Borrow a Save Power Kit
You can now borrow a 'Save Power Kit' from the 8 library locations within Sutherland Shire. The kits are part of a NSW Government initiative to encourage everyone to be aware of their power consumption and take steps to reduce it.
The Save Power Kits provide tools, information and a guidebook to help you make your home more energy efficient. The Save Power Kits can show you what uses the most power in your home, and give you ideas and some easy steps you can take to save money, power and reduce our impact on the environment.
The Save Power Kit includes:
- Power-Mate Lite – to measure the power used by appliances
- Two thermometers – one is Infrared, simply point it and read the temperature of that spot. The second is a Save Power thermometer, used to check room and fridge temperatures.
- Stopwatch – Time how long you spend in the shower and measure how much hot water you use
- Compass – determine which direction your home faces and learn why it does matter.
- User guide with worksheets – The kit comes with a great guidebook, worksheet and action plan
The Save Power Kits will be available for the usual 3 week loan period and will be able to be reserved.
For more information on this and other power savings ideas visit the NSW Government's SavePower website and check out all the menu options!
Shaun Tan Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Australian author Shaun Tan has won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Sweden. This award is the largest children's literature award in the world.
Melbourne based Tan began his career as a teenager drawing and painting images for science fiction and horror stories in magazines. Shaun Tan is now best known for illustrating books that deal with social, political and historical subjects using surreal imagery. His books have been translated into many languages.
At the award ceremony Tan's citation read 'Shaun Tan has reinvented the picture book by creating visually spectacular pictorial narratives with a constant human presence'.
In February this year Tan won an Academy Award for a short animated film of The Lost Thing, an adaptation of the book of the same name.
Sutherland Libraries have copies of Shaun Tan's books for you to experience this talented authors unique style.
New Databases help with Life Long Learning
IELTS general & IELTS academic, landing a Job and Study Skills success are the focus of these latest acquisitions available for library members.
It's so much easier to do well in the International English Language Testing System, if one knows exactly what to expect. This is where the Road to IELTS provides students with a unique advantage. It includes 120 hours of intensive work on vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking, helping you to develop your skills to the levels necessary to succeed in the IELTS exam. The units are organised thematically using themes commonly found in the IELTS exam. The first six units help familiarise you with the basic test types, the following units consolidate, using more complex content, and the last three units use combination activities which are very similar to the exam itself.
Applying for a job is a daunting prospect for first timers. It tests all one's skills: reading the advertisement, writing the cover letter, and listening and speaking effectively in the interview. It's Your Job takes a structured and analytical approach to the entire process of job-seeking, from deciding on your career all the way through to accepting a job offer and negotiating your salary. It's Your Job helps sharpen skills, calms the nerves and smooths the way to a job offer!
Study Skills Success is for all students in upper secondary / high school and in higher education who wish to improve their academic study skills. Topics covered are Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Research, Visuals, Grammar and Vocabulary. Each unit begins with presentation and input activities and progresses to practice exercises. Most units include extension activities on the integrated website.The program also helps students prepare for IELTS and TOEFL.
You can access these new online programs in Sutherland Shire Libraries or from home using your Sutherland Shire Libraries membership card.
It's so much easier to do well in the International English Language Testing System, if one knows exactly what to expect. This is where the Road to IELTS provides students with a unique advantage. It includes 120 hours of intensive work on vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking, helping you to develop your skills to the levels necessary to succeed in the IELTS exam. The units are organised thematically using themes commonly found in the IELTS exam. The first six units help familiarise you with the basic test types, the following units consolidate, using more complex content, and the last three units use combination activities which are very similar to the exam itself.
Applying for a job is a daunting prospect for first timers. It tests all one's skills: reading the advertisement, writing the cover letter, and listening and speaking effectively in the interview. It's Your Job takes a structured and analytical approach to the entire process of job-seeking, from deciding on your career all the way through to accepting a job offer and negotiating your salary. It's Your Job helps sharpen skills, calms the nerves and smooths the way to a job offer!
Study Skills Success is for all students in upper secondary / high school and in higher education who wish to improve their academic study skills. Topics covered are Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Research, Visuals, Grammar and Vocabulary. Each unit begins with presentation and input activities and progresses to practice exercises. Most units include extension activities on the integrated website.The program also helps students prepare for IELTS and TOEFL.
You can access these new online programs in Sutherland Shire Libraries or from home using your Sutherland Shire Libraries membership card.
Aurealis awards shortlist for 2010.
The finalists for the 2010 Aurealis Awards have recently been announced. As you may know, the Aurealis Awards are annual literary awards for Australian speculative fiction, covering the categories of science fiction, horror and fantasy fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award, and the book must have been published within the last twelve months. Here are the Young Adult novel and Adult Science fiction, Horror and Fantasy fiction shortlists:YOUNG ADULT Novel
Merrow, by Ananda Braxton--‐Smith.
Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey.
The Midnight Zoo, by Sonya Hartnett.
The Life of a Teenage Body--‐Snatcher, by Doug MacLeod.
Behemoth (Leviathan Trilogy Book Two), by Scott Westerfeld.
HORROR Novel
*After the World: Gravesend, by Jason Fischer.
*Death Most Definite, by Trent Jamieson.
*Madigan Mine, by Kirstyn McDermott.
SCIENCE FICTION Novel
Song of Scarabaeus, by Sara Creasy.
Mirror space, by Marianne de Pierres.
Transformation Space, by Marianne de Pierres.
FANTASY novel
The silence of Medair, by Andrea K Host.
Death most definite , by Trent Jamieson.
Stormland rising, by Glenda Larke.
Hearts blood, by Juliet Marillier.
Power and majesty, by Tansy Rayner Roberts.
If you would like to read the full list of thirteen categories, please click here.
Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists. Who do you think should win? The overall winner will be announced at the Aurealis Awards ceremony on the 21st May, 2011.
Grandparents' Storytime @ Engadine Library
Sutherland Library Wall of Art - Featured Artist: Marion Chapman
Head to Sutherland Library to view the art work of local artist Marion Chapman. Marion specialises in Watercolour and Fine Art Printmaking.Works featured at the library include 'Sepia Horse' in watercolour and 'Collographic Cellist' in Collograph on Black Stonehenge.
Marion's featured artworks are all for sale. Visit her website or call 0411 665 443 if you are interested.
Earth hour 2011- Come over to the dark side...
You can still read, well at least listen, to an audio book on your ipod or MP3 player (providing of course, you have remembered to charge it!). Worried about the carbon emissions of audiobooks? Don't, digital downloads compare favourably to printed books, using less of our valuable resources, and the publishing and transporting procedures used eliminate great amounts of carbon emissions. But why spend all that money you have saved on electricity during Earth hour on an audio book, when you can download them for free (in the comfort of your own home) from Sutherland library’s website? Its easy! From the library website, just go to Overdrive, follow the links and download the software onto your own PC. Then simply choose some books. If you need further help just contact the library.
Chances are if your reading this, you’re already a member of the library. If not, come to the library and join now! Borrowing print books from the library, rather than buying them new, is a great way to green your reading and continue to help save the planet. The library also has heaps of information about other ways you can take action and reduce your environmental footprint.
Public libraries…the original environmentally friendly way to read.
Drop-in Computer Help at Sutherland Library
Is your computer giving you a headache?Have you tried Internet training and have a specific question?
Well now you can with our new drop-in computer help at Sutherland Library.
Each Wednesday between 10am - 12 noon and 2 pm - 4pm, staff at Sutherland Library will be on hand to help you understand and perform basic computer tasks* such as:
- Getting an email address
- Transferring photos from a camera to a computer
- Completing online forms
- Attaching photos to an email
There is no need to book for these sessions, you can just drop in with your question. If you have a laptop, then we encourage you to bring that along too. If you do have a rather sticky, uncommon problem please contact us first so that we can allocate an appropriate staff member to the task.
So now you don't have to worry about those computer questions, just come to the Library on Wednesdays and we can help you through them.
When: Every Wednesday between 10am - 12 noon and 2pm - 4pm
Where: Sutherland Library
Happy St Patricks day, 2011.
The 17th March is St Patricks day, the day to celebrate all things Irish. However, there’s more to the Emerald isle than just leprechauns, four leaf clovers and the blarney stone. Ireland has made a great (and continuing) contribution to the literary world, with an array of impressive titles ranging from classics to the contemporary. So what better way to celebrate than to dress up in your best green outfit and come to the library this St Patricks day and try your luck with a book by an Irish author. Here are a few recently released titles to start, feel free to add the list with your favourite Irish authors and/or books.
John Banville “The Infinities” An intriguing novel, based on the Greek myth of Amphitryon. It takes place over one single summer’s day, where a mathematician lays dying. He is attended by not only his family, but also a host of Greek gods, whom only the dog can see. Narrated in part by the messenger god Hermes, this is a clever and frequently amusing book.
Emma Donoghue “Room” Jack is a five year old boy whose entire world consists of a single room, measuring just 12 feet by 12 feet. ” This book, the seventh by the Canadian / Irish author was shortlisted for the Manbooker prize in 2010.
Damien Leith “Remember June” An accomplished pop star and author, this is Leith’s second novel. It is, to quote the publisher, “a shattering and redemptive story of fathers and sons, and the power of memory”. Why not borrow his newly released CD of the same name?
Monica McInerney “At home with the Templetons”. The Templetons are an unruly family of seven, who, in order to make ends meet, open their stately home on the weekends as a living museum… Want to read more? Find this book in our fastback collection.
Colm Toibin “The empty family: Stories” This is a captivating collection of melancholy and thoughtful short stories, with an overriding theme of dysfunctional relationships. Beautifully written, these are well worth a look.
International Women's Day, 2011
For the past 100 years women have been celebrating International Womens Day. This is the day when women's economic, political and social achievements are recognised and celebrated across the world. In 2011, the centenary year of this event, celebrate by reading one of these books, written by or featuring inspiring Australian women.
“Dames and divas: 21 remarkable women”: Kick off your reading with this collection of interviews with notable Australian women.
Bettina Arndt: Never too much information! One of Australia’s first sex therapists, and a best selling author of “The sex diaries: Why women go off sex and other bedroom battles” her latest offering, “What men want: in bed”, is available now.
Layne Beachley- The worlds greatest female surfer, read her tell-all book “Layne Beachley: Beneath the waves” by Michael Gordon. This is an inspiring read of triumph over adversity.
Maggie Beer: Australian senior of the year, 2011 and one of Australia’s best known food personalities, she has written six cookbooks as well as co-hosting the successful television series “The cook and the chef”.
Elizabeth Broderick: Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner since 2007, she has co-authored a comprehensive and informative report- “2010 Gender equality blueprint”.
Ita Buttrose: One of the best known women in Australia, she has been a successful journalist, business woman and author. Her latest book, “A guide to Australian etiquette: For all occasions from weddings to work” offers advice on how to behave in any social situation.
Julia Gillard: Our very first female Australian Prime Minister. Read about her journey to the top, in “The making of Julia Gillard” by Jacqueline Kent.
Anita Heiss: In her own words, Anita Heiss is a poet, author, satirist and social commentator, as well as a proud member of the Wiradjuri people. Join us at Cronulla library Tuesday, 12th April, at 6.30pm, for an author talk featuring her latest fiction title “Paris dreaming”.
Jessica Watson: The youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. “True spirit: The aussie girl who took on the world” documents her incredible journey.
Gai Waterhouse: A horse racing trail blazer, she is widely regarded as the most successful female horse trainer in the world. Find out about the person behind the trainer in “Gai: In my words”.
“Dames and divas: 21 remarkable women”: Kick off your reading with this collection of interviews with notable Australian women.
Bettina Arndt: Never too much information! One of Australia’s first sex therapists, and a best selling author of “The sex diaries: Why women go off sex and other bedroom battles” her latest offering, “What men want: in bed”, is available now.
Layne Beachley- The worlds greatest female surfer, read her tell-all book “Layne Beachley: Beneath the waves” by Michael Gordon. This is an inspiring read of triumph over adversity.
Maggie Beer: Australian senior of the year, 2011 and one of Australia’s best known food personalities, she has written six cookbooks as well as co-hosting the successful television series “The cook and the chef”.
Elizabeth Broderick: Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner since 2007, she has co-authored a comprehensive and informative report- “2010 Gender equality blueprint”.
Ita Buttrose: One of the best known women in Australia, she has been a successful journalist, business woman and author. Her latest book, “A guide to Australian etiquette: For all occasions from weddings to work” offers advice on how to behave in any social situation.
Julia Gillard: Our very first female Australian Prime Minister. Read about her journey to the top, in “The making of Julia Gillard” by Jacqueline Kent.
Anita Heiss: In her own words, Anita Heiss is a poet, author, satirist and social commentator, as well as a proud member of the Wiradjuri people. Join us at Cronulla library Tuesday, 12th April, at 6.30pm, for an author talk featuring her latest fiction title “Paris dreaming”.
Jessica Watson: The youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. “True spirit: The aussie girl who took on the world” documents her incredible journey.
Gai Waterhouse: A horse racing trail blazer, she is widely regarded as the most successful female horse trainer in the world. Find out about the person behind the trainer in “Gai: In my words”.
Youth Week @ Your Library
Movie Night @ Engadine Library
Join us for the screening of gothic masterpiece Edward Scissorhands. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, Edward Scissorhands tells the dark fairytail of a young man with scissors for hands who falls in love with a beautiful woman. We've all seen Twilight - now come along and see a different Edward - Edward Scissorhands. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
When: Monday, April 4th, 2011, 5.30-7.45pm
Where: Engadine Library
Cost: Free!
Bookings: Essential. Book online here or call Engadine Library on 9548 6003
Wii Gaming Night
Get your game on with our brand new Wii. Challenge your mates, meet other gamers, win great prizes and eat some pizza. We think this night will be so popular, we're holding it twice.
Game Night One
When: Tuesday, April 5th 2011, 5.30 - 7.45pm
Where: Cronulla Library
Cost: Free!
Bookings: Essential. Book online here or call Sutherland Library on 9710 0178
Game Night Two
When: Friday, April 8th 2011, 5.30 - 7.45pm
Where: Sutherland Library
Cost: Free!
Bookings: Essential. Book online here or call Sutherland Library on 9710 0178
Swap til' you Drop! The great clothing exchange!
Want to revamp your wardrobe? Now you can with our great clothing exchange. Bring your unwanted (but still good) clothes to the Library and swap them for something that's a little more your style. We have a treasure trove of clothing and accessories to suit different tastes. Get in early because the first 50 participants receive a free drink voucher from Gloria Jeans.
Please read the full conditions here to make sure you don't bring along items we can't accept.
When: Monday, 11th April 2011 and Tuesday, 12th April 2011, 11am - 2pm
Where: Sutherland Library
Cost: Free!
So now you know what's on, you'll have every reason to head to the Library this youth week. We can't wait to see you there!
Please note, youth week activities are designed for people aged 12-24.
Commonwealth Writers Prize, South East Asia and the Pacific Regional winners 2011
The Commonwealth Writers regional prize winners for 2011 were announced today, 3rd March 2011. Congratulations to the winner in the South- East Asia and Pacific region, Kim Scott, for "That deadman dance".
Already an award winning author of the Miles Franklin award in 2000 for "Benang: from the heart", Scott is the first indigenous Australian to win this award. The story is a brilliantly written account of the first contact between a fictional British settlement on the Western Australian coast and the Noongar people. It is an inspiring and thought provoking read, well worth requesting from the library.
The winner for best first book was "A man melting" by Craig Cliff of New Zealand.
The overall winners will be announced on 21st May, 2011.
The overall winners will be announced on 21st May, 2011.
The shortlisted titles for South East Asia and Pacific in the categories of best book and first best book were as follows.
South East Asia and Pacific Best Book:
"Reading Madame Bovary" by Amanda Lohrey (Australia)
"That Deadman Dance" by Kim Scott (Australia)
"Time’s Long Ruin" by Stephen Orr (Australia)
"Hand Me Down World" by Lloyd Jones (New Zealand)
"Notorious" by Roberta Lowing (Australia)
"Gifted" by Patrick Evans (New Zealand)
Best first book
"21 Immortals" by Rozlan Mohd Noor (Malaysia)
"A Man Melting" by Craig Cliff (New Zealand)
"The Graphologist’s Apprentice" by Whiti Hereaka (New Zealand)
"The Body in the Clouds" by Ashley Hay (Australia)
"Traitor" by Stephen Daisley (Australia/New Zealand)
"A Few Right Thinking Men" by Sulari Gentill (Australia)
Access World Book Encyclopedia from your mobile phone
World Book has now released a mobile-friendly version of its great encyclopedia database and now Sutherland Shire Library members can access it straight from their android, iphone or blackberry. World Book mobile lets you carry all the information with you - everywhere you go.
Imagine sitting on the train on the way to school with that homework you forgot to finish. Well now you can look up the answers on your mobile phone - and even cite them too.
To access world book mobile, follow these steps:
1. From your mobile go to World Book Online from the Library website.
2. Click on 'Search from Home'
3. You will be taken to the World Book mobile site. At the bottom of the page click on 'Access Full Site'.
4. Type in the full barcode on the back of your Library card. If you tick the 'Remember this password' box you won't have to keep entering your barcode to view the full version of an article.
5. Start searching!
Enjoy the new World Book mobile and tell us what you think by leaving a comment.
Get a life! (at the library).
Do you like to read about what people have done with their lives, accompanying them as they follow their dreams or destiny? Perhaps you’d just like to know what makes people tick. Do you seek inspiration from people who have overcome adversity or made a difference? Maybe you like to try to get to know the real person behind the public persona, or just "get the dirt". Do you like to find out individuals secrets of success, or read about rock stars and adventurers and fathom just how they survived?If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you should try reading a biography. Biographies are also a great way to learn about human nature, the world, history and celebrate culture through someone else’s eyes. There are biographies all sorts of people from royalty, world leaders and heros to sports stars, movie stars and musicians. (Just a tip- if you do like to get the dirt- try an unauthorised biography). Get a life, at the library.
1. “Autobiography of Mark Twain. Volume 1” Harriet Eleanor Smith, editor; associate editors Benjamin Griffith ...[et al]. We’ve been waiting a hundred years for this, the first of three volumes of Twain's uncensored autobiography. Read it, and decide for yourself if it was worth the wait.
2. “William and Kate: Their lives, their romance, their wedding". With the latest royal wedding fast approaching, read all about the royal romance by the infamous biographer, Andrew Morton.
3. “I shall not hate: a Gaza doctor’s journey on the road to peace and dignity” by Izzeldin Abuelaish. This is a heartbreaking yet inspirational story of one Palestinian man’s call for peace in the face of personal tragedy.
4. “Jackie as editor: the literary life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis” by Greg Lawrence. Discover another side to this enigmatic woman, in her role as editor with two major publishing companies.
5. “Running the books: The adventures of an accidental prison librarian” by Avi Steinberg. Read this humorous account of one mans experience working in a far from ordinary library.
6. “Up and down with the Rolling Stones: My rollercoaster ride with Keith Richards” You may have already read the bestseller “Life” By Keith Richards, get another perspective of the Rolling Stones in this candid account by Tony Sanchez.
7. “The King's speech : how one man saved the British monarchy" by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. Seen the movie? Now read the book. This book, by speech therapist Lionel Logues grandson, offers insights into the real life events behind the academy award winning movie, “The Kings speech”.
8. “The explosive true story of a British Mafia princess: They're lawless. they're criminal. they're family”, by Marisa Merico with Douglas Thompson. Read this shocking true story of a small town British girl who became a mafia princess.
9. “1000 hour day: two adventurers take on the worlds harshest island” by Chris Bray. Join Aussie adventurers Chris and Clark on their 1000 kilometre walk across Victoria island in the Canadian Artic and find out how they survived, despite themselves.
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