Sutherland Shire Libraries News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Light refreshments will be available.

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

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

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

It’s all happening at:




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

See you there!

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

The winners will be announced on 18 June 2009.