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

Find out your rights as a consumer regarding repairs, refunds and faulty goods

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

Staff from Consumer Affairs Victoria will be talking about shoppers' rights and will be happy to take your questions.

When: Thursday 28th April 2:30 pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Set yourself up with a profile for Mango Languages & track your progress

Eastern Regional Libraries has recently subscribed to the Mango online language learning system. Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language. Develop your conversational skills in 34 different foreign languages. English as a Second Language courses are also available for 15 community languages.

You can start learning immediately however, if you want to track your progress, you'll need to set up a profile.

1. Go to the ERL Online Resources page and select Languages from the menu at the right.
2. Click on either Learn from home or Learn from Library under Mango
3. Login with your user ID (library card number after 20023) and PIN
4. Click on the Mango Languages link
5. If you don't need to track your progress you can click the Start Learning button.
6. However if you wish to track your progress, fill out the Create a Profile form by entering your email address and creating a password and click signup.

7. An activation email will be sent to you. Open the Mango Languages email and click on the link supplied or copy/paste the link into your browser.
8. You will be taken to the User Dashboard.

Dashboard - track your progress through the courses
Courses - Select a foreign language or english courses
Translate - translate a block of text
Support - Support topics

Cheers, Maryanne

Antarctica - Spinning on Ice with Marion Wheatland

Marion captures the imagination of people she speaks to about Antarctica. She has just "lived her dream" of visiting the coldest place on the planet and spinning yarn there to raise money for the restoration of Mawsons Hut. What an adventure!

www.spinningyarninantarctica.com

When: Thursday 28th April 2pm
Where: Montrose Library, Cnr Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road, Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224 or book online - Spinning

Cheers, Maryanne

Literary Lunch – Meet actor, comedienne, musician and author Jane Clifton

Actor, comedienne, musician and author Jane Clifton is all of these things in one unique person. With her third book about to be published in May 2011, Jane will share with us the books she loves, her reflections on the writing process and some of the experiences that have formed part of her fascinating life.

Please join us for a very enjoyable lunch.

When: Thursday 28th April 12:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Lilydale Book Chat – Meet food writer and journalist Ann Creber

Ann Creber is not only a food writer, journalist, stylist and editor; she hosts The Good Life on 3MDR. She spent many years as a regular on ABC programs and has a slot on Radio National. The Good Life is a sought after program for authors wanting to talk about their books. Ann attracts many of Australia's best known names as her guests.

For a fascinating look at some great reads please join Ann and the group at Lilydale.
When: Wednesday 20th April 3pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120 or book online - Ann Creber

Cheers, Maryanne

Tell Tales of the Yarra Valley – the Kyeema Disaster with Macarthur Job OAM

On a foggy day in October 1938 the DC2 Kyeema crashed into the western face of the Dandenongs taking the lives of Charles Hawker MHR, thirteen other passengers and four air crew.

Macarthur Job has had a long career in the aviation industry, firstly as a pilot and was the former Senior Inspector of Aircraft Safety with the Department of Civil Aviation. Mac was managing director of the prestigious industry journal Aircraft and is the respected author of numerous articles and books on the subject of air safety. His book Disaster in the Dandenongs: the Kyeema Airliner Tragedy was published in 2008.

When: Tuesday 19th April 2pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120 or book online - Kyeema

Cheers, Maryanne

Today the Valley Mobile will only visit Warburton

News just in from Greg that the Valley Mobile, will only be going to Warburton today. Therefore no visits for Powelltown/Millgrove or East Warburton. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Items may be renewed via the web catalogue or returned to another branch or mobile stop.

Cheers, Maryanne

Suzie from Melbourne's Chocoholic Tours shares the best places to find chocolate

Calling all Chocoholics! Spend a deliciously decadent hour with Suzie Wharton from Melbourne's Chocoholic Tours.

Suzie is the author of Spoil Yourself: a Chocoholics Guide to Melbourne and she will share not only her knowledge of great chocolate and the best places to find it, but she is bringing samples for everyone to share. Celebrate Easter and chocolate with Suzy.


When: Tuesday 19th April 2pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140 or book online - chocoholics

Cheers, Maryanne

Get tips on using Find My Past (UK and Aust) in your research

Frustrated with not getting the most out of Find My Past UK and Find My Past Australia? Attend this talk presented by Gail White and you'll be searching records like a professional.

Refreshments provided.
When: Tuesday 19th April 2pm
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422 or book online - find my past

Cheers, Maryanne

French Cooking - a Cooks' kitchen event - Stephen Wilson demonstrates French inspired dishes

Join us at Healesville Library as chef Stephen Wilson demonstrates a selection of French inspired dishes.

When: Thursday 14th April 1pm
Where: Healesville Library, 110 River Street, Healesville
Cost: $3 per person
Bookings essential phone 59624423 or book online - French Cooking

Cheers, Maryanne

Reading Cafe - Meet award winning author Chris Womersley

Former radio journalist Chris Womersley has been steadily building a reputation as a must read author. His first book The Low Road won the 2008 Ned Kelly Award for the Best First Novel, whilst his short story The Possibility of Water won the 2007 Josephine Ulrick Literature Prize. His latest book Bereft (2010) has been nominated for the Indie Awards.

When: Thursday 14th April 12:30pm
Where: Ringwood Library, 4 Melbourne Street Mall, Ringwood
Cost: $10 includes lunch
Bookings essential phone 98700177 or book online - Chris Womersley

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 6th April 2011 on Eastern FM 98.1

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 every Wednesday for a great show.

On yesterday's show 

 

It's nice to be back after far too long away, nursing a dislocated ankle. The down side to having as much time as you want to read, is that you are constantly looking for new, fresh books. Well, Lyn had two new novels today which I'm sure I can make some extra time for. The latest from Joanna Trollope is Daughters-in-law which  deals with the life of happy matriarch Rachel, who has always been the centre of her three sons lives, but finds on the marriage of her youngest, that her role is to be challenged. In the ensuing power struggle, relationships are tested to the uttmost.

In Kate Ellis' latest detective novel, with archaeolgy as a second string to the murder mystery, Di Wesley Peterson is tracking a killer reputed to have the head of a dog. His friend archaeologist Neil Davis, is asked to assess some Egyptian antiquities, and the mystery he uncovers has links with the strange murder case. The jackal man is quite graphic, and not to be read late at night, alone. But Lyn says the great characters, and intriguing mystery carry you through, to a great resolution.

--- Lesley

Acoustic battle of the Bands Final on tomorrow at EV's Youth Centre

Come along to watch the finalists battle it out in the Acoustic Battle of the Bands. Final will be judged by a representative from Hans Music Spot, Croydon Library and Maroondah Youth Services.

When: Thursday 7th April 4-5:30pm
Where: EV's Youth Centre, 212 Mt Dandenong Rd, Croydon
Cost: Free event

Cheers, Maryanne

Book in for April's holiday activities including a cartooning workshop & junior masterchef

The latest school holiday program is out...view the holiday activity program (PDF 431KB). Book through the online calendar or phone your local branch.

A few of the activities:

Monday 18th April 10:30am at Rowville Library
Monday 18th April 1:30pm at The Station House - Mt Evelyn Library
Cartooning Workshop with Adam Wallace
Create fantastic drawings and cartoons.
BYO greylead pencil! Ages 7-12. Cost $4 per child

Wednesday 20th April 11am
Junior Master Chef Cooking
Chef Stephen Wilson will demonstrate how to make some simple and delicious childrens favourites. Join us for a fun cook up..please bring an apron! Ages 4 plus.
Cost $3

Cheers, Maryanne

Celebrate the new look Knox Library with morning tea

Join Cr Adam Gill for a special morning tea to celebrate the new bright and spacious Knox Library.

When: Thursday 7th April 10:30 am
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne

Croydon Library won't appear as an option when placing holds due to upcoming closure

Croydon Library will be closed for maintenance from Friday 22nd April, re-opening Monday 4th July and because of this you will not see Croydon Library listed when placing holds. Please select another convenient pickup branch.

List of library branches
More information about the branch closure

Cheers, Maryanne