Multicultural Arts Victoria are looking for volunteers

Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) are placing a call out for volunteers for the Emerge Festival, an annual event which supports and helps to develop Victoria’s newly arrived communities through presentation and promotion of their cultural activities.

The main event is a music and dance concert at the Fitzroy Town Hall which will be held on Sunday 21st June. There are other events including a Burmese art exhibition, and music concerts at the Arts Centre.

If you would like to be involved, MAV need people for meet and greet, information and brochure distribution, traffic direction, selling CDs, helping stallholders and so on.

Send your contact details to activities@multiculturalarts.com.au and they will get back to you to check how you would like to participate.

Cheers, Maryanne

Ranges Mobile

Due to driver illness, the Ranges Mobile will be off the road today. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Items may be returned at any of our branches or you may renew your items over the phone by contacting one of our branches on 1300 737 277. If you know your PIN you can renew your items online at www.erl.vic.gov.au.

Cheers, Maryanne

Dan Brown - The Lost Symbol in 12 hours

I saw an interview with Dan Brown for the opening of Angels and Demons and he said that The Lost Symbol would all take place in a 12 hour period. Interesting.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 6th May 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.

On 6th May show

There's always something new to write about Jane Austen. One of the latest is Jane's fame by Claire Harman. This is not a conventional autobiography, but about how the novels which were considered modest and genteel, not in great demand during the nineteenth century, have been revisited and reassessed in the twentieth century and become enduringly popular. The novels were not published under her name, but by 'A Lady', and were considered "women's reading" until her nephew published A memoir of Jane Austen : and other family recollections in 1870. From that time interest has grown, critics and academics were converted, in the 1970's she was claimed by the feminist movement, and from the 1980's many television and film adaptations have been made. Many of these are on DVD in our collection, or available from other libraries. Lyn mentioned that one of the most recent fiction attempts to continue the story of some of our favourite characters is the Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies. Not my cup of tea, but there are many other options including The Jane Austen Bookclub, the series by Stephanie Barron which features Jane as a detective and Darcy and Elizabeth : nights and days at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll.

The second book Lyn reviewed today was A winter's tale by Trisha Ashley, which is one of my favourite types of relaxing reading. An English woman in her mid 40's inherits an old haunted house deep in the country, and discovers a new purpose to her life, lots of quirky local characters, and several suitors, including Seth the brooding gardener. The author has a lot of fun with references to other novels, like Cold Comfort Farm, which makes this an ideal read for a chilly winter afternoon, by the fire or the heater.

Music today was from the soundtrack of the movie The songcatcher, which is available on CD, DVD and as a novel.

---- Lesley

Discover the Living Library

Eastern Regional Libraries and Yarrunga Community Centre are offering an exciting Living Library program throughout May. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from some amazing speakers. There are still a few spaces left, so book now.

Where: Living Library at Yarrunga Community Centre
76-86 Croydon Hills Drive
Croydon Hills VIC 3136
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97228942

Week 1 Thursday 7th May
Kathy Smalley ‘Tracing Your Family Tree’
Discover the how, what, when and why of family history research with family historian Kathy Smalley.

Week 2 Thursday 14th May
Stephen Powell Wildlife Painter
Artist Stephen Powell recently returned from a painting safari to Africa. Stephen will be showing some of his superb photographs and paintings from the trip.

Week 3 Thursday 21st May
Coffee
Learn how to savour the taste, aroma and complexities of this amazing beverage with an expert barista and coffee importer.

Week 4 Wednesday 27th May
Let’s Talk about Books
Celebrate Library Week with the staff of Eastern Regional Libraries. Take a look at some of the latest books. Bring along your Library card, or join up and borrow.

Week 5 Thursday 4th June
Joy Serwylo - Mosaics in the Garden
Want some ideas to brighten up your garden? Join artist Joy Serwylo and get some great ideas for garden mosaics.

Week 6 Wednesday 10th June
Grace Molluso - Winter Warmers
Grace Molluso shares some traditional Italian recipes. Session followed by a delicious tasting.

Cheers, Maryanne

Literature Lakeside - Meet Dr Kate Burridge

What a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. Join us at the Lakeside Cafe for brunch with Dr Kate Burridge. Kate will be familiar to viewers of ABC TV's Can We Help and regular radio appearances. Professor of Linguistics at Monash University, she is the author of a number of books including Blooming English and Weeds in the Garden of Words. A must for all of those who enjoy the sheer fun of words and their origins.

Only 20 places left, this is booking out fast! You can book at any of our branches or phone 98006409.

When: Sunday 17th May 10:30am
Where: Lakeside Cafe, Shop 2 293 - 305 Maroondah Highway Ringwood (opposite the Ringwood Lake)
Cost: $20
Bookings essential phone 98006409

Cheers, Maryanne

16th Yarra Junction Library Bird Walk

Here's an event for the early-risers. Join Ken Simpson for a walk around Yarra Junction. Everyone will be meeting in the eastern carpark of the library. There will be morning tea back at the library around 10:30am.

Bring binoculars and warm clothes. Ken walks in the rain!

When: Saturday May 16th 8:30am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
Bookings appreciated phone 5967 1588

Cheers, Maryanne

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 27th May 11am the libraries below will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime. Our staff will join thousands of other children's librarians in reading Pete the Sheep by Jackie French (illustrated by Bruce Whatley) to children.

The simultaneous storytime started in 2001 and aims to promote reading and the value of books. It highlights our wonderful Australian authors and promotes the regular children's programs run in public libraries.

When: Wednesday 27th May 11am
Where: Healesville Library, 231 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Knox Library, Knox City Shopping Centre
Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event

When: Friday 29th May 11am
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson St, Lilydale
Cost: Free event

Cheers, Maryanne