The Planets

An insight into the astonishing discoveries being made about the universe. Learn about the discovery of new planets and solar systems, planet formation and the early universe.

When: Thursday 15th October 7pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Mooroolbark Library special gardening event with Andrew Laidlaw 774 ABC

Andrew Laidlaw is an award winning garden designer and ABC Radio personality, landscape Architect with the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and has been responsible for some iconic landscape projects,including the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden.
We welcome Andrew to Mooroolbark Library in October for an informative talk on gardening and garden design.

Coffee and tea provided.

When: Thursday 15th October 1pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97268200

Cheers, Maryanne

What is autism?

Come and listen to Orla from Irabina, a specialist early childhood intervention service,  and a parent of a child with autism answer this question.

Irabina Childhood Autism Services

When: Tuesday 13th October 7pm
Where: Lilydale Library Anderson Street Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

October's Plant swap & chat

Jot down the following date in your diary (Tues. 13th Oct) for the next Plant Swap & Chat at The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth

When: Tuesday 13th October 12:30pm
Where: The Bridge Community Garden Centre, 49 Durham Road, Kilsyth
Cost: BYO Lunch, a plant to swap & a gold coin donation.
Bookings essential phone 97251932

Cheers, Maryanne

Book signing for Scorpio's Lot

Join first time author Ray Smithies as he talks about his new book, Scorpio's Lot. Ray's book will be available for purchase and signing.

When: Saturday 10th October 1:30pm postponed until 8th Nov
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event (apart from book purchase)
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

Speed Reading (But not as you know it!)

Well known author Ilsa Evans will be hosting this unique event. If you love reading and want to share your thoughts on favourite books & authors, come along and join in our version of speed reading - 5 minute chats, then change partners.

Afterwards join us for refreshments. No charge but bookings essential

When: Thursday 8th October 1:30 - 3pm - cancelled
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

Grow your own vegies

Come along and meet Pete the Permie for this free talk on growing your own vegies. Bookings essential
When: Saturday 3rd October 1pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

Growville Growers - Salvias

For the October meeting, Growville Growers will host speaker Lindi Garnett from the Salvia Society. Come to hear about the varieties, propagation and uses of Salvias (commonly known as the herb sage). There will also be Salvias for sale and you can bring your Salvias in to be identified. All Welcome. Bookings essential.

When: Friday 2nd October 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Gold coin donation would be appreciated
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Armchair travellers - Fascinating Malaysia

One of Malaysia's key attractions is its extreme contrasts. Towering skyscrapers look down upon wooden homes built on stilts and five star hotels sit several metres away from ancient reefs.

Malaysia is full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders...you are invited to come and hear Kim tell us about this fascinating multicultural country at Armchair Travellers.

When: Thursday 1st October 2pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97268200

Cheers, Maryanne

Knox Mobile

Just found out that the Knox Mobile will not be operating today. We apologise for any inconvenience. Items can be renewed over the phone on 1300737277 (select any branch) or via the online catalogue.

Cheers, Maryanne

Pete the Plumber rides the Water Cycle

An interactive show with singing, dancing and musical instruments made from plumbing equipment. Meet DROPPO, his pet drop of water as it slips and slides through the water cycle. Both educating and entertaining.

Check out Pete the plumber's website.

We have 2 sessions on the one day; Mooroolbark & Yarra Junction

When: Wednesday 30th September 11am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: $4 per child
Bookings essential phone 97268200

When: Wednesday 30th September 2pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: $4 per child
Bookings essential phone 59671588

Cheers, Maryanne

Spinning demonstration

Join Marion from Fancy Spinning a yarn? while she demonstrates spinning wool.Sounds like a relaxing way to spend the morning.
When: Tuesday 29th September 10am-1pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

Music @ your library – Croydon Library

Browse the shelves to the sounds of three wonderful musicians in this 3 month program of music in the library. September's artist is Michael Lloyd, a singer and guitarist with a mellow tone.

When: Sunday 27th September 2pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

WiFi pilot at Knox Library

We're currently testing a WiFi hotspot at Knox Library for Internet access and are looking for volunteers to give it a test run using laptops, PDAs, phones etc. Your device needs to have a wireless network adapter and you'll need to login with your library card number and PIN to connect.

Please note that you won't be able to print from your wireless device. Just save your work onto a USB stick and print via the 10 minute PCs.

If you have any feedback on the service please pass on your comments to staff.

Cheers, Maryanne

Jewellery workshop on Grand Final Day

Calling all teens, mums & grans - if you're not otherwise occupied with the all-Melbournian AFL Grand Final join Heidi and make a beautiful set of beaded jewellery - necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Suitable for ages 12+ years.

When: Saturday 26th September 2-4pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: $15
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

Fun with Maths

Join us when Bill Handley, author of Speed Mathematics books, demonstrates how maths can be easy and fun. Those who struggle with maths will be amazed how easy maths can be. Those who like maths will appreciate Bill's methods. All welcome. Please note the first session is just for children aged 6-14 years, the second for all ages.

When: Friday 25th September 1:30-3pm (for 6-14 year olds)
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

When: Friday 9th October 6:30pm (for all ages)
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch – Meet Chris Flynn

Chris Flynn is the Belfast-born Melbourne-based editor of Torpedo fiction quarterly. He has worked on magazines in Paris, London, Los Angeles and New York. He writes reviews for the ABC Book Show on Radio National and The Australian Book Review. He is currently working on a short story collection, a novel and is translating a Jules Verne novel.

This lunch will interest both readers and writers alike.

When: Thursday 24th September 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Eastern Regional Libraries presents At Home with Jane Austen

Using Jane Austen’s own words actress Lise Rodgers recreates the world of Georgian England.

Lise Rodgers is an accomplished Melbourne actress whose interest in the world and characters of Jane Austen, is the inspiration behind her series of "Jane" performances.

When: Sunday 20th September 10am
Where: Rose Cottage Restaurant, 251 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Monbulk
Cost: $20 includes a delicious brunch
Bookings essential phone 98006409

Cheers, Maryanne

Michael Cathcart talk cancelled

The talk by Michael Cathcart scheduled for Thursday 17th September at Belgrave Library has been cancelled.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 2nd September 2009 & 9th September 2009

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 Wednesday for a great show. We've got updates for the last couple of radio shows.

2nd September

 

Devotees of Jane Austen do not tear your hair. In spite of the title, Lyn Baines thinks the novel Jane Austen ruined my life by Beth Pattillo is a good read. Here is the review she placed on Reader's Corner Reviews -  

"I’m not a fan of the many Austen sequels, prequels & other novels cashing in on the popularity of one of my favourite authors. This novel is an exception as it uses Austen’s life & work in an intriguing way. Emma Grant is an American academic. Her life is falling apart. Her husband has been unfaithful & she’s lost her job due to an unfounded allegation of plagiarism. Emma has been contacted by Mrs Parrot, a mysterious woman who hints that she has access to over a thousand unpublished letters by Jane Austen. Emma sees publishing the letters as a way of regaining her academic reputation. So, she goes to England to meet Mrs Parrot. Emma is sent on a series of journeys to places associated with Jane – Bath, Lyme, Winchester - & must pass tests at each place to be allowed to read more of the letters & discover more about the secret at the heart of Austen’s life. Emma also meets up with Adam, an old friend who is also in London doing research. Is his interest in Emma altruistic or is he chasing the same prize? The plot has a few holes in it, but Emma is an engaging character & a tour of Jane Austen’s England is always a pleasant way to spend an afternoon."

The other title Lyn reviewed today was House of treason by Robert Hutchinson. It deals with the fortunes of the Dukes of Norfolk from the second duke who fought at Bosworth for Richard III to plotters who were beheaded both in the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The book also paints a broad and grim picture of life under the Tudors, Hutchinson sees Tudor  England  in the same light we view Hitler's Germany or Stalin's Russia, a world of spies, informers, rigged trials and lack of compassion. A "riveting story, splendidly told".

 

Music was from The cook and the chef : our favourite music and B B King.

 

9th September

 

A bit of a mixed bag today, making the most of the opportunity to let you know about  databases and resources which you might not otherwise have discovered. If you have not already checked out what is available through our Online Resources, take a look today. The Health and Wellness Resource Center is a wide ranging database which is informative on 'Diseases and conditions', 'Alternative medecine', 'Drugs and Herbal remedies' and 'Health Assessment'. If you are after a specifically Australian resource, the Victorian government has a terrific web site 'Better Health Channel' at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au which has  fact sheets on specific conditions, resources and tools, suggestions and recipes for healthy eating and links to health services and support groups. There are many similar and useful links available from  Webs Link Wiki : Health on this site. 

 

And finally, for those keen to explore ebooks, go to Global Books in Print, via Online Resources on our webpage and follow this series of steps....Click on the Advanced Search button ion the GBIP home page, scroll down to the last box in the Limit Your Search Results area which is headed Full Text. In the drop down menu select 'ebrary' and if you then click search you will have access to a list of some 92/614 titles. Of course if you would like to narrow your search down a bit, you can enter appropriate search terms in 'Keyword in title', 'Author' or 'Subject.

 

Music today was from David Jones' Colour of the drum and Two men with the blues, a wonderful collaboration between Willy Nelson and Wynton Marsalis.

 

 

---- Lesley

Recycle your mobile phone, save a gorilla

Did you know that your mobile phone contains the metal coltan, 80% of which is located in Africa, in particular the Democratic Republic of Congo, home for the Mountain Gorilla and the Eastern Lowland Gorilla? (Jane Goodall Institute)

Coltan is used in to coat the capacitors in mobile phones and the mining of this metal is having a devastating effect on Gorilla habitat.

Eastern Regional Libraries is joining the Calling on You campaign by offering our libraries as a drop off point to recycle your mobile phone. Funds raised from recycling of the phones will be donated by Zoos Victoria to primate conservation.

We'll be sending out recycling boxes and posters to the branches soon.

While I'm discussing recycling we are still collecting corks and thanks to all of our members that support the Corks for Elephants campaign. Friends of the Zoos volunteers regularly pick up the corks and these are recycled for floor tiles, place mats, cores for cricket and hockey balls, and non-slip surfaces. Even though the Elephants have a new enclosure, the funds raised are used for ongoing needs of the elephants.

The Calling on You campaign is a joint project of Zoos Victoria, Aussie Recycling Program and Jane Goodall Institute.

Cheers, Maryanne

Knox Mobile

Apologies for the delay in posting this but the Knox Mobile won't be on the road today because of a driver shortage. Items may be returned to any of our branches or renewed online via the ERL website (if you know your PIN) or by phone at 1300737277, select one of our branches.

Cheers, Maryanne

Library software upgrade on Tuesday

We've got an upgrade for our library software happening on Tuesday morning. This will mean the the iBistro library catalogue will be unavailable until approximately 10am Tuesday morning. I'll keep everyone updated via the blog & Twitter.

Cheers, Maryanne

Ranges Mobile update

The Ranges Mobile is back on the road today, Friday 4th September.
Cheers, Maryanne

Three Bells - birth, marriage, death, an exhibition and talk

Ann Dixon is an authority on fashions of the past, as well as one of our family history gurus. Join Ann Dixon for a talk on the customs of births, marriages and deaths

A display of costumes will feature at Knox Library from 19th-26th September

When: Friday 25th September 12noon
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne

Italian sweets demonstration

Our in-house Italian cook extraordinaire, Federica, will demonstrate the delicious art of Italian sweet cooking.  By gentle encouragement and persuasion we have managed to cajole Federica for another session following on from her extremely successful pasta-making session last year. All welcome.

When: Thursday 17th September 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Authors Visiting ERL in September

September will be a busy month for ERL with four popular authors visiting.

Sara Hardy
Author Sara Hardy will be guest speaker at the Growville Growers’ Spring Lunch at Rowville Library. Sara will be speaking about the life of Australian garden designer Edna Walling, who was the subject of her first book. Places available.

When: Friday 4th September 12:30pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Rd, Rowville
Cost: $10 cost includes lunch
Bookings are essential 9294 1300

Jane Clifton
The wonderful and multi talented Jane Clifton will be our guest at Croydon Library’s Book Bites Lunch. Actress, singer and author Jane has written two successful crime novels and is working on two further books, one fiction, and the other non-fiction. Always entertaining, we are delighted that Jane can join us for lunch. Places available.

When: Thursday 10th September 12:30pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: $10 cost includes lunch
Bookings are essential 9294 5640

Richelle Mead
On Monday 14th September at 5pm the Knox Civic Centre will play host to US bestselling author Richelle Mead. Richelle is on a whirlwind publicity tour of the east coast of Australia publicising Blood Promise her latest book in the Vampire Academy series. Richelle writes for both adults and teens and is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. This event is fully booked.

When: Monday 14th September 5pm
Where: Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna Sth
Cost: Free
This event is fully booked

Michael Cathcart
The Water Dreamers is historian Michael Cathcart’s latest book and traces the story of water on the Australian continent from 1788 to the present. How our lives and our country have been shaped by its water resources. Michael will be familiar to many ABC watchers from his history program Rewind and the documentary Rogue Nation. He can be heard on Radio National where he is the host of Bush Telegraph. Places available.

When: Thursday 17th September 7pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings are essential 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Richelle Mead event

Just updating you on the massive Richelle Mead event this month. Richelle's appearance for Eastern Regional Libraries is fully booked (with another 18 people on the waiting list). However if you have missed out on a place there is still another opportunity to catch Richelle in Melbourne.

When: Tuesday 15th September 5:30pm
Where: Dymocks Melbourne CBD, Lower Ground 234 - Collins St, Melbourne
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential to be assured a place, phone 96608500

For those that are booked into one of the events, Richelle lists some information for attendees on her website (book limits, photos, booksellers etc). Just scroll down to view information for the Australian Blood Promise Tour.

Also catch up with Richelle online:
Check out the Richelle Mead blog
Become a fan of Richelle Mead on Facebook
Follow Richelle Mead on Twitter

Cheers, Maryanne

Wire jewellery workshops fully booked

Both sessions of the Wire Jewellery workshops at Croydon Library next week are fully booked. However you can put your name on the waiting list in case someone cancels. Call 92945640.

Cheers, Maryanne

Ranges Mobile update

I've just received another update on the Ranges Mobile. It is now expected back on the road on Friday. Apologies for the inconvenience caused with the delays. Items may be returned to the mobile library on its next visit and the overdue charges incurred during the period it was off the road will be cancelled.

Cheers, Maryanne