Plumtree

Make a social story for your library
2026-06-09 13:00 - 14:30 (Australia/Sydney)
A workshop on helping children feel confident when visiting your library Some children prefer familiar routines and may feel anxious when going to new places, including the library. A simple social story can help prepare them for the day and enjoy the experience.

Social stories or social scripts are a research‑informed practical tool to help all children understand what to expect and feel more at ease. In this workshop, you will learn how to create a social story tailored for your library that families can print or access online. Social stories can explain routines, spaces and experiences in a clear, friendly way to support a smoother, more confident visit.

Facilitated by a librarian, a parent peer worker and a specialist early childhood teacher, this practical session will give you the tools to make your library more welcoming and inclusive. They will share both practical strategies and developmental insights to help you create a resource that supports all children and families in your community.

During this interactive session, we will explore:

What makes an effective social story

How social stories support children and families

Ways libraries can use social stories to promote inclusion

How to create a social story that reflects your library’s spaces, routines and expectations

Important: Please complete the Building inclusion in libraries eLearning modules before attending.

Our online sessions are interactive and designed to create a safe, supportive space for everyone. Recordings are not shared.

These sessions are for

All public library staff

When

Tuesday 9 June 20261:00 pm – 2:30 pm ASDT/ NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS time.Please adjust for your own time zone if needed

Where

Online via Zoom. Join us from anywhere in AustraliaInstructions will be sent by email before the event.If you need accessibility support, please let us know when you register.

Cost

Free

Your facilitators

This session will be co‑facilitated by an experienced librarian, a specialist early childhood teacher and a parent-peer worker.

Flyer

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Additional info

Log in detailsOnce you’re registered, we’ll send you more details, including the link to join the session, as the event date approaches. Please make sure you have a stable internet connection for the best experience.you have a good internet connection for a smooth experience.Contact detailsFor more information, please feel free to contact Marg, Libraries project team leader, at margaret@plumtree.org.auFundingThe Libraries as Community Connectors project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Plumtree is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that helps families thrive.

Trusted for 40 years, we provide free centre-based playgroups and online parent education workshops. We also provide therapies and support for children aged birth to 8 years with a disability or developmental delay and their families. At Plumtree Preschool, children of all abilities and cultural backgrounds learn together and begin to understand the value of inclusive communities.

Our award-winning, evidence-based programs and resources help families take control of their own learning and achieve positive outcomes. Plumtree’s passionate, culturally diverse team of specialists work from the heart in a caring environment where families feel respected and informed.

Make a social story for your library
2026-08-13 13:00 - 14:30
A workshop on helping children feel confident when visiting your library Some children prefer familiar routines and may feel anxious when going to new places, including the library. A simple social story can help prepare them for the day and enjoy the experience.

Social stories or social scripts are a research‑informed practical tool to help all children understand what to expect and feel more at ease. In this workshop, you will learn how to create a social story tailored for your library that families can print or access online. Social stories can explain routines, spaces and experiences in a clear, friendly way to support a smoother, more confident visit.

Facilitated by a librarian, a parent peer worker and a specialist early childhood teacher, this practical session will give you the tools to make your library more welcoming and inclusive. They will share both practical strategies and developmental insights to help you create a resource that supports all children and families in your community.

During this interactive session, we will explore:

What makes an effective social story

How social stories support children and families

Ways libraries can use social stories to promote inclusion

How to create a social story that reflects your library’s spaces, routines and expectations

Important: Please complete the Building inclusion in libraries eLearning modules before attending.

Our online sessions are interactive and designed to create a safe, supportive space for everyone. Recordings are not shared.

These sessions are for

All public library staff

When

Thursday 13 August 20261:00 pm – 2:30 pm ASDT/ NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS time.Please adjust for your own time zone if needed

Where

Online via Zoom. Join us from anywhere in AustraliaInstructions will be sent by email before the event.If you need accessibility support, please let us know when you register.

Cost

Free

Your facilitators

This session will be co‑facilitated by an experienced librarian, a specialist early childhood teacher and a parent-peer worker.

Flyer

View | Download | Share

Additional info

Log in detailsOnce you’re registered, we’ll send you more details, including the link to join the session, as the event date approaches. Please make sure you have a stable internet connection for the best experience.you have a good internet connection for a smooth experience.Contact detailsFor more information, please feel free to contact Marg, Libraries project team leader, at margaret@plumtree.org.auFundingThe Libraries as Community Connectors project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Plumtree is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that helps families thrive.

Trusted for 40 years, we provide free centre-based playgroups and online parent education workshops. We also provide therapies and support for children aged birth to 8 years with a disability or developmental delay and their families. At Plumtree Preschool, children of all abilities and cultural backgrounds learn together and begin to understand the value of inclusive communities.

Our award-winning, evidence-based programs and resources help families take control of their own learning and achieve positive outcomes. Plumtree’s passionate, culturally diverse team of specialists work from the heart in a caring environment where families feel respected and informed.

Ask us anything- Inclusion for library staff
2026-09-01 13:00 - 14:30
A parent peer worker-led Q&A on making your library more inclusive as part of your Community of Practice

Meet Libraries as Community Connectors team members Kylie, Marie and Rob to discuss any questions or concerns about including children with developmental delay and disability in your library programs.

Kylie and Marie are trained parent peer workers at Plumtree who are raising a child with a disability or developmental delay. They liaise with parents and carers, develop and facilitate programs, and collaborate with the team to provide support for families. Rob is a State Library of NSW visiting scholar and library ambassador.

This workshop is a safe space for discussion and sets up a community of practice for library staff across Australia.

During this interactive session, we will explore:

Different scenarios to enhance inclusion in your library programs

Information that families have shared with us in our surveys

Opportunities for libraries to share information on what they’re doing well

Important: Please complete the Building inclusion in libraries eLearning modules before attending.

All our online sessions are interactive, so we do not share recordings to protect the privacy and confidentiality of everyone attending.

These sessions are for

All public library staff

When

Tuesday 1 September 2026;1pm to 2.30pm AEST/ NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS timePlease adjust for your own time zone if needed

Where

Delivered online via Zoom. Join us from anywhere in Australia!Instructions will be emailed to you closer to the event date.If you need accessibility support, please let us know when you register.

Cost

Free

Flyer

View | Download | Share

Your host and facilitators

Hosted by Rob Thomson, a State Library of NSW visiting scholar & library ambassador. Rob was the Australian Libraries and Information Association NSW Manager from 2019-2023. He is passionate about public libraries and their important role in promoting an inclusive and fairer society. Rob will lead the discussion with Marie, parent-peer worker.

Additional info

Log in detailsOnce registered, we’ll send you more details, including the link to join the session, as the event date approaches. Please make sure you have a stable internet connection for the best experience, you have a good internet connection for a smooth experience.Contact detailsFor more information, please feel free to contact Marg, Libraries project manager, at margaret@plumtree.org.auFundingThe Libraries as Community Connectors project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing..

Plumtree is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that helps families thrive.

Trusted for 40 years, we provide free centre-based playgroups and online parent education workshops. We also provide therapies and support for children aged birth to 8 years with a disability or developmental delay and their families. At Plumtree Preschool, children of all abilities and cultural backgrounds learn together and begin to understand the value of inclusive communities.

Our award-winning, evidence-based programs and resources help families take control of their own learning and achieve positive outcomes. Plumtree’s passionate, culturally diverse team of specialists work from the heart in a caring environment where families feel respected and informed.

Libraries community of practice
2026-09-10 12:30 - 13:15
Sharing ideas to strengthen inclusion in community libraries

How can we make public libraries more inclusive? Join us for our community of practice sessions.

This is an opportunity for library staff to connect, celebrate achievements and spark new ideas on supporting children with a disability or developmental delay and their families.

These sessions take place once every quarter. After you register once, you will automatically receive an invitation to each quarterly meeting. You are welcome to join any session that suits you.

Your voice and insight are invaluable in shaping a more welcoming experience for everyone at the library.

During this session, you will:

Learn from and support each other

Collaborate to create positive change

Keep the momentum of inclusion going

Identify and choose topics where you can best support each other (for example, troubleshooting a social narrative or story)

Important: Please complete the Building inclusion in libraries eLearning modules before attending.

Our online sessions are interactive and designed to create a safe, supportive space for everyone. Recordings are not shared.

These sessions are for

All public library staff

When

Thursday 10 September 2026; 12.30pm to 1.15pm AEST/ NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS timePlease adjust for your own time zone if needed

Please noteOnce you register, you will automatically receive invitations to future quarterly sessions. You are welcome to join any session that suits you, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Where

Online via Zoom. Join us from anywhere in AustraliaInstructions will be sent by email before the event.If you need accessibility support, please let us know when you register.

Cost

Free

Flyer

View | Download | Share

Your facilitators

Rob Thomson, State Library of NSW visiting scholar and library ambassador and Marie, trained parent-peer worker at Plumtree.

Additional info

Log in detailsOnce registered, we’ll send you more details, including the link to join the session, as the event approaches. Please make sure you have a stable internet connection for the best experience, you have a good internet connection for a smooth experience.Contact detailsFor more information, please feel free to contact Marg, Libraries project manager, at margaret@plumtree.org.auFundingThe Libraries as Community Connectors project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Plumtree is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that helps families thrive.

Trusted for over 40 years, we provide free centre-based playgroups and online parent education workshops. We also provide therapies and support for children aged birth to 8 years with a disability or developmental delay and their families. At Plumtree Preschool, children of all abilities and cultural backgrounds learn together and begin to understand the value of inclusive communities.

Our award-winning, evidence-based programs and resources help families take control of their own learning and achieve positive outcomes. Plumtree’s passionate, culturally diverse team of specialists work from the heart in a caring environment where families feel respected and informed.
