info@azzurebeachlibrary.gov.au 

Marijana Skoflic

Want to know more about Mental Health or the Human Library?  Click the links below. 

👇 

Beyond Blue

Learn about mental health - Beyond Blue

Mental Health

Mental Health Australia | (mhaustralia.org)

Human Library

Unjudge someone - The Human Library Organization

Look past the Cover

 Look Past the Cover

Did you know that around the world there are estimated to be 1.3 billion people who have some form of disability? That's 16% of the world's population - or 1 out of 6 people! Within Australia, it is estimated that 18% of the nation's population has a form of disability, which is roughly 4.4 million Australians. And out of those 4.4 million people, 90% live with an invisible disability.

An invisible disability is not a condition that can be easily seen and can be easy to mistake or overlook. Because of this, those with a disability and those closest to them often experience hardship, prejudice, and misconceptions. Sadly,  this can make their lives very difficult.

Azure Beach Public Library understands this and plans to support International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) and those impacted by disability by hosting a Human Library on December 1st, 2023.

All are encouraged to visit the library to speak with our guest speakers - our "living books" - who will share their lived experiences being impacted by disability. Be a part of and help to break down prejudices and misconceptions by understanding how not to judge a book by its cover.

To learn more about International Day of People With Disability please visit their website.

When:

December 1st, 2023

11:30am - 2:30pm

Location:

44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach NSW 2100

Library Courtyard

Cost:

Free Event

Register:

Please click here to register

For queries please contact us at hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au

Tegan Neal

Dementia: There's a Human Inside

  Photo by Jeremy Wong on Unsplash. | Photo by  Steven HWG on Unsplash.
   

Do you know what Dementia is? Maybe you know someone with Dementia? Perhaps you have it yourself? What does it truly mean to live with Dementia?

This week, Azure Beach Public Library is hosting an event known as a Human Living Library event. This means, people will be our books! Borrow them and they will have a chance to invite you into their lives and create a respectful, nonjudgemental space. Our theme for this event is Dementia, to align with Dementia Action Week. Our goal is to educate, clarify and gain an understanding for the people and their loved ones, that have dementia in their lives. 

Where: Library Courtyard, Azure Beach Public Library

44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach NSW 2100

When: 21st & 22nd of September, 2023

Time: 11am to 3pm

 To register, book your eTicket here or please phone us on  (02) 9717 #### or email us at hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au.

We hope to see you there!

It's our chance to breakdown barriers and show everyone that sufferers of dementia are still human; they're still the people we know and love. This is their chance to share their experiences and to let others know, that they are impacted too. Come on down to show your support, gain insight and learn a thing or two that you may not have already known.

Want to know more? Click this link to find out about the Human Living Library movement!

Need more dementia information? You can find it at Dementia Australia and their library guide.

 

-by Hayley Morales.

Stiff upper lip? Let's talk about mental illness and ageing

Think mental illness is a disease for young people? Think again. 

People of all ages can experience mental illness, and older adults are particularly at risk of developing a mental illness (such as depression or anxiety) due to their experience of grief, social isolation and physical illness. According to mental health advocacy organisation Beyond Blue, the rate of depression among people living in residential aged care is thought to be as high as 35%!

Unfortunately, older adults are less likely to talk about their mental health, and less likely to seek help for these treatable diseases. For Mental Health Month this October, we want to change that. 

Azure Beach Library is hosting a Human Library event to start meaningful conversations about ageing and mental illness. Choose from a range of human 'books' and connect with a stranger as they open up to you about their experience of mental illness in a relaxed conversation.  Their stories are likely to surprise you, and challenge your perceptions of mental illness.

"Well, now that we have seen each other" said the Unicorn, 
"if you believe in me, I'll believe in you." 
~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Through conversation and sharing experiences, we can build understanding and empathy and reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Register now to be part of our exciting, free event. 

Mental Illness & Ageing: 
a Human Library event
10am, 18 October 2023
Azure Beach Public Library Courtyard
Free entry, tea & coffee provided

Register here: https://humanitix.com.au/ABPL/
or in person at your library.

by Madeleine H.

Image: Mental Health Stock Photo by Kevin Simmons, via Flikr (licence information: Creative Commons)

Dementia Connect: Caring Together

An Unmissable Human Library Event on Dementia

Borrow a Human Book at the Azure Beach Public Library on Saturday 23 September at 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. Have a 20 minute conversation and see life from a different perspective.

Dementia is the second leading cause of death for all Australians and 2 in 3 people with dementia are thought to be living in the community. Dementia patients and their carers in Azure Beach would benefit from the Human Library Event planned for Dementia Action Week 2023.

What is a human library?

The Human Library® creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between our human books and their readers. To learn more visit, https://humanlibrary.org

Six Human Books shared by people living with dementia and their working carers would provide an immersive reading experience to step into their shoes, understand what dementia is, the role of a young carer, their daily challenges, as well as have a space to chat with them and listen to their stories.

When & Where

 

Saturday 23 September 2023

11.00 am to 2.00 pm

Azure Beach Public Library

44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach NSW 2100

 

Tickets

Register here 👉 eTicket or at the Azure Beach Public Library

For further information visit Azure Beach Public Library or contact info@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au

Prepared by I A Perera

Celebrating people with disabilities through sport

Did you know the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in 2018 that 4.4 million Australians live with a disability? 
Or that, in 2020-21, the Australian Human Rights Commission received nearly 2,000 complaints relating to the Disability Discrimination Act, with this number steadily increasing over the last 5 years?
The United Nations ‘International Day of People with a Disability’ has been running annually on the 3^rd of December since 1992. It celebrates people living with disabilities and raises awareness of disability issues, promoting the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities. It also brings together the community to reaffirm a commitment to providing inclusive practices and breaking down barriers.

Next year, the library is offering a human library event in conjunction with the International Day of People with a Disability. This involves four people with disabilities acting as interactive ‘books’ and sharing their experiences, with the event participants, of how social, competitive and international sport has facilitated, for them, positive change and a more inclusive society. They will challenge participants’ views and provide different perspectives and insights.

Meet the Books

(Images from Creative Commons)

       

          Rahul

    

          Sidney

             Daniela

    

          Elizabeth

When?

Tuesday 3rd of December 2024 

Session times:

10:00am – 12:00pm

1:00pm – 3:00pm 

3:00pm – 5:00pm

Location?

Main Branch of the Azure Beach Public Library

44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach, New South Wales

 

Booking information

Please RSVP by Tuesday 25th of November 2024

Tickets are free of charge and all welcome!

BOOK NOW!

More Information:

To learn more about the human library visit Human Library Organisation’s website!

For information visit International Day of People with Disability

Contact Details:

If you have any questions or enquires about the event please contact me via;

Email: sarah.azurebeachpubliclibrary@gmail.com   

Phone: (02) 9717 4856

By Sarah Clifton-Bligh

Converse and Connect for Community!

 

It’s Social Inclusion Week from 23 to 29 November 2024 and Azure Beach Public Library is celebrating with a Human Library event!

Social Inclusion Week is all about helping people from all walks of life feel included and valued. At Azure Beach Public Library, we love to provide the space and opportunity for community members to connect and make our region a thriving cultural hub. Human Libraries connect people together by removing misunderstandings, addressing isolation and strengthening relationships.

 

 

What is a Human Library?

Human Libraries have sprung up around the world over the last 20 years to allow marginalised people to share their stories with others. Human Libraries have this name because volunteers act as “human books” - visitors may “borrow” them for 20 minutes at a time to listen to their stories and ask questions about their lives. This facilitates engaging conversations that break down barriers. Through Human Libraries, stigmas and stereotypes can be challenged by more people in the community.

Human Libraries are run in tandem with the Human Library Organization. Azure Beach Public Library is bringing this Human Library experience to you!

 

About this Human Library event

Our Human Library event will have 10 Human Books from the local Azure Beach community, with each book representing a different marginalised group. While we will include a diverse array of Human Books, special attention will be directed towards representing different cultural and religious groups that live among us, including local First Nations communities. There will be a lot of interesting stories to tell!

 

Booking is essential due to limited spaces available. You can book right now via this link!

 

Date: 23 November 2024

Time: 12:30 - 3:30 pm

Place: Azure Beach Public Library Courtyard (44 Lighting Way, Azure Beach)

Cost: Free!

 

 

Contact

 

For any enquiries, the Library's contact details are below:

Phone: (02) 9717 5655

Email: hello@azurebeachpubliclibrary.gov.au

 

P. Rummery