National Simultaneous Storytime live from International Space Station

Published on 12 May 2021

Mildura Rural City Council’s Mildura, Merbein, Red Cliffs and Ouyen libraries are providing a storytime opportunity that is literally ‘out of this world’ as part of National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) next Wednesday 19 May.

Now in its 21st year, NSS is one of the feature events of Library and Information Week, which this year runs from 17 May to 23 May based on the theme Adventures in Space and Time.

The annual event sees a picture book by an Australian author and illustrator read simultaneously in libraries, schools and other venues around the country.

In keeping with ‘space’ theme, this year’s book – Philip Bunting’s Give Me Some Space – will be read to NSS participants by NASA astronaut Shannon Walker live from the International Space Station.

Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Mark Eckel said the event promised to be an exciting and unique opportunity for the region’s younger readers.

“This is a great initiative to encourage our younger residents to get into reading and literacy, which are skills they’ll use on a daily basis for the rest of their lives,” Cr Eckel said.

“This year’s event will be particularly special as not many of us can say we’ve had a book read to us by an astronaut orbiting us from the International Space Station.

“It’s an event and a topic that I’m sure will capture the imagination of our younger residents and their carers and is a fantastic way to introduce young people to books and reading.”

National Simultaneous Storytime is a free event that will take place at Council’s Mildura, Merbein, Red Cliffs and Ouyen libraries at 11am next Wednesday as part of Library and Information Week.

Participants can only take part in the event by pre-booking to ensure COVID-safe social distancing can be maintained at each venue.

To make a booking visit mrcclibraries.eventbrite.com.au.

National Simultaneous Storytime aims to get #1MillionKidsReading in Australia and New Zealand and is a highlight of Library and Information Week celebrations.

For more information contact the Mildura Library on 03 5018 8350, email [email protected] or visit mildura.vic.gov.au/library

ENDS