The gifts of books: our recommendations

Books are easy to wrap and many of us have a little more time to read over Summer, which makes them a fantastic gift this Christmas. Choosing the perfect book can be tricky so we asked our staff for some suggestions:

For older children

An excellent picture book came in this week for primary school aged kids and parents with a sense of humour.

The cat, the dog, little red, the exploding eggs, the wolf and Grandma's wardrobe by Diane and Christyan Fox

Cat is trying to read Red Riding Hood to Dog. But Dog keeps interrupting with questions and taking the story off on his own tangents. A great one to read to an older group.


 Another one for older kids is

The book with no pictures by BJ Novak

It's hard to describe but a book made to make everyone laugh with lots of words that most adults wouldn't say (clean ones!) but will make a group of kids or adults laugh out loud when you read them from a book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cREyQJO9EPs

- Carolyn, Knox

For younger children

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson

We just brought two of our friends the picture book, Stick Man by Julia Donaldson, because Arch loves it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swKDQR9fFs4

- Chantell, Belgrave

 

For the creative person in your life... or one who wants to be

The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are by Danny Gregory

When Danny Gregory's life was turned upside down by tragedy, he learned to cope by teaching himself to draw. The result was a complete transformation of his life, his priorities, his career, and the way he saw the world.

- Karla, Admin

For teenagers

Any titles by John Green - The Fault In Our Stars, An Abundance of Katherines, Will Grayson, Will Grayson

- Kristen, a teenage member


New Guinness Book of Records for an early teen or someone who just likes facts.

- Heidi, Lilydale

Fiction fans

The new Matthew Reilly (The Great Zoo of China) is awesome for anyone who like an adventure/thriller.

- Heidi, Lilydale

For the tricky to buy for male

Gallipoli by Peter Fitzsimons. His Ned Kelly is great as well.

- Linda, Montrose

Food for Fines Amnesty - One Week Only

Eastern Regional Libraries is once again running the popular Food for Fines Amnesty to help local charities and library members during the up and coming holiday period.

How does it work?
Patrons with overdue charges on their cards (no matter how big) donate non-perishable, non-expired food items and in return all overdue charges on their cards will be cleared.

All food donations will go to local charities to help them supply food packages for families in need. Charities will accept food no earlier than six months prior to the use-by date.

Food for Fines - Hooray! Everyone wins!

So, if yourself or someone you know has a fine that has been sitting there for ages, bring down some goodies and we will take care of the rest. The amnesty is for one week only so all donations can get to the charities and out to needy families in time for Christmas.

A special thank you to our blog, Facebook  and Twitter followers who suggested we re-run this program - Christmas is always a tough time of year financially and these amnesty drives are always very bountiful (to say the least! The generosity is just incredible - talk about spreading the love).

We look forward to  receiving people's donations, clearing up those fines and some all round Christmas cheer.

When:  Saturday December 14 to Saturday 21 December
Where: All branches will be participating in the Food for Fines Amnesty (except the community reading rooms at Monbulk, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Glen)
Accepted items: Non-perishable items no older than 6 months before expiration dates.

**Please note the amnesty only applies to Overdue Charges, all other charges will not be cleared.

Cheers, The Virtual Team

Catalogues Down for Maintenance over Christmas

Just letting everyone know, the online Catalogues will be receiving some holiday love over the Christmas Period and will be down for maintenance until 9am Thursday the 27th.

Sorry for any inconvenience! Please contact one of our branches within our Christmas Hours should you have any queries.

Until then, have a fantastic holiday,

The ERL Virtual Team

Christmas craft for kids - Snow globes

Join in the Christmas craft fun at the library: make a snow globe and an origami star decoration for your christmas tree.

BYO small jar with screw top lid (must be water tight)

When: Thursday 24th November 4pm
Where: Healesville Library, 110 River Street, Healesville
Cost: Free event
Ages: 4+ years
Bookings essential phone 59624423 or book online - Snow globes

Cheers, Maryanne

Lifestyles in the Library - Ideas to decorate your Christmas treats with Jill Hess

Jill will show you decoration ideas and techniques for your sweet treats at Christmas time

When: Thursday 24th November 2:30pm
Where: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92948140

Cheers, Maryanne

Traditional Christmas lunch with a twist from seasoning a roast to puddings

Jill Hess will give us some exciting recipes to make your Christmas lunch a gourmet delight. From tasty starters to seasoning the roast and of course ideas for that Traditional Christmas pudding!

Join us and sample some of the wonderful dishes you can prepare at home to make your Christmas Day an amazing success.

We will start with a glass of bubbles! Limited places available book early!

When: Tuesday 29th November 1:30pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: $4 per person
Bookings essential phone 92943120 or book online - Christmas lunch

Cheers, Maryanne

Continental Christmas recipes with chef Stephen Wilson

Australia does not have snow for Christmas but we can have some of the delicious dishes that are loved by generations of European families. Stephen Wilson will show you some fabulous recipes which will become part of your Christmas traditions too.

When: Thursday 17th November 10:30am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event or cost
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Continental Christmas

Cheers, webgurl

What will you be reading during the holidays? Let us know

If you're like me you've got a pile of books you need to read before the end of January. My list includes:

• Bad blood by John Sandford
• Sex, bombs and burgers : how war, porn and fast food shaped technology as we know it by Peter Nowak
• Breath by Tim Winton
• The art of war by Sun Tzu
• The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf
• Adobe Flash CS4 Professional how-tos : 100 essential techniques by Mark Shaeffer

What's on your list?

Don't forget once you've finished reading to send us a review at Reader's Corner Reviews. A few lines is all we need....we'll do the rest.

Cheers, Maryanne

Get treated to a visit from Santa at Croydon's Christmas toddler storytime

This is the last toddler storytime of the year and it includes a visit from Santa himself bringing treats for the children. There will also be bubbles, Christmas songs and stories. It's good fun all round.

No need to book, all welcome.

When: Friday 10th December 11am
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640

Cheers, Maryanne

Libraries open with reduced hours between Christmas and New Year

Our libraries re-opened today and its always a busy day as staff checkin all of the books returned during the Christmas holiday break.

This week we have reduced hours as no branch is open past 5:30pm and we are closing at 3pm on New Years Eve.

View the libraries opening hours this week

Cheers, Maryanne

Eastern Regional Library Show 2nd Dec 2009 & 9th Dec 2009

Been a bit remiss uploading the radio shows of late so here are December's shows. For those that don't know, 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 2nd December's show 

Do you have unread books on your shelves at home? If you do, you might like to read Susan Hill's  Howards End is on the landing. This is about a resolution not to buy any new books for a whole year, which thought makes Lyn Baines hair stand on end. But apparently there is now a following for this concept, similar to the idea of 'slow food', and drawing from ideas of sustainability and recycling. Susan Hill discovered that she had many books bought over years but never read, and resolved not to buy any more until she had read what she had. She discovered many gems and old favourites. If you would like to know more, she has a very interesting website which includes her blog, http://www.susan-hill.com/

A reliable detective series has a new title, Skeleton Hill by Peter Lovesey, featuring Peter Diamond and the city of Bath. Peter Diamond is an especially English type, a bit overweight, not in good favour with the boss, and inclined to do things his own way. However much his superiors don't like it, his methods get results. When two skeletons are found, one old, one new, in the midst of an English Civil War re-enactment, Peter's boss tries to put him on a different case, but he is not to be sidetracked. Peter Lovesey also has an informative website, http://peterlovesey.com/ And as we mentioned briefly on the show, there is a new Bill Slider detective story out, Fell purpose by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.

Lyn has purchased a lot of new Christmas music, so check our collection for Christmas songs from Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett and Andre Rieu. Music today was from Choral favourites from King's (King's College Choir).

On 9th December's Show

As promised, lots of Christmas music for you today. New CDs include Rosemary Cooney's Christmas, A Motown Christmas, A swingin' Christmas (Tony Bennett), The Christmas I love and The 100 most beautiful melodies : vol. 2 (Andre Rieu), Christmas with Boney M, Christmas memories and A Christmas album (Barbara Streisand), Classic carols for Christmas,  And winter came (Enya), So fresh : Christmas songs for 2008, The Nat King Cole Christmas album, and An Australian Christmas  from ABC for Kids.

The excitement and anticipation of children is contagious at this time, and one of the lovely things to do is to make simple presents, crafts and foods with them. All our branches have wonderful books in both adult and junior collections on these themes, and some I highly recommend are Christmas crafting with kids : 35 projects for the festive season, Cards for lads and dads by Elizabeth Moad, 20-minute crafts by Kathie Stull, Paper fantastic by Joe Rhatigan, Festive decorations by Anne Civardi (in fact anything by Anne Civardi is excellent), and Classic Christmas traditional and contemporary (Women's Weekly).

 

Home made Christmas food is lovely to share as a gift, so titles which have great recipes include Gorgeous Christmas by Annie Bell, Christmas treats : to make and give by Linda Collister, Nigella Christmas : food, family, friends, festivities by Nigella Lawson, and Margaret Fulton Christmas.

DVDs with a Christmas theme include Shek the halls, Spicks and Specks : a very specky Christmas, How about you, Christmas specials from Steptoe and son, The two Ronnies, Jonathon Creek, and for the children, Spot's magical Christmas, Postman Pat : Christmas Eve and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

 

And for some light fiction to read over the holiday period Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read, A Christmas blizzard by Garrison Keilor, Rumpole at Christmas by John Mortimer, Dashing through the snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Holidays on ice by David Sedaris.

 

Music today was from The Nat King Cole Christmas album.

 

---- Lesley

Hours over the Christmas period

All Eastern Regional Libraries branches will be closing at 3pm on Thursday 24th December, re-opening Tuesday 29th December. There will also be reduced hours during the Christmas/New Year period.

View/Print Christmas/New Year hours

Cheers, Maryanne

p.s. The Station House Mt Evelyn is closed all day Thursday 24th December

Christmas hours

Eastern Regional Libraries has reduced its hours over the Christmas period.

View the Christmas/New Year hours at all of our branches and mobiles.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support through 2009, to those that have subscribed to this blog, followed us on Twitter and constantly provided feedback on the service we provide.

I'm currently working on a new website and I'm looking at expanding the training we offer in our libraries, including Twitter, blogging, from Camera to Computer , how to get the most out of your library & my homage to Apple's "genius bar" (but for general technology).

Wishing you all a Merry and safe Christmas and New Year

Cheers, webgurl

Christmas at Yarra Junction Library

We've got a couple of fun Christmas activities this week at Yarra Junction Library

Christmas at Yarra Junction Library

Be entertained with christmas carols from Yarra Junction Primary School.

When: Wednesday 9th December 10:30am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Enquiries phone 59671588



Christmas Storytime
Listen to carols from St. Josephs' Primary School followed by a special Christmas Storytime and end of year celebration.

When: Thursday 10th December 1:30pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Enquiries phone 59671588

Make Christmas cards

Come and make Christmas Cards at Yarra Junction Library.

When: Saturday 12th December 11am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential 59671588.


Cheers, Maryanne

Italian Christmas afternoon tea

Join us for a celebration of Christmas - Italian style. Our own Federica will be the hostess and invites everyone to join us as we celebrate in the Italian tradition. All welcome.

When: Thursday 10th December 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300

Cheers, Maryanne

Mt Evelyn Cookery Club - Christmas gifts with Jill Hess

Nothing is quite as personal as a homemade Christmas gift. Jill will demonstrate some great cooked gifts. Light lunch and lots of tasting included.

When: Monday 9th November 12:30pm
Where: Mt Evelyn Library, 50 Wray Crescent, Mt. Evelyn
Cost: $10
Bookings essential phone 97363851

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas/New Year hours

Where has the year gone. Its November already and time to start advertising our Christmas & New Year hours for our branches and mobiles.



View the Christmas/New Year hours for 2009/2010.

Cheers, Maryanne

Merry Christmas

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope you get a chance to read during the break. Don't forget to check our holiday opening hours.

If you know your PIN you can renew your items online via the website catalogue.

Cheers, Maryanne

Confirming the Christmas/New Year hours

Apologies if anyone was confused by the Christmas message on the 1300 number. We're experimenting with the holiday settings and accidently had it start a day early. Oops! It's a good thing I'm not Santa. The libraries are actually closing today at 3pm.

View the full list of our Christmas/New Year hours for our branches.

Cheers, Maryanne

Get your PIN

With the Christmas break coming up it's a good time to remind everyone if you are wanting to login to the library catalogue you'll need to know your PIN. If you don't know this you can get your PIN via the phone or email. Have your library card handy. You'll need to provide the library card number on the back and confirm your residential address for security purposes.

• View library hours & phone numbers
• Fill out the Get a PIN form and receive your PIN via email.

Staff will be replying to PIN requests up until 3pm Christmas Eve. The next working day isn't until Monday 29th of December. So it's best to get in early.

Cheers, Maryanne