Sutherland Shire Libraries News

We have a lot going on at Engadine Library during Library Week, 19th - 25th of May. The theme for 2008 is Libraries are for Everyone, so come and join us for some great activities.

Have you ever wanted to learn the secrets of Engadine library? If you have, then you will want to attend our special library tour. This is one event that you will definitely not want to miss as we won’t be repeating it any time soon. During the tour you will get a glimpse into how the library works, what goes on out the back and you will get a taste of future technology in the library. You will also get to see some of the different types of items in our collection - we don’t just have books! The secrets of how to use the library catalogue will also be revealed. This special one-off library tour will be held on Wednesday the 21st of May at 10:30am - right after our What’s Under Wraps unveiling. Come along, borrow a brand new book, and get a free tour of the library- did I mention it’s free?

For the inquiring minds, throughout Library Week we will have a treasure hunt for adults only – we can’t let the children have all the fun! Follow the clues around the library until the treasure is found. You will need to have your thinking cap on to be in with a chance to win the prize. Everyone who borrows will also be eligible to get a free ticket for our library week hamper full of goodies!

Children will also be able to join in the fun with our lucky dip book borrowing challenge. Children who borrow a mystery book that is wrapped up will get a special reward. And of course, it wouldn’t be Library Week if we didn’t have a guessing competition. Children will be able to guess how many chocolate coins are in a jar. The winner of the competition will get the chocolate coins!

A reminder of our regular activities and facilities - Did you know that Engadine has a meeting room available for hire? We also have a display case that can be used by local groups - feel free to give us a call on 9548 6003 if you are interested. We also have lots of regular activities for children and Babies including Lapsit and Rhymetime.

See you during Library Week,
Michael.

There will be lots happening in our branch libraries during Library Week, 19-25 May. There are a number of major events occurring during Library Week in the Sutherland Shire and our Branch Libraries are having a week long celebration.

If you haven't already read about it you can catch up on our Library Week events including:

• The Annual Book Sale
• An author talk by Cheryl Koenig, who wrote about her son's recovery from an horrific car accident and subsequent brain injury.
• What's Under Wraps? - where our branch libraries give you the opportunity to borrow brand new books.
• National Simultaneous Storytime - most of our branch libraries will be participating in this literacy initiative.

In addition, our branch libraries will be offering you the chance to get to know you library with a number of activities and competitions. Some of the highlights include:

• Menai Library is holding a Scrapbooking Presentation by Lisa Mossman from Creative Memories, with a lucky door prize donated by Lisa, on Tuesday 20 May at 11am.
• Cronulla and Miranda Libraries are hosting Morning Tea in association with the Australia's Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday 22 May, with all proceeds going to support the Cancer Council.
• Get along to Booktime at Menai Library on Thursday 22 may at 10.30am. Share your favourite books and find out what other readers are recommending.
• Carinbah Library is holding a Virtual Library Tour on Friday 23 may from 10am - 11am. Find out how much of our service you can access online (catalogue, databases, website and more).

There will also be a range of dress-up storytimes, guessing competitions and food hampers to be raffled throughout the branch libraries. Contact your nearest branch library to find out how you can get involved and help us celebrate Library Week.

It's always a good time for a story, but Wednesday 21 May at 11.00am will be better than most as thousands of children across the nation sit spellbound, listening to the tale of a very ordinary brown dog who is dreaming of a home of his very own...

Arthur, written by Amanda Graham and illustrated by Donna Gynell, is this year's National Simultaneous Storytime book. National Simultaneous Storytime is a special event of Library and Information Week 2008.

Come along to Sutherland, Cronulla (a small part of the book will be read at Rhymetime), Caringbah, Engadine, Menai & Sylvania Libraries and be part of this special event.

Don't forget to check out all the activities and events we are planning for Library Week.

To help us celebrate Library Week local author Cheryl Koenig is coming to Sutherland Library.

Cheryl's life changed forever the day that her 12 year old son Jonathan was involved in an horrific car accident, and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Given very little chance of survival, doctors predicted that he would most likely never walk, talk or eat unaided again. Cheryl refused to accept this prognosis and together with her husband Robert set out on a relentless and ultimately successful quest to save their son. Now, 10 years after the accident, Jonathan has defied the odds and lives a fulfilling life.

Join us at Sutherland Library to hear Cheryl talk about this journey in her new book Paper cranes : a mother's story of hope, courage and determination . This book is based around the journal she began whilst staying with her son in hospital. It outlines the search for knowledge in the area of recovery from traumatic brain injury, and describes what enabled them to achieve amazing results.

Unleashed Books Miranda will be making available copies of this book for sale and Cheryl would be happy to sign them.
Cheryl is also the author of The courage to care and There's always hope..just alter the dreams.

Join us to hear this inspiring author at Sutherland Library on Wednesday 21st May at 2pm