Thursday, December 28, 2006

New 4 kids website

The new 4 Kids website is now live. I know, it's very exciting :-). I've been working on it for months.

Anyhoo, kids can submit their own book reviews, tell us about their favourite animal or send in a picture for the Art Gallery. There are also a couple of competitions.

Go to 4 Kids.

Cheers, Maryanne

Web Catalogue - Message to Staff

We're currently experiencing a few problems with the Message to Staff section of the web catalogue. So if you haven't received a reply yet please send your question through our contact form on our website.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

New DVDs @ our libraries

I've just been sorting through the boxes to compile a list of DVDs that will be available for borrowing:

2 Fast 2 Furious
A river runs through it
Anna and the King of Siam
Barefoot in the Park
Birthday Girl
Dr. Who. The complete second series
Fleetwood Mac in Concert
Goal! The movie
It happened one night
John Denver: the wildife concert
Kinky Boots
Ladyhawke
Legends of the Fall
Napoleon Dynamite
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Practical Magic
Spartacus
The Complete Fawlty Towers
The Floating Brothel
The Last Emperor
The Last of the Mohicans
The Squid and the Whale
The Vicar of Dibley: The Specials
Touching the Void
Wise up to IT

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Top 10 Reads for January

The following titles are the Top 10 Reads for January.

Anne Perry ~ At some disputed barricade
Catherine Alliott ~ A crowded marriage
Clive Cussler ~ Treasure of Khan
Danielle Steel ~ H R H
J D Robb ~ Born in death
Richard Dawkins ~ The God delusion
Robin McGraw ~ Inside my heart
Stephen King ~ Lisey’s story
Thomas Harris ~ Hannibal rising
Wendy Harmer ~ Love and punishment

Find anything interesting? You might need to place a reservation on it. Search in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, December 22, 2006

Summer Booksales

Time to pick up some bargains at the library. Some of our branches will be having booksales in January.

Big Summer Book Sale

When: Saturday 13th January from 10am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Ph: 9754 7266


New Year Booksale

When: Monday 15th January to Sunday 21st January
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Ph: 9294 3120

Books at various prices.


Summer Booksale


When: Tuesday 16th January from 10am
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Fulham Rd, Rowville

Cheers, Maryanne

Ranges Mobile is back!

***UPDATE*** Good news. I just found out that the Ranges Mobile will be at Monbulk today (Friday 22nd December).

The Ranges Mobile will be off the road today due to mechanical problems. It will then have the usual Christmas break until Tuesday 9th January. I will advise further if there are any updates.

Cheers, Maryanne

New Books Day

Borrow the latest books added to the library.

When: Friday 12th January from 10am
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road
Ph: 9294 1300

Cheers, Maryanne

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Christmas/New Year Holidays

All branches of Eastern Regional Libraries will be closed on the following days for Christmas and New Year.

Sunday 24th December
Monday 25th December
Tuesday 26th December
Sunday 31st December
Monday 1st January

In the week between Christmas and New Year, branches will be closing at 5:30pm weekdays and either 12noon or 1pm on the Saturday. View the Christmas/New Year branch hours for the details. Normal operating hours will return from January 2nd 2007.
  • Knox Mobile Library - closed from 4:30pm Friday 22nd December, resuming Tuesday 9th January
  • Ranges Mobile Library - closed from 5:30pm Friday 22nd December, resuming Tuesday 9th January
  • Valley Mobile Library - closed from 5pm Friday 22nd December, resuming Monday 8th January
You will be able to renew via the web catalogue if you have a password on your card. Follow the instructions at the Catalogue Tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library show

For those that don't know library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On this week's show

What do you do when the Christmas bustle is behind you, and you need something interesting to do indoors, out of the heat? Brush the dust off your family history files and put together the family tree at last!

Kathy Smalley was with us this week, and suggests that you check out the Family History information accessible from the ERL webpage, and subscribe to the newsletter which will keep you up to date with what is coming in during the year.

Not only do we have new microfiche, CD-ROMs and books, but the Ancestry.com database which is available (at no charge) on any of the PCs in our library branches has added a huge ammount of extra records. These include Scottish census details from 1841, 1851 and 1861, also the British Phone Book Collection 1180-1984, the Births Marriage and Death Index Records for England and Wales 1837-2004, the 1841 English and Welsh census (which completes the census releases from 1841-1901) and Passenger Lists.

So, go to it, talk to family members over Christmas, get some dates, names and places and dive into some family history records. It's fun, it's addictive!

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas themed books, CDs & DVDs

Create the perfect Christmas atmosphere with the following books, CDs and DVDs.

Books

Agatha Christie ~ The adventure of the Christmas pudding
Agatha Christie ~ Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
Ann Ripley ~ The Christmas garden affair
Anne Perry ~ A Christmas visitor
Anne Perry ~ A Christmas journey
Bernard Cornwell ~ Sharpe’s Christmas
David Baldacci ~ The Christmas train
Debbie Macomber ~ On a snowy night
Debbie Macomber ~ When Christmas comes
Fannie Flagg ~ A redbird Christmas
Isis Crawford ~ A catered Christmas
Jacquelyn Mitchard ~ Christmas, present
Jan Karon ~ Esther’s gift : a Mitford Christmas story
Jane Gordon-Cumming ~ A proper family Christmas
Janet Evanovich ~ Visions of sugar plums
Jennifer Chiaverini ~ The Christmas quilt
Joan Medlicott ~ A Covington Christmas
Joan Smith ~ A Christmas gambol
John Grisham ~ Skipping Christmas
Karen Harper ~ The Queene’s Christmas
M C Beaton ~ A highland Christmas
Mary Higgins Clark ~ Silent night
Mary Higgins Clark ~ He sees you when you’re sleeping
Mary Higgins Clark ~ The Christmas thief
Philip Gulley ~ Christmas in harmony


DVDs

A Bing Crosby Christmas
A Christmas carol
All-star Christmas
Christmas with the Kranks
Disney’s Christmas favourites
Grumpy old men at Christmas
Grumpy old women at Christmas
It’s a wonderful life
The Muppet Christmas carol
The nightmare before Christmas
The Office – the Christmas specials
The three tenors Christmas
The Vicar of Dibley – the Christmas and Easter specials

CDs

Adeste Fideles : Christmas down the ages
Aled Jones – The Christmas album
Barbra Streisand – Christmas memories
Christmas adagios
Christmas classics
Diana Krall – Christmas songs
Favourite carols by candlelight
National Boys Choir – A Christmas celebration
Neil Diamond – The Christmas album
Noel : Christmas at King’s
Our favourite things
So Fresh presents songs for Christmas
Tony Bennett – Snowfall : the Tony Bennett Christmas album
Wiggles – Wiggly, wiggly Christmas

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New fiction added

We've also added the following fiction titles. A teenage Hannibal Lector? Could be interesting.

Alan Dean Foster ~ Trouble magnet : a Pip and Flinx adventure
Andrew M Greeley ~ The senator and the priest
Andrew Taylor ~ Naked to the hangman (Lydmouth series)
Anne McCaffrey ~ Changelings (Bk1 - Twins of Petaybee)
Anne Perry ~ A Christmas secret
Clive Egleton ~ The Presidential affair
Elizabeth Adler ~ Sailing to Capri
Juliet Marillier ~ Wildwood dancing
Laurell K Hamilton ~ Mistral's kiss (Bk4 - Meredith Gentry)
Michael Crichton ~ Next
Nicholas Rhea ~ Prize murder
Scott Turow ~ Limitations
Thomas Harris ~ Hannibal rising

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New non-fiction @ our libraries

We've been busy adding the following non-fiction titles:

Brian Nankervis (editor) ~ RocKwiz : the ultimate rock trivia challenge
Cheryl Hardacre ~ Chewing gum in holy water : Mario Valentini's childhood in the Abruzzo mountains
Courtney Love ~ Dirty blonde : the diaries of Courtney Love
Jason Roberts ~ A sense of the world : how a blind man became history's greatest traveler
John Daly & Glen Waggoner ~ My life in and out of the rough : the truth behind that bullxxxx you think you know about me
Jon Katz ~ A dog year : twelve months, four dogs, and me
Keith Moor & Geoff Wilkinson ~ Mugshots 2 : a compelling line-up of murderers, madmen and the mafia in Australia
Marc Eliot ~ Jimmy Stewart : a biography
Martin Chulov ~ Australian jihad : the battle against terrorism from within and without
Martin Crotty ~ The great mistakes of Australian history
Michael Korda ~ Journey to a revolution : a personal memoir and history of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956
Nigel Havers ~ Playing with fire
Richard Dawkins ~ The God delusion
Robin McGraw ~ Inside my heart : choosing to live with passion and purpose
Stuart Howarth ~ Please, Daddy, no : a boy betrayed
Tim Guest ~ My life in orange : growing up with the guru
Tom Lodge ~ Mandela : a critical life
Tommy Chong ~ The I Chong : meditations from the joint
Tony Horwitz ~ One for the road : an outback adventure
Tucker Max ~ I hope they serve beer in hell

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Holiday reading

Well it's that time of the year and if you're stuck for something to read try the following suggestions from our library staff:

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

The latest book by the author of the runaway bestseller A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is another great read. The story concerns George, who thinks he may or may not be going mad, and his wife and their two adult children as they struggle with life's complexities of relationships with each other and with lovers and friends. It is amusing, despite one gruesome chapter, and the characters are really brought to life. Highly recommended.

The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Transported to Australia for smuggling goods on the river Thames, this is the story of a man's journey to regain his dignity and sense of belonging. From humble beginnings on Sydney Harbour to landowner on the Hawkesbury River we follow his struggles to raise a family and make his way in the new colony. Easy to read and a great story!

Listen by Kate Veitch

On a humid Christmas Eve in the Australian suburbs in 1967, an unhappy mother makes a decision that will change the lives of her four young children forever. Forty years later their shared pain is revealed when the family is finally reunited. This is a contemporary novel which encompasses the joys and sorrows of family life.

Having a lovely time by Jenny Eclair

Jenny Eclair is the bleached blonde with bright red lipstick from Grumpy Old Women (ABC). The language is very 'modern', as in 'lots of swearing'. So perhaps not for the faint hearted or more cultured of us!!!

This book confirms my belief that life isn't black and white, but very colourful, with bits of grey. There are no goodies or baddies, just ordinary people getting on with their mistakes.

More titles:
  • Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber
  • A Christmas Secret by Anne Perry
  • Collectors by David Baldacci
  • Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver
  • Eragon by Christopher Paolini
  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
  • Lemony Snicket 13 The End by Lemony Snicket
  • Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
  • Next by Michael Crichton
  • Rockwiz: The Ultimate Rock Trivia Challenge by Brian Nankervis (Editor)
  • Santa Cruise: a holiday mystery at sea by Mary Higgins Clark
  • Skipping Christmas by John Grisham (the book on which the movie Christmas with the Kranks was based).
  • The Valley by Di Morrissey
  • When Santa fell from to Earth by Cornelia Funke
Cheers, Maryanne

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

January Holiday Activities

The January Holiday activity program has been uploaded to the website. Book in early for the fantastic activities for kids at our libraries.

View the holiday activity program.

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas decorations for kids

Come along and make a christmas decoration for your tree.

When: Thursday 21st December 4:30pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction. Ph: 5967 1588
Cost: $2

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

New CDs @ our libraries

Well it's been a while since I've listed the new CDs. The script I usually use to create this list and the DVD list isn't working so I'll have to create the lists by hand. Anyhoo, enjoy.

A fever you can't sweat out - Panic! at the Disco
Amore - Bocelli, Andrea
Big tunes
Black Cadillac - Cash, Rosanne
Both sides of the gun - Harper, Ben
Bup be bang bong
Comfort of strangers - Orton, Beth
Corrine Bailey Rae - Bailey Rae, Corrine
Danny Boy : the immortal Irish song
Du am
Goodbye Alice in Wonderland - Jewel
Hard NRG
Jimmy Z presents 4play : anthems
Little cloud - Whitlams
Meds - Placebo
Nang ve theo anh - Le, Quang
On an island - Gilmour, David
One love : bring it on
Pay the devil - Morrison, Van
Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
Saturday night country
Sing-a-longs and lullabies for the film Curious George - Jack Johnson and Friends (Musical group)
Songs from Black Mountain - Live
The definitive collection - Foreigner
The hard road - Hilltop Hoods
The new bush - Kernaghan, Lee
Too far gone
Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not - Arctic Monkeys
Wild nights


Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas Fun at Ringwood Library

Before you get started on the Christmas shopping this weekend, drop into Ringwood Library for a great Christmas activity with stories and crafts for all the family.

When: Saturday 16th December at 11am
Where: Ringwood Library, 4 Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood.
rsvp on 9870 0177

Cheers, Maryanne

Local to local: Christmas balls from recycled christmas cards

Come along and learn how to make some great decorations!

When: Saturday 16th December 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station St, Mooroolbark
Ph: 9726 8200. All welcome

Cheers, Maryanne

Two weeks of The Eastern Regional Library Show

Just catching up with last two radio shows. For those that don't know library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On today's show

Have you run out of authors in the Adult fiction area? Don't forget there are some great authors in Teen fiction. John Marsden has written a very popular adventure/thriller series which begins with Tomorrow, when the war began. Garth Nix and Philip Pullman have both written intriguing and sophisticated fantasy stories, and Catherine Jinks series called The Pagan chronicles is a gripping portrayal of Europe during the Middle Ages and of the crusades to the Holy Land.

Make the most of free reservations too, with Croydon Library providing free reservations every Sunday over summer, and free reservations for the summer reading program, 20 novels set close to home. The brochure with 20 titles set in Victoria is available at all our branches, and most branches have a display.

Music today was from Nostalgia : complete and Charmaine Solomon's Family Album.


On last week's show

Lyn Baines, flying solo today, reviewed the following books, all heartily recommended for lazy summer afternoons on the banana lounge, with the cricket on the radio in the background....
Ghost at the table by Suzanne Berne, an Australian novel
Messenger of truth by Jaquelin Winspear, a British mystery
A spot of bother by Mark Haddon, the author of the intriguing story, The curious incident of the dog in the night-time

Music was from new CDs in the collection....
Love by the Beatles
Very best of Australia
Imaginary kingdom by Tim Finn

Cheers, Maryanne

Thursday, December 07, 2006

SunSmart Talk by the Cancer Council Victoria

SunSmart - protecting your family from the Sun. A free talk in Chinese Mandarin.

When: Friday 15th December 10:30-11:30am.
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South

Bookings Ph: 9801 1422

Cheers, Maryanne

Celebrate Christmas with Scott Ryan and Chester the Bear

Join in the Christmas fun at Mt Evelyn library with a special performance by Scott Ryan and Chester the Bear

When: Wednesday 13th December 6:30pm
Where: Mount Evelyn Library, 50 Wray Crescent , Mount Evelyn
Bookings essential 9736-3851

Cheers, Maryanne

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Christmas & New Year hours

I've just put our Christmas/New Year hours on the website. You may wish to print this and keep it handy.

Christmas & New Year hours 2006 259Kb pdf (requires free adobe acrobat reader).

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, December 01, 2006

Next week @ ERL

Monday 4th December 2pm
Chinese Read and Chat Group - Knox Library

Tuesday 5th December 10am
Monster Booksale - Knox Library

Thursday 7th December 10am
New Books day - Knox Library

Thursday 7th December 1pm
Homeschoolers meeting - Belgrave Library

Thursday 7th December 1:30pm
Gully Gardeners - Gardening in the Dry - Ferntree Gully Library

Thursday 7th December 7pm
Meet the Author - Geoff Prince - Belgrave Library

Friday 8th December 10am
New books and Poetry Reading - Rowville Library

Saturday 9th December 10:15am
Heidi's Beading - Yarra Junction Library

Book in for these great activities at your local Eastern Regional Libraries branch.

Cheers, Maryanne

New non-fiction titles

We've also added the following non-fiction titles:

Andrew Symonds/Stephen Gray ~ Roy : going for broke
Clive James ~ North face of Soho : unreliable memoirs (Volume 4)
Fay Weldon ~ What makes women happy
Greg Norman/Donald T Phillips ~ The way of the Shark : lessons on golf, business and life
Jeanette Grant-Thomson ~ Jodie's story : the story of Jodie Cadman
John Silvester/Andrew Rule ~ Underbelly : more true crime stories (Volume 10)
Les Carlyon ~ The Great War
Mac Maharaj (editor) ~ Mandela : the authorized portrait
Martin Flanagan/Tom Uren ~ The fight
Patricia Edgar ~ Bloodbath : a memoir of Australian television
Ricky Ponting ~ Captain's diary 2006 : Australia's road to the battle for the Ashes
Robert Anwood ~ Bears can't run downhill and 200 other dubious pub facts explained
Ronnie Corbett ~ And it's goodnight from him...the autobiography of The Two Ronnies
Schapelle Corby/Kathryn Bonella ~ My story
Wendy E Cook ~ So farewell then : the untold life of Peter Cook
William J Mann ~ Kate : the woman who was Hepburn

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New fiction @ our libraries

The following fiction titles are in our libraries:

Andy McNab ~ Recoil
Anne Perry ~ At some disputed barricade (Bk 4 World War I series)
Ben Elton ~ Chart throb
Brian Freemantle ~ Time to kill
Bryce Courtenay ~ Sylvia
Catherine Alliott ~ A crowded marriage
Cecelia Ahern ~ A place called here
Clive & Dirk Cussler ~ Treasure of Khan (Bk 19 Dirk Pitt)
David Baldacci ~ The collectors
Deirdre Purcell ~ Tell me your secret
John Francome ~ Free fall
John Sandford ~ Dead watch
Julian Stockwin ~ Command
Kim Edwards ~ The memory keeper's daughter
Lynda LaPlante ~ The red dahlia
Mandasue Heller ~ The club
Mary & Carol Higgins Clark ~ Santa cruise
Meg Gardiner ~ Kill chain
Nora Roberts ~ Valley of silence (Bk 3 The Circle trilogy)

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Top 10 Reads

Check out the following Top 10 Reads for December:

Bryce Courtenay ~ Sylvia
Debra Byrne ~ Not quite ripe
Di Morrissey ~ The valley
Ian Rankin ~ The naming of the dead
Jamie Oliver ~ Cook with Jamie
John Le Carre ~ The mission song
Les Carlyon ~ The great war
Nora Roberts ~ Valley of silence
Schapelle Corby ~ My story
Stuart Woods ~ Short straw

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New Ask-a-Librarian

If you're stuck on a school project or have questions about our library service and books, you might be interested in our new Ask-a-Librarian service.

Ask-a-Librarian replaces the old Global Librarian service that we operated over the past 4 years with our partners in Vaughan, Surrey and Southampton.

Mark it in your bookmarks or favorites, ready for the next time you need to

Ask-a-Librarian!

Cheers, Maryanne

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Meet the author : Geoff Prince

Local poet Geoff Prince would like to share with you a reading of short poems from his latest publication The glass asylum and its companion publication Asides in the seeking of sanity.

Geoff is a regular contributor to Woorilla Magazine and has lived in the Hills for over 20 years. His previous publications include Silk of silence, Cantons of quietness, Anthems of artspace, and Faerie Dharma.

Geoff is a founding member of the celebrated performance mob, The Loose Kangaroos, who recently performed to a packed house at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith. (They also have a publication called, strangely enough, The Loose Kangaroos.

When: Thursday 7th December at 7pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave, Ph.: 9754 7266

Cheers, Maryanne

Ferntree Gully Library Children's Christmas Party

Ferntree Gully Library is having a special Children's Christmas Party. There will be stories by Matteo and Christmas carol singing. Book now, only 4 places left!

When: Wednesday 6th December 6.30-7.30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library 1010 Burwood Hwy Ferntree Gully Ph: 9294 8140

Cheers, Maryanne

Croydon Library Monster Book Sale

Croydon library is having a Monster Book Sale starting Saturday December 2nd and finishing Saturday December 23rd. Grab a bargain and help the library purchase new items.

When: Saturday 2nd December - Saturday 23rd December
Branch: Croydon Library Civic Square Croydon Ph: 9294 5640

Hardbacks 50 cents
Paperbacks 20 cents
Magazines 10 cents
Special Prices on some items

Cheers, Maryanne

Creating a watersmart garden

Learn how to save water and keep your garden looking good this summer at a workshop run by Sustainable Gardening Australia.

When: Saturday 2nd December 10am-12noon
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave. Ph. 97547266

No charge, but bookings essential

Cheers, Maryanne

Summer Reading Club Launch Party

Kids, come along to the Read Around Oz Summer Reading Club Launch Party. You can join the reading club and get started early.

When: Friday 1st December at 4pm
Where: Ringwood Library, Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood
Ages: Primary school

Bookings essential phone 9870 0177
Free activity

Cheers, Maryanne

'Design a Sign' Competition

We're looking for some cool new signs or pictures for the Belgrave Library Teen area.

To enter:
Submit your design to Belgrave Library on an A4 page with your name, age and phone number on the back. Think about what would attract you into the Teen section.

NOTE: You MUST be aged 12 years or over to enter this competition

Entries close 19 January 2007
Prize: Borders Voucher
Where: Belgrave Library Reynolds Lane Belgrave Ph: 9754 7266

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show

Library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show.

This week on the radio show

Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler have a lot to answer for. The 'hardboiled' detective has been reinvented many times over the years, not the least by Australia's own Shane Moloney. Some of the current writers who excel in the sharp dialogue and quirky characters that define the style are Robert B. Parker, Elmore Leonard, and Sara Paretsky. For a comprehensive list of similar writers, check out the Who writes like information which you can get from Readers Corner on the ERL website.

For some gentler reading try some biographies - Oona : living in the shadow : a biography of Oona O'Neill Chaplin or Henry Lawson letters 1890-1922.

Music today was from Charmaine Solomon's Family Album, Jazz without borders and ABC TV themes.

Cheers, Maryanne

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Free Summer Sunday Reservations

Croydon Library are offering free reservations on Sundays throughout Summer. It starts Sunday 3rd December.

Great for those planning their holiday reading. I've been falling behind on Jeffery Deaver so I think I'll be reading The Cold Moon or The Twelfth Card. I also want to read Jonathan Kellerman's Gone.

What is on your list of hot books to read this Summer? Comment away!

Croydon Library is open on Sundays from 1-4pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon Ph: 9294 5640

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, November 24, 2006

Next week @ ERL

Tuesday 28th November 2:30pm
Genie exchange - Lilydale Library

Thursday 30th November 12:30pm
Literary Lunch - Meet Kate Holden - Belgrave Library
Event is fully booked

Thursday 30th November 7pm
Joy Dettman - Rowville Library

Saturday 2nd December 10am
Creating a watersmart garden - Belgrave Library

Book in for these great activities at your local Eastern Regional Libraries branch.

Cheers, Maryanne

After School Christmas Craft

Great Christmas craft activities for school children.

Where: Belgrave Library Reynolds Lane Belgrave Ph: 9754 7266

Monday 27th November 4pm - Christmas gift boxes
Monday 4th December 4pm - Christmas Potpourri Balls

COST $2 per child. Bookings essential

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show

Library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show.

This week on the radio show

Pia Butcher, Youth Services Librarian at Knox Library reviewed several books.

When Santa fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke

Jeremiah Goblynch, the ruthless new leader of the Council of Yuleland, is determined to put an end to children's wishes and turn the holiday season into his own personal moneymaking scheme. As the last REAL St. Nick around, only Santa stands between Goblynch and his grinchlike plan. With the help and hope of kids Charlotte and Ben, Santa must face Goblynch and his Nutcracker goons to save Christmas!


Arrival by Shaun Tan

A book that is difficult to describe...Shaun Tan explores the issue of immigration and being a stranger in a strange land through a wordless graphic novel. A book to examine in minute detail and enjoy.


Charlotte's Web: the essential guide by Amanda Li

A full colour look at the world of Fern, Wilbur the pig, Charlotte the spider and all of the characters on Zuckerman's farm.


Hardy Boys: Hyde and shriek by Scott Lobdell Pictures by Sidney Lima ( graphic novel)

When a visiting dignitary's daughter is scheduled to attend a party at a horror-themed restaurant in New York City, ATAC agents Joe and Frank Hardy are enlisted as undercover protection! Can the Hardy Boys find and stop the assassin?


Nancy Drew: Mr Cheeters is missing by Stefan Petrucha and Sho Murase ( graphic novel)

When Blanche Porter reports that Mr Cheeters has been kidnapped, Nancy Drew takes up the case. Can Nancy Drew recover Mr Cheeters or has the eccentric Blanche Porter made a monkey out of Nancy Drew?


Pirates by John Matthews

A delightful book to browse. An introduction to the pirates of the 17 and 18 century. Nearly every double page spread has a special feature. It may be a facsimile of a document or even playing cards to be slipped out of envelopes or small books glued to the page. Lots of fascinating stuff to interest every pirate fan.

Cheers, Maryanne

Homeschoolers meeting

Jo Freitag will chat about her work and experience as a mother of four grown homeschooled children.

Based in Croydon, Jo runs Gifted Resources, which provides consultations and resources including books, information packs and internet site lists on homeschooling and giftedness.

When: Thursday 7th December 1pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave

Cheers, Maryanne


Bring a snack and your children. We look forward to you making the most of this networking opportunity.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

New dvds @ our libraries

This list is particularly for Rob (who asked very nicely). I'm still working on the technical problems with the script that generates this list. I know there are a lot of members that love looking for the new dvds, so I created it manually. Anyhoo, here goes:

Martin Chuzzlewit
Lord of the Flies
Chicago (Richard Gere version)
Language nursery
Midsomer murders (various)
The Jewel in the Crown
The Magical world of Winnie the Pooh (various)
American hot rod. Season 1
Hi-5 : Dance hits. 3
Bananas in pyjamas : Singing time + fun time
War of the worlds (Tom Cruise version)
D.H. Lawrence's Sons and lovers
Sommersby
The House of Eliott. Series 2
The Wiggles : Here comes the big red car
Northern exposure. Season 3
Macbeth
Open all hours. Series 3
Beaches
Smile for Auntie : and three other stories
FMX.01 ; New noise
Grind
Crusty demons : the eighth dimension
We can be heroes : finding the Australian of the Year
Da Kath and Kim code ; Kath and Kim live in London uncut
Judith Durham - The Seekers : twenty-five year celebration including Future Road
Hamish MacBeth. Series 1
Inspector Montalbano. Volume 1 & 2
The lion, the witch and the wardrobe (2005 version)
Guess who's coming to dinner
Rebel without a cause
Black Narcissus
Lock, stock and two smoking barrels
Colour of war
See Spot run
Prince : Sign 'o' the times
Rose Tattoo : live in 1993 from Boggo Road Jail
Places in the heart
The wild duck
Witness
Ride with the Devil
Bull Durham

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Search library for. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Food for Fines

Do you know someone that is too scared to visit the library because they have a long overdue book? Well let them know about our Food for Fines amnesty starting Sunday 26th of November.

Just bring in your overdue books together with some non-perishable food (within the use-by date) and we'll waive the fine. This also includes any outstanding fines on your cards. The food will be donated to charity. This does not include damaged and lost books.

So everyone start searching under your bed :-)

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Joy Dettman at Rowville

Joy Dettman, author of Mallawindy and Jacaranda Blue, will be speaking at the Rowville Library. Joy was the judge of this year's National Storywriting competition.

When: Thursday 30th November 7pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road Rowville Ph: 9294 1300

Free event, supper provided.

Cheers, Maryanne

African Drum Workshop for Teens

Any musical teens out there? Join Peta Minter from Rhythmology for an introduction to African drumming.

When: Thursday 30th November 4:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library Reynolds Lane Belgrave Ph: 9754 7266

Cost $5

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Cheers, Maryanne

Local to local - Hexagon bag making

Come along and watch Grace Dale demonstrate the art of hexagon bag making...you're welcome to bring along some material and have a go also. It sounds like a lot of fun.

When: Saturday 25th November 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark Ph: 9726 8200

All welcome

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday @ your Library - Christmas Temptations

The Victorian Cake Decorating Society will demonstrate how to decorate a Christmas cake. Christmas novelties will be on display.

When: Friday 24th November 12noon
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South

Tea / coffee provided
Bookings essential 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Storywriting Prize Giving Evening

Well the Storywriting competition has been run and won so now it's time to hand out some prizes.

Prize Giving Evening
Thursday 23rd November at 7pm
Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave (Melway Map 75 F10)

Prizes presented by Cr Joanne Taylor (Maroondah City Council)
Excerpts from winning stories will be read by John Benton
Music by Rick Alexander and Adelaide Soccio
Coffee and Cake to follow

RSVP:
Tuesday 21 November
Lorraine Seeger 9298 8455

Cheers, Maryanne

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

National Storywriting Competition Winners

Judging has finished for this year's National Storywriting Competition. We received 668 entries; thanks to everyone who participated. Congratulations to the following writers:

OPEN AWARDS


1st - The Shipping views by Jennifer Mills, NT

2nd - Haircut Kate and the swinging anubis by Tine Brok, VIC

3rd - Paddy O’Shea’s wife by Vic Hann, VIC


Commended
Up-people by Travis de Valle, VIC


LOCAL AWARDS

1st - The Toly wars by Penny Sargeant, VIC

2nd - Death is a big part of life by Judith Sackville-O’Donnell, VIC

3rd - A Simple end by Jillian Stephenson, VIC


Commended
The Shed by Julie Bell, VIC
Window Woman by Ingrid Whitehorn, VIC


JUNIOR AWARDS

1st - Synthia’s story by Jessica Batton, VIC

2nd - Dennis the dragon by Jessie Tudor, VIC

3rd - A Princess’s story by Stephanie See, VIC


Commended
Harwell Hall by Melissa Rigby, VIC
Can we believe? by Krystal Tunnicliffe, VIC


TEENAGE AWARDS

1st - Hero by Nancy Chen, VIC

2nd - Through the glass by Shauna Poon, VIC

3rd - The Agent by Ashlea Bentley, VIC


Commended
The Mist by Emily Wright, VIC

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, November 10, 2006

Next week @ERL

Monday 13th November 12:30pm
Reading Cafe - Ross McMullin - Lilydale Library

Tuesday 14th November 7:30pm
Love Your Beer? - Yarra Junction Library

Wednesday 15th November 1pm

Book Chat - Ferntree Gully Library

Saturday 28th October 7:15am
9th Yarra Junction Library Bird Walk - Yarra Junction Library

Saturday 28th October 11am
Prostate problems - Chinese - Knox Library

Book in for these great activities at your local Eastern Regional Libraries branch.

Cheers, Maryanne

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Friday @ your Library - Christmas Temptations

Victorian Cake Decorating Society will demonstrate how to decorate a Christmas cake. Tasty Christmas treats will also be on display.

When: Friday 24th November at 12.00noon
Where: Knox Library 425 Burwood Highway Wantirna South

Tea / coffee provided
Bookings essential phone 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The Eastern Regional Library Show

Library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show.

Today on the radio show

'Social inclusion' is a term which many of us are not familiar with, but for two of Eastern Regional Libraries staff, a whirlwind trip of three weeks introduced them to how this is being applied in library services in England.

Lorraine Seeger and Bern Nolen were awarded a Barret Reid scholarship for a study tour in June, and their many and varied experiences are now being shared with library and local government bodies across the state. They certainly were inspired by many of the people and organisations encountered on the trip, so stay tuned for new services and programs aiming to make library services more accessible in our community.
p.s. 'social inclusion' can be defined as "positive action to include all sectors of society in planning and decision making" .

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas crafts for kids

Some fantastic Christmas crafts for the kids to make.

Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark Ph: 9726 8200

Wednesday 22nd November 4.00pm - Make your own Choir Mouse
Wednesday 29 November 4.00pm - Christmas beads for your tree
Wednesday 6 December 4.00pm - Christmas decorations

All activities are $2.00 each or book in for all three for $5.00

Bookings essential PH:9726 8200

Genie exchanges

Join other enthusiastic family historians to swap research tips and stories and ask for assistance. Meetings are held bi-monthly at Knox, Ringwood, Belgrave and Lilydale Libraries.

Knox: Tuesday 21st November 10-12noon
Ringwood: Thursday 23rd November 9.30 am - 11.30 am
Belgrave: Friday 24th November 10-12 noon
Lilydale: Tuesday 28th November 2.30pm-4.30pm
Ringwood: Thursday 30th November 9.30 am - 11.30 am

Cheers, Maryanne

9th Yarra Junction Library Bird Walk

Join Ken Simpson for a Circuit Walk around the Yarra Junction Township.

When: Saturday 18th November 7.15am.
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction Ph: 5967 1588

Meet at Yarra Junction Library in the eastern carpark at 7.15am

Morning tea and and questions back at the library around 10.15am.

Bring a hat, sunscreen and binoculars if you have them.

Cancelled if a total fire ban in place.

Bookings appreciated on ph:59671588

Giant Book Sale

Come and grab a bargain.

When: Saturday 18th November 10am-12noon
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road, Montrose Ph: 9728 4224

Cheers, Maryanne

Monday, November 06, 2006

Update on the National Storywriting Competition

There are lots of eager writers wondering about the results for the Storywriting Competition. I can say that the judging has finished and the winners are being contacted by phone. Hopefully this won't take too long and we can announce the winners on the blog early next week.

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, November 03, 2006

Top 10 Reads - November

The 'Top 10 reads' are the titles gathering a lot of interest in our libraries judging by the number of reservations. This months list is:

Alexander McCall Smith ~ The right attitude to rain
Barbara Taylor Bradford ~ The Ravenscar dynasty
Chris Masters ~ Jonestown
James Patterson ~ Cross
Janet Evanovich ~ Motor mouth
Joanne Lees ~ No turning back
John Grisham ~ The innocent man
Michael Connolly ~ Echo park
Nora Roberts ~ Dance of the gods
Ruth Rendell ~ The water’s lovely

Cheers, Maryanne

Melbourne Cup Day

Rounding the first turn in the 2005 Melbourne Cup (courtesy of VRC)

All branches and mobiles of Eastern Regional Libraries will be closed for Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 7th November.

Branches and mobiles will resume normal hours on Wednesday 8th November.

You will be able to return items through the bookchute during this time. Note: Croydon bookchute is closed.
So plan early, either return your items on the weekend or, if you have a password on your card, you can renew your items via the library catalogue. Follow the instructions in the Catalogue Tutorials. If you don't have a password yet apply for one now through the library website.

For the latest news and events on the Melbourne Cup Carnival, visit the Victoria Racing Club's Cup Carnival website. Thanks to the VRC for permission to use the fantastic photo from last year's Melbourne Cup.

Cheers, Maryanne

Love Your Beer? Too Costly? Seeking an Alternative?

Join Colin from Brewer's Choice in Woori Yallock and learn how to brew your own beer.

When: Tuesday 14th November 7:30pm
Where:
Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Bookings essential phone 59671588

Samples and supper provided.

Cheers, Maryanne

Reading Café - Ross McMullin

Ross McMullin will discuss his award-winning biography Pompey Elliott about Australia’s most famous fighting general in the First World War. Pompey Elliott was a charismatic, controversial and outstandingly successful commander whose tempestuousness generated a host of anecdotes.

Les Carlyon praised Pompey Elliott as one of the very best Australian books on World War I. Kim Beazley described it as 'one of the finest Australian biographies ever written'.

Ross McMullin's other books include The Light on the Hill (his widely acclaimed centenary history of the ALP) and So Monstrous a Travesty: Chris Watson and the world’s first national labour government. His most recent book is another biography, Will Dyson: Australia’s Radical Genius.
Come along and meet this distinguished writer and entertaining speaker when he talks about his superb book appropriately close to Remembrance Day.

Books available for purchase and signing.

When: Monday November 13 at 12.30pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: $5.00 includes lunch

Bookings 9294 3120

Cheers, Maryanne

New Books Day

Come and borrow the latest books at Rowville Library.

When: Friday 10th November 2006 from 10am
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville

Cheers, Maryanne

Heritage Roses

Join Leonie McCallum for a talk on heritage roses. Leonie has grown roses in the Yarra Valley for 30 years.

The topics covered include:
  • Old fashioned scented roses
  • Types of roses
  • Propogating
  • Pruning
  • Growing and nurturing your roses
When: Friday 10th November 11am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Ph: 5967 1588

Cheers, Maryanne

Simple Christmas Food Gifts with Jill Hess

A Cook's Kitchen Event. A simple gift from your own kitchen is always appreciated because it is personal and comes from the heart and hands rather than the wallet.

When: Thursday 9th November 2 pm
Where: Healesville Library, 231 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Cost: $3.

Bookings essential Ph: 5962 4423

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Two radio show posts in one

Well it's been a crazy week for Lesley so we've got updates for the last 2 radio shows here. For those not in the know, library staff member Lesley Conway runs a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show.

Last week on the radio show

New books for children and teenagers were piled up to the gunwhales at the radio station, as Pia returned to the program after a break, and brought us up to date with some exciting new fiction. For teenagers, Rani and Suhk by Bali Rai is a love story set in today's Britain. For younger readers the latest titles in two popular series are Charley Bone and the hidden king by Jenny Nimmo and Artemis Fowl and the lost colony by Eoin Colfer. Finally, two lovely new picture books are Winston the book wolf by Marnie McGee and Dimity Dumpty ; the story of Humpty's little sister by Bob Graham.

Music today was from Madonna : greatest hits vol.2

This week's radio show

Lyn Baines came to the program today WITHOUT any mystery books. She has vowed to put this right next month, even if it means going short on sleep. However, she did bring along a new Margaret Atwood entitled Moral disorder, and confessed to a foray into the world of science fiction in the shape of H.G.Wells. The two other books which were reviewed today were Consuming passions : leisure and pleasure in Victorian Britain by Judith Flanders, and Love and Louis the XIV by Antonia Fraser, both well researched and enjoyable reads.

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, October 27, 2006

Latest CDs & DVDs

Well.... you're probably wondering what's happened to the lists of new CDs and DVDs that I usually add to the blog. I've been having a bit of a technical problem with the script that creates the list and have been unable to post these articles.

I'll have these lists on the blog very soon - I promise, er hope :-D.

Cheers everyone and have a great weekend. If you want to check the weather forecast for the Cox Plate tomorrow, check it out at the Bureau of Meteorology.

Cheers, Maryanne

New non-fiction titles

We've also been busy adding the following non-fiction titles. I'm sure there'll be a lot of interest in the second CSIRO diet book and the Rob Astbury book.

Albert Gore ~ An inconvenient truth : the planetary emergency of global warming and what we can do about it
Andrew West ~ Now Australia : inside the lifestyles of the rich and tasteful
Bob Woodward ~ State of denial : Bush at war, part III
Caroline Overington ~ Only in New York : how I took Manhattan (with the kids)
Chris Masters ~ Jonestown : the power and the myth of Alan Jones
Corinne Hofmann ~ Reunion in Barsaloi
Dennis Altman ~ 51st state?
Don Dennis ~ The guns of Muschu
Iain Finlay/Trish Clark ~ Good morning Hanoi : a year on the airwaves in the new Vietnam
Jack Finlay ~ Wind on the water : and other surf stories
Jenny Kee ~ A big life
Joanne Lees ~ No turning back : my journey
Joe Bennett ~ Mustn’t grumble
John Kinsella (ed) ~ School days
John Laws/Christopher Stewart ~ It doesn’t end there
John Pinkney ~ Great Australian mysteries 2
Manny Noakes ~ The CSIRO total well being diet book 2
Mark Latham ~ A conga line of suckholes : Mark Latham’s book of quotations
Pam Ayres ~ Surgically enhanced
Paul Burrell ~ The way we were : remembering Diana
Peter Manning ~ Us and them
Rob Astbury ~ King and I : my life with Graham Kennedy
Robert Hughes ~ Things I didn’t know : a memoir
Sarah Benjamin ~ A castle in Tuscany : the remarkable life of Janet Ross
Sarah Bradford ~ Diana
Susan Mitchell ~ Margaret Whitlam : a biography
Timothy Good ~ Need to know : UFOs, the military and intelligence
Tony Wright ~ Bad ground

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Find a Book. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New fiction @ our branches

Some great fiction titles to borrow:

Alexander McCall Smith ~ The right attitude to rain
Barbara Taylor Bradford ~ The Ravenscar dynasty
Drew Karpyshyn ~ Star Wars : Darth Bane : Path of destruction
Edna O’Brien ~ The light of evening
James Herbert ~ The secret of Crickley Hall
Janet Evanovich ~ Motor mouth
Jessica Stirling ~ Blessings in disguise
Joyce Carol Oates ~ Black girl/white girl
Julian May ~ Sorcerer’s moon (Bk3 Boreal moon tale)
Kyle Mills ~ The second horseman
Margaret Atwood ~ Moral disorder
Michael Dobbs ~ First Lady
Stephen Baxter ~ Resplendent (Bk4 Destiny’s children)
Sue Townsend ~ Queen Camilla
Terry Brooks ~ Armageddon’s children : every legend has a beginning
Wendy Robertson ~ Family ties

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Find a Book. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Celebratory morning tea

Croydon Library is hosting a morning tea next Friday to celebrate it's win at the Leader Newspaper Maroondah Business Achiever Awards for 2006.

Come and join us, then browse the shelves.

When: Friday 3rd November 10:30am
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon.

Cheers, Maryanne

Next week @ ERL

Some great activities next week. I can't believe it's going to be November. The year has flown by and I have barely started Christmas shopping.

Tuesday 31st October 10am
Monster Book Sale - Knox Library

Tuesday 31st October 6:30pm
Halloween Hullabaloo for kids - Boronia Library

Wednesday 1st November 11am
Lunch with the Author - Yarra Junction Library

Thursday 2nd November 1pm
Beautiful bead jewellery with Heidi - Healesville Library

Thursday 2nd November 1:30pm
Beading with Ro Bailey - Ringwood Library

Sunday 5th November 2pm
Music @your library - Geoff Penny - Rowville Library

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Croydon Library - Business of the Year!

At last night's Leader Newspaper Maroondah Business Achiever Awards for 2006 Croydon Library scooped the prize by not only winning the Services to the Community Section but winning Maroondah Business of the Year.

Congratulations to all of the Croydon staff and thanks to everyone that voted.

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, October 20, 2006

Temporary interruption to catalogue

Hi everyone,

The library web catalogue will be unavailable from 2:30pm today Friday 20th October for some maintenance work. It should back by approximately 3:30pm. I'll keep you posted.

**Update: 3:05pm : The web catalogue is now available **

Cheers, Maryanne

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Next week @ERL

Lots of intersting things happening at the branches next week. For more information or to book these events just phone your nearest branch of Eastern Regional Libraries.

Monday 23rd October 7pm
Journeys - a refugee's story - Ringwood Library

Tuesday 24th October 7pm
Got a Minute? - Croydon Library

Tuesday 24th October 7:30pm
Meet Wildlife Artist Stephen Powell - Ferntree Gully Library

Thursday 26th October 12:30 pm
Literary Lunch-Adrian Hyland - Belgrave Library

Thursday 26th October 1pm
Beautiful Beaded Jewellery with Heidi - Montrose Library

Thursday 26th October 7pm
The Italian Experience - Travel to Italy My Way - Rowville Library

Friday 27th October 12noon
Friday@Your Library - Knox Library

Friday 27th October 2pm
Library Growers and Weeders - Australia's Gardener of the year 2005 - Mooroolbark Library

Saturday 28th October
Camera to computer - Yarra Junction is Fully booked

Saturday 28th October 2pm
Menopause - signs and managing symptoms - Chinese activity - Knox Library

Sunday 29th October 2pm
Music @your library - Pip Joyce - Ringwood Library

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Halloween Hullabaloo for kids

Still a few places left. Book now!
  • Spooky stories from storyteller Matteo
  • Come dressed in your finest costumes and win prizes
  • Play spooky games
  • Eat freaky food
When: Tuesday 31st October 6.30pm-8pm
Where: Boronia Library Park Crescent Boronia Ph: 9762 4099
Cost: $2 per child

Cheers, Maryanne

Library growers and weeders

Gardening Australia's Gardener of the year 2005 Bob O'Neill will talk about creating Katandra Gardens.

When: Friday 27th October 2pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Ph: 9726 8200. Bookings Essential

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday @ your Library

Jewellery making with Anna Smart. Anna will demonstrate how to make a beautiful necklace and earring set.

When: Friday 27th October 12noon
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South Ph: 9801 1422

Tea/Coffee provided

Cheers, Maryanne

The Italian Experience

Travel to Italy my way with Jetset's Kath Williams.

When: Thursday 26th October 7pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Ph: 9294 1300

Bookings Preferred Gold coin donation. Wine and cheese provided.

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch – Adrian Hyland

In creating his detective novel, Diamond Dove, Adrian Hyland has drawn on his years spent among indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
His book has been described as 'a great fun read, a crime novel with a true larrikin spirit'.

Since studying languages and classics at Melbourne University Adrian has had a variety of jobs, he currently teaches at Latrobe University. Adrian has been a keen reader and writer all his adult life, Diamond Dove is his first book.

Books available for purchase and signing

When: Thursday 26 October 12.30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $5.00 includes lunch
Bookings 9754-7266

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, October 13, 2006

New non-fiction

Why not have a look for the following new non-fiction titles we've just added. I like the sound of Speed cleaning : a spotless house in just 15 minutes a day.

AB Feuer ~ Australian commandos : their secret war against the Japanese in World War II
Audrey Davidson ~ Porton : a deadly trap : the facts about the Battle of Porton Plantation, Bougainville 1945
Barry Jones ~ A thinking reed
Derek Pedley ~ Australian outlaw : the true story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott
Dervla Murphy ~ Full tilt : from Dublin to Delhi with a bicycle
Duncan McNab ~ The dodger : inside the world of Roger Rogerson
Gillian Tindall ~ The house by The Thames : and the people who lived there
Greg Sheridan ~ The partnership : the inside story of the US – Australian alliance under Bush and Howard
Hal Iggulden ~ The dangerous book for boys
Huon Hooke ~ The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2007
Imogen Edwards-Jones ~ Fashion Babylon
J Randy Taraborrelli ~ Elizabeth
James Knight ~ Just doing my job : everyday Australians with extraordinary stories
John Grisham ~ The innocent man : murder and injustice in a small town
John Lethlean/Necia Wilden ~ The Age Good Food Guide 2007
John Suter-Linton ~ An almost perfect murder : how the police caught one of their own
Lisa Lou ~ Red velvet : memoirs of a working girl
Paul Collins ~ Burn : the epic story of bushfire in Australia
Peter Dornan ~ The last man standing : Herb Ashby and the Battle of El Alamein
Peter W Galbraith ~ The end of Iraq : how American incompetence created a war without end
Scott Russell Hill ~ Caught between two worlds
Shannon Lush/Jennifer Fleming ~ Speed cleaning : a spotless house in just 15 minutes a day

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Find a Book. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

New fiction @ our libraries

Check out the following great titles:

Andrew Klavan ~ Damnation Street
Andrew O’Hagan ~ Be near me
Andrew Vachss ~ Mask market
Ann McCaffrey/Elizabeth Ann Scarborough ~ Second wave (Bk1 Acorna’s children)
Brenda Joyce ~ Deadly kisses
Clive Cussler ~Skeleton Coast (Bk4 Oregon files)
David Malouf ~ Every move you make
Eric Van Lustbader ~ The testament
Hazel Holt ~ A death in the family
Henning Mankell ~ Depths
Isla Dewar ~ The consequences of marriage
James Patterson ~ Cross
Janet Dailey ~ Calder storm
John LeCarre ~ The mission song
John Mortimer ~ Rumpole and the reign of terror
Jonathan Gash ~ Blood dancing
Mark Haddon ~ A spot of bother
Michael Connelly ~ Echo park
Mitch Albom ~ For one more day
Nicholas Sparks ~ Dear John
Nora Roberts ~ Dance of the gods (Bk2 The Circle trilogy)
Nora Roberts ~ Taming Natasha ; Luring a lady (Stanislaski series)
Nora Roberts ~ Falling for Rachel ; Convincing Alex (Stanislaski series)
Raymond E Feist ~ Into a dark realm (Bk2 The Darkwar)
Robert B Parker ~ Blue screen
Robert K Tanenbaum ~ Counterplay
Ruth Rendell ~ The water’s lovely
Sheila O’Flanagan ~ Yours, faithfully
Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ Bad attitude
Stephanie Laurens ~ To distraction (Bk5 The Bastion Club)
Tim Lahaye/Bob Phillips ~ The edge of darkness (Bk4 Babylon rising)
Vince Flynn ~ Act of treason

Search for them in our web catalogue. Type in your search in the box next to Find a Book. If you have a password on your card you can reserve books, cds & dvds to be sent to your closest branch. It costs $2.20 per item for adults, $1.10 for govt. concession card holders, free reservations for children.

Find out about reserving and more with the catalogue tutorials.

Cheers, Maryanne

Next week @ ERL

Monday 16th October 7pm
Mt Evelyn Cookery Club - Perfect Preserves - Mt Evelyn Library

Wednesday 18th October 1:30pm
Decades – The Fashion of the Seventies - Boronia Library

Thursday 19th October 11am
Pink Ribbon Morning Tea - Belgrave Library

Thursday 19th October 1pm
Book Chat - Ferntree Gully Library

Thursday 19th October 7pm
Beer appreciation and tasting - Rowville Library

Friday 20th October from 7pm
Where Were You in '72? The Ultimate Trivia Night - Ferntree Gully Community Centre and Library

Saturday 21st October 10am
Local to local - Local gem enthusiast Derrick Swann will chat about different types of gemstones - Mooroolbark Library

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Beautiful Beaded Jewellery with Heidi

Need a little sparkle in your life? Come along and make a lovely set of beaded jewellery (earrings necklace & bracelet).

When: Thursday 26th Oct 1pm
Where: Montrose Library Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road Montrose
Ph:9728 4224

Cheers, Maryanne

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Meet Wildlife Artist Stephen Powell

Stephen Powell is a wildlife artist with a passionate interest in the environment. His art works have attracted a number of awards and have been featured in books, periodicals and calendars. Stephen will talk about his art, the animals he paints, and his career as an artist.

When: Tuesday 24th October 7:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully
Bookings phone 92948140

An example of Stephen's work


Stephen Powell's website

Cheers, Maryanne

Got a Minute?

Kevin Arendse from A Watch in Time in Heathmont will present an evening on clocks and watches. Bring along a clock or watch for valuation and discussion.

Kevin is a qualified watchmaker and a member of the Horological Guild of Australasia.

When: Tuesday 24th October 7pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon

Bookings 9294-5640

Cheers, Maryanne

Local to local - gems

Local gem enthusiast Derrick Swann will chat about different types of gemstones.

When: Saturday 21st October 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark.

All Welcome. Bookings phone 9726 8200

Cheers, Maryanne

Friday, October 06, 2006

Looking for something to do this weekend?


If you're not glued to the TV watching Bathurst this weekend and you're looking for events in Melbourne, try checking out the following great sites:

Citysearch
Guide to events, restaurants and other entertainment in Melbourne.

Melbourne.com.au
Includes things to do around Melbourne and how to get around. It's perfect for visitors.

ThatsMe!bourne
City of Melbourne's official guide to what's on in the City. Includes events, restaurants, clubs and city rewards.

Upcoming.org
Its a social bookmarking site for events run by Yahoo. I've linked here to the Melbourne events but you could search virtually anywhere in the world.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers, Maryanne

Journeys - a refugee's story

During Refugee week you are invited to join Nyadang from Sudan as she shares her story of living as a refugee in Australia.

When: Monday 23rd October 7pm
Where: Ringwood Library, Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood

Bookings phone 98700177

Cheers, Maryanne

Beer appreciation, tasting and sales

Come along, relax and enjoy a presentation by Eric Walters of Grand Ridge Brewery, Australia's most awarded boutique brewery.

When: Thursday 19th October 7pm
Where: Rowville Library Stud Park Shopping Centre Stud Road Ph: 9294 1300
Cost: $5.00 - includes tasting

Cheers, Maryanne

Next week @ ERL

It's a very busy week next week with lots of fantastic activities at our libraries.

Monday 9th October 10am
Giant Booksale - Lilydale Library

Monday 9th October 12:30pm
Reading Cafe - Ilsa Evans - Lilydale Library

Tuesday 10th October 7pm
Speed Maths with Bill Handley - Montrose Library

Thursday 12th October 7pm
Keys Please - The First Step into the Driver's Seat - Yarra Junction Library

Friday 13th October from 10am
New books day - Rowville Library

Saturday 14th October 11am
Unique Valley Produce and Presentation - Yarra Junction Library

Saturday 14th October 6:30pm
The Perfect Picnic with Greg Goris - Atrium, Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South

Sunday 15th October 12:30pm
Towards Reconciliation - Knox Community Arts Centre, Cnr Mountain Hwy & Scoresby Rd, Bayswater

Cheers, Maryanne

World Sight Day

Did you know that over 75% of blindness or vision loss can be prevented or treated? October 12 is World Sight Day. So save your eyesight and get your eyes regularly tested.

For more information please visit Vision2020Australia. Their vision is to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision loss by the year 2020.

Cheers, Maryanne

Knox Mobile off the road

Hi everyone,

The Knox Mobile will be off the road for mechanical repairs until Tuesday 10th October.

Items can be returned or renewed at any of our branches. You can also renew them on the web catalogue (if you have a password) - follow the catalogue tutorials.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Cheers, Maryanne

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

The Eastern Regional Library Show

Each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm Lesley Conway does a radio show on Eastern FM 99.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Just in from Lesley.

On today's show

I must have brought the Sydney sunshine back with me, what a day!

Gardening was the theme for today, particularly mixed with gardener's memoirs. All the titles are by Australian authors, about Australian conditions. With a long hot summer ahead, this might be our last month to do some serious work in the garden. Or you could check out other people's gardens; look for Australia's Open Garden Scheme, copies available in all our branches. Some great titles which mix the practical with the personal are........
From the country by T.R. Garnett
The garden at Forest Hall by Susan Irvine
The organic garden doctor by Jackie French
Let's propagate : a plant propagation manual for Australia by Angus Stewart
Garden cuttings : reflection from an Australian gardener by Tim North
Over the fence by Shirley Stackhouse
Lawns into lunch : growing food in the city by Jill Finane

Music today from the soundtrack of the film De-Lovely, about Cole Porter.

Cheers, maryanne

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Pink Ribbon Morning Tea

Join members of the Breast Cancer Support Group for morning tea as they talk about their personal experiences and how the group has helped them.

When: Thursday 19th October 11am
Where:
Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave Ph: 9754 7266

Cheers, Maryanne

Knox Heritage Week

Decades – The Fashion of the Seventies

Get out your flares, put on your platform heels and join fashion historian Ann Dixon for a celebration of Seventies style.

When: Wednesday 18th October 1:30pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Cres, Boronia
Free event
Bookings phone 9762 4099


Where Were You in ’72? The Ultimate Trivia Night

Join the staff of Ferntree Gully Library and test your knowledge of everything seventies. Drinks and nibbles provided.

When: Friday 20th October 7pm for a 7:30pm start
Where: Ferntree Gully Community Centre
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children
Bookings phone 9294 8140

Cheers, Maryanne

Monday, October 02, 2006

Unique Valley Produce and Presentation

For gift and wrapping ideas join Jaqui Hall from Flowers and Flavours in Yarra Junction for a display and talk on the exciting produce made in the area. Jaqui will demonstrate wrapping and packaging ideas to make your gifts special. Examples include icecream, chocolates and preserves.

When: Saturday 14th October 11am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Bookings appreciated, phone 5967 1588.
Morning tea supplied.

Cheers, Maryanne

Speed Maths With Bill Handley

Learn all of the tricks to multiplication tables. Parents and both primary and secondary students welcome!

When: Tuesday 10th October 7-8pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road Montrose. Phone 9728 4224

Cheers, Maryanne

Giant Booksale

Adult, Teenage and Junior books. Fill a library bag for $6.00. Some items will be individually priced and placed separately.

When: Monday 9th October from 10am
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale

Cheers, Maryanne

Reading Café – Meet Ilsa Evans

After a childhood in country Victoria Ilsa spent time in the RAAF, and worked at a variety of jobs before returning to study. Author of the popular Laundry series, Ilsa has combined writing with motherhood and a successful academic career; she recently completed her PhD. Ilsa's latest novel Each Way Bet was published in February 2006.

When: Monday 9th October 12.30pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: $5.00 includes lunch

Books available for purchase and signing
Bookings 9294-3120.

Cheers, Maryanne