Bag a Book results

Bag a Book was another success. I was just checking out the items people selected for the library (I'll upload a photo soon). They included James Bond Ultimate DVD Collector's Set (the most expensive item of the night), The Earth from the Air, Futurama box set, Hidden China on the trail of old traditions, One Planet, Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion, box sets of Miss Marple and the Sharpe series, a box set of the Narnia books and a couple of copies of The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Photography and several copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

A rough count of the trolleys saw we picked out approximately 306 books, 38 DVDs and 8 audiobooks.

So what did I select? Colin Thompson's The Last Alchemist for Montrose Library and Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting for Knox Library.

Thanks to Borders and staff and our Library Ambassador Ann Creber who were on hand to assist members with their selections.

Did you go to Bag a Book? What did you select and what did you think of the event?

Cheers, Maryanne

Tips for the best selections for Bag a Book

Bag a Book is your chance to spend the library's money purchasing books for your favourite branch of Eastern Regional Libraries. Book online for Bag a book.

If you have booked then its always best to do a little preparation before the event. Have a think about what your branch needs. Perhaps they could do with some more picture books, perhaps they need more science-fiction or maybe they're short on Yoga books.

Have a look on the catalogue beforehand to make sure your branch doesn't already have the title and come along to the event with a few possibilities.

Don't forget that Borders will be offering a 15% discount for personal purchase and there will be snacks and giveaways through the evening.

When: Tuesday 25th May 6:30pm
Where: Borders Knox City, 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna Sth (see map below Border's Bookstore is pin C)
Bookings essential


View Larger Map

Cheers, Maryanne

Favourite books of all time

In June Borders ran a poll of your favourite books of all time. Well the results are in. Curious what made the top 10? Something old, something new? Check it out.

Favourite books of all time

How many have you read? Would you choose something different? I must say I'm surprised Janet Evanovich's One for the money didn't make the list. In fact the list looks suspiciously like our bookclub list.

Cheers, Maryanne

Vote for your favourite book

What's your favourite book of all time? Vote at the Border's website for your chance to win the final 100 favourite books.

Cheers, Maryanne

Bag a Book event

Last night I attended a very successful Bag a Book event at Borders, Knox City Shopping Centre. Kevin Rabalais, our Library Week ambassador, was on hand to welcome people to the event and mingled with our members assisting with the difficult choices. There was a great mix of members from different libraries (approximately 200 people attended) and everyone seemed to enjoy browsing through the Borders store searching for the perfect books and/or DVDs for their favourite branch.

Lyn informs me that we selected more books than DVDs & CDs and more non-fiction than fiction. I asked her what were the most expensive and/or unusual selections for the night and she said they were:

• The complete MAD Don Martin (MAD's greatest artist series) $275
• 2 volume set of cookbooks from El Bulli, a Spanish restaurant $235
• Several copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle pop-up book.

Borders were kind to offer some discounts on the night for personal shopping, of which I happily took advantage. There were also refreshments available.

So what did I select? A couple of fantasy books I recognised from a bookclub list (I'm so far behind) - Joe Abercrombie's Before they are hanged (First Law Book 2) and Mark J Ferrari's The Book of Joby. If I could have selected 3 titles I would have selected some Joe Haldeman short stories, I have Camouflage at home ready to read next. Maybe next time.

Here are photos from the opening speeches:


Kevin Rabalais



Listening to the opening speeches.

Did any of you come to the event? What did you think?

Cheers, Maryanne

Drawing Manga

ERL and Borders are running 2 fantastic workshops on drawing Manga characters. Bookings are essential, byo pencils and paper
Suitable for ages 10+ years

When: Saturday 23rd May 10am & 11:30am
Where: Borders, Knox City Shopping Centre, Burwood Hwy, Wantirna Sth
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne

Image courtesy of Angelface on StockXchng

Win a Wii

Join at any branch of Eastern Regional Libraries during the month of May to go into the draw for 1 of 4 fantastic prizes!

• Nintendo Wii
• 2 x $25 Borders vouchers
• Bag of books

Cheers, Maryanne

Bag a Book

Have you ever thought it would be great to select books for the library? Well here's your chance. Come along and spend the library's money to purchase a special book from Borders for your favourite branch or mobile. It could be fiction, non-fiction, adult, children's or teenage.

ERL's Library Week Ambassador Kevin Rabalais will be in attendance and there will be giveaways, quizzes, cake and lots of beautiful books.

You can take the opportunity to do some personal shopping as Borders are offering a 15% discount on items purchased on the evening (conditions apply).

Bookings are essential and can be made at any branch of Eastern Regional Libraries or by telephone on 9800 6409. Hurry, this will book out fast.

When: Tuesday 26th May 6:30 pm
Where: Borders, Knox City Shopping Centre, Shop 3110, 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna Sth
Bookings essential phone 9800 6409

Cheers, Maryanne

Library Week 2009

LIBRARY WEEK 25th - 30th May

Well, not only is the 25th May my birthday, but it also kicks off Library Week. Join in the festivities at our branches.

Biggest Morning Tea
Just to be different, start Library Week with morning tea at midday. Help a great cause, Cancer Australia.
When: Monday 25th May 12noon
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Gold coin donation
Bookings essential phone 97547266


A Conversation with Kevin
Join ERL’s Library Week Ambassador author and reviewer Kevin Rabalais for a lunch to celebrate the joy of reading. This is a chance to hear a truly excellent speaker and not to be missed.
When: Monday 25th May 12:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully
Cost: $7.50
Bookings essential phone 92948140


Bag a Book
Meet ERL Library Week Ambassador Kevin Rabalais and spend the library's money to purchase a special book for your branch. Take the opportunity to do some personal shopping, Borders are offering a 15% discount on items purchased on the evening (conditions apply). There will be giveaways, quizzes and cake and lots of beautiful books.
When: Tuesday 26th May 6:30pm
Where: Borders, Knox City Shopping Centre
Bookings essential phone 98006409


Cooking the Books
Everyone has a favourite cookery book. Join celebrity foodies Ann Creber and Ben Higgs from Wild Oak Café for a talk about their favourite cookbooks. Bring along your own favourite cookery book to share with the group. Afternoon tea will be served
When: Wednesday 27th May 1:30pm
Where: Healesville Library, Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Cost: $3
Bookings essential phone 92948140


Biggest Morning Tea
Donations and proceeds to Cancer Australia
When: Thursday 28th May
Times:
Ferntree Gully 10am
Munch to the music of Scottish fiddler Pria Schwall-Kearney. Plant sale courtesy of the Gully Gardeners.
Cost: Donations to The Cancer Council Australia

Knox 10am
Cath Connolly plays the Celtic harp, whilst you enjoy morning tea.
Cost: Donations to The Cancer Council Australia

Boronia 10am
Enjoy a delicious morning tea and be inspired to dance it all away with belly dancer Aileen.
Cost: Donations to The Cancer Council Australia

Croydon 10am
Morning tea, new books and music from the Croydon Secondary College.
Cost: Donations to The Cancer Council Australia

Yarra Junction 10am
Sunni will serenade with women’s songs, morning tea will be provided by the CWA – Yum!

Mooroolbark 10am
Join the Bookchat group and stay on for ‘The Perfect Scone’ with Jill Hess at 11am, scones, jam and cream are a certainty!
Cost: Donations to The Cancer Council Australia

Lilydale 11am
BMT Café with Scottish singer, songwriter Alex Legg. Experience the talents of a very gifted musician whilst enjoying the delights of a late morning tea.
Cost: $5.00


Literary Lunch – Jarad Henry
Author Jarad Henry has drawn upon his experience as a strategic advisor for the Victoria Police to create two award winning popular crime novels. He is an excellent speaker and presenter and this will be a fascinating literary lunch.
When: Thursday 28th May 12:30am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: $7.50
Bookings essential 9754 7266


Price It! Antiques Evaluation with Lester DeVere
Celebrate the launch of Croydon Library’s new collection of books for antique enthusiasts. Antiques expert Lester DeVere will be on hand to value your special treasures. One item per person please.
When: Friday 29th May 10am
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free
Bookings essential 9298 5640

Cheers, webgurl

Bag a Book goes off with a bang!

Eastern Regional Libraries' second Bag A Book evening to celebrate Library Week was held at Knox Borders on Tuesday 20th May.

The evening was a great success. Our borrowers enjoyed the opportunity to choose the books, CDs and DVDs that they want to see in their local library branch. Borders hosted the evening in great style, with lots of food and competitions.

Over 130 people spent $9300 of the library's budget choosing more than 200 items. Cooking, Gardening, Art, Natural History and childrens' Picture Books were the main areas of interest. Some of the book highlights were the purchase of several copies of Gordon Ramsay’s new cookbook, Recipes from a 3 star chef, The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller and a boxset of the complete set of Stanley Kubrick DVDs.

Our thanks to Vicky, Cameron, Carla and the rest of the Border's staff who graciously hosted the night; to Lorraine, Janet, Lyn, Joseph and the other ERL staff who helped organise the event; and to all of our members who were able to attend and help us select some terrific items for our collections.

Cheers, Paul.

Bag a Book

Come along and spend the library's money to purchase a special book for your branch. Take the opportunity to do some personal shopping, Borders are offering a 15% discount on items purchased on the evening (conditions apply). There will be giveaways, quizzes and cake and lots of beautiful books. Bookings essential at any branch of Eastern Regional Libraries, or telephone 9800 6409.

When: Tuesday 20th May 6pm
Where: Borders, Knox City Shopping Centre, Burwood Hwy, Wantirna Sth
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9800 6409

Cheers, Maryanne