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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

• List of public holidays that the library 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

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