Chance to win over $500 in children's books

Do you have young children who are not yet at school?

Then complete the Reading and families with pre-school children survey to go in a draw to receive a pack of children’s books (valued over $500). Prize draw terms and conditions

The survey, created by the State Library of Victoria, will help the library to provide better support to parents, carers and professionals in encouraging children to develop an enjoyment of reading.

Cheers, Maryanne

Montrose Gardeners - Heritage fruit trees

Heritage Fruit trees, including Dwarf Fruit Trees suitable for kitchen or small gardens.
Graham George, from the Yarra Valley Permaculture Group, will reveal the delights of growing "old-fashioned" fruit trees - varieties that have stood the test of time - where taste and reliability are the all-important factors.

When: Tuesday 21st July 1:30pm
Where: Montrose Library, Corner Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road & Swansea Road
Montrose
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97284224

Cheers, Maryanne

Event cancelled

Just letting everyone know that the Lunch with Peter Klein event at Ferntree Gully Library on Thursday 16th July has been cancelled.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Cheers, Maryanne

The Eastern Regional Library Show 24th June & 1st July

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. We've got two updates today

On 24th June show

Pia had some delightful new books on hand today. Frog Princess is a picture book by Rosalind Allchin which is a very different version of the classic tale of the Frog Prince. When a lady frog finds the Princes' golf ball she insists that he kiss her so she can turn into a Princess. Cleverly the prince suggests that she try being a princess for a day and if she still wants to, he will kiss her at midnight. Through a series of funny misunderstandings the Frog discovers that being a princess isn't quite what she thought it would be and leaves her somewhat disappointed.

A book for young adult readers is Beastly by Alex Flinn, another book which takes a fresh look at at a fairy tale. Kyle Kingsbury had it all , money and popularity. Unfortuantely it didn't make him a nice person. One day he goes a bit too far and tries to humiliate a witch. For his punishment she changes him into a beast, only to be changed back if he finds love's true kiss. Kyle quickly finds that his popularity was only superficial. Life as a beast changes Kyle in ways he could never imagine. A movie is currently being made of this story. Will it be the next Twilight?

With this year being the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, a number of books have come out telling his story. Several for children...What Mr Darwin saw by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom is a wonderful account of Darwin's momentous trip on the Beagle. We follow Darwin as he voyages around the world exploring the Andes, the Brazillian rainforest and last but not least the Galapagos islands. This story allows the reader to learn how Darwin fomulated some of his theories. The facts come in diary format as well as illustrations with little boxes on the side containing more facts. One beetle too many: the extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin By Kathryn Lasky and Matthew Trueman is another wonderful account of Charles Darwin's travels on the Beagle. This is what is called faction or an information novel. There are some wonderfully detailed illustrations emulating some of Darwin's scientific drawings as well as some funny illustrations.

We also talked about podcasts and how there are some that I enjoy listening to.

Adult book shows
The Radio National Bookshow with Ramona Koval http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/
BBC World Bookclub http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/

Children's Book show
Just one more book http://www.justonemorebook.com/


On 1st July show

Lyn Baines has been sleeping poorly lately. The blame for this can be laid at the door of writers who write genuinely scary novels. Sarah Waters The Little Stranger has received some rave reviews, and Lyn testifies to the great writing and intriguing plot. It centres around the decaying grand house of the village, refuge for the last three members of a family, which becomes disturbed by mysterious sounds, writings on the wall, and eventually murder. The narrator is the doctor who grew up in the village,and now lives uneasily between the working class and gentry. The novel has many threads to it, including class friction, the dramatic social changes in post WW II Britain, and the supernatural.

A Perfect Death by Kate Ellis is a novel set in contemporary Britain which combines Lyn's love of history and detection. It is the latest in a series of crime novels which bring together a police detective and his archaeologist friend. The author skilfully draws the discovery of the archaeological dig into the crime mystery, and in this case it centres around some Roman ruins threatened by housing development, and the murder of a woman which almost replicates a medieval murder in the same location.

Music today was from Great voices of the Twentieth Century : John McCormack, and Lyn recommends another CD by the voice of our time Bry Terfel, which includes several of the same lovely British folk songs, Scarborough Fair.

---- Lesley

Changes to the Marvellous Melbourne events at Millers

We have a few changes to the order of events at Marvellous Melbourne at Millers. The order is now:

Wed15th July 1:30pm Madame Brussels
Wed 22nd July 1:30pm Making Modern Melbourne
Wed 29th July 1:30pm E W Cole: chasing the rainbow

The cost is $7 per session or $18 series concession ($15 pensioners)

We apologise for any inconvenience. Bookings may be made at any of our branches.

Cheers, Maryanne

Croydon closing early

Croydon Library will be closing at 5pm today due to a water problem - they have none as a result of a burst water main. The problem should be fixed this evening and Croydon is expected to be open tomorrow at 10am. As Croydon does not operate a bookchute items can be returned to Ringwood Library or tomorrow at Croydon (just advise staff you attempted to return them Friday evening).

Cheers, Maryanne

Knox Mobile

Due to staffing issues the Knox Mobile will not be on the road today. Items may be returned to any of our branches or renewed over the phone on 1300 737 277 (select any of our branches on the list) or if you know your PIN via the web catalogue.

Cheers, Maryanne

Email notices

Have you set your library record up to receive email notices for holds and overdues? It's super quick and easy, much better than waiting for paper notices.

Set up your library record:

1. In person - Give library staff your library card number & email address on your next visit and they'll set it up for you
2. Via the phone - Phone 1300 737 277, select your preferred branch and give library staff your library card number and email address
3. Via the website - Contact us through our contact form on the website and provide your library card number and email address.

While you're at it if you can confirm your residential address we'll let you know your PIN so you can login to the catalogue and renew your items or place holds. We even have a PIN application form on the website.

Cheers, Maryanne