General News
18 July, 2025
Library host reading event
Next Tuesday night will be party time at the Maryborough Library with the annual Shut Up and Read event returning.
Running annually for seven years, Maryborough Library’s silent reading party is back with locals welcome to get together after hours, but in silence.
The event is a whole uninterrupted hour of silent reading followed by half an hour of attendees sharing what they read.
Coordinator of library services Maree Stephenson and library services team leader Bec Clark are encouraging anyone with any interest to get together and share their love of literature.
“A lot of people like the idea of a book club, but don’t all like to read the same book. It’s an opportunity for people to bring what they like, and later discuss what they are reading,” Ms Stephenson said.
“All you’ll have to bring is your own book if you want. If you want to select something from the library, get here a few minutes early. It’s just an hour of silent reading, and then you get a drink and a bickie.”
Ms Clark said the event is a casual session of ‘guilt free reading’.
“Some don’t like the pressure of book club and having to read the same book that you’re being told to read,” she said.
“So it’s guilt free reading, you must read for that whole hour. Like a lot of us, sometimes I’m reading and think ‘I should really be doing the dishes or something else,’ but this is one hour where you don’t feel like there is something else you should be doing.
“People also love being in a library after dark. It’s a novelty.”
A list of material read by those attending is compiled and given to everyone at the end.
“We zip around at the end and ask things like ‘is that the fifth one by the author you’ve read, or did you just pick that off the shelf today?,” Ms Clark said.
“Afterwards, I quickly whip up a sheet for everyone to take home.”
As the library team are welcoming anyone interested in literature, Shut Up and Read is a social event where there is little need for mingling or small talk.
“The big focus is that casual approach. You can read one book for the first few minutes, and maybe decide ‘I’m going to go find another one’, as long as you do it quietly,” Ms Clark said.
“If you want an audio book with headphones, that’s cool too. We’ve got a digital database so people can listen to audio books that are all free. As long as you have a book of some form.”
The session will be on Tuesday, July 22 from 6 to 7.30 pm, open to ages 16 and older. The event is free with bookings not required.
Food will be provided afterwards.