Sutherland Shire Libraries News

Free Hearing Checks.

2009-07-14T12:42:00.000+10:00

Pension, veterans and seniors card holders can make an appointment for a free hearing check by staff from Australian Hearing. Sutherland Library is hosting the free checks on Monday the 27th of July, between 1.30pm and 4pm.

Do you have difficulty understanding people unless they are facing you?
Do other people complain that you have the TV up too loud?
Do you find it hard to hear conversations in noisy rooms with groups of people?

If you said 'yes' to any of these, you may have a hearing impairment.

Bookings open on Monday 13th July. Call in or phone Ph. 9710 0351 to make your free appointment.

Diabetes Week@Sutherland Library

2009-07-13T10:00:00.000+10:00

National Diabetes Week 2009 is being held on 12-18 July.

An estimated 275 Australian develop diabetes every day making diabetes our fastest growing disease. It was estimated that in 2007 about 890,000 Australians were diagnosed with diabetes. The total number of diagnosed cases and those with pre diabetes was a staggering 3.2 million.
In conjunction with Diabetes Week, a Clinical Nurse Educator from Kareena Private Hospital will be conducting Blood Glucose Level testing and providing advice on the prevention and management of diabetes.

Sutherland Library
Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July
10am to 12 noon.

The library has books on this condition as well as many cookbooks to inspire healthy eating choices.

NAIDOC Week 2009

2009-07-03T14:50:00.003+10:00

NAIDOC Week 2009 - Honouring our elders, nurturing our youth.

From Monday 6 July, 2009 - Friday 10 July, 2009 documentaries and films will be showing in the Southern Lounge at Sutherland Library.

Get a cuppa from our hot drink dispenser, relax with some friends in our comfy lounge and learn a little about some fabulous Australian Aboriginal people.

Follow the links to read what Ronin Films say about these DVDs and maybe order your own copy.

Monday
10am The Coolbaroo Club.
11am Intervention: Katherine, NT

Tuesday
2pm A walk with words : the poetry of Romaine Moreton.
2.30pm Urban clan : a portrait of the Page Brothers and Bangarra Dance Theatre.
3.30pm Deadly Yarns. 5 Short films (Broken bonds, Don't say sorry, Ganggu Mama, Miss Coolbaroo, Sugar Bag)

Wednesday
2pm Land of the Little Kings.
3.30pm 5 Seasons

Thursday
10am River of no return.
11am 5 short films (Night patrol, Straight from the Yudaman's mouth, Look listen speak, Milerum whose story?, Apekathe)

Friday - Sports special
2pm Aboriginal Rules.
3pm Buffalo Legends.

Prints by Sharon Langhans

2009-06-29T21:37:00.005+10:00

'In the early 1980s the experience of making prints became a passion for me.'

The display of Sharon Langhan's prints at Sutherland Library showcase various printmaking techniques. Sharon's underlying influence for her choice of subject of her prints is the natural beauty of Sutherland Shire's beaches and waterways.

A selection of Sharon's prints are on display during July and August so come along and see them on the Southern Lounge Wall of Art at the rear of the library. You won't be disappointed.

HSC Legal Studies News Watch

2009-06-25T14:12:00.003+10:00

Interested in finding out what's been in the news about the law? Are you studying HSC Legal Studies and need help identifying recent legal issues?
The Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC) at the State Library of NSW have created a news watch service to help you find information about recent changes to the law, recent cases and new legislation.

An Extra HSC Lecture for Society and Culture

2009-06-22T11:05:00.002+10:00

Due to the overwhelming popularity of our series of HSC Lectures we have squeezed in another one before the end of term.

On 7 July former Shire resident and school teacher Bernie Howitt will be giving Society and Culture students advice about finishing your PIP (Personal Interest Project) and preparing for the HSC.

Bernie Howitt is a co author of the Heinemann Society and Culture text, an experienced head teacher, senior marker, lecturer, rock historian and writer. In addition Bernie was part of the team that wrote the current Society and Culture syllabus.

Bookings are essential. These HSC lectures have proven extremely popular so check out the Events Calendar for the full details and reserve your place ASAP.

You might also want to snap up one of the last few places remaining in the Legal Studies talk being held this Thursday, 25 June.

Fantastic News for iPod Owners

2009-06-22T09:25:00.004+10:00

You can now play OverDrive WMA (Windows Media Audio) audiobooks from Sutherland Shire Libraries Digital Downloads on your iPod. Until now iPod owners have been limited to mp3 format audio books from our Digital Downloads collection due to rights issues, which has meant that iPod owners have missed out on many of the best sellers and most popular audio books. (Typically mp3 files have been restricted to classics and out-of-copyright titles)

That has just changed!

Nearly all OverDrive WMA Audiobooks in our download collection are now compatible with the iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPod nano, as well as Zune and thousands of other portable devices.

To access this new functionality all you have to do is upgrade OverDrive Media Console to version 3.2 on Windows PCs.

There are a few requirements for transfering WMA audiobooks to Apple devices, which you can read about in the Overdrive Help.

OverDrive Media Console's enhanced Transfer Wizard will expand the largest selection of iPod-compatible audiobook titles for libraries by making the vast majority of existing audiobook titles playable on Apple devices.

Tim Winton's 'Breath' Wins Miles Franklin Award

2009-06-19T16:38:00.004+10:00

Last night Tim Winton won an unprecedented 4th Miles Franklin award with his latest novel, Breath. I thought it was a nice touch when honouring the other books on the shortlist he suggested that he felt like 'the kid who's left holding the parcel when the music stops'.

While Tim Winton couldn't attend the announcement of the winner in person he did prepare a video acceptance speech.

It was interesting to note that Tim Winton used his acceptance speech to defend Australian authors territorial publishing rights in light of the Productivity Commission's review of Copyright Restrictions on the Parallel Importation of Books. This has become quite a hot topic in the Australian book industry as a quick blog search shows.

What about you? Do you have an opinion on this issue? Does the promise of cheaper books outweigh the potential for reduced opportunities for Australian authors to be published, as many authors and book industry professionals have argued?

Drug Action Week 2009

2009-06-18T10:22:00.000+10:00

As part of Drug Action Week from 21-27 June 20009 Sutherland Library will be offering a range of free brochures and promotional material dealing with alcohol and illicit drugs. This information is authoritative and accessible. There is some great information for everyone including plenty of material for school projects!

Drug Action Week is a national event organised by the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) which aims at raising public awareness on the issues of drinking and drug use within our community. ADCA supports the view that education is a key factor in countering Australia’s drug-related problems.

You will find the Drug Action Week display located near the Information Desk on the ground floor. Just look for the column with the red and white Drug Action Week balloons. For further details please visit http://www.drugactionweek.org.au/.

Library Week Hamper Winner

2009-06-17T15:46:00.003+10:00

Library Week Hamper 16.6.09, originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries.

During Library Week, 25-29 May, all visitors to Menai Library were entered into our lucky hamper draw.

This lucky Menai branch winner is one of our regular patrons. On receiving our phone call she was shocked and overjoyed, telling us, 'I never win anything'.

Last Chance for Internet Training this Term

2009-06-12T09:20:00.003+10:00

We still have a few places remaining in our final Introduction to the Internet and Email course for the term beginning on 23 June 2009.

The course is aimed at absolute beginners. You will learn how to find information on the Internet as well as how to send a receive email.

Full details can be found on our Events Calender.

Refugee Film Festival

2009-06-09T15:52:00.003+10:00

To commemorate National Refugee Week, this years Refugee Film Festival, will be screening from 15th - 20th June at Sutherland Library.
Over the past 60 years, 700,000 refugees and humanitarian migrants have made Australia their home.
Witness the triumphs, tragedies, challenges and opportunities refugees have faced, and continue to face as captured in these moving documentaries.
Come to the Southern lounge, screenings will start at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, and 4pm daily.

Have you used Overdrive? We would like your opinion.

2009-06-09T15:40:00.017+10:00

If you have used Sutherland Library's Overdrive downloadable digital media, we would appreciate it if you could complete a short survey to help us to plan the future of this service.
Update 23 June: This survey is now closed.

Thank you for your time.

Living Books waiting to be borrowed!

2009-06-05T21:35:00.008+10:00

There will be Living Books at Sutherland Library, ready for borrowing, on Thursday 18th June from 10am - 12 noon.
more details

Borrow one (or more) for 1/2 an hour and let them tell you their stories. Every person has a story and our Living Books would like to share theirs with you.

Have you ever read a biography and wished you could ask questions, well with Living Books you can. Listen to experiences of life very different from your own, or learn that there are others dealing with similar issues as yourself.

Living Books cannot be taken home, they are Reference material, and therefore they must be read in the Library. Allow yourself an extra 30 minutes to challenge yourself to something different.

Here's a sample of available Books.

Blessed light in my darkness
Having lost his sight at 21, this Book did not let that deter him from living a full life. He has married, had children and is now enjoying the chaos grandchildren can bring.
A friend introduced him to cycling and until recently has been an avid long distance cycler for pleasure as well as for fund raising for various charitable organisations. Tandem is his bike of choice!
Working as a telephone counsellor he has been able to support and assist many people in their time of need and is active in the local Baptist community.

Success Through Faith And Perseverance
This Book has chosen Australia as his home after experiencing a range of other countries and cultures. Born to Chinese parents in Indonesia under Dutch rule provided an interesting start, , then a new dimension was added after WWII, with the Japanese occupation. He saw the Japanese capitulation and the people’s revolution at first hand which led to Indonesian self rule.
Education was something he had craved, been unable to access, but now could. After receiving a scholarship for University in Holland and work experience in England, he returned to his home country to serve it the best way he could with his aeronautical engineering credentials.
Service to Indonesia did not pay well and with a wife and children now, it was time to choose a new home for the future of his children.

He now works with overseas students and their host families on issues of 'integration with the Aussies', and 'what to expect from your student'. Offering his services where they will help and contributing to build a future progressive modern Australian society.

more...

One of our happy raffle winners

2009-06-03T21:21:00.003+10:00

To help celebration Library Week 2009, all Sutherland Libraries held a raffle for their customers.

Meet Reg, the lucky winner of Sutherland Library's Hamper.

Antique Jewellery Talk Uncovers Some Treasures

2009-06-03T21:12:00.003+10:00

On Saturday 30th May as a finale to Library Week 2009 Sutherland Library hosted Liz Stevens from Chilton's Antiques who gave a very enjoyable and informative presentation on antique jewellery.
Liz's talk gave an overview on the history of jewellery and several exquisite pieces were passed around. For those who had brought along pieces of jewellery Liz gave verbal valuations including the origins of each piece.

Liz's knowledge and great personality resulted in an afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Shearers in the Library?

2009-06-02T08:54:00.005+10:00

Library Week wrap part 2 - The Libraries and Schools across the nation join together to promote literacy during National Simultaneous Storytime.

Pete1
Originally uploaded by melmc04

On Wednesday 27th May at 11.00am Sutherland Shire Libraries joined the rest of Australia reading Pete the Sheep by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. A couple of shearers popped into Sutherland Library and joined in for a very interactive reading story. The kids had a great time and took home their special craft and Pete the Sheep sticker.

East Meets West - Morning Tea with a Chinese Flavour

2009-06-02T08:43:00.003+10:00

Library Week wrap part 1 - Were you at the Willow Pattern Story Author talk and Morning tea last Monday at Engadine Library?

I’ve always been interested in the concept of learning. Observing an audience being entertained and informed is intriguing. Their individual reactions, body language and response to the speaker are all different. Last Monday Engadine Library provided me with an opportunity to be part of this learning process.

The legend of the Willow Pattern story has existed for a very long time. I was told a vague interpretation of it as small child and subsequently have never forgotten it. The author talk hosted by Engadine Library to celebrate Library & Information Week allowed me to learn even more about this classic tale of young love, greed and revenge.

Translator Jingzhe Li has collaborated with Illustrator Lucienne Fontannaz to produce the Willow Pattern Story. Jingzhe entertained and entranced her audience with her gentle storytelling. It was obvious by their comments that most of the audience already knew some facts about the legend but after 45 mins we knew a great deal more. However, during the morning something special happened. A common thread was woven throughout the audience. A 100 year old embroidered tablecloth or a tea set handed down through generations with the distinctive blue and white Willow pattern design connected people as they chatted about their own stories as memories were evoked and shared.

Penny @ Engadine Library

Hold Fees

2009-06-01T10:47:00.004+10:00

Please be advised that as of 1st July 2009 the Hold Fee will be $1.00 in accordance with Sutherland Shire Council's Schedule of Fees and Charges for the year ending June 2010.

The fee applied to holds collected from 1st July 2009

Essay Writing Lecture by Sue Murray - BOOKINGS CLOSED

2009-05-27T15:02:00.006+10:00

Due to the space restrictions, the bookings for the next lecture in our popular HSC series on 17th June, have closed. There is no waiting list, so if you have made a booking and not paid, please do so to secure your spot. Tickets will not be handed out until payment is made.
Ensure you don't miss out on the Legal Studies Lecture with Neil Kusi-Appauh on the 25th June - book and pay now! $5.00 only.

Another Successful Booksale

2009-05-26T14:02:00.001+10:00

Book Sale 2009, originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Booksale on the weekend. You once again made it a great success and helped the library raise over $15,000 that will help fund future library projects.

If you came along let us know (leave a comment) what you liked and whether we could have done anything better.

Have Your hearing Tested at Caringbah Library

2009-05-25T15:43:00.002+10:00

Australian Hearing will be conducting free hearing screenings at Caringbah Library for seniors, pensioners and DVA clients on 3 June 2009 from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Full pension and Veteran Affairs card holders will receive full screening and fully subsidised services. Other residents will receive a free screening with free advice inlcuding hearing level information, which you can take to you G.P. for a referral.

Bookings are essential - for more information see our Events Calendar.

Premier's Literary Award Winners Announced

2009-05-23T19:19:00.000+10:00

The People's Choice Award for Fiction, Which we wrote about previously, went to A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz. Joan London collected a handy $40,000 for winning the The Christina Stead Prize for Fiction with her novel The Good Parents.

Read about all the winners inlcuding the judges comments on the Premier's Literary Awards site.

Antique Jewellery Presentation and Valuations

2009-05-11T10:38:00.007+10:00

Chilton’s Antiques specialist Liz Stevens will present a talk on antique jewellery followed by verbal valuations at Sutherland Library on Saturday 30 May 2009
12 noon - 3pm.

Her talk will cover aspects of antique jewellery including Suffragette jewellery.

If you would like a valuation, bring along a piece of jewellery and Liz will discuss its value, age and any other interesting history relating to the item. There will be a small charge of $5 per item.

Liz can be heard as a regular on 2UE’s Antiques and Collectables program every Saturday morning with John Kerr and is a member of the Australian Antiques & Art Dealers Association as well as being a gemmologist-valuer.

Refreshments will be provided and bookings can be made at any Sutherland Shire Library.

Annual Book Sale

2009-05-11T09:30:00.001+10:00

Booksale 2007
Originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries

This year is the 20th anniversary of our Annual Book Sale and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. It's on at Sutherland Library from Friday 22 May until Sunday 24 May 2009. more details...

If you’ve never been to this event before, why not come along this year? Bargains galore from a huge range of books and magazines – fiction, non-fiction, children’s and adult books, discards from the collection, surplus donations and more. The sale is held over 3 days with stock being replenished regularly.

Be early to grab a favourite. (Cash sales only)

Proceeds from the Book Sale are used to fund library projects.

Exercise Your Brain and Age Well

2009-05-10T10:54:00.006+10:00

Learn how to preserve and develop your brain throughout your life, even well into old age.

Dr Norman Doige, author of the best-seller The Brain that Changes Itself, will be speaking at the Sutherland Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at 7.00pm.

The brain is a living organ capable of changing its own form and structure even after injury and into old age. In many cases, you can stop the normal process of age-related cognitive decline, and even reverse it.

Dr Doidge champions the new wave of scientific thinking on brain function known as neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to change. It gives hope for the aged, for those with dementia, for stroke victims, sufferers of cerebral palsy and for the blind.

For more information about Dr Doige's visit including details of how to book visit the Sutherland Entertainment Centre web site.

The Willow Pattern Story

2009-05-09T23:00:00.003+10:00

Children in the 1950's or earlier may remember willow pattern tea and dinner sets. My mother used to recite a story describing the objects and events portrayed on the design - the Willow Pattern Story. The Willow Pattern is a Chinese legend originating more than 1,000 year ago. The Willow Pattern Story which as we know it today was designed by a famous English potter in 1780.
The story focuses on the characters of Koong-se, a lovely Chinese maiden who loved her father's young clerk, Chang. However, Koong-se was commanded by her parents to wed a much older, wealthier suitor. The young couple met disapproval, separation and eventually a tragic death. Their love, sincerity, devotion and fidelity touched the Goddess of lovers who transformed them into a pair of doves eternally together.
The design of the plate is the key to the narrative, the powerful relationship between the characters of their Chinese environment highlighting the important role played by nature in the overall scheme of things.

Swiss Author/Illustrator Lucienne Fontannaz; Australian writer, Ian Howard and Chinese publisher/translator, Jingzhe Li have come together to update the classic tale of young love, greed, revenge and the solace of nature. Their exquisite bilingual version in English and Chinese, completed with beautiful illustrations is a blend of the picturesque and tragic textures of life.

The author will also be giving an insight into the craft of hand binding of books.

Light refreshments will be available.

Engadine Library
Monday 25th May at 11am
Enquires 9548 6003

What's Under Wraps

2009-05-08T14:35:00.008+10:00

To help to celebrate Australian Library and Information Week 2009, Sutherland Libraries will be holding What's Under Wraps.

This event is where our branch libraries give you the opportunity to borrow brand new books. Be the first to see some of our newest acquisitions. These books will be “unwrapped” at a library near you.

It’s all happening at:

Miranda Library Monday 25th May 10am
Menai Library Monday 25th May 11am
Engadine Library Tuesday 26th May 10.30am
Caringbah Library Wednesday 27th May 11am
Sylvania Library Saturday 30th May 10.30am

See you there!

It Must be Awards Season - Miles Franklin Literary Award Shortlist

2009-05-06T19:36:00.006+10:00

On 16 April, it was announced that the following five novels were shortlisted for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award:

Breath by Tim Winton
Ice by Louis Nowra
The Pages by Murray Bail
The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
Wanting by Richard Flanagan

The Miles Franklin Literary Award celebrates Australian character and creativity and nurtures the continuing life of literature about Australia. It is awarded for the novel of the year which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases.

The winners will be announced on 18 June 2009.

People's Choice - Premier's Literary Awards 2009

2009-04-30T18:29:00.005+10:00

The judges for the 2009 Premier's Literary Awards have shortlisted the following works for the $40,000 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction. This year, for the first time, you can have a say about which book you think is best with the introduction of the People's Choice Award. There's not long to go though so you'll have to be quick - get reading and vote!

The Spare Room by Helen Garner
The Good Parents by Joan London
The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville
A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
Disquiet by Julia Leigh
Breath by Tim Winton

Manga Madness @ Sutherland Library

2009-04-30T17:59:00.003+10:00

During Youth Week we held a Manga Character Design Workshop. During the 2 1/2 hour workshop teens learnt how to design their own Manga character. By the end of the afternoon 29 characters were created and one was chosen as the best. The lucky winner was awarded with special Manga design paper kindly donated by Althea and Fiona the workshop trainers.

Manga Workshop at Sutherland Library 3, originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries.

Following hot on the heels of the Manga Workshop many kids joined us in the School Holidays for our Movie Madness activities. The staff dressed to the nines ready to walk the red carpet and many of the kids dressed as their favourite movie characters. They enjoyed playing the memory game, celebrity heads and making their own Hollywood Star.

Get Some HSC Advice from the Experts

2009-04-28T10:36:00.004+10:00

Looking for HSC help and tips? This year Sutherland Shire Libraries is introducing a program of evening lectures by HSC experts across a range of subjects. There's something for everyone.

On Tuesday 12 May Peter Skrzynecki will discuss his collection of poems, Immigrant Chronicle, a set text for Belonging. Peter's poems deal with experiences of migrants in Australia in the late 1940's and 1950's. more details...

Helen Sykes, a former English head teacher, editor and author will be here on Tuesday 26 May to discuss some suitable titles for related texts for Belonging. Helen has an in depth knowledge of many novels and picture books suitable for Standard and Advanced English students. more details...

Playwright and author Sue Murray will give you some tips on writing effective essays on Wednesday 17 June. Sue has written a survival guide for HSC students and their parents and is a regular speaker at schools and libraries. more details...

Our 2009 lecture program rounds off on Thursday 25 June with Neil Kusi-Appauh, head teacher, author and senior HSC marker talking about Legal Studies core topics and family law. Neil has co authored study guides and lectures extensively to students and teachers. more details...

Full details for all lectures are available on our Events Calender. Tickets for each lecture are $5. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Please phone 9710 0351 to book or ask at any Sutherland Shire library.

Heart Week 4th - 9th May 2009

2009-04-16T15:44:00.005+10:00

In recognition of Heart Week, staff from Kareena Hospital will be at Sutherland Library on Wednesday 6th May 10am - 3pm.

Health professionals will be available to check your blood pressure, blood sugar and answer questions.

Children's Book of the Year Shortlist Announced

2009-04-09T18:19:00.002+10:00

The Shortlist for the 2009 Children's Book of the Year Awards has just been released by the Children's Book Council. You can find the shortlist on their web site.

The winners will be announced on Friday 21 August 2009.

Start reading and pick your favourites

Make A Move during Youth Week 2009

2009-03-20T08:28:00.003+11:00

With Youth Week coming up - 28 March to 5 April - You will need to make a move if you want to catch everything that's happening around the Shire.

Kicking things off early on Saturday 21 March is a free Job Hunting Workshop. 15-19 year olds are invited to learn about how to land THAT job! This workshop will provide essential job seeking skills, from a Saturday morning job at the local bread shop for a 15 year old, to a part time job at the video store, or local bike shop, through to apprenticeship applications, to seeking and applying for a full-time job in industries such as: retail, commercial or office setting. More details...

Sutherland Library is conducting a Manga Character Design Workshop for High School students. Yes it is Manga not magna! Learn how to create an interesting character for a manga, comic or animation story. We have limited places so bookings are essential. Check out our Events Calendar for all the details.

There will be the sound of music at Sutherland Library during Youth Week with singer/guitarist Dylan Wright playing at various times throughout the week. Dylan starred on the television show Australia's Got Talent and was mentioned in the Leader newspaper.

Last but not least, any high school students who make a move to any Sutherland Shire Library during Youth Week can enter a draw for the chance to win JB Hi-Fi vouchers.

Live Life - Senior's Week 2009

2009-03-16T09:42:00.010+11:00

You may have already heard about Sutherland Shire Council's recently released Ageing Strategy. In case you haven't, and given that this week is NSW Seniors Week, we thought it might be timely to let you know about it.

Like many places across Australia the Sutherland Shire community is getting older. The Council is well aware of this and has been putting significant effort into planning for the future of our community. The result of this planning is a focus on Ageing Well in the Sutherland Shire, the highlight of which is the Ageing Strategy. You can find out more about the strategy along with a series of Fact Sheets and Frequently Asked Questions on the Sutherland Shire Council web site.

It's also worth mentioning that the Library has many services and facilities for seniors in our community. We have information from a range of organisations, for instance we've just received a series of brochures from Legal Aid about Legal Issues for Older People. We run regular Internet Training courses, which are popular with our older library users. The Library has lots of resources for tracing your family tree, a Home Library service for our housebound borrowers and many other organisations such as the U3A utilise the Library's resources and facilities to provide services to seniors.

Of course you can always just come in and read the paper, find a good book or just meet and connect with other people in your community.

What Can't You Do on the Library Web Site?

2009-03-10T11:11:00.006+11:00

In this instalment of what is rapidly becoming an ongoing series of posts about the Library's web site, we want to know what things you would like to be able to do on our web site that aren't currently available?

We are very thankful for the responses to our last post about what you are using the web site for (if you haven't already, you can tell us now).

This time we would like to know if there is anything you wish you could do or find on our site that isn't already available? Basically, we want you to tell us what is wrong with our site? Just leave us a comment.

I can't guarantee that your wishlist will be granted but it will be very useful information for us as we move forward. And you never know, in our last post someone asked for information about our WiFi Hotspot. That was an easy one - I added a page about the Wi-Fi Hotspot to the site this morning.

Adam Bayley Paintings @ Sutherland Library

2009-03-05T16:22:00.004+11:00

During March and April 2009 Adam Bayley will be exhibiting a selection of his paintings at Sutherland Library. Adam's passion for art began at a very early age but it has only been during the last 4 years that he has begun to fully develop his talent.

If you visit Sutherland Library in March and April be sure to make your way around to the lounge area at the back of the library and have a look at Adam's paintings.

Why Do You Visit Our Web Site?

2009-03-03T09:47:00.005+11:00

What brings you to the Library web site? We want to know how we can make your experience of our web site as easy and intuitive as possible. To do that we are trying to find out more about how people use our site.

Do you look up books on our catalogue? Do you manage your account, ie. renew loans and check requests online, etc? Do you come to find out what's happening in the library? Do you check locations and opening hours? Are you interested in finding out more about our services and resources? Is there something that really bugs you about our site?

We would really appreciate your comments about why you visit our site (you can use the comment form).

PS. We are also planning a few short workshops to delve a bit deeper into how to improve our web site. If you are interested please read this post for more details about how to get involved.

Living Library is on Again

2009-02-27T11:44:00.004+11:00

Mark your diaries. Sutherland Library is holding the first Living Library for this year on Tuesday 24 March from 10am-12pm (more details).

Living Library at Sutherland Library
Originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries

Living Library gives you the chance to meet and talk with people who have had very different life experiences to you own. From dealing with diabetes as an athlete to making a new land home, from living without sight to how religious conversion affects relationships. The aim is to break down barriers and make our community more accepting.

Living books can be borrowed for conversations of up to 30 minutes and they will truthfully answer any questions they may be asked to the best of their ability.

We have a number of Living Books ready and waiting to share their stories. however, if you are interested in becoming a living book you can get hold of an expression of interest form from any of our branch libraries or request one by email.

Clean Up Australia Day this Weekend

2009-02-23T09:54:00.002+11:00

The annual Clean Up Australia Day is on again this Sunday 1 March. If your want to help clean up your local environment and keep the Shire beautiful you can volunteer at one of the many sites in the Sutherland Shire.

You can search for a site to help out at by suburb or postcode on the Clean Up Australia Day web site. In fact a library staff member has volunteered to coordinate the clean up activities at the Old School Park in Gymea. Jeanette would be more than happy for you to come and help out, as I'm sure would the coordinators at all the other Clean Up sites.

Feel the Love @ Library Lovers Day 2009

2009-02-09T21:07:00.009+11:00

Love and Libraries - it's a match made in Heaven

Library Lovers Day Wednesday 11th February 2009 is a fun way of celebrating a deep and enduring relationship between the Sutherland Shire community and their libraries. Visit your local library and help us to celebrate.

Join us at Sutherland Library on Wednesday when we will hand out chocolate treats and serve delicious hot chocolate. Whilst sipping your hot chocolate, why not check out our Romantic DVD, CD and book displays.

And don't forget to enter our Library Lovers raffle and have a chance to win a hamper full of pampering goodies. Entry is free.

Sutherland Shire branch libraries are also spreading the love with romantic displays, decorations and chocolates.

Sutherland Shire residents are definitely library lovers with over 74,389 members. During the 2007/2008 financial year 900,155 people visited the library and 1,724,768 loans were issued to the community. The Sutherland Library website continues to provide 24 hour access to a range of services such as the library catalogue, online renewals of customer loans, reservations of those new books that you see reviewed in the weekend newspapers, online newspapers and magazines, audio book downloads, information and more.

Playaway Digital Audio Books

2009-01-30T16:58:00.001+11:00

The Playaway audio digital book is a new format which is now available for borrowing.

The Playaway doesn’t require a separate player – it comes ready to listen. No multiple CDs and no downloads – one entire unabridged story in a compact unit. Just pop in one AAA battery and a set of earphones, press ‘play’ and listen straight away.

The Playaway is smaller than a pack of cards – so you can fit a whole book in your pocket. Great for travelling. It has digital quality sound and up to 80 hours of playing time. The Playaway can be used with most headphones, speakers and car adaptors. The time remaining and battery level will display on the LCD screen.

No technical knowledge is needed – Playaway’s friendly features mean you can bookmark you favourite points and control the speed of the narrator’s voice. It even remembers your place when it’s turned off.

So what titles can you get on Playaway? How about Down under by Bill Bryson, Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer or Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin ? Check out the full list of titles and reserve one today!

Kung Hei Fat Choy

2009-01-27T11:38:00.002+11:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all members of the Sutherland Shire Libraries. What better time to remind you that your Library has a permanent collection of Chinese language material (as well as Arabic and Greek material). Find out more about our services for people from diverse cultures...

Help Us Build a Better Library Web Site

2009-01-16T12:00:00.000+11:00

The Library will be redesigning our web site and we want you to tell us how to improve it.

We want to know:

What do you want on our web site?
What are the best features of our current site?
What is not relevant?
What doesn’t work on our current site?
How could we improve our services to you online?

We will be running a series of short workshops (approximately 45 minutes each) with volunteers from the community to determine the most important features of the Library’s web site. We will use the results of the workshops to design a web site that is intuitive to use and focuses on our most useful services.

If you are a casual or regular user of the Library’s online services and can spare 45 minutes we would love to hear your views.

If you would like to be involved contact Martin Boyce on 9710 0237 or mboyce [at] ssc.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Regina Nazar Exhibition @ Sutherland Library

2008-12-29T13:36:00.003+11:00

Seascape from the Royal National Park by Regina Nazar

During January 2009 local resident Regina Nazar will be exhibiting a series of landscape paintings of the Royal National Park.

Regina has studied art at Penrith TAFE, University of Western Sydney and Macquarie University. During 1994 she was artist-in-residence at the Riversdale property at Arthur Boyd's Bundanon Trust and was twice selected as a finalist, in 1994 and 2005, for the Portia Geach Memorial Award. Regina has exhibited locally and at a number of centres throughout Sydney. She currently resides in Bundeena with her young family.

If you visit Sutherland Library in January be sure to make your way around to the back of the Library and have a look at Regina's paintings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-23T15:56:00.002+11:00

All staff at Sutherland Shire Libraries would like to wish everyone who visited us this year a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2009.

Wireless Hotspot up and Running at Sutherland Library

2008-12-17T18:31:00.002+11:00

Our hotspot is back! Our problem has been fixed and wireless Internet access is available again at Sutherland Library. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to our users while the hotspot wasn't working.

Christmas Activities Start this Week

2008-12-01T09:43:00.004+11:00

It’s still full steam ahead for our Children’s activities! Our Christmas storytime is starting early in December this year (this week in fact!) - check out the Events Calendar to see when Santa will be visitng your local branch library. Come along and listen to some Christmas stories and sing some Christmas carols (I mean who doesn’t like Christmas carols?).

Lapsit may have finished for 2008, but feel free to book in to our first session in 2009, of course we are still running Rhymetime right up to the beginning of school holidays. Keep an eye out for more School Holiday activities in the Events Calendar.

Announcing OverDrive Media Console for Mac

2008-11-25T15:28:00.003+11:00

With OverDrive Media Console for Mac, Sutherland Shire Libraries members who use Apple Macintosh computers can now download OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks via our Digital Downloads service. The Media Console's built-in Burn Wizard can be used to burn MP3 Audiobooks to CD, and the Transfer Wizard allows quick and easy transfer to Apple® devices (iPods and iPhones).

MP3 audiobooks are a relatively new addition to the OverDrive service and therefore they make up a small proportion of the total collection of our Digital Downloads, of which most are older works such as Alice in Wonderland (most of the MP3 files are out of coyright as the MP3 format does not support Digital Rights Management like Windows Media files).

You can see the full list of MP3 downloads we have available or read more about OverDrive MP3 audiobooks on the Digital Downloads web site.