Carers are some of the most hard-working and crucial people in the community, devoting hours to the selfless care of those who cannot look after themselves.

If you or someone you know is a carer, it is worth coming into Wellington Library to look through the resources available to encourage or empower people in this kind of role. Carers Week 2014 runs from October 12 to 18 and celebrates carers as well as raising awareness for the importance of what they do and the struggles they face. This collection is one of the permanent collections at the library and has been put together in collaboration with Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Orana. It features a range of topics such as diabetes, dementia, autism and allergies, with information books as well as books that can be used to help autistic children with learning to understand emotions. DVDs are also available, with an even larger range on the catalogue which can be reserved and brought across from other branches of Macquarie Regional Library.

Snake weather ahead

The days are getting longer and will soon be heating up, which means reptiles will be emerging from the long grass and perhaps catching a tan on your door step. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to have a look through some books on Australian snakes and reptiles, so that you are aware of which ones have a nasty bite. Australia has some of the most venomous snake species in the world, and it is worth knowing the difference between a Tiger Snake and a Carpet Python whether you are out on the farm or having a holiday up on the coast. One of the newest books on the subject is Snakes and Other Reptiles and Amphibians, which is a lovely little Dorling Kindersley guide with clear, consistent formatting and brilliant photography. This English publishing house is renowned for its beautifully presented information books and this compact read is no exception. There are also other fascinating books on Australian wildlife, birds and marsupials on the shelves which may help you identify native species in your area.

Time to get out the barbecue

The Australian Women's Weekly produces amazing cook books and this one is a dreamboat for meat lovers. Satisfy your inner carnivore with recipes and guides on how to cook a fantastic steak or chops and even some vegetarian meals from the pages of Barbeque. There are exotic choices as well as some traditional favourites and the pictures are enough to drive a hungry person crazy. Large cook books can be very expensive, and often require practical experimenting to find recipes that work for you and your family. So why commit? Come in and borrow one today, and if you like a recipe you can photocopy it in the library rather than have it permanently take up space in your kitchen.