Banned Books Week, 2011

Monique Akauola Friday, September 23, 2011 , , , ,
Its Banned Books Week, 2011, from 24th September until 4th October, 2011. Celebrating its 30th year, this is an annual awareness campaign sponsored by the American Library Association (A.L.A). It is celebrating a love of reading, opposing censorship and promoting freedom of speech in the United States of America.




Books are challenged and banned for all sorts of reasons including to protect children, due to religious, racial or political content or because of what are deemed to be (by some), to be inappropriate themes. But doesn't the fact that a book has been challenged or banned just make it all the more desirable to read? Don't you want to read it simply to find out what all the fuss is about?


One misdemeanour I’m sure many of you have committed is reading the Harry Potter series! This series has caused controversy and mayhem in the U.S. due to its wizardry and magical content. (Some books in the series have even been bestowed with the dubious honour of becoming burned books in some states).


So, if you are feeling a bit rebellious, (or even just curious), and would like to read a banned or challenged book, a good place to start is by reading from this list of the top ten frequently challenged books of the past year, created by A.L.A. You can request copies of these books from the library.


1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Offensive language, Racism, Sex Education, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
3. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Reasons: Insensitivity, Offensive Language, Racism, Sexually Explicit
4. "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit
5. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence
6. "Lush" by Natasha Friend (available via Interlibrary Loan)
Reasons: Drugs, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
7. "What My Mother Doesn’t Know" by Sonya Sones
Reasons: Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group
8. "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Reasons: Drugs, Inaccurate, Offensive Language, Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint
9. "Revolutionary Voices" edited by Amy Sonnie (available via Interlibrary Loan).
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit
10. "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Violence













Get Reading, 2011 book list

Monique Akauola Tuesday, September 20, 2011 , ,
The "Get Reading" campaign, is running until the 30 September . If you are looking for a guaranteed great read, check out the list of "50 books you can’t put down", where you can find book summaries, first chapter downloads, audio and more. Found something you like? You can request a copy from the library, by just clicking on the book titles listed below.

That dead man dance by Kim Scott
Five bells by Gail Jones
Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville
The snowman by Jo Nesbo
Prime cut by Alan Carter
Blood Line by Lynda La Plante
Without warning by John Birmingham
The passage by Justin Cronin
The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
Tamil Tigress by Niromi de Soyza
Blood on my hands: a surgeon at war by Craig Jurisevic
The Korean war by Cameron Forbes
The gold rush by David Hill
In the best interest of the game by Darrell Hair
Life without limits by Nick Vujicic
A little bird told me… Kasey Chambers with Jeff Apter
I came to say goodbye by Caroline Overington
One day by David Nicholls
Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad by Bee Rowlatt and May Witwit
The Briny Café by Susan Duncan
Caleb’ s crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Listening to country by Ros Moriarty
Me of the never never by Fiona O’Loughlin
North star by Karly Lane
African dawn by Tony Park
The Plantation by Di Morrissey
When God was a rabbit by Sarah Winman
Past the shallows by Favel Parrett
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
All that I am by Anna Funder
How it feels by Brendan Cowell
The sirens sting by Miranda Darling
Rescue by Anita Shreve
The last chance café by Liz Byrski
True spirit by Jessica Watson
The painted man by Peter V. Brett
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Treasure yourself: Power thoughts for my generation by Miranda Kerr
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Passion by Lauren Kate
The lost hero by Rick Riordan
The left hand of God by Paul Hoffman
Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
Museum of thieves by Lian Tanner
The golden door by Emily Rodda
Mice by Gordon Reece
Billie B Brown: The secret message by Sally Rippin
Baby Wombat’s week by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley
The Flying Orchestra by Clare McFadden
Mr Badger and the big surprise by Leigh Hobbs

Multicultural Health Week - Chinese and Greek Talks

Jess Tuesday, September 20, 2011 ,

'Health' is a big topic to people regardless of gender, age and ethnicity. The Sutherland Shire Library Service, in partnership with the Health Promotion Services for Older People,  recently organised two health talks  for cultural groups in the shire as part of Multicultural Health Week.

A 'Medicine Management' talk was held  in Cantonese and Mandarin at Miranda Library for the local residents.
Topics covered included "how to prepare yourself before you seek medical consultation", "how to handle medicine in daily life" and "what you need to be aware of in long term medication".

This talk was received with interest and enthusiasm. Overall feedback was very encouraging with many participants asking for more topics in the future. Participants got to take home a bilingual information booklet for further reference.

At Sutherland Library, a 'Diabetes Awareness' talk was held in Greek for the local community. The speaker Maria covered a lot of information on this very pertinent topic, including the different types of diabetes, the symptoms, causes and treatments. The large group asked many questions and it was an interactive session!

A big thank you from the shire libraries to the two speakers and to the attendees, we hope to hold more topical health sessions in the future.

The library holds a range of health information resources, both as books and online databases for members to access for free.

International 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day

Martin Boyce Monday, September 19, 2011
Every year on 19 September the world celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day.

OK, the world might be overstating it but what better excuse do you need to read a pirate themed picture book to your children?  To introduce your children to pirate talk early in life you can't go past...

Pirate Pete's talk like a pirate
by Kim Kennedy (illustrated by Doug Kennedy)
cover image courtesy of Open Library
In search of a crew, Pirate Pete and his parrot look for "stanky scallywags" who possess certain conversational skills.

Once you mastered the art of pirate talk you can practice your new skills while reading other pirate stories.  Here's a couple that are available on the shelves at some of the shire libraries (as of the time of posting).

Backbeard and the birthday suit by Matthew McElligott
The hairiest pirate who ever lived!

Tim, Ted & the pirates by Ian Whybrow (illustrated by Russell Ayto)

I wish I had a pirate suit by Pamela Allen

Captain Flinn and the pirate dinosaurs : missing treasure! by Giles Andreae (illustrated by Russell Ayto)
On a school field trip to the museum, young Captain Flinn and his crew recover a museum treasure from a dastardly group of pirate dinosaurs.

Art works of local artist Pamela Hobbs

Sutherland Shire Libraries Wednesday, September 07, 2011 ,
'Just as materials deteriorate, memories will disappear.
Ancient artists shared their stories through markings.

It takes a piece of sandstone with man-made marks, to evoke many questions for me. Sometimes however, it is difficult to interpret the image.

In my art works, I have chosen to depict disappearing images against receding backgrounds to portray my concerns for the loss of history that occurs with the deterioration of materials.'
Artist statement
Art works by local artist Pamela Hobbs are on display in the lounge area of Sutherland Library during September and October

School Holiday Activities

Mel Mc Wednesday, September 07, 2011 , , , , , , ,

'Let's Create! is our theme for the upcoming school holidays. Activities include Trevor's Drawing Workshops, a Creative Writing Workshop with Author Aleesah Darlison, Sounds Like Music with Mic Conway, Kids and Cards, Wii Gaming Fun and our Let's Create fun activity. Check out our Whats On page for details. Book now!

Man Booker Prize for Fiction shortlist, 2011.

Sutherland Shire Libraries Wednesday, September 07, 2011 , , ,
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction Shortlist, 2011 has been announced. Authors Julian Barnes, Carol Birch, Patrick deWitt, Esi Edugyan, Stephen Kelman and A.D. Miller are the six contenders for the award. The list includes two authors who have been listed for the prize in the past as well as two first time novelists.

Julian Barnes has been shortlisted three times previously for this award:
In 2005 for "Arthur and George ",
In 1998 for " England, England ,
and in 1984 for "Flaubert’s Parrot ".

Carol Birch was previously longlisted for this award in 2003 for "Turn again home".

The two first time novelists are Stephen Kellman and A.D. Miller.

The six books selected from the longlist of 13, are:

"The sense of an ending" by Julian Barnes.

"Jamrach’s Menagerie " by Carol Birch.

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick De Witt.

"Half Blood Blues" by Esi Edugyan.

"Pigeon English" by Stephen Kelman, a first time novelist.

"Snowdrops" by A.D Miller, a first time novelist.

The winner of this prestigious award will be announced on 18 October, 2011. Who do you think will win?

Indigenous Literacy Day, 2011.

Sutherland Shire Libraries Monday, September 05, 2011 , ,

Reading is one of the important ways we gather information and learn about our world. It opens doors, providing information through blogs, books (fact and fiction), newspapers and magazines. Being able to read means you can send text messages, and chat online. Did you know that many indigenous Australians in remote communities of Australia can’t read? Can you imagine life without being able to read?

You can help change this on Wednesday, 7th September, Indigenous Literacy Day. Created by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, this day “aims to help raise funds to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions”.

You are welcome to make a donation to this cause at Sutherland library, however, Sutherland library is unable to provide tax receipts for donations. For tax receipts, you can donate online, over the phone or pick up a brochure from the library which has a donation coupon enclosed.

While you’re at the library, check out the display of books by and about the first Australians, celebrating indigenous literacy.


In 2012, the foundation is partnering with the National Year of Reading, 2012 and events will be held in libraries across Australia in support.
Want to learn more? Click here to read further about the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
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