Craft activities are not only fun for children and adults alike but can result in some very personal and memorable gifts.

Often cheap and sometimes recycled, crafts are a great way to use or reuse items found around the house.

There are many books at Wellington Library on topics such as scrapbooking, crochet, needlework, origami, card making, paper crafts, folk art, wood work and other creative subjects.

They can give you detailed instructions on how to make a project and inspire you to learn new artistic techniques, whether you are a beginner or a pro.

One which is great for families, The Artful Parent by Jean Van't Hul, is all about "simple ways to fill your child's life with art and creativity".

She has lots of fun suggestions such as using marbles to paint with or mixing salt with glue to create raised lines on paper.

Another great way to introduce children to creativity or get them making their own presents for grandparents or relatives is to bring them along to Story Time in the children's section of the library, which runs every Wednesday during school terms from 11am and always finishes with a craft activity.

For more information call 6845 2156 or come along and see.

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Nicole Alexander's newest release has arrived at Wellington Library. This is set to be an epic family saga which sweeps the frontier worlds of two continents.

The Wade family, full of strong personalities, hot-headed women and division becomes spread across the plains of both America and Australia.

A kidnapping results in the combining of two cultures when Apache Indians disappear with a seven-year-old girl. The daughters of this union are fiery and beautiful, bewitching generations of men. Their stories intertwine from the Civil War to the Great Depression on a background of rural toil and personal struggle. The Great Plains is sure to be a great read - reserve this new bestseller today online using your library card and PIN.

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The Search for the HMAS Sydney: An Australian Story has moored at Wellington Library.

This large print book is a dissection of the mysterious sinking of the pride of Australia's wartime fleet, HMAS Sydney.

This huge ship came under fire by the Germans and vanished off the coast of West Australia in 1941, with 645 people onboard assumed drowned.

Editors Ted Graham, Bob King and Kim Kirsner have brought together photographs, diagrams, graphs and maps covering the context of the search for clues about this maritime disaster, challenges conducting the search and a commemoration of those lost at sea.

This informative and methodical book is recommended if you have an interest in history, warfare, science or oceanography. It is available for loan.

Macquarie Regional Library, Wellington Branch, is located on the corner of Maughan and Percy streets, Wellington. Phone 6845 2156 or visit www.mrl.nsw.gov.au.

Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 12 noon, Sunday closed.