The Eastern Regional Library Radio Show 27th April 2011

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On Wednesday's show

Finding inspiration for new reading can be difficult at times. You prowl the shelves and nothing jumps out at you, your friend's recommendation of a new thriller doesn't appeal. What are the options? One is to drop into one of the many Book Chat sessions that run in most of our branches on a monthly basis. Not only will you be encouraged to try some new authors, but your thoughts and suggestions are welcome too. Last week, journalist and interviewer Ann Creber visited Lilydale Library Book Chat group to inspire us with some wonderful Australian writing. Under the influence is an accomplished first novel by Jackie Lunn which deals with a schoolgirl secret which brings two successful and happy women together at the death of an old friend. Another thriller Ann recommends is Beyond fear by Jaye Ford. Four friends go away for a weekend together, only to be thrown into a terrifying situation challenges them all, and for one woman, takes her back to a traumatic past.

For something a little more laid back, Ann recommends Lyn Bryski, who has set out specifically to supplant the stereotypical young beautiful heroine and replace her with real women in middle age. Her book Gang of four has many fans, and her latest is Last chance cafe. Another writer to challenge the stereotypes is June Loves, in The Shelly Beach Writers' Group. The story of a woman who's marriage has ended, is dissatisfied with her working life. She retreats to a small seaside community to regroup and finds a new life in being involved in the community.

For myself, I keep an eye open for book reviews in likely and unlikely places. Most magazines run book review columns, and can point you in new and interesting directions. I enjoy the reviewers in Country Life and Australia Coast to Coast Country Style magazines. The latest title from one of these which attracted my intention was a new biography of Roald Dahl, entitled Storyteller : the life of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock. It sounds to be full of thoughtful insight on a remarkable man.

---- Lesley

Learn how to build a raingarden with Gully Gardeners

Did you know raingardens are a great way to save water?

Building a raingarden is a simple way to help the environment and the health of our local waterways while providing a self-watering garden for your backyard.

A raingarden is a specially prepared garden designed to receive and filter rain run-off from roofs and hard surfaces such as driveways or paving. You can even create a raingarden in a planter box, positioning it to collect water from a disconnected downpipe or rainwater tank overflow.

Come and meet Danielle Gerente, the Water Sensitive Cities Project Engineer from the Knox City Council and find out how you can build one.

When: Thursday 5th May 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Step by step feltmaking at Mooroolbark. Take home a starter pack

Felt is one of the oldest ways of making fabric, it is thought to have been around for about 8 thousand years.

Carolyn, who is a local artist and a member of the Yarra Valley Open Studios Group,will be demonstrating the fabulous art of feltmaking.

Carolyn from Ripples on the Pond Textile Arts Studio, has an artistic spirit and love of blending colours. She keeps an open mind to new and different textile applications and her work mainly involves layering and three dimensionality and combines different disciplines of fabrics and textiles.

Each participant will receive a take home feltmaking starter pack and one lucky person will receive the hand built “Lily” felting piece that Carolyn will make on the day.

Come along and see this amazing craft!

When: Thursday 5th May 2pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: $5 per person... refreshments provided
Bookings essential phone 97268200 or book online - feltmaking

Cheers, Maryanne

Boronia Library hosts a seniors morning tea and chat group every Friday

Enjoy a free cuppa at Boronia Library while you make new friends or meet up with old ones.

When: Every Friday morning 10:30-11:30am
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Enquiries phone 97624099

Cheers, Maryanne

Eastern Regional Libraries' opening hours over the Easter break

All Eastern Regional Libraries branches and mobiles will be closed for the following days over Easter:

Friday 22nd April - Good Friday
Saturday 23rd April
Sunday 24th April - Easter Sunday
Monday 25 April - Anzac Day
Tuesday 26th April - Easter Monday substitute holiday

Branches will return to normal opening hours from Wednesday 27th April.

Please note that Croydon Library is closed for maintenance from Friday 22nd April, re-opening Monday 4th July at 9am.

If you know your PIN you can renew items via the web catalogue. Today is the last day to get your PIN before the Easter break, so if you don't know contact us now via the website.

Wishing you all a wonderful, safe holiday and hope you've all got something to read.

Cheers, Maryanne

From 1st May items awaiting pickup for holds will be held for 7 days

To facilitate the turn over of holds awaiting pickup, the days an item will be held has been changed to 7 DAYS.

For quicker notification of holds awaiting pickup, please ask staff to change your alert notification to SMS or EMAIL on your next visit.

This change will take place on 1st MAY 1st.

This change does not apply to holds awaiting pickup at our mobile libraries.

Cheers, Maryanne

Grab a bargain at the Monster Booksale at Ringwood in May

Come along and pick up a bargain. Cash sales only.

When: Monday 9th May 1-5pm
Where: Ringwood Library, 4 Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood

Cheers, Maryanne

As from Monday 4th July Croydon and Ringwood libraries will open at 9am

As from Monday 4th July 2011 both Croydon and Ringwood libraries will be opening at 9am Monday to Friday. Weekend hours will not be changing. The early bird catches the worm, as they say.

Cheers, Maryanne