Confused with buying and selling on ebay? Free workshop at Yarra Junction Library

1. Want to dispose of redundant goods
2. Have an eye for a bargain
3. Need help with the technology

Please Join Egon Fink, a successful "ebayer" for ten years, demystify this popular means of selling.

When: Thursday 2nd September 3:30-5:30pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 59671588 or book online - ebay

Cheers, Maryanne

Composting and worm farming - let worms do the work for you

Shannon Smythe, Waste Education Officer, Shire of Yarra Ranges will introduce you to the world of worm farming and composting. Learn how easy it is to let worms do the work for you in return for feeding them kitchen scraps.

When: Thursday 2nd September 1pm
Where: Healesville Library, 231 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 59624423

Cheers, Maryanne

Want to know about home brewing? Come to a Beer Tasting at Boronia Library

Have you ever wanted to try making your own beer? Peter Howell from The Brewer's Den in Boronia will be offering his homebrew for you to sample.  Peter will be available to answer all of your questions too.

We still have plenty of place still available.

When: Wednesday 1st September 6:30pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97624099 or book online - Beer Tasting

Cheers, Maryanne

Enter the competition to rename the Swinburne building. The prize is a new iPad

Yarra Ranges Council are calling on all members of the Healesville community to put their thinking and creative hats on to rename the Swinburne building.

The centre has been designed to be a place where all members of the community can come together through the provision of a range of services, information, events and activities and community spaces; a place where you feel welcome. Services that will operate in the centre include a Community Link, Eastern Regional Libraries, Swinburne University, the Toy Library and Healesville Historical Society.

View the iPad entry form (pdf, 278KB, 1 page) Entries can be left at any Yarra Ranges branch/mobile library

Cheers, Maryanne

Rowville Library closed 6th-8th September inclusive

Rowville Library will be closed from Monday 6th September re-opening on Thursday 9th September for security gates and self check units to be installed.

There will be 3 self check units at Rowville (I'm naming them Bella, Buzz and Buffy) and we'll be on hand to show you how to use them. Its very easy.

Cheers, Maryanne

How to recognise a scam and what to do if you have been scammed

A scam is a scheme designed to take your money dishonestly or deceitfully, and give you little or nothing in return.

In 2007, 1.3 million Victorians were exposed to scams, of these, 87,500 fell victim to a scam losing a total of $250 million.

The staff of Consumer Affairs Victoria will provide information and answer questions on how to recognize a scam, and what to do if you feel you have been scammed.

Stay on for afternoon tea following the talk.

When: Wednesday 1st September 1pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 59671588

Cheers, Maryanne

Make suncatchers and snow globes and more at our holiday activities Sept 20-Oct 1

The September/October holiday program has just been uploaded on the website and its packed with lots of amazing things to do - Drumming workshop, Suncatchers, Rocket Snow Globes and Bopping with Bethany. View the holiday program (pdf, 199 KB, 2 pages)
Cheers, Maryanne

Today's the last day for entries to the Storywriting competition

Have you finished off your story and submitted your entry to our National Storywriting competition? Entries close today 27th August 2010.

You can drop off your entries at any of our branches or mobiles. If you are posting entries to us then they must be postmarked with todays date. Any entries posted after today will not be accepted

Download the entry form (PDF 257KB, 2 pages)

Cheers, Maryanne

Fromelles Soldiers - recovery, identification and re-burial

Major-General Mike O'Brien will give a presentation to the Eastern Regional Libraries Military History Group, on the recovery, identification and re-burial of the World War One Australian & British Soldiers discovered in the Mass graves at Pheasant Wood, France.

For this Special Presentation, it will be hosted at the

When: Friday 27th August 2pm
Where: Croydon RSL Clubrooms, Mt Dandenong Rd, Croydon (near Civic Sq Melways J 4)
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

Find out about Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes

Have you been recently diagnosed with Diabetes or is there a family history of the condition? Come along to a presentation with Lynne Pharoah-Hamer, diabetes educator and cardiac nurse (Knox Community Health Services) about diabetes, nutrition, pre-diabetes and the warning signs.

When: Thursday 26th August 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Australian Children's Book of the Year award winners

The winners of the Children's Book of the Year Awards have been announced and can be viewed at the Children's Book Council website.

Congratulations to:

David Metzenthen - Jarvis 24 (Older Readers)
Odo Hirsch - Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool (Younger Readers)
Lisa Shanahan - Bear & Chook by the Sea Illus: Quay, Emma (Early Childhood)
Gregory Rogers - The Hero of Little Street (Picture Book)
Peter Macinnis - Australian Backyard Explorer (Eve Pownall Award Non Fiction)

Cheers, Maryanne

New design for What's new @ your library & Reader's Corner Reviews blogs

You may have noticed that I've been tweaking the design for the What's new @ your library and Reader's Corner Reviews blogs. This is so that it matches the design for the new website I've been working on.

I hope to have some screenshots of the new site for you next week.

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet children's author Elizabeth Fensham at Belgrave Library's Literary Lunch

Children's Book Week is a time to celebrate all that is best in children's literature. Our guest, local writer Elizabeth Fensham has worked as an English teacher for many years. She is the author of Helicopter Man which won CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers in 2006, Miss McAllister's Ghost (a notable book) and Goodbye Jamie Boyd which was shortlisted for the Bologna White Raven award. Her new book, Matty Forever is shortlisted again this year.

Elizabeth is a regular visitor to the library and has started a group for young adult writers in the hills. They meet on alternate Wednesdays in the library community room from 5pm and new writers are welcome to come along and join the group.

When: Thursday 26th August 12:30 pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Elisabeth Fensham

Cheers, Maryanne

Meet Coral Tulloch, author of Sydney of the Antarctic at Mooroolbark Library

Sydney Walton Mouse dreams of a life of adventure. Most of all, he wants to go to the Antarctica, where it is wild and white and wonderful. Then one day, Sydney's dream comes true.

Coral Tulloch has written over 50 books for children and is a recipient of an Antarctic Arts Fellowship. Coral has voyaged to Antarctica several times as artist-in-residence on tourism expeditions. 

When: Thursday 26th August 10am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97268200

Cheers, Maryanne

Everyone has the brains for Mathematics...find out how to solve math problems

Bill Handley from Learning Unlimited Australia will demonstrate how to:

1. Solve problems simply and quickly using his speed mathematics system
2. Master multiplication tables in minutes
3. A simple method to check answers 

We've still got some places available...so book now for tomorrow's session. Ideal for students, parents and teachers.

When: Sat 21st August 11am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 59671588 or book online - Bill Handley

Cheers, Maryanne

A special storytime for Dads, Grandads and kids at Ferntree Gully Library

Come along for some fun stories and songs to celebrate Children's Book Week

When: Monday 23rd August 7pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9294 8140

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Library is closing at 3pm today Tuesday 17th August due to power outage

Montrose Library will experience an interruption to power between 3pm and 6pm today. Therefore they will be open 12noon-3pm today instead of 12noon-7pm.
Cheers, Maryanne

Only 12 days to go to submit entries for the National Storywriting competition

Calling all writers. Have you finished polishing off your short story for the National Storywriting Competition? What, some of you haven't even started?

Download the entry form with the conditions of entry. Its only $5 for Open entries and $2 for Junior and Teenage entries.

Entries close Friday 27th August 2010

Prizes:

Adult 1st Prize -  $1000
Local Award - $500 for residents of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges
Teenage 1st Prize - $300 13-18 years
Junior 1st Prize - $200 9-12 years

Storywriting competitions are a great way to hone your skills and get on your way to being published.

Cheers, Maryanne

New look catalogue - you may need to refresh your browser

I've uploaded a new stylesheet and header for the library catalogue. You'll notice that it will appear with a white header and green navigation bar instead of the old black header and white navigation bar. If you go to the catalogue and the header is still black please Shift-Refresh/Reload your browser and it will change.

View the library catalogue: http://swft.erlc.sirsidynix.net.au

We've got a new website coming toward the end of the month and the minor changes I've made here relate to that.

Cheers, Maryanne

Belgrave Library re-opens tomorrow

Belgrave Library re-opens tomorrow at 10am after a small renovation of the desk and the addition of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) gates and two self check units. It looks great.

Staff will be introducing members to the Self Check units and showing how it works - I'm calling these two Ben & Barbie (Ben is on the left, Barbie on the right)...the previous ones at Montrose and Yarra Junction are called Bob and Betty respectively.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 4th August 2010

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.

On 4th August's show

Some great comfort reads for the wintery afternoon, appealing heroes and heroines and happy endings were in Lyn's bundle today. The tapestry of love by Rosy Thornton is the story of Catherine, a middle aged Englishwoman who is seeking a fresh startwhen she sells her house in England and moves to a tiny hamlet in the Cevenne. This is not the standard romance with quaint locals as light relief, but a lovingly detailed description of life in rural France, where the villages are being deserted by the younger generations, and local traditions are threatened. Catherine slowly grows into her community.

Katie Fforde is a perennial favourite of those of us who like our romance light hearted, and with lots of twists and turns on the path to true love. In A perfect proposal we throw a film crew into the mix with a lord of the manor trying to keep the family home going, "philandering husbands and a floozy of a florist" and you have a real page turner.

The summer house by Marcia Willett is a more mysterious story. "In the small inlaid wooden box, Matt's mother had kept all his childhood memories. Amongst them are many photos of Matt as a child, growing up. But something about the photos has always puzzled Matt - was that really him? Why did he not remember those clothes? The toys? And where, in the photos, was his sister Imogen?" This is the story of Matt and his sister Imogen, and the secrets they are lead to by the box.

---- Lesley

The Eastern Regional Library Show 28th July 2010

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.

On 28th July's show

Comic books have been around since at least 1827, and the combination of fast paced storyline and pictures continues to evolve and grow in popularity. The current popular format is the graphic novel, and it is used in storytelling for young children, teenagers and adults. A new series for younger readers features Babymouse. The first title in the series is Babymouse, Queen of the world! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Babymouse is an endearing character with a big imagination. Babymouse longs to attend Felicia Furrypaws' sleepover party. When she finally receives an invitation she is estactic, but forgets her promise to watch a movie with her best friend, Wilson Weasel. Read the book to find out if the party lives up to her expectations. There are several more titles in the Babymouse series.

For teenage readers, Apache: girl warrior by Tanya Landman is about Siki who in her fourteenth summer witnesses Mexican soldiers killing her little brother. Swearing revenge upon them, Siki undergoes a great deal of hardship to become an Apache warrior. Based on a true story this exciting novel gives the reader a first hand look at the Apache way of life and being. And Beautiful creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is a great novel for those who love paranormal romances. A deliciously dark fantasy about Ethan Wate and new girl in town, Lena Duchannes. Lena is cursed and, on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.

A new addition to the  picture book collection is Black book of colours by Menena Cottin and Roasana Faria. Thomas can't see colours but he can hear them and smell them and touch them and taste them. The reader can try the see the world the way Thomas sees it through raised, textured line drawings. Braille letters are included as an introduction for sighted readers.

---- Pia, Youth Services Librarian
Knox Library

All branches are now appearing in the list on the Place Hold screen of the catalogue

The issue where only 6 of our branches were appearing on the Place Hold screen had now been fixed. You can go forth and place all of your holds.

There is still an outstanding issue where enriched content like reviews and blurbs aren't appearing and this is currently being looked at.

Cheers, Maryanne

Have you completed your entry for the National Storywriting Competition?

Entries close for the National Storywriting Competition on Friday 27th August. You've still got plenty of time to complete your stories. You can enter a maximum of two stories and the stories should not exceed 3000 words

Prizes

Adult 1st Prize -  $1000
Local Award - $500 for residents of Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges
Teenage 1st Prize - $300 13-18 years
Junior 1st Prize - $200 9-12 years

View the Storywriting competition entry form (includes conditions of entry 263Kb, 2 pages)

Cheers, Maryanne

Branch blogs to be discontinued

Its with a bit of sadness that I have to announce we are discontinuing the branch blogs. Staff have done a great job keeping members apprised of local happening in their branches. Unfortunately the branch blogs haven't attracted many members viewing.

The good news is that we will be keeping the Whats New @ your library, Readers Corner Reviews and Teen Online blogs. I will be utilising the amazing blogging skills of our staff to contribute to these blogs.

I'll keep advertising events at our libraries on these blogs. If you're mainly interested in events at one branch, have you had a look the the upcoming events on our Events Calendar. You can filter by branch - I love that feature.

Cheers, Maryanne

Place hold on e-Library currently not displaying all libraries

There is currently an issue with Place Hold on the e-Library catalogue where all of the libraries are not displayed. Also in Internet Explorer when you go to Place Hold the style of the page appears different to the rest.

I have contacted software support and they are investigating. We hope to have a fix soon. I'll keep you updated via the blog and Twitter.

Cheers, Maryanne

How to vote? Workshop in English with Mandarin interpretation

What is democracy? How do elections work? How do I vote correctly?

The Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a workshop in English with Mandarin interpretation on how to enrol and exercise the democratic right to vote. Booking is essential.

When: Friday 13th August 10:30am-12noon
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300 or book online - How to Vote

Cheers, Maryanne

Don't miss out on the galaxies and star clusters talk. Its booking fast!

What is a galaxy? Why are they different shapes? Are galaxies just made of stars or is there something else holding everything together?

Come and learn the answers to these and more questions in an evening talk by Dr James Murray, professional astronomer and science educator.

When: Thursday 12th August 6:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $4
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Galaxies and star clusters

Cheers, Maryanne

Photography focus - view vintage cameras from the early 1900s to 1990

Our guest speaker, Ian Carron, has had a lifetime association with the photographic industry and been a member of the Australian Photographic Collectors Society inc. since 1980.  Ian will show and talk about 8-10 pieces from his camera collection with models ranging from the early 1900s to around 1990.

When: Thursday 12th August 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140 or book online - Photography focus

Cheers, Maryanne

Do you know your shopping rights?

Refunds, repairs, lay-bys and faulty goods - do you know your rights as a consumer?

Staff from Consumer Affairs will be talking about shoppers’ rights and will also be happy to take questions about your consumer problems.

Stay on for a cuppa and cake.

When: Thursday 12th August 2pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640 or book online - Your shopping rights

Cheers, Maryanne

Health Help - Reflexology

Join Patricia O'Shannassy and Michael Morrison, Advanced Reflexologists from the Inner Healing Centre, who will show us how this technique may relieve symptoms of stress. A fun hands-on workshop covering:

• Theory and history
• Technique demonstration
• Practice of the techniques demonstrated

When: Thursday 12th August 1:30-3pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 59671588 or book online - Reflexology

Cheers, Maryanne

Enhanced content will be reappearing on the e-library catalogue soon

Thanks to everyone who has alerted us to the lack of enhanced content on the catalogue - reviews, blurb etc. These should be appearing.

We have contacted catalogue support and hope to have a fix soon.

Cheers, Maryanne