Surrounded by uncertainty and changing circumstances, the risks of running the Festival in any form appear to far outweigh the rewards.

The safety and wellbeing of this town, the guests, and the authors are the top priority, so while organisers are disappointed, they know this is the right decision to ensure this community remains safe and well.

But, you can still take part in what would have been by reading and enjoying the many wonderful books that were to be discussed at this year's event.

Be sure to follow MRF on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with all the latest news and - eventually - event and festival details.

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A free chess club for adults will now be held each month at Mudgee Library following the huge popularity of the Junior Chess Club.

The club will take place on the third Thursday of the month, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.

All skill levels welcome. Bookings are essential at the library website.

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Thanks to more generous donations from Mid-Western Regional Youth Council, our Tabletop Games collection is now at over 125 games.

Some recent additions include: Wingspan, Papillon, Stone Age, Battle of the Bogans, Unstable Unicorns, 5 Second Rule, and Risk.

Games are available to borrow from Mudgee Library for 3 weeks at a time, by library members aged 12 years or over.

So why not borrow a couple to play with your family and friends over a winter weekend? It's free fun!

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Eager to watch some new anime and talk about your favourite manga with fellow enthusiasts? Join this free monthly event and explore different styles and techniques of manga and anime.

Get cosplay tips, and share from your experience.

This event is run by council's Youth Services. Book now at the library website.

Need more of a fix? We've got you sorted! Mid-Western Regional Council libraries also have an impressive range of anime DVD's and graphic novels available to borrow.

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The library has made some slight changes to the children's program sessions and times.

The goal was to streamline programs across all our branches to ensure they were running at the most suitable times for the age groups attending, and these changes will make it much easier for families to join us.

For updated session details and to book a spot, please visit the library website.

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Most people are familiar with the fact that human remains are often found by members of the public. But what happens to the jogger, bushwalker or beachcomber after they stumble across a grisly scene?

This novel provides a unique approach by focussing on Ruby, the jogger who discovered Alice, a young girl brutally murdered in Riverside Park, NYC.

Ruby is determined to learn who Alice was, and to find out exactly what happened to her. A poignant and thought provoking story about hope, love and friendship.

Available in print from the Library. We rate this 4/5 stars.

Happy reading, until the next chapter...