Sutherland Shire Libraries News

Headhunters by Jo Nesbø

2012-06-02T09:00:00.000+10:00

In most novels there is a good guy and a bad guy. You can easily distinguish who is who, their look, mannerisms, voice & actions all point to a good person/bad person. Not so in Headhunters. I found it hard to decide who I disliked more!

Roger Brown is a short man (1.68m) constantly trying to compensate for his lack of physical stature by overplaying his successes. He is Oslo's leading Head hunter, has a gorgeous (and tall) wife Diana, a huge mansion in a prestigious suburb, a luxury car and really nice hair.

Never the less, Roger still feels inadequate and constantly lives above his means, buying his wife an art gallery and expensive gifts, when all she really wants is a child - something he refuses to give her. To fund this lavish lifestyle Roger is also an art thief on the side, stealing from Oslo's rich to feed his own needs. When Roger hears about what could be the biggest haul of his professional and deviant life, he can't resist meeting Clas Greve, a handsome ex-soldier and former CEO of a GPS company. Roger works to line Greve up in a lucrative role that will pay big in finders fees, whilst at the same time stealing a priceless artwork from Clas. A piece that once sold will solve all his financial worries and set him and Diana up for life.

Things start to unravel for Roger and he finds himself in a battle for his life against an opponent who in all ways is the person Roger wants to be. As Roger is thrown into all manner of disturbing and gruesome scenarios he can't help but look at his life and discover just what is most important - but will this epiphany come too late?

This is a fast, action-packed novel full of dizzying scenes that seriously take a long time to erase from the brain. It is well worth reading if you don't mind a bit of gross and you love a twisty, keep you guessing type of read.

Nesbø is the well known for his Harry Hole series of books which I also love. He has a way of creating flawed characters who you still manage to like. Even when they are bad, or damaged or make mistakes. Headhunters is well worth the read!

Jess

Dream a little, or big dream in June

2012-06-01T15:00:00.001+10:00

There is something common among humans: we all dream.

Whether it is the strange and surreal happenings in our sleep, or our most lofty aspirations for the future, the human mind is an endless expanse of imagination and dreams. What better place than the library to explore the theme for June in the National Year of Reading: ‘Dream’?

Discover the art of dream interpretation, what is your subconscious really trying to tell you when your teeth fall out in a dream? Or plan your future, with guides on how to find that dream job.

At Menai Library we have created a Dream Tree installation, take a look at our photos, or – better yet – come along for a visit, and let us know what you think! Every item used in the installation has been recycled, proving that even the most unexpected objects can conjure new meanings.

This month, read something unexpected, something inspiring, and ask: What’s my dream?

Bedtime reading

2012-06-01T00:00:00.000+10:00

Bedtime Stories

Before you go to sleep each night, do you read for at least ten minutes, usually a chapter or two, to enable you to relax before drifting off to dreamland. For some, it is an ingrained habit, and it can be hard to go to sleep without reading something first.

Imagine this nightmare scenario...
What would happen if you were up to the last few chapters of your current book, and had yet to find your next bedtime read. What can you read next? You can't just pick out any book and start reading, as bedtime reading needs to be:

Not too scary, or you'll have nightmares.

Not too sad, as you don't want tears at bedtime, (or puffy eyes in the morning).

Not too deep, intense or political, as bedtime is the time to relax, not toss and turn all night pondering over what you've read.

Not too complicated, as you don’t want to concentrate too hard, you're tired!

Not too riveting, (including those tempting page turners), or you'll be up to to 3am trying to finish it. However, it’s got to be interesting enough that you don’t fall asleep reading and lose your place in the book!

This is starting to sound like Goldilocks visit to the home of the three bears. Do you generally have a stack of books at your bedside, enabling you to select just the right book to relax and read before going to sleep, ensuring sweet dreams?
To ensure we can all get a good night's sleep (and have pleasant dreams), staff at Sutherland Shire Library Service will be participating in blogeverydayofJune, posting book reviews every day of June with the theme of "Dream reads". Hopefully you will find a book (or two) to snuggle up with!

Monique
Photo credit: flickr user Sideways Sarah

Literary Lunch in June

2012-05-30T06:30:00.000+10:00

Relax in your lunch break with a good book - read aloud to you!
Will they live happily ever after? or Will there be a shocking conclusion?
You are welcome to bring your lunch to the Southern Lounge at 1pm on Wednesday 6 June, 2012 where Melinda will read you a short story to match the 2012 National Year of Reading theme of "Dream".
These stories read aloud on the first Wednesday of each month are for adults - moderate language may be used.
This is a free event, no bookings necessary.

Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Shortlists, 2012

2012-05-28T09:42:00.001+10:00

The Prime Minister's Literary Award Shortlist, 2012 has been announced.

The Prime Minister's Literary Awards celebrate the contribution of Australian literature and history to the nation's cultural and intellectual life.

This year, there are six categories, including a new category for poetry. Entries in each category were received from every State and Territory, and the awards attracted the highest number of entries since their inception.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors.

Fiction shortlist

All That I Am: a novel by Anna Funder

Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville

Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears

Autumn Laing by Alex Miller

Forecast: Turbulence by Janette Turner Hospital

Poetry shortlist

Ashes in the Air by Ali Alizadeh

Interferon Psalms by Luke Davies

Armour by John Kinsella

Southern Barbarians by John Mateer

New and Selected Poems by Gig Ryan

Non-fiction shortlist

A Short History of Christianity by Geoffrey Blainey

Michael Kirby: Paradoxes and Principles by A J Brown

When Horse Became Saw: A Family’s Journey Through Autism by Anthony Macris

Kinglake-350 by Adrian Hyland

An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark by Mark McKenna

Prize for Australian History shortlist

1835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of Australia by James Boyce

The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines Made Australia by Bill Gammage

Breaking the Sheep's Back by Charles Massy

Indifferent Inclusion: Aboriginal people and the Australian Nation by Russell McGregor

Immigration Nation: The Secret History of Us by Renegade Films Australia Pty Ltd

Young adult fiction shortlist

A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon

Being Here by Barry Jonsberg

Pan’s Whisper by Sue Lawson

When We Were Two by Robert Newton

Alaska by Sue Saliba

Children’s fiction shortlist

Evangeline, The Wish Keeper's Helper by Maggie Alderson

The Jewel Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base

Father's Day by Anne Brooksbank

Come Down, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo

Goodnight, Mice! by Frances Watts, illustrated by Judy Watson

Literary lunch

2012-05-23T19:25:00.000+10:00

Relax in your lunch break with a good book - read aloud to you!
You are welcome to bring your lunch to the Southern Lounge at 1pm on Wednesday 6 June, 2012 where Melinda will read you a short story to match the 2012 National Year of Reading theme of "Dream".
These stories read aloud on the first Wednesday of each month are for adults - moderate language may be used.
This is a free event, no bookings necessary.
Will they live happily ever after? or will there be a shocking conclusion?

Commonwealth Writers Regional Winners 2012

2012-05-22T17:26:00.002+10:00

Commonwealth Writers has announced the regional winners for the 2012 Commonwealth Book Prize and Commonwealth Short Story Prize, representing Africa, Asia, Canada & Europe, Caribbean, and the Pacific regions.

Congratulations to Cory Taylor, the Regional Winner for the Pacific, writer of Me and Mr Booker (The Text Publishing Company).

The other regional winners were as follows:
Regional Winner, Africa
Jacques Strauss, South Africa The Dubious Salvation of Jack V, Jonathan Cape
Regional Winner, Asia
Shehan Karunatilaka, Sri Lanka, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, Random House
Regional Winner, Canada and Europe
Riel Nason, Canada, The Town that Drowned, Goose Lane Editions
Regional Winner, Caribbean
Alecia McKenzie, Jamaica, Sweetheart, Peepal Tree Press

Congratulations to all the winners, who will now compete for the overall winner award which will be announced at Hay Festival on 8 June.

Sneak Preview - New Library Catalogue

2012-05-21T16:23:00.000+10:00

Regular readers will recall that we mentioned a little while ago the library has been working behind the scenes on replacing our computer system. Well the date for the switch is now official.

All Sutherland Shire Libraries will be closed from 5pm on Friday June 15 and will re-open for normal operation on Thursday 21 June - 9am at Sutherland, 9.30am at branches. There is one exception - Miranda Library will be closed for building works before and after the system upgrade.

New library catalogue shown on iPad

During the period that the libraries are closed we will be working to extract all the data from our existing Integrated Library System (ILS) - all the information about our collections, our borrowers, their loans, reserves, etc. (and yes, I'm sorry, fees owed). We then need to take all that data and feed it in to the new ILS and check, as best we can, that it is all correct.

What you will notice when the libraries open is that we have a brand new look to our catalogue. It is easier to use and has improved functionality. Searching is simple with a single keyword search box, just like Google. Once a search is done you can refine your results based on a range of different criteria. Many of the records in the catalogue now also provide suggestions for further reading - similar books and authors. In addition, searches are automatically expanded to include results from many of the library's research databases, improving your chance of finding information about more complex topics.

The good news is that you can try out the new catalogue right now! If you do want to explore the new catalogue, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind...

The data is not current. The information about the library's collections is not live data, it's a snapshot from earlier this year. We have added new items since then and removed other items. As a result the details about what is available, on loan, etc is out of date and the information about your personal account (what you have on loan, due dates, etc.) is certainly not correct. You can get a feel for how the new catalogue works though.

If you're game, head to http://encore.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au give it a try!

Try out the new Catalogue

If you do give it a try, please let us know what you think in the comments below.

Travel Tales: What's your Favourite Travel Destination?

2012-05-21T00:00:00.000+10:00

Continue to celebrate The National Year of Reading theme "escape" this May by reading some traveller's tales. The experiences of other travellers can often be the best guide to travelling to new places. Whether you are an armchair wanderer, or looking for inspiration about where to go next, travelers tales can offer you insights about the best (and worst) places to visit, right across the globe. Often humorous and always entertaining, read some travel anecdotes and share in other people's adventures and experiences, meet unforgettable characters and learn more about interesting and exotic places. You may even discover tips on where (and what) to eat, places to stay, and how to find the best bargains and hidden spots to visit - not always mentioned in the travel guides. Read some travel tales this month, (a selection is listed below) they just might inspire you to pack up your bags and escape!

Tales from nowhere edited by Don George
Loves, kerbsides and goodbyes: A backpackers road / David McNamara
The best travel writing 2011 : true stories from around the world / edited by James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, and Sean O'Reilly.
By the seat of my pants: Humorous tales of travel and misadventure edited by Don George
The Tao of travel: Enlightenment from lives on the road / Paul Theroux
The Titanic awards; Celebrating the worst of travel / Doug Lansky
Hyenas laughed at me and now I know why: the best of travel humour and misadventure / edited by Sean O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, and James O'Reilly
Chicken soup for the traveler's soul: stories of adventure, inspiration, and insight to celebrate the spirit of travel / [compiled by] Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Steve Zikman
Cons, fools and friends: 25 years of travelling the world / Peter Anderson
The well at the worlds end / A.J Mackinnon
An idiot abroad: the travel diaries of Karl Pilkington / with Ricky Gervaise and Stephen Merchant; photography by Rich Hardcastle and Freddie Clare; illustrations by Dominic Trevett.

Do you have a Favourite Travel Destination? Cronulla Library is offering you the chance to win a great prize, simply by telling them in 25 words or less about your Favourite Travel Destination. The Favourite Travel Destination Competition is open to all ages, and you can enter as many times as you like. *Entries close 30th May.

*Terms and conditions are on the entry forms.
Photo credit: Flickr user Wharman "Tiger trails in

Hardayal Library in Delhi

2012-05-18T11:44:00.001+10:00

Hardayal Municipal Public Library

Recently, when travelling around Old Delhi in a rickshaw (with eyes shut), LOL, I spotted this fascinating old building and decided to do some research on it.

It is called Hardayal Library, Delhi and has a very interesting history.

Originally, the Library was set up in 1862 with no name. In 1912, while passing on an elephant, Viceroy of India, Lord Harding escaped a bomb attack.The Library was shifted to larger premises and named after him to commenorate his survival.

The interesting change occurred after India's independence. The Library's name was changed to Hardayal, after the freedom fighter who led the attack on Harding!

The Library subscribes to 19 daily newspapers,and is home to 170,000 books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and Pakrit.

The oldest book is "Relation of some years" written in 1634 by Travaile Begvenne.

The day we peeped in, there were no women library users, which we found odd.
Wendy

Photo credit: Flickr user "Varanshiv"

Read about escape...from prison

2012-05-15T13:00:00.000+10:00

Photo credit: Flickr user "Freedom studios"
Prison Gate

May is the month to read about...Prison escapes! Escape with a book for a while and read about some true life, famous, daring, even death defying break-outs or read a prison-escape themed fiction book.

True stories

Escape from Camp 14: one man's remarkable odyssey from North Korea to freedom in theWest by Blain Harden

The last escape: The untold story of allied prisoners of war in Germany, 1944-45 by John Nichol and Tony Rennell

Papillon by Henry Charriere; translated from the French by Patrick O'Brian
Escape from Germany: the greatest PoW break-out of the First World War by Neil Hanson
Die like the carp!: The story of the greatest prison escape ever by Harry Gordon

Adult Fiction
The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas
The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
Exact revenge by Tim Green

Shantaram;a novel by Gregory David Roberts

Young Adult
Lockdown (Book 1 of the Furnace series) by Alexander Gordon Smith
Incarceron (Book 1 of the Incarceron series) by Catherine Fisher

Aurealis Awards Winners, 2011

2012-05-14T15:04:00.000+10:00

The 2011 Aurealis Award winners were announced at a glittering presentation ceremony at The Independent theatre in North Sydney on Saturday evening, 12 May, 2012. Established in 1995, this award recognises the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror writers. The winners are as follows:

CHILDREN’S FICTION (told primarily through words)

City of Lies by Lian Tanner

CHILDREN’S FICTION (told primarily through pictures)

Sounds Spooky by Christopher Cheng (author) and Sarah Davis (illustrator)

YOUNG ADULT SHORT STORY

“Nation of the Night” by Sue Isle (Nightsiders)

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Only Ever Always by Penni Russon

ILLUSTRATED BOOK/ GRAPHIC NOVEL

Hidden by Mirranda Burton (author and illustrator)

The Deep: Here be Dragons by Tom Taylor (author) and James Brouwer (illustrator)

COLLECTION

Bluegrass Symphony by Lisa L. Hannett

ANTHOLOGY

Ghosts by Gaslight edited by Jack Dann and Nick Gevers

HORROR SHORT STORY

"The Past is a Bridge Best Left Burnt" by Paul Haines (The last days of Kali Yuga)

"The Short Go: a Future in Eight Seconds" by Lisa L. Hannett (Bluegrass symphony)

HORROR NOVEL

NO SHORTLIST OR WINNING NOVEL

FANTASY SHORT STORY

“Fruit of the Pipal Tree” by Thoraiya Dyer

(After the Rain)

FANTASY NOVEL

Ember and Ash by Pamela Freeman

SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY

“Rains of la Strange” by Robert N Stephenson (Anywhere But Earth)

SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL

The Courier’s New Bicycle by Kim Westwood

PETER MCNAMARA CONVENORS’ AWARD

Galactic Suburbia podcast – Alisa Krasnostein, Alex Pierce, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Andrew Finch (producer)

KRIS HEMBURY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD

Emily Craven of Adelaide

Congratulations to all the winners!

Looking for your next escape?

2012-05-08T00:00:00.000+10:00

Are you looking for your next great escape? If so, travel guides borrowed from the library can help you find your new favourite travel destination, as well as the best things to see and do when you get there. A wide range of travel guides providing information for everyone from the adventurous backpacker to the most discerning traveller are available. You can find travel guides with current information on locations across the globe, no matter what kind of escape you are looking for. It could be an escape to somewhere around Australia, or to a far flung, exotic location such as Jordan or Turkmenistan.
Here's a selection of travel guides available for loan from the library. Where will you escape to next?

Bradt Travel guides
Eyewitness guides

Fodor's Travel guides

Frommer travel guides

Lets go travel guides

Lonely planet travel guides
National Geographic travel guides
Rough guides
Thomas Cook travellers

Do you have a Favourite Travel Destination? Cronulla Library is inviting you enter the Favourite Travel Destination Competition. It's easy, just fill in an entry form telling the library in 25 words or less about your Favourite Travel Destination, for a chance to win a great prize. Do you have more than one Favourite Travel Destination? Just fill in more entry forms telling us why! Every entry form submitted gives you another opportunity to win! *Competition closes 30th May, 2012.

*Terms and conditions on entry forms, available at all branches of the Sutherland Library Service. Entries can be handed into any branch of Sutherland Library Service.
Photocredit: Flickr user Dave Proffer "Nisa, Turkmenistan"

The art of Regina Nazar

2012-05-07T12:50:00.000+10:00

Sutherland Library is pleased to welcome back local artist Regina Nazar.

Regina studied art at Penrith TAFE, University of Western Sydney and Macquarie Univeristy. During 1994 Regina was artist-in-residence-at the Riversdale property of Arthur Boyd's Bundanoon Trust. In 1995 and 2005 she was selected as a finalist for the Portia Geach Memorial Award .

A selection of Regina's artworks featuring Fraser Island and the 12 Apostles are on display during May and June in the lounge area of Sutherland Library.

Boomerang Hall

2012-05-07T12:48:00.000+10:00

From small beginnings.......

I wonder how many residents and staff remember the "old", truly old, Sylvania Library when it was housed in Boomerang Hall, just as you approach Tom Ugly's Bridge? The Hall was built in 1934 and being the only large hall in the area, was used for many functions, for example monthly Roman Catholic services and meetings of the 16mm film club.

In the early 50s, residents set up a small lending library, with a collection of books and magazines from a library planning to incinerate its surplus, plus donations. In 1956 Sutherland Council took over its running, until the opening of the new Southgate Centre. Even then, there was some doubt as to the value of moving it into new premises. It certainly was the end of an era, with its old card catalogue and photocharging of loans. Total area was 37 square metres.

The boards of the extremely low ceiling were the floorboards for dancing classes upstairs. Imagine a vigorous can-can being performed overhead, to the accompaniment of an ancient piano and an enthusiastic dance teacher! My ceiling would flex and shudder. Hardly library ambience! But the public remained loyal and supported the move. After three months, statistics had risen fourfold.

The Sylvania Library is dedicated to Wal Page, a local councillor who was instrumental in founding it, and seeing it re-housed.

Janet

Five questions in five minutes with Kerri Sackville

2012-05-07T00:00:00.000+10:00

Kerri Sackville, well known blogger and author of "When my husband does the dishes: a memoir of marriage and motherhood" and more recently, "The little book of anxiety", will be coming along to Sutherland Library to speak at a special event to celebrate Mother's Day. Kerri answers five questions in five minutes, telling us about what she is reading and her celebrity crush!

What are you reading right now and are you enjoying it?
I actually just finished 'How To Be A Woman' by Caitlin Moran (like practically every other female in Australia right now). It's like having a chat with a friend who is hilarious, bawdy, opinionated and extremely bright. I loved it.

Could you tell us a bit about your favourite book?

My favourite novel is definitely The World According To Garp by John Irving. I've read it a dozen times. The world of Garp lives in my head constantly. I can recite portions of it to myself. My favourite book of non-fiction is Naked, which is a memoir by the humorist David Sedaris. I have never laughed as much as when I read that book. That man is my idol.

What do you like to do like to do when you are not writing?

Sleep. Seriously. I have three kids and my husband works very long hours and I am constantly exhausted. I read in snatches when I'm eating or waiting to pick up the kids from an activity. I grab a coffee with a friend whenever I can. But if I have an hour free, I just want to nap.

What's next for Kerri Sackville (Could you give us a clue about your next book...)

I've just had a very embryonic idea for my next book but I can't talk about it for fear it will disappear! But it will be non-fiction. I really don't have any desire to write a novel at this stage. Probably not ever.

If you could have dinner with two famous people, who would they be, and why?

Simon Baker, because he's my celebrity crush, and I met him recently in LA (the details are on my blog) and I was so excited I barely let him get a word in edgeways. I would love to have dinner with him so I can finally give him a chance to speak. And David Sedaris, so that I can try to absorb some of his genius by osmosis. And laugh myself silly.

Everyone is welcome to come along to celebrate Mother's Day with author Kerri Sackville.

Where: Sutherland Library
When: Monday, May 14th, 10.30am-11.30am
Cost: Free
Morning tea is provided for attendees.
Bookings essential, book online or call 97100351.

Vote for 10 Aussie books to read before you die

2012-05-04T14:23:00.000+10:00

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, ABC TV’s First Tuesday Book Club is looking for the 10 Aussie Books to Read before You Die – the great Australian reading list! Head to the website to browse the list for book summaries and vote www.abc.net.au/arts/aussiebooks. You can borrow most of the 50 listed books from the Library. Any titles not kept in our collection can be ordered into the library for you to read via the Interlibrary Loan Service.

1788 by Watkin Tench
A fortunate life by A.B Facey
An intruders guide to East Arnhem Land by Andrew McMillan
Capricornia by Xavier Herbert
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
Come in Spinner by Dymphna Cusack & Florence James
Eucalyptus by Murray Bail
For love alone by Christina Stead
Gallipoli by Alan Moorhead
Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse
Here's Luck by Lennie Lower
It's raining in Mango by Thea Astley
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
My brilliant career by Miles Franklin
My brother Jack by George Johnston
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Power without glory by Frank Hardy
Ransom by David Malouf
Riders in the chariot by Patrick White
Seven little Australians by Ethel Turner
That deadman dance by Kim Scott
The book thief by Markus Zusak
The broken shore by Peter Temple
The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Kenneally
The dressmaker by Rosalie Ham
The fatal shore by Robert Hughes
The first stone by Helen Garner
The fortunes of Richard Mahoney by Henry Handel Richardson
The harp in the south by Ruth Park
The life by Malcom Knox
The magic pudding by Norman Lindsay
The man who loved children by Christina Stead
The monkey's mask by Dorothy Porter
The power of one by Bryce Courtenay
The riders by Tim Winton
The secret river by Kate Grenville
The slap by Christos Tsiolkas
The tall man by Chloe Hooper
The tree of man by Patrick White
The tyranny of distance by Geoffrey Blaney
The watcher on the cast-iron balcony by Hal Porter
The year of living dangerously by C.J Koch
The true history of the Kelly gang by Peter Carey
Unreliable memoirs by Clive James
Visitants by Randolph Stow
Wake in fright by Kenneth Cooke
Wanting by Richard Flanaghan

Which books will you vote for?

Cronulla Library's Favourite Travel Destination Competition

2012-05-03T17:27:00.000+10:00

To celebrate The National Year of Reading May theme "Escape", Cronulla Library is holding a competition where you tell us about your Favourite Travel Destination to escape to. It's easy to enter, just pick up an entry form from any branch of the Sutherland Library and Information Service, and tell us in 25 words or less why you love to escape to your Favourite Travel Destination. You have the chance to win a book voucher. Your Favourite Travel Destination may be anywhere; in Australia or a far away exotic land, on a desert island, or even just a quiet local spot where you are able to relax and catch up on some reading. The competition is open throughout May starting May 1st, 2012, closing on May 30th, 2012. Do you have more than one favourite travel destination? Just fill in more entry forms*! Enter this competition as often as you like, telling us about all your favourite places to escape.
*Terms and conditions are on entry forms.
Photo credit: Flickr user 'Simon_sees'

Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist, 2012

2012-05-03T16:57:00.002+10:00

The Miles Franklin Literary Awards shortlist for 2012 was announced today at the State Library of New South Wales. Established in 1954, this award celebrates Australian character and creativity and was established to support authors for the advancement, improvement and betterment of Australian Literature.
Five novelists have made the list:

Tony Birch – Blood
Anna Funder – All That I Am
Gillian Mears – Foal’s Bread
Frank Moorhouse – Cold Light
Favel Parrett – Past the Shallows

Best of luck to all the authors. The winner of this prestigious prize will be announced on 20th June, at an event being held at the State Library of Queensland.

National Year of Reading - May theme - Escape!

2012-05-01T09:22:00.000+10:00

The National Year of Reading's May theme is Escape, whether it's escaping into the world of reading, or reading to escape from the world.
Now is the time to sit down and read (or re-read) something you love, something that allows you to escape into another time and place and connect with different characters and settings.
You may like to read about escaping from prison or poverty, or read something that allows you to escape from the mundane of day to day. Read about escaping to a desert island, a dystopian world or a brighter future. Read about escaping reality by visiting exotic lands, or try a biography about a famous person you are unlikely to ever be able to meet.
Escape by re-reading your favourite novels, or find some new favourites. Escape with some reading material that totally captures your attention, blocking out everything else. Read something that is pure escapism...
Create a reading sanctuary that you can escape to, and spend some time there reading; at least ten minutes a day. This month, only get caught reading.

Photo credit: Flickr user Shayan(USA) "Malaekahane State Recreation area"

Feel like reading something new?

2012-04-27T16:55:00.000+10:00

There are lots of great new books to read out this April, each evoking different feelings, whether of anticipation of reading something new by your favourite author, something scary, romantic, thrilling or thought provoking. Whatever kind of books you feel like reading, get in early this month and request one of these best seller new releases from the library!

The beginners goodbye by Anne Tyler
When Dorothy came back from the dead, Aaron noticed that some people simply ignored the fact; some seemed to have forgotten she'd died in the first place; and others just walked straight on by. The accident that killed Dorothy - involving an oak tree, a sun porch and some elusive biscuits - leaves Aaron bereft and the house a wreck.

Betrayal by Danielle Steel
Tallie Jones is happy with life. She's at the top of her career as a hugely successful, renowned movie director, she's in a relationship with a handsome producer and her personal assistant is also her devoted best friend. But Tallie's perfect life comes crumbling down around her when she discovers that her boyfriend's been unfaithful and, worse yet, someone's been stealing from her for years.

Calico Joe by John Grisham

In this novel, the careers of a golden boy rookie hitter for the Cubs and a hard-hitting Mets pitcher take very different paths. The baseball is thrilling, but it is what happens off the field that makes this story a classic.

Guilty wives by James Patterson and David Ellis
"No husbands allowed. Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off of a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential suite overlooks Monte Carlo, and they surrender: to the sun and pool, to the sashimi and sake, to the Bruno Paillard champagne. For four days they're free to live someone else's life. As the weekend moves into pulsating discos, high-stakes casinos, and beyond, Abbie is transported to the greatest pleasure and release she has ever known. What happened last night? In the morning's harsh light, Abbie awakens on a yacht, surrounded by police. Something awful has happened--something impossible, unthinkable. Abbie, Winnie, Serena, and Bryah are arrested and accused of the foulest crime imaginable. And now the vacation of a lifetime becomes the fight of a lifetime--for survival.

The Cove by Ron Rash
The cliff loomed over her and though her eyes were cast downwards she felt its presence. Even inside the cabin she could feel it, as though the cliff's shadow was so dense it soaked through the wood. Nothing but shadow land, her mother had told Laurel, and claimed there wasn't a gloomier place in the whole Blue Ridge.

Lone wolf by Jodi Piccoult

Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara. With her father's chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father's organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision? Lone Wolf explores the notion of family, and the love, protection and strength it's meant to offer. But what if the hope that should sustain it, is the very thing that pulls it apart? Another tour de force from Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf examines the wild and lonely terrain upon which love battles reason.

The lost years by Mary Higgins Clark

When Mariah Lyons calls upon Dr. Richard Callahan, a world-respected biblical scholar, to show him a letter left to her by her late father, a distinguished professor of ancient history, containing a translation from a 2,000-year-old papyrus scroll, he is astonished by the text, then awestruck when she shows him a dusty clay jar and a fragile fragment of papyrus on which he recognizes the name of Jesus, son of Joseph, of the House of David. Mariah has placed in his hands a fragment of a letter in Christ's own writing, and more than that, a pivotal letter in Christ's life. But the rest of the scroll has vanished, and Mariah is aware that somebody else out there has heard of its existence, and is searching for it. Hoping to find some answers to her questions, she visits her father's his ex-mistress Jennie Griffin, who is in prison for having murdered him. Unrepentant and coming up for a parole hearing, Griffin refuses to help her. Mariah, with Dr. Callahan's help, is drawn into the search for the scroll, the very existence of which might change the world - and for which somebody close to her would kill to possess.

The shoemakers wife by Adriana Trigiani
Two star-crossed lovers--Enza and Ciro--meet and separate, until, finally, the power of their love changes both of their lives forever. Set during the years preceding and during World War I.

Stay close by Harlan Coben
Megan is a suburban soccer mom who once upon a time walked on the wild side. Now she's got two kids, a perfect husband, a picket fence, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. Ray used to be a talented documentary photographer, but at age forty he finds himself in a dead - end job posing as a paparazzo pandering to celebrity-obsessed rich kids.

The wind through the keyhole by Stephen King

It is a story within a story, which features both the younger and older gunslinger Roland on his quest to find the Dark Tower.

You can find a comprehensive list of new books at the library each month, on the Library catalogue.

Commonwealth Writers Prize Shortlist, 2012

2012-04-26T10:42:00.000+10:00

Commonwealth Writers has announced the shortlist for 2012. The Commonwealth book prize, awarded for best first book, is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2011. This year there are 19 authors listed, four of whom are Australian:

The Ottoman Motel, Christopher Currie (Australia), The Text Publishing Company
The Vanishing Act, Mette Jakobsen (Australia), The Text Publishing Company
Purple Threads, Jeanine Leane (Australia), University of Queensland Press
Me and Mr Booker, Cory Taylor (Australia), The Text Publishing Company
Have you read any of these titles?

For further information, read the complete press release listing all contenders for the prize.

The regional winners in each of the five regions (Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Carribean and the Pacific) will be announced on 22nd May, 2012, and the overall winners will be announced at Hay Festival, Wales, on 8th June.

Adult stories at lunch time

2012-04-23T13:30:00.001+10:00

Library staff are reading aloud adult stories at lunch time.
How often have you read stories to your children, grandchildren or brothers & sisters and wished someone would do the same for you?

Bring your lunch, settle in, relax and be entertained on the first Wednesday of each month.

Last month Jacinta (Reference Librarian) read a Neil Gaiman story from his collection Smoke and Mirrors. Then Sam from Miranda Branch read The Dangers of Swimming by Jacqueline Winn

Next Wednesday hear Sue from Engadine reading a story which fits into the National Year of Reading theme of Escape.
Wednesday 1pm - 1.45pm, Sutherland Library - Southern Lounge

See you on the 2nd May.

2012 The National Year of Reading

Engadine Library gets a visit from an Easter Bunny

2012-04-19T19:04:00.001+10:00

Patting the Bunny, originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries.

The Easter Bunny, originally uploaded by Sutherland Shire Libraries.

Engadine Library had a special furry visitor during Easter Storytime - Nibbles, the rabbit.

The children enjoyed hearing Easter stories, singing songs and meeting Nibbles before making an Easter basket craft. A good afternoon was had by all!

Remembering ANZAC through Children's Picture Books

2012-04-19T16:02:00.000+10:00

On 25 April 2012, Anzac Day services will be held in cities and towns across Australia. It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. To share in this spirit check out the list below of wonderful picture books which explain beautifully the significance of this important day to primary aged children.

Lone Pine by Susie Brown

Memorial by Gary Crew

Grandad’s medals by Tracy Duncan

My Grandad marches on Anzac Day by Catriona Hay & Benjamin Johnson.

Simpson and his donkey by Mark Greenwood

Lofty’s mission by Krista Bell

M is for mates: animals in war time, Ajex to Zep by Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs in association with the Australian War Memorial

Simpson and Duffy by Mary Small

Only a Donkey by Celeste Walters

Feel-good Fiction

2012-04-16T00:00:00.000+10:00

Continue the celebration of the National Year of Reading's April theme of "Feel" this month by reading some feel-good books! If you are feeling down, don't feel like reading anything dark or depressing, and/or just feel like reading something uplifting, upbeat or positive, try one these books. With some old titles and some new titles to read, these books are not all light and fluffy, but they are all books that will make you feel that the world's not such a bad place!

A room with a view by E. M Forster
The art of racing in the rain by Garth Stein

A town like Alice by Nevil Shute

Cold comfort farm by Stella Gibbons
The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer
The Limpopo Academy of private detection by Alexander McCall Smith.
I've got your number by Sophie Kinsella
Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen
To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee
And if you feel like some feel-good non -fiction, try:
At home: A short history of private life by Bill Bryson, or
Bossypants by Tina Fey.

Tell us about your favourite feel-good fiction and non-fiction reads!
Photo credit:Flicker user Jinx! "Day1-Relaxing"

Life After the Hunger Games

2012-04-12T10:04:00.002+10:00

So you have finished the entire Hunger Games trilogy, but now you’re stuck in a post-Hunger Games depression, craving more dark, dystopian young adult fiction. Maybe you’re even feeling a little embarrassed about this new desire. After all, you’re a high-functioning, stable and successful adult with great hair and a casual but cool wardrobe. Is it normal to want to read about angst-y teens fighting oppressive future-governments while making out with each other? The answer is YES and Sutherland Libraries are here to help. Check out these great reads held by Sutherland Libraries.

Legend by Marie Lu
The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1) by James Dashner
Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth
Matched (Matched, #1) by Ally Condie
The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1) by Patrick Ness
I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies Series #1) by Pittacus Lore
Ender's Game (Ender Wiggin Series #1) by Orson Scott Card
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Series #1) by Claire Cassandra
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow Series #1) by John Marsden
Gone (Gone Series #1) by Michael Grant
The Industry (Industry series #1) by Rose Foster
The Host (The Host, #1) by Stephenie Meyer
Delirium (Delirium, #1) by Lauren Oliver

Feeling guilty about not finishing a book?

2012-04-10T00:00:00.000+10:00

Have you ever felt guilty for starting to read a book...and not finishing it? Have you started a book, then finding it not particularly compelling or enticing, maybe it just wasn't your thing - putting it down (just temporarily of course), and have yet to pick it back up again? Do you feel that you have to finish every book you start, regardless of how much you dread the thought of having to keep reading it? If so, it's time to question this commitment. Life is far to short to finish reading books you are not enjoying, and certainly not long enough to read all those books that you will. So don't waste time on a less than riveting read.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't give the book a fair go. Some books can be slow to engage your interest, but given enough pages, will get you hooked. So how much of a book should you read before you return this book to the library and borrow something else to read?

A well known American librarian, Nancy Pearl, has given this particular dilemma considerable thought, and created the Rule of 50, suggesting 50 pages is enough, even less if you are over fifty years of age! (If you are feeling curious about how the book ends, you can always just read the last few pages of the story and find out). How do you feel about that?

Of course, there are always books which you have to read and finish whether you feel like it or not, those required reads for school, university etc.In this case, try these tips to help you get through these sometimes difficult books.

Read one chapter at a time. This way you have time to absorb what you have read and reflect upon it between chapters.
Set a time and place to read the chapter. find somewhere quiet where you are comfortable, can concentrate, and won't get interrupted.
Set a goal date (you may have one anyway) to finish the book.
Make notes. This makes you engage with the book and concentrate on what is happening. Discuss the story with others,who may also be reading this book.
Whatever you do, don't give up! You will feel, at the very least, relief that you have finished the book.

Who knows, you may even end up feeling that these "required reads" are amongst some of the best books you have ever read.

Photo credit: Flickr user Brenda Starr "Book 8"

National Year of Reading April theme "Feel"

2012-04-02T12:03:00.015+10:00

The month of April has the theme “feel”, meaning that this month is all about emotions and feelings evoked by reading and how you feel about reading. It's the month to read whatever you feel like. The written word in all its forms can be very powerful, causing the reader to feel emotions including love, joy, surprise, anger, fear and sorrow. So read anything and everything, including magazines, newspapers, blog and twitter posts, clues to a crossword, recipes, patterns and of course, books.

No matter how you feel, there is a book in the library to suit your mood. Feel like being scared out of your wits? Try reading a horror story that gives you goose bumps. Don’t ever believe it when you are told the book version is not as scary as the movie. With a book, you have your own imagination to contend with. Did you really just catch a glimpse of a shadow flitting across your window?

Maybe you feel like an adrenaline rush that makes your heart race. Try reading a fast -paced adventure story, pick up an action packed page turner that you just can’t put down, or try a spine tingling, nail biting, edge of your seat thriller.

Do you feel like a challenge? Try an epic saga, or start the first book in a new series.
Read a mystery and solve the puzzle of who dunnit. The outcome may surprise or shock you, or you may feel a sense of satisfaction that you picked the culprit before the end of the story.

Are you feeling warm and fuzzy? Curl up with a good romance novel that tugs at your heartstrings. Read about a beautiful heroine being swept off her feet by her knight in shining armour, knowing in the back of your mind that despite the fact that the road to true love is never smooth, there will a happy ending.

Feel can also refer to the tactile, this being the month to learn new crafts. Read all about book folding or make a book sculpture. Why not learn to knit or find a pattern and crochet some tea cosies.

What kind of books do you like to read and how do they make you feel? Tell us on the Library Facebook page!

Photo credit: flickr user John Mallon Iphoneography "Enjoying the paper"

Palmistry Sessions at Engadine Library Cancelled Today

2012-04-02T09:14:00.001+10:00

We've just been informed that Palmist Rosemary Dawson will be unable to make it to Engadine library today - unfortunately she is unwell.

We apologise to anyone who was planning to go along to today's session. The next 'Feel' session will be on Monday, April 16 with free head & neck massages.

Miles Franklin Literary Award: 2012 Long List announced

2012-03-28T16:05:00.005+11:00

The Miles Franklin Literary Award, 2012 Long List has been announced, with seven of the thirteen contenders being women. This is noteworthy, as no women have appeared on this list in two of the past three years. To win this prestigous prize, the winning author "must present Australian life in any of its phases". Best of luck to each of the authors listed below.

Blood by Tony Birch
The spirit of Progress by Steven Carroll
Spirit house by Mark Dapin
The precipice by Virginia Duigan
All that I am by Anne Funder
Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville
Five Bells by Gail Jones
Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears
Autumn Laing by Alex Miller
Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse
Past the shallows by Favel Parret
The street sweeper by Elliot Perlman
Animal people by Charlotte Wood

The short list will be released in April, and the winner announced in June 2012.
Each of these books are available in the library, so why not read some of the nominated titles, and tell us about your favourites.

Lunch Time Read Aloud for Adults

2012-03-23T15:50:00.016+11:00

How often have you read stories to your children, grandchildren or brothers & sisters and wished someone would do the same for you?

In celebration of the National Year of Reading, library staff are reading aloud adult stories at lunch time.So bring your lunch, settle in, relax and be entertained on the first Wednesday of each month.

Last month Dianne (from Interlibrary Loans) read several shorter stories, mostly from Australian collections.

Bag Limit - a short, sharp story about duck hunters and ghostly spirits AND The Rock Lobster Club - a young man is dismissive of his father's safe, boring life as a newsagent in the suburbs. He moves to the city and tries life in the fast lane. He comes unstuck when trying to be cooler than he is. Both from the collection Under Stones by Bob Franklin.

The Rip by Robert Drewe. A dad and his estranged daughter stroll along a beach the morning after a shark attack. At the expense of his fragile relationship with his daughter he goes into the water to help a woman who falls in a rip.

Melinda read a funny poem so you could have a laugh and shift around in your chairs.
Camel College by Matthew Crompton. A man travelling in India despises the country, but comes to understand and love it after a tour guide explains his Camel College philosophy. From The best travel writing 2011.

How I met my daughter / Max Barry from the Herding Kites collection. A couple have fertility problems and follow a prescribed pattern in an attempt to fall pregnant. When their daughter eventually arrives, dad feels shut out. Tragedy strikes, and the dad has to learn to look after his daughter whilst his wife is in hospital. Can he manage a close relationshipwith both his wife and his daughter - or only one or the other?

At an extra read aloud which was scheduled in celebration of Seniors Week Melinda (our Children's Librarian) read A Man for All Seasons. An Australian Story about rugby league coach Wayne Bennett. Followed by a clever poem, The Death of Reading by crime writer Jeffrey Deaver. Then a good murder story - Lamb to the slaughter by Roald Dahl.

On the 4 April starting at 1pm, come along and hear Jacinta, our Reference Librarian read her selection.

Throughout this year, on the first Wednesday of the month, bring your lunch and listen to a variety of library staff read their favourites.

Wednesdays 1pm - 1.45pm, Sutherland Library - Southern Lounge

See you on the 4th April.

2012 The National Year of Reading

Do you think you've got no time to read? Think again!

2012-03-19T15:55:00.011+11:00

So you think you don’t have time to read? Think again!
Here's a short list of tips to get you thinking about how you can get reading:

• Just do it.
Pick up a newspaper or a magazine. Read a twitter post or a recipe. Keep reading this blog (it's short). Whatever you read, for however long you read it, whether it's a couple of minutes or a couple of hours, it all counts as reading.

• Swap something else for reading.
Read instead of watching TV, or swap surfing the net for reading an e-book. (You can download them free from the library via Overdrive).

• Read one page a time.
You don’t have to read a lot, just a little bit at a time. Try reading an article, or even one or two pages of a book. Those couple of pages may be all it takes to get you hooked on a book.

• Keep it short.
Read a short story, or a short book. Try one of the less-than-200 page Quick Reads, a collection of novellas by well-known authors available from the library.

• Just ten minutes a day.
Aim to read for ten minutes a day. Early in the morning, at morning tea, afternoon tea or lunch time, in the bath or before bed.

• Seize the moment.
Take a book, or an e-reader (loaded up with those books you’ve been wanting to read) with you everywhere, to give yourself more opportunities to read.

• Listen.
Download an audio book onto your ipod and listen while you exercise, cook or garden. Try listening to a CD audio book as you drive.

• Learn to speed read.
Read more in less time!

• Read about what you love.
Reading the genres and topics that interest you, means you’re more likely to keep reading it –and to finish it.

• Read to someone.
Take the time to read a bedtime story to a child. A great way to spend some quality time together and create a reading habit; a gift that can last a lifetime.
Would you like to be read to? Come along to Adult Storytime at Sutherland Library (bring your lunch), the first Wednesday of each month from 1.00pm. Listen as library staff read short stories to you during your lunch break.

photocredit: Flickr user Moriza "On the platform reading"

New System Software for the Library

2012-03-16T16:54:00.001+11:00

Improvements to the library catalogue are on their way towards the middle of the year.

Over the past 12-18 months or so Sutherland Shire Libraries Have been working towards replacing the software that we use to manage our collection and borrower information, our Integrated Library System (ILS).

The selection phase is now complete We have selected a vendor and we are now into the implementation phase. Over the next 3 or 4 months we will be setting up the new ILS, to be ready to change hopefully towards the end of June or start of July.

For the most part, library users will not notice any changes. We are endeavouring to make the change over as seamless as possible. Loan periods will remain the same, for instance, and the change to our system will not generally change the way we provide our service to you.

Where you will notice the change, however, is when you interact with the library through the catalogue and related online services. If you search for books or other materials online, once we've changed over you will be using a completely new online library catalogue. We're excited about the improvements coming to the catalogue. While we know that some people find it difficult when we make changes like this, we hope that once you get used to the new interface you will agree that the changes are worthwhile.

Some of the improvements that are coming include:

A simpler, more Google like search.
An improved discovery experience making serendipitous discoveries more likely.
Improved visibility and access to alternative online resources - newspaper and magazine articles, online books, etc.
Opt-in borrower history - elect to have the library store a list of books/items you borrow.

It's still very early in the set up phase so we don't really have a working example that we can show you yet. Hopefully before we make the switch we'll be able to give you a chance to try the new catalogue out. The software we'll be using is being widely used. You can get a feel for what it's like at these libraries:

Five questions in five minutes with Mark Dapin

2012-03-14T15:37:00.009+11:00

Mark Dapin, popular newspaper columnist and successful Australian author, answers five questions in five minutes...

What are you reading right now, and are you enjoying it?

I'm reading Tunnel Rats by Jimmy Thomson and Sandy McGregor. It's a book about Australian engineers in the Vietnam War. I'm actually in Vietnam with Jimmy and Sandy as I answer these questions.

Could you tell us a bit about your favourite book?

My favourite book is probably Money by Martin Amis. I read it in my twenties, and it helped me understand what was wrong with my life. My joint-favouite book, Graham Greene's The Quiet American, still helps people understand what was wrong in Vietnam.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I write, I train at the gym, I go to the pub, and I look at my children at marvel at how beautiful they are. That's my whole life, really.

Whats next for Mark Dapin?(could you give us a clue about your next book...)

I don't know what I'm going to do next. Newspapers, magazines and book publishing all seem to be in perpetual crisis. Maybe I'll become a pole-dancer.

If you could have dinner with two famous people, who would they be, and why?

I wouldn't really want to have dinner with anyone famous. It'd be too much like work.

Mark Dapin will be presenting an author talk/book signing at Sutherland Library, on Tuesday, 20th March, at 6.30pm. Copies of his books including his latest novel "Spirit House" will be available for purchase on the night, courtesy of Berkelouw Books.

You are welcome to join us for this event, bookings are essential. You can book online, or call the Library on 9710 0351.

Philosophical Fiction

2012-03-12T17:14:00.015+11:00

Are you looking for something to read that makes you think? Books that make you reflect upon the ideas and different perspectives presented, and often pose interesting questions to ponder upon? If so, try some philosophical fiction.

This has been defined by Wikipedia as:

"works of fiction in which a significant proportion of the work is devoted to a discussion of the sorts of questions normally addressed in discursive philosophy. These might include the function and role of society, the purpose of life, ethics or morals, the role of art in human lives, and the role of experience or reason in the development of knowledge...The modus operandi seems to be to use a normal story to simply explain difficult and/or dark parts of human life".

Not only are the books listed below entertaining, they also provide some thought provoking ideas. Do you agree, or have any other suggestions to add to the list? Feel free to tell us what you think about these books, in the comments.

The Alchemist by Paul Coelho

Atlas shrugged by Ayn Rand

Brave new world by Aldous Huxley

Candide: or optimism by Voltaire

Cats cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

Crime and punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry

Gullivers travels by Jonathan Swift

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Sophie's world: a novel about the history of philosophy by Jostein Gaarder

Steppenwolf (electronic resource) by Hermann Hesse

Stranger in a strange land by Robert Heinlein

War and peace by Leo Tolstoy

Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

Maybe you've read some (maybe even all) of these - what did you think?

Photo credit: "Spiral staircase, philosophical reading- room" by flickr user Curious Expeditions'

Quilting Demonstration at Caringbah Library

2012-03-12T15:34:00.002+11:00

Quilting & Patchwork Demonstration

When:Start: 9:30am, 14 Mar 2012
Finish: 11:30am, 14 Mar 2012

Where:Caringbah Library
376-378 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah NSW

Cost:Free

The Southern Quilters Finishing School will give a Demonstration of Patchwork and Quilting at Caringbah Library.

Light refreshments will be provided for attendees.

Please call Cheryl Nelson for further information on 0417 049 275 or 9525 8598.

International Womens Day, 2012

2012-03-08T11:13:00.015+11:00

International Womens Day is being celebrated today, 8 March, 2012! This is the perfect day (particularly with the weather being inclement) to curl up and start reading some great fiction by Australia women writers. Its also a great opportunity to participate in The Australian women writers 2012 challenge, by reading and reviewing books written by Australian women. This challenge is running throughout the National Year of Reading, from 1st January-31 December 2012. Whatever you read whether it's romance, fantasy, crime, biographies, non-fiction all of these, you're invited to participate.

To get you started, here is a list of recently published contemporary Australian women writers.

Belinda Alexandra

Diane Armstrong

Larissa Behrendt

Jesse Blackadder

Dianne Blacklock

Geraldine Brooks

Jaye Forde

Nikki Gemmell

Kerry Greenwood

Kate Grenville

Lisa Heidke

Katherine Howell

Wendy James

Maggie Joel

Fleur McDonald

Nicola Moriarty

Judy Nunn

Fiona Palmer

Bronwyn Parry

Lisa Walker

This list is by no means exhaustive, so why not tell us some of your favourite Australian women writers?

New Online Reference Books @ your Library

2012-03-05T17:15:00.000+11:00

One of the problems that libraries and their users perennially face is that of availability, especially when it comes to reference material - those books that are used for looking up information for assignments and the like.

You know the problem - when you come to the library for some information, only to find that all the books have been lent out. To combat that problem libraries have traditionally restricted many of the the most useful title to their reference collections. They are always available in the library because they are not for loan but that's not always all that helpful, as you want to take them home to read.

In more recent times, however, we have been allocating more of our reference collection budget to digital books. These are electronic versions of reference books made available online via our website to Sutherland Shire Library members.

These electronic versions contain all the same content as the original print versions but with the advantages of being available to many users at the same time.

In addition to the regular index ordinarily found in the back of the book, you can also search these books by keyword . Indeed, you can often keyword search across all the online reference books in a collection, so you don't even need to decide which book to start with.

To give you an idea of the scope of the library's online reference collection you can see below the title list for one of our collections - the Gale Virtual Reference Library.

You can login to the Gale Virtual Reference Library and try it out! (enter your library card number)

You can see all the online reference books and encyclopedias in our collection on our website.
> Explore more Encyclopedias and Reference Books on the library website

Gale Virtual Reference Library Title List

The 100 Most Important Chemical Compounds: A Reference Guide, 2007
21st Century Communication: A Reference Handbook, 2v, 2009
21st Century Criminology: A Reference Handbook, 2v, 2009
21st Century Political Science: A Reference Handbook, 2v, 2011
Addiction: A Reference Encyclopedia, 2010
Air Pollution, 2011
Alternative Energy, 2010
Animal and Plant Anatomy, 11v, 2007
Animal Rights, 2011
Animal Sciences, 4v, 2002
Animal Welfare, 2011
Anxiety Disorders, 2010
Aptitude, Personality and Motivation Tests: Analyse your talents and personality and plan your career, 3rd ed., 2009
Architecture of Italy, 2008
Are Video Games Harmful?, 2011
Armstrong's Handbook of Reward Management Practice: Improving Performance Through Reward, 3rd ed., 2010
Art and Architecture of the World's Religions, 2v, 2009
Artificial Intelligence, 2011
Asperger Syndrome, 2011
The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 2011
Autism, 2009
Back Roads Australia, 2010
Baseball, 2011
Basketball, 2011
Biology, 4v, 2002
Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, 2nd ed., 1999
Cambridge Dictionary of Scientists, 2nd ed., 2002
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development, 2006
Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine, 2nd ed., 2007
Career, aptitude and selection tests: Match your IQ, personality and abilities to your ideal career, 3rd ed., 2009
Censorship, 2010
Censorship in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, 2011
Cerebral Palsy, 2011
Chemical Elements, 2nd ed., 3v, 2010
Child Abuse, 2011
Child Labor, 2009
China Emerging: 1978-2008, 2009
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2012
Class Conflict in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, 2011
Climate Change, 2009
The Cold War, 3v, 2011
Commonsense Direct & Digital Marketing, 5th ed., 2007
Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, 27v, 2008
The Concise Encyclopedia of World War II, 2v, 2010
Cultural Identity and New Communication Technologies: Political, Ethnic and Ideological Implications, 2011
Culture and Customs of Croatia, 2011
Culture and Customs of Sweden, 2010
Culture and Customs of the Hmong, 2010
Daily Life through World History in Primary Documents, 3v, 2009
Deafness and Hearing Impairment, 2010
The Death Penalty, 2011
Discrimination, 2011
DIY Programming and Book Displays: How to Stretch Your Programming without Stretching Your Budget and Staff, 2010
Drugs, 2009
Electric Cars, 2012
The Elements of Library Research: What Every Student Needs to Know, 2008
Encyclopedia of Body Adornment, 2007
Encyclopedia of Depression, 2v, 2010
Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues, Rev. ed., 4v, 2011
Encyclopedia of Evolution, 2v, 2002
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture, 3v, 2003
Encyclopedia of Pestilence, Pandemics, and Plagues, 2v, 2008
Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine, 4v, 2011
The Encyclopedia of the Cold War: A Political, Social, and Military History, 5v, 2007
Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 2nd ed., 2007
Endangered Species, 2012
Energy Alternatives, 2011
Environmental Encyclopedia, 4th ed., 2v, 2011
Eritrea, 2011
The Essential Guide to Workplace Mediation & Conflict Resolution: Rebuilding Working Relationships, 2008
Ethiopia, 2011
The Evolution Wars: A Guide to the Debates, 2nd ed., 2008
Family Garden, 1st American ed., 2008
Famine, 2009
Female Action Heroes: A Guide to Women in Comics, Video Games, Film, and Television, 2010
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, 2011
First Encounters: Native Voices on the Coming of the Europeans, 2010
Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Beliefs, Customs, Tales, Music, and Art, 2nd ed., 3v, 2011
Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia, 4v, 2011
Food Safety, 2012
Food-Borne Diseases, 2011
Food: In Context, 2v, 2011
Fresh Flower Arranging, 1st American ed., 2011
The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Infancy through Adolescence, 2nd ed., 4v, 2011
The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, 3rd ed., 2v, 2010
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 4th ed., 6v, 2011
Garbage and Recycling, 2011
Gay Marriage, 2010
Gender in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, 2011
Genetic Engineering, 2012
Genocide in Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, 2012
Genocide: A Reference Handbook, 2011
The Global Financial Crisis, 2010
Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook, 2010
Global Positioning Systems, 2011
Global Refugee Crisis: A Reference Handbook, 2nd ed., 2010
Global Warming, 2010
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Global Medieval Life and Culture, 3v, 2009
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Homes through World History, 3v, 2009
The Greenwood Library of World Folktales: Stories from the Great Collections, 4v, 2008
Grow Vegetables, 2008
The Handbook of Project Management, Rev. 2nd ed.: A Practical Guide to Effective Policies, Techniques and Processes, 2007
Hepatitis, 2010
Historical Dictionary of Australian Radio and Television, 2007
The History of Pakistan, 2008
The History of the Philippines, 2008
The History of Ukraine, 2008
History of World War I, 3v, 2002
History of World War II, 3v, 2005
Holidays Symbols and Customs, 4th ed., 2008
The Holocaust, 2011
Homosexuality, 2011
Hot Spot: Sub-Saharan Africa, 2010
How to Deal with Stress, 2nd ed., 2010
How to Motivate People, 2nd ed., 2010
How to Pass Advanced Aptitude Tests: Assess Your Potential and Analyse Your Career Options with Graduate and Managerial Level Psychometric Tests, Rev. ed., 2008
How to Pass Advanced Verbal Reasoning Tests, 2008
How to Prepare a Business Plan, 5th ed., 2008
How to Sell Yourself, 2010
How to Write a Business Plan, 3rd ed., 2010
How to Write Reports and Proposals, Rev. 2nd ed., 2010
How to Write Your Will: The complete guide to structuring your will, inheritance tax planning, probate and administering an estate, 19th ed., 2009
Human Origins 101, 2007
Human Rights, 2011
Ice Hockey, 2011
Immigration, 2009
Imprisonment, 2010
Improve your Communication Skills, Rev. 2nd ed., 2010
Indigenous Peoples, 2009
Influenza, 2011
The Innovation Handbook: How to Profit from Your Ideas, Intellectual Property, and Market Knowledge, 2nd ed., 2010
Inventors & Inventions, 4v, 2010
iPod® and MP3 Players, 2011
Lung Cancer, 2011
Lupus, 2010
Marijuana, 2012
Marriage, 2009
Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, 2v, 2010
Media Bias, 2011
Medical Ethics, 2011
Meningitis, 2010
Migraines, 2011
Modern Piracy: A Reference Handbook, 2011
Muscular Dystrophy, 2012
Nanotechnology 101, 2007
Nelson Mandela: A Biography, 2008
New Catholic Encyclopedia Supplement 2010, 2v, 2010
New Catholic Encyclopedia Supplement 2011, 2v, 2011
Oceans, 2011
Online Social Networks, 2010
Organise Yourself, 3rd ed., 2010
Paranormal Phenomena, 2012
The Persian Gulf War, 2011
Pop Art and the Origins of Post-Modernism, 2001
Population Growth, 2009
Preparing the perfect job application: Application forms and letters made easy, 5th ed., 2009
The Princeton Companion to Mathematics, 2008
The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs, 2010
Psychometrics in Coaching: Using Psychological and Psychometric Tools for Development, 2008
Public Relations Strategy, 2nd ed., 2007
Qualitative Research: Good decision making through understanding people, cultures and markets, 2009
Race in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, 2012
Raising Parents: Attachment, Parenting and Child Safety, 2008
Readymade CV's: Winning CVs for Every Type of Job, 4th ed., 2009
Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes: Step-by-Step Activities for Discovery, 2007
Religion, 2010
Renewable Energy: Sources and Methods, 2010
Robots, 2010
The Rough Guide to Amsterdam, 10th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Andalucía, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Argentina, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Austria, 4th ed., 2008
The Rough Guide to Barcelona, 8th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Beijing, 4th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Belgium and Luxembourg, 5th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Belize, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Berlin, 9th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Bolivia, 2nd ed., 2008
The Rough Guide to Boston, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Britain, 7th ed., 2008
The Rough Guide to Brussels, 4th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to California, 10th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Cambodia, 4th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Canada, 7th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget, 2009
The Rough Guide to Chile, 4th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to China, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Copenhagen, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Corsica, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Crete, 8th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Cuba, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Cyprus, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Denmark, 2nd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Dubai, 2010
The Rough Guide to England, 9th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania, 3rd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Finland, 2010
The Rough Guide to First-Time Africa, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Florence and the best of Tuscany, 2009
The Rough Guide to Florida, 8th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to France, 12th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Genes & Cloning, 2007
The Rough Guide to Germany, 2009
The Rough Guide to Goa, 8th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Guatemala, 4th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Guitar, 2011
The Rough Guide to Hawaii, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Hungary, 7th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Iceland, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to India, 8th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Ireland, 10th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Istanbul, 2009
The Rough Guide to Italy, 10th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Japan, 5th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Jerusalem, 2nd ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Jordan, 4th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Kenya, 9th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Kerala, 2nd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Languedoc and Roussillon, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Laos, 4th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Las Vegas, 2011
The Rough Guide to Los Angeles & Southern California, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Mallorca and Menorca, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Mexico, 8th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Montenegro, 2009
The Rough Guide to Morocco, 9th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Moscow, 5th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Naples & the Amalfi Coast, 2009
The Rough Guide to Nepal, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to New England, 5th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to New Orleans, 2010
The Rough Guide to New York City, 12th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to New Zealand, 7th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Nirvana, 2009
The Rough Guide to Panama, 2010
The Rough Guide to Peru, 7th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Portugal, 13th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Prague, 8th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Provence & the Côte d'Azur, 7th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Puerto Rico, 2008
The Rough Guide to Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra, 2nd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Rio de Janeiro, 2009
The Rough Guide to Romania, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Rome, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to San Francisco & the Bay Area, 8th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Sardinia, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Scotland, 9th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Seoul, 2011
The Rough Guide to Shakespeare, 2009
The Rough Guide to Shanghai, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Sicily, 8th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Slovenia, 3rd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget, 2nd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Southwest USA, 5th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Spain, 13th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka, 3rd ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Sweden, 5th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Switzerland, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Sydney, 5th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Taiwan, 2nd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to The Cotswolds, 2011
The Rough Guide to The Czech Republic, 2009
The Rough Guide to The Dominican Republic, 4th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to The Dordogne and the Lot, 3rd ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to The Grand Canyon, 3rd ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to the Italian Lakes, 2nd ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to The Lake District, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to The Netherlands, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to The Universe, 2nd ed., 2008
The Rough Guide to the USA, 10th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Tokyo, 5th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Travel Survival: The Essential Field Manual, 2005
The Rough Guide to Trinidad & Tobago, 5th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Tunisia, 8th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Turkey, 7th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Tuscany & Umbria, 7th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Vancouver, 4th ed., 2010
The Rough Guide to Vienna, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Vietnam, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Wales, 6th ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Walks in London & Southeast England, 2nd ed., 2009
The Rough Guide to Washington, DC, 6th ed., 2011
The Rough Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, 2011
The Rough Guide to Yorkshire, 2011
The Rough Guide to Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, 4th ed., 2011
Same-Sex Marriage: A Reference Handbook, 2010
Schizophrenia, 2011
Science and Technology in Modern European Life, 2008
Scientific Exploration and Expeditions: From the Age of Discovery to the Twenty-First Century, 2v, 2010
Seas and Waterways of the World: An Encyclopedia of History, Uses, and Issues, 2v, 2010
Slavery, 2009
Smoking, 2011
Snowboarding, 2011
Soccer, 2011
Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia, 2v, 2010
Space Research, 2011
Story Behind the Protest Song: A Reference Guide to the 50 Songs That Changed the 20th Century, 2008
Succeed at IQ Tests: Improve your Numerical, Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Skills, 2008
Successful interview skills: How to prepare, answer tough questions and get your ideal job, 5th ed., 2009
Successful Time Management, Rev. 2nd ed., 2010
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2012
Suicide, 2012
Swimming, 2011
Teaching with Books That Heal: Authentic Literature and Literacy Strategies to Help Children Cope with Everyday Problems, 2007
Television, 2011
Torture, 2011
Ultimate Adventures: A Rough Guide to Adventure Travel, 2008
The Ultimate IQ Test Book, 2007
Vaccines, 2012
Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, 10th ed., 3v, 2008
Video Games, 2011
VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever, 2012 ed., 2011
Virtual Social Identity and Consumer Behavior, 2009
The War in Iraq, 2009
War in John Knowles's A Separate Peace, 2011
War in Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, 2011
Web 2.0, 2011
Women's Issues in Alice Walker's The Color Purple, 2011
Women's Issues in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, 2012
World Folklore for Storytellers: Tales of Wonder, Wisdom, Fools, and Heroes, 2009
Yoga Wisdom & Practice, 1st American ed., 2009
Youth Culture and Net Culture: Online Social Practices, 2011

Read and Think

2012-03-02T14:39:00.014+11:00

The National Year of Reading theme for March is Think. This month is the time to think about what you are reading, and consider reading something that makes you think, whether its laterally-outside the box, critically, creatively or constructively.

Here are some books that make you think.
Fiction
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Lone wolf by Jodi Piccoult
Brave new world by Aldous Huxley
The alchemist by Paul Coelho
The 19th wife by David Ebershoff
We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
The da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
The handmaids tale by Margaret Atwood
The shack by William P. Young
Non Fiction
Dr Karl's brain food by Karl Kruszelnicki
How is the internet changing the way you think by John Brockman
30 second philosophies: The 50 most thought provoking philosophies each explained in half a minute edited by Barry Loewer
The LEGO idea book: you can build anything by Daniel Lipkowitz
The end of money: From cellphones to superdollars, a globetrotting search for the future of cash by David Wolman.

What do you think of these books? Tell us what else you've read that's made you think.

Photo credit: "Globe" by Flickr user carrotmadman6

The Art of Kathy Curtiss at Sutherland Library

2012-02-22T09:00:00.001+11:00

The featured artist at Sutherland Library for April and March is Kathy Curtiss.
Kathy spent many years drawing and painting as a hobby but eventually formalised her passion by completing an Art Certificate at TAFE followed by a Post Painting Certificate at Sydney Art School.
More recently Kathy has begun a water colour and Life Drawing classes at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre.

A collection of Kathy's works can be viewed in the lounge area of Sutherland Library during March and April or on flickr.

"Our Story" winners

2012-02-16T23:01:00.005+11:00

The winners of the "Our Story" competition to find the eight books that together represent life in Australia in each of the States and Territories, have been announced. With a total of more than 16,000 entries submitted both online and in libraries everywhere, the winners are as follows:

NSW Idea of home by John Hughes

ACT Smoke and mirrors by Kel Robertson

NT Listening to country by Ros Moriarty

QLD The white earth by Andrew McGahan

TAS Wanting by Richard Flanagan

VIC Well done those men by Barry Heard

WA Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

Congratulations to all the winners.

Who's your favourite Super Hero?

2012-02-09T15:46:00.035+11:00

If you had the chance to be a Super Hero for a day, who would you be?

There are so many great Super Heroes to chooose from. They often have extraordinary super powers, awesome skills and/or hi-tech equipment that enables them to save the world from the nefarious schemes being hatched by a rogue gallery of villains.

If you are looking for inspiration about which Super Hero you would like to be, or if you just want to read more about them, try a graphic novel. Do you you think you've grown out of comic books and graphic novels? Think again. They are not just for kids and teens. Graphic novels an entertaining and fun way to read, combining action stories of the fight against evil with amazing visual graphics. They are also a really great way to discover, or rediscover more about the adventures of a vast array of Super Heroes.
Here is a list of some graphic novels featuring popular Super Heroes that may inspire you.
Superman: Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow The epitome of a superhero, from his endearing mild mannered alter ego Clark Kent, to his incredible superpowers, x-vision and ability to fly...no wonder Superman is such an enduring Super Hero icon.
Amazing Spider-Man : the deadly foes of Spider-Man. A.k.a Spidey, the web slinger has won over a legion of fans with his trademark oneliners. Watch out for his latest movie , due out July.
Wolverine. The best there is : Contagion . Often appearing along side the other X-men, this mutant with three retractable claws and a healing factor is also a movie star. His catchphrase is "I'm the best there is at what I do, but what I do best isn't very nice."
Essential Hulk.The rampaging Hulk ; Volume 1 . Inspired by both Frankenstein and Dr Heykell and Mr Hyde, Super Hero The Incredible Hulk is both a monster and a good guy. Just don't make him mad.
Blackest night. Green Lantern Corps Green Lantern, protector of the Earth(sector 2814) is a member of the intergalatic police force known as the Green Lantern corps. Green Lantern wears a Power ring that bestows him with extraordinary abilities so he is better able to protect the Earth.
Catwoman: The long road home Considered by some to be a villian, Catwoman is a sophisticated and vengeful woman who takes matters into her own hands and stands up for societies outcasts. Her relationship with Batman? Its complicated.
Wonder Woman : Who is Wonder Woman? A warrior princess of the Amazons, she has superhuman strength, super stamina and super agility, as well as a magic lasso, tiara and a pair of indestructible bracelets to help her in her quest fighting against super villians.
Batman and Robin. Batman reborn The caped crusader and his sidekick, "The Boy Wonder" continue to be among the most popular and well known of the super heroes. Batman may have no superpowers, but he is intellectually gifted, physically fit, has numerous hi-tech gadgets and the Batmobile to help defeat his enemies in Gotham city.
Iron Man. War of the Iron Men A member of the Avengers, Iron Man gets his name from the powered suit of armor created by his alter ego billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer, Tony Stark.
Fantastic Four visionaries. Vol 1. This family of Super Heroes consists of Mr Fantastic, The invisible woman, The Human Torch, and Thing. They each have unique powers and abilities, and do not conceal their true identities, enjoying basking in the limelight of superherodom.
Daredevil. The man withour fear His name says it all. Although blind, his other four senses are developed to super human levels, so that few realise he cannot see.

Who is your favourite Super Hero? Still can't decide? Try this quiz.

This Sunday, 12th February at Cronulla Plaza, you are invited to take an opportunity to dress up as your favourite Super Hero and be part of a world record attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed up as Super Heroes.
You can find out more about this charity event at Day of Heroes .
Photo credit: Flickr user Joelk75 "find the fatal five!"From "Adventure Comics" #352, January 1967.

Sutherland Library Open Day February 14th

2012-02-08T11:12:00.002+11:00

Some may call it Valentine's Day - we call it Library Lovers Day!

On Tuesday, February 14th Librarians will be extra busy at Sutherland library celebrating their love of the library with an Open Day, highlighting the huge range of resources libraries provide the public.

Your library is not just a place to borrow books. Of course there is that, but did you also know you can download music from your library for free - yours to keep forever?! You can also learn a language online (croon to your loved one in Italian on Valentine's Day) or borrow an eBook to read on that new e-reader you got for Christmas.

Sutherland Library will be opening its doors even wider with info booths manned by staff eager to talk to you about the different and varied things you can borrow/browse/attend and keep - all from Shire Libraries. There will be library tours, a visit from Bookatoo and goody bags for everyone; we may even add a touch of Valentine's Day just to show our love!

Did we mention there will be childrens' authors and singers Margaret Bradford and Janet Selby launching their newest book and CD in the morning? Kids are welcome to sing along! Or that Magician Jackson Aces will be roving about in the afternoon, showing off tricks (some of which he may have learnt in a library book)!

There's a drop-in drawing workshop for kids with local artist Trevor from 4.30pm and a free lunch time sausage sizzle that everyone is welcome to enjoy. Bring the kids and they can get their faces painted for free!

With 2012 being the National Year of Reading, Library staff are excited about the coming events and playing their part in encouraging people to read. Start your reading habit at the Sutherland Library Open Day, Tuesday February 14th from 9am. See you there!

Adult Summer Reading Club

2012-02-07T12:51:00.016+11:00

The first annual Adult Summer Reading Club has come to an end. There has been a lot of reading going on in the Shire over Summer, with a grand total of 1225 entries in the competition over the eight weeks it was run.

The winners of the final 3 weekly prizes were:

Week 6 Winner ( 20/01/2012): Brian from Caringbah, who read "Online investing on the Australian Sharemarket" by Roger Kinsky, rating it 5 stars.

Week 7 Winner ( 27/01/2012): Judith from Sutherland, who read the mystery "The cold light of mourning" rating it 4 stars.

Week 8 Winner(3/02/20120: Fiona from Caringbah, who read "Tiger men" by Judy Nunn, rating it 3 stars.

The Grand Prize of an E-Reader was won by Lynn from Sylvania, who read "The price of love" by Peter Robinson, 4 rating it stars.

Congratulations to all our winners, and thankyou to all readers who participated.

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens!

2012-02-07T09:10:00.011+11:00

2012 is not only The National Year of Reading, it is also Charles Dickens' 200th Anniversary.

Dickens is one of the world's best known and well-loved authors. His work transcends time, inspiring film, stage and television adaptations of his work.

Commemorate this very special year by reading, or re-reading one his timeless novels. Here are some of our favourites:

Bleak house

A Christmas Carol

David Copperfield

Great Expectations Watch out for the latest movie adaptation, coming out in 2012.

Hard Times

The Life and Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit

The Life and Adventures Nicholas Nickleby

Little Dorrit

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Old Curiosity Shop

Oliver Twist; or The parish boys progress The film and musical "Oliver!" and the television series "Oliver Twist" were based on this book.

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club Dickens humourous novel is particulary appropriate to read this February, as this month's theme for the National Year of Reading is Laugh!

The Tale of Two Cities

Tell us about your favourite Dickens novel.

Looking for a laugh?

2012-02-03T16:36:00.027+11:00

The National Year of Reading theme for February is laugh. So this month read something that makes you giggle, guffaw, snicker, chuckle, chortle or at least smile! Here are some reading suggestions that may tickle your funny bone!

Roseannearchy: dispatches from the nut farm by Roseanne Barr
Educating Jack: The alternative school logbook 1982-1983 by Jack Sheffield
Unusual uses for olive oil by Alexander McCall Smith
Snuff by Terry Pratchett (39th book in the Discworld series)
How I became a famous novelist by Steve Hely
Socks are not enough by Mark Lowery
The old romantic by Louise Dean
Life, liberty and the pursuit of sausages by Tom Holt
To fetch a thief by Spencer Quinn
Worth by Jon Canter
Explosive eighteen by Janet Evanovich

Photo credit: "Strange loop" by Flickr user CarbonNYC

Photo credit: "Strange Loop?" by Flickr user Carbon NYC

Kenneth B Harrison Drawings at Sutherland Library

2012-02-01T16:03:00.006+11:00

Sutherland Shire artist, Kenneth B Harrison has an exhibition of some of his artworks at Sutherland Library, during the month of February.

Works on display include line drawings of Aboriginal activist Patrick Dodson, cricket legend Glenn McGrath and other famous people. There are also two watercolour paintings, one of Cathy Freeman and a bright painting called Bird in Paradise.

Kenneth's works are on display in the rear lounge area of Sutherland Library until the end of February.

How do you decide between a 1001 books?

2012-01-30T18:23:00.001+11:00

The National Year of Reading's January theme "Amazing Reads" is nearly over, but this doesn't mean you have to stop reading amazing books! Next time you are in the library looking for an Amazing Read, what could be more amazing than a book that has made it into the "1001 books you must read before you die" collection?

The 1001 books collection includes many well known titles, some being those books that you may feel you really should read...one day. These are classic books that transcend time, each with something to offer the reader-they are all definitely worth reading!
With so many amazing books to choose from in this great collection , how do you decide what to read? Here are some suggestions:
You can google it, or ask a well read friend.
Some people use the alphabetical system, starting at A and working through the collection to Z, or vice-versa.
Others browse the shelves of this collection, serendipitously encountering titles that look vaguely familiar, books they have always planned to read.
Still others do judge a book by its cover, or by the number of pages. (Are you up to the challenge of an epic saga)?
A really great way to read this collection is one used by library staff. As you know, library professionals celebrate everything and anything. So we suggest you try reading a book (or two) each month, in the month of an authors birthday.

To get you started, here’s a list of authors birthdays for every month of the year. Reading one or two books a month will provide you with between 50-100 years of reading celebration!

January: J.R.R Tolkien (3rd), E L. Doctorow, (6th) Edgar Allan Poe (9th), Nevil Shute (17th)
February: James Joyce(2nd), Jules Verne (8th), John Steinbeck (27th), Charles Dickens (7th) (its also Dickens 200th Anniversary this year, so read, or re-read, two of his works and make it a double celebration).
March: Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( 6th) Douglas Adams(11th)
April: Charlotte Bronte (21st), William Shakespeare (23rd).
May: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (22nd), Patrick White(28th).
June: Thomas Hardy (2nd), George Orwell (25th), Salman Rushdie (19th), A.S Byatt (24th).
July: Rohinton Mistry (3rd), Marcel Proust (10th), Aldous Huxley (26th)
August: Sir Walter Scott(15th), Mary Shelley (30th).
September: Leo Tolstoy (9th?), H.G Wells(21st) Truman Capote (30th)
October: Thomas Keneally (7th) Oscar Wilde(16th)
November: Bram Stoker (6th)Kazuo Ishiguro (8th), Robert Louis Stevenson (13th), Voltaire (21st), C.S Lewis(29th), Jonathan Swift (30th), Mark Twain (30th).
December: Joseph Conrad (3rd), Jane Austen (16th), Rudyard Kipling (30th).
photo credit:Flickr user- ailatan

Amazing Mondays, Amazing Reads, 30th January

2012-01-30T11:33:00.028+11:00

Angela, the library's Outreach and Collection Services Coordinator, shares her latest top ten Amazing Reads.

1. Wolf Hall / Hilary Mantel.
Well written, insightful historical novel set in the times of Henry V111. The author presents an interesting depiction of Thomas Cromwell, a key personality of the Tudor period. Along with Cromwell’s relationships with other characters of the period, the author delves into the politics and society of this much written about period of history.

2. A dog's purpose / W. Bruce Cameron.
A good story written through the eyes of a dog who is searching for his purpose in life over the course of several doggy lives.

3. The help / Kathryn Stockett
Somewhat superficial fictional insight into the lives of black maids and their white employers in Southern USA in the 1960s. By superficial, I mean that the some of the really serious issues are secondary to the characters. A mix of humour and heartache. The character construction make this a 4 star read.

4. No country for old men
I like the writing of this author Cormac McCarthy. He uses words sparingly to describe images and characters. This book begins with a drug deal gone wrong. A chance find of a bag of drug cartel cash by a struggling Vietnam veteran is followed by a storm of ensuing violence as the dug cartel hit men try to recover the cash. Then, there is the dead eyed psychopath Anton Chigurh, one of the most memorable baddies that I have ever encountered in a fiction book. The story is narrated by the ageing Sherrif Ed Tom Bell who battles with the increasing violence and wonders about his ability to deal with this new type of brutal criminality. A five star read for me. The Coen brothers film of this book is one of my top pick films. Javier Bardem as Anton was a highlight.

5. The slap / Christos Tsiolkas
A child is slapped at a family barbecue by an adult who is not a parent. This Australian author examines some of the universal themes of the dynamics of family life, relationships, child rearing practices, acceptable behaviour and other dilemmas through a multicultural Australian family. Very readable, provocative, with some unlovely characters.

6. Breath / Tim Winton
Set in a fictional town in the 1970s, this Australian book examines a young man’s coming of age and explores addiction, risk taking and consequences of actions. A surfing environment provides the backdrop for an older surfer with issues of his own to encourage the young man and his friend to take greater risks forcing the 2 young men to take very different paths. Well written, some confronting issues with a slightly abrupt ending.

7. People of the book / Geraldine Brooks
The story of an Australian rare book expert who is offered the job of the analysis and conservation of the famous Sarajavo Haggadad, a priceless illustrated Jewish book rescued from Serbian shelling during the Bosnian War. Through a series of tiny clues she traces the history of the book.

8.The girl with the dragon tattoo / Stieg Larsson ; translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland.
The Millennium Trilogy - This book is the first book of the trilogy. When disgraced journalist Mikael Blomqvist is hired by Henrik Vanger to investigate the disappearance of his great niece Harriett many years ago, he discovers events linked to a series of gory murders. He then crosses paths with Lisbeth Salader an antisocial computer hacker with a difficult past and a desire for revenge.Well written with many gory parts trilogy of thrillers.

9. We need to talk about Kevin : a novel/Lionel Shriver
A novel about a high school massacre told through a series of letters between the teenage killers mother and his estranged father. Eva the reluctant mother faces herfear that her dislike of her difficult son helped to create the killer. Nature vs nurture.

10. The strain / Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
This is the first book in The Strain trilogy. A plane makes a perfect landing but nearly all the passengers are dead. A vampire tale written by movie producer Guillermo del Toro, of Pans Labyrinth fame and Chuck Hogan. Vampires have been somewhat romanticised by Twilight but the vampires in this book are dark, ancient and terrifying. This book is somewhat predicable however an engaging read for those who like this genre. I have finished the trilogy and was disappointed with the ending.

Bonus read:
11. The street sweeper : a novel / Elliot Perlman
A well researched book by an Australian author/lawyer. This book is a blend of historical factual events and fiction. This story takes the reader from current day New York and Melbourne back through two of the critical periods in world history.

Photo credit: Flickr user: shawnzrossi -"Girl reading by window book"