Service Announcement: Mornington Library

Mornington Library will be closed on Wednesday 17 June for the installation of new furniture and equipment.

Return chutes will remain open during this time. Patrons with holds ready for collection are welcome to collect them from library staff in the foyer; however, there will be no public access to the library building while the works are taking place.

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Service Announcement: Hastings Library

Hastings Library will be temporarily closed 24 June – 6 July for maintenance works to upgrade our heating and cooling.

The Hastings Community Hall will be transformed into a pop-up library providing access to a limited library collection, study desks, and all scheduled programs.

This service will be open 11am-5.30pm Monday - Friday. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi, PCs and printing will not be available.

Author Talk: Christine Balint - Mornington Library

Next date: Friday, 17 July 2026 | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Step into 18th-century Italy with award-winning author Christine Balint as she discusses her compelling new book, A Single Witness.

It is 1757. In the mountain village of Piovene, outside Venice, 13-year-old Anna Maria Bonon lives a spartan life with her grandmother and father. In the daytime, she cards wool at the local mill. At home, she raises silkworms. She is afraid of her violent father, Giacomo, who scrambles for work and drinks his sorrows away at the osteria. When Giacomo is arrested for a public brawl, Anna Maria and her grandmother walk miles to the court in Vicenza.

But instead of trying to free him, Anna Maria accuses her father of unspeakable crimes. The Council of Ten from Venice arrive to investigate. She is the single witness.

Challenged by her grandmother and the priest to say she lied, Anna Maria is torn between loyalty to her elders and telling the truth.

Set against the evocative background of the fecund Veneto region, A Single Witness provides an insight into 18th century village life in Italy. Drawing closely on original trial documents from Venetian archives, prize-winning novelist Christine Balint brings to light the true story of Anna Maria Bonon and her brave pursuit of justice at a time when a man’s authority over his family was unquestioned.

Free, bookings essential.

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Note: If you can't make it on the day, please let us know so we can free up your tickets.