Chinese New Year 2011

2011 Hurstville Chinese New Year is back and bigger than ever! Check out the program of events here.

Reader's Book Club - Forest Rd, Hurstville

The Reader's Book Club was a local service where residents paid a small fee to join. This allowed them to borrow books at threepence each.

Our local Reader's Book Club was located on Forest Rd, next to Barter's store. Barter's was located at the bottom of the Forest Rd entrance to Hurstville Station.

Were you a member of the Reader's Book Club?

Do you remember when this service ceased?

If so, please let us know by leaving a comment below or emailing museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Fruits - Tokyo Street Style

Fruits - Tokyo Street Style. Photos by Shoichi Aoki.
This travelling exhibition presented by the Powerhouse Museum is set to explode into the Hurstville area early 2011. Join in the Tokyo fun at our exhibition opening!

Author Talks - Mem Fox

Hurstville City library has the awesome pleasure of a morning with Mem Fox. The renowned childrens author has written such classics as Possum Magic, Hattie & the Fox and Wombat Divine. One of Australia's most beloved authors, come listen to her weave a little morning magic!

Richard Glover - Author Talk video

Check out this video from a recent author talk by popular author, writer and broadcaster Richard Glover.


The series of author talks for 2010 have finished up for the year, however stay tuned to our website, or here at the blog for more info on what's in store for 2011!

Basic Digital Camera Class for Seniors

Look what we're learning! Some photos of a recent class and samples of our work.

Into the Labyrinth..

Every person has a favourite childhood movie. One that seems to resonate in a collective 'I loooooved that movie!' from children of the eighties and nineties is 'Labyrinth'.
What young adult can forget the tale of Sarah (played wonderfully by Jennifer Connelly) whom wishes her little brother Toby away. Little does she know that the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie - in tights!) hears her wish and grants it. Toby disappears, and Sarah must embark on a long journey through the labyrinth to the goblin castle at the centre in order to save her brother. Along the way she encounters goblins, fairies, moving walls, never-ending passageways, a giant furry creature named Ludo and a little worm wearing a scarf.




The world needs more of David Bowie in tights.

COMING SOON - NEW AUDIOBOOK TITLES

We have a number of new audiobook titles arriving on our shelves soon. The list below is a small selection for you to look at:

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; read by Toni Morrison and Ruby Dee.
  
• Dear John by Nicholas Sparks; read by Holter Graham.
  
• Mystic River by Dennis Lehane; read by David Strathairn.
  
• The Vigilantes by W. E. B. Griffin.; read by Scott Brick.
  

But there's more! We have more new audiobooks on the way. Author's such as: Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, Danielle Steel, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell.

Don't forget to post your comments here or better still any ideas for titles for us to purchase.

Girls Who Dare!

100 years ago an emboldened group of girls dared to march in the first ever boy scout rally asking to be recognised as 'girl scouts'.

It was this act that prompted the formation of the Girl Guide movement, the largest worldwide volunteer organisation for girls.

Guiding has been active in every Australian State and Territory for over 85 years. The Australian Guide Program helps girls learn life-skills and leadership while having fun, making friends and enjoying the outdoors. Being a guide is about challenging yourself, caring and understanding others, learning useful life skills and being active, healthy and strong.

To commemorate the centenary of Guiding and celebrate the exciting challenges that guiding presents Hurstville Grove and Praireville Guides have organised a special exhibition Girls Who Dare which is on display at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery until the 22nd of December. The exhibition includes memorabilia, old uniforms and interesting stories from members of the St George community who have participated in guiding including Elsie Casey and Lynn Brown.

Over 1 million Australian women have been or are currently guides including some of our very own LMG staff members. Just as the girls who marched in the scout rally in 1910 dared to take up the challenge of guiding so too did this staff member (see above right) when she joined her local guide unit in the 1990s.

Share your guiding memories with the Museum & Gallery.

Christmas is coming - Request a book

Christmas is a time of gift giving or book buying. But if you'd rather borrow a book than buy one - you can "request an item not held" at the library.

A group of Home Library Service borrowers did just that at a recent Christmas luncheon held at the library. People perused a selection of Large print and Audiobooks and asked us to purchase their choices.

If you'd like to make a purchase suggestion, go to the library website under How do You?- open the drop down menu and choose Provide Feedback. Tell us the title and author of the item you'd like us to consider for purchase or just suggest a subject we should buy more of. If you'd like a specific title and would also like to place a reservation on it, choose "Request an item not held".

Christmas is a time for giving. A library card may be the best gift of all.

Hurstville City Library invites you to spend an amusing evening with Richard Glover

A real treat for Christmas

Richard Glover popular author, columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and presenter of the Drive and Thank God it's Friday programs on ABC radio 702 will be a guest author at Hurstville City Library. Everyone is invited for what promises to be an entertaining and amusing evening as Richard talks about his new book Why Men are Necessary, a collection of "wickedly funny stories of everyday life" as told on his Thank God it's Friday show.

Other books by Richard held at the library include:

Desperate Husbands

In Bed With Jocasta

The Mud Brick House

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville.

Thursday 16th December, 2010 @ 7pm

Bookings at Library or phone 9330 6142

The Know-It-All

The universe just loves dealing us a number of irritating conundrums. The aunt that insists on pinching your cheeks. The colleague that always calls you 'Bill' even though you've told them a thousand times that your name is 'William'. Perhaps one of the most annoying, the most painful, the most obnoxious would be the know-it-all. Ah yes that dreadful enigma that insists on correcting every grammatical error and delights in explaining to you the differences between African and Indian elephants.
It was a shock to discover that one man, A. J. Jacobs, actually WANTED to become one of these bothersome troves of information. A. J. Jacobs spent one year of his life reading, cover to cover, the 2002 Encyclopædia Britannica - all 32 volumes, all 33,000 pages, all 44 million words - and along the way recorded his journey.
'The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World'.
Another one to add to the LMG collection? Tell us what you think!

Mortdale November 1901

109 years ago, this is what the corner of Mort's Road and Victoria Avenue looked like when Mortdale had "two people and a dog". St Peter's Church sat where the present Franklins supermarket is. Paddocks still littered the surrounding area and it was not uncommon for parisioners to cross paths with cows on the way home from church services. I daresay a few inconveniently placed cow pats as well.

Like historic photos? See more in our Local Studies Photographs Catalogue.

Calling all young writers- the 'Do You Love To Write?' project program for the remainder for 2010/11 is almost complete!

Check out some of the awesome upcoming workshops below, and make sure you write the dates in your diary!

‘Do You Love To Write’
Program: November 2010- May 2011.

Do You Love To Write: Creative writing as an inspiration for art
Nov. 9th: 4.30 - 6.00pm

Meet artist Peter Day and use your creative writing skills contribute ideas to a brand new mural for the new Hurstville Bus Interchange

Do You Love To Write: Dialogue and Drama
Dec. 7th: 4.30 – 6.00pm

Writer Pat Cranney will return to work with you on creative writing, focussing on dialogue, scripts and drama, starting work on new group collection
Do You Love To Write: Happy Holidays

Jan.: Off- New carpet being installed at the library, happy holidays!

Do You Love To Write: Books Vs. Movies
Tuesday Feb. 1st: 4.30 – 6.00pm

Looking at adaptations, what worked, what didn’t, feel free to bring in your favourites- and of course, the big question … is the book always better than the movie? Group short script writing activities to work on screen plays for the Youth Week 2011 theme ‘Own It’!

Do You Love To Write: Writing for Movies/Story boards/Illustration
Tuesday Mar. 1st: 4.30 – 6.00pm

Continue working on the group screenplay, begin editing to have 2 short screenplays completed. Learn to story board and illustrate with assistance of local artist. Begin to collate finished work for exhibition in May.

Do You Love To Write: Lights, camera, action!
Tuesday April 5th: TBC

Super-sized, school holiday session as part of Youth Week 2011! Use Guerrilla Film Making techniques to make a short film of the scripts developed in the group!
A chance for young Spielbergs and Scorceses’ to turn written works into lo-tech Guerilla Cinema! Finished works will be featured in Hurstville Youth Week celebrations.

Do You Love To Write: Launch/Exhibition
Tuesday May 3rd: TBC

Bring along your family and friends to show the work on display by the group. Prints of written work, storyboards and illustrations, a new booklet of works, and a presentation for participants.

For more information contact 9330 6142,don't miss it!

New DVD Titles Coming Soon

We have some fantastic new DVD titles arriving soon:

Examples are:

• Iron Man 2 - starring Robert Downey Jr. , Gweneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlet Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson. Tony Stark's Super Hero secret is revealed to the world. He suits up again to face his most dangerous enemy.
  


• Sex and the City 2 - starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. The movie didn't do as well at the box office as the first movie, however it is still an enjoyable movie especially for fans of the TV series.
  


• Beneath Hill 60 - starring Brendan Cowell, Gyton Grantley, Aden Young, Jacqueline McKenzie, Anthony Hayes and Steve Le Marquand. An Australian movie based on a true story. The movie has been named as "One of the great war movies in cinema history" and "One of the finest films ever made in this country".
  


• Glee: Road to Sectionals (Season 1; Volume 1) - The series focuses on a high school glee club competing on the show choir competition circuit and a teacher trying to transform the glee club into champions.
  
  Also arriving on our shelves soon are instructional DVDs on Wedding Stationery; Wedding Flowers and Wedding Decorations. These can be found in the Non Fiction section of the library in a few weeks.
  
  Many more new titles will be on the DVD stand soon so why not come in and take a look.
  
  All purchase suggestions are welcome. All you need to do is post them here.

New Carpet for Hurstville Library

Hurstville City Library is getting new carpet!
The library will close on Tuesday, 4 January 2011 to Friday 14th January 2011 and reopen Saturday, 15 January 2011.
Don’t worry, you can still use the Penshurst Branch Library which will remain open during this time.
Find out more on the LMG website





(image courtesy of Sobrinksi Painting)

Stock Up! Get first pick of new stock for your holiday reading

Just in time for your holiday reading! Hurstville and Penshurst libraries will have a

great selection of new books, CDs and DVDs available for loan. Everyone is welcome
Bring your library card or join on the spot (ID with your current address required). Membership is free.
Staff will also be available to show you how to make a request, listen to and show you how to make suggestions and recommend some great holdiay reading. So tell us what you think! We'll also show you our new eLibrary where you can download audio-books and e-books from home.

Hurstville City Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora Street, Hurstville
Wednesday 8th December
9.30am - 8.30pm

Penshurst Branch Library
630 Forest Rd, Penshurst
Thursday 16th December
10.30am - 12.30am, 2pm - 5.30pm

Dr Mohamed Khadra to speak at Hurstville City Library

Healthcare in Australia is in crisis - what are the solutions? After the success of Making the Cut: a Surgeon's Stories of Life on the Edge, in which he described his work as a surgeon, and The Patient: One Man's Journey through the Australian Health-Care System, in which he wrote about the life of a man terminally ill with cancer, Dr Mohamed Khadra moves to the natural sequel- the topical subject of the healthcare system in Australia.
Dr Khadra will speak about his recently published book Terminal Decline: A Surgeon's Diagnosis of the Australian Health-Care System

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

Wednesday 17th November, 2010 @ 7pm

Free Event: Bookings 9330 6142

Book available for sale and signing

A Tiny Bit Marvellous.

Dawn French is a name synonymous with two things. Laughter, and Curly Wurlys. From her deliciously sinful portrayal of Geraldine in 'The Vicar of Dibley' to her outrageous skits and shenanigans with longtime partner-in-crime Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French remains one of the worlds most beloved comediennes.
Her first book 'Dear Fatty' was a poignant, insightful and often hilarious description of Dawn French's harrowing journey through life.



Now, Ms. French has progressed past her memoirs and has put her years of experience to good use in her latest literary mission - 'A Tiny Bit Marvellous'.
This novel explores the lives of a family. There's mum, Mo. Then there's dad and the two kids Dora and Oscar. Oh, and there's a dog called Poo.
The book details through a series of diary entries how each family member lives in their own little worlds, putting the stability of the family in jeopardy.
Heartbreaking, and yet laugh-out-loud funny, should we consider adding this gem to our library shelves?

Dianne Blacklock coming to Hurstville Library

Popular novelist Dianne Blacklock will be speaking about and signing her new book The Right Time.

Hurstville City Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora Street, Hurstville

Wednesday 10th November ,2010 @12.15pm

Free Event : Bookings 9330.6142

For lovers of books about family and man-woman relationships,love and friendship this event promises to be a real treat.

A library without books...?

...why it must be the University of Amsterdam library!

The University of Amsterdam Library has been designed for the post print age and the focus has shifted from book repository to a dedicated area for study, work and digital collections. Books can still be requested online (hence the orange crates in the above pic) but by removing books - that which traditionally defines a library - the library space can evolve into something unspeakably stylish. Bless the genius of the Dutch!

Check out more pictures of this new concept in the approach to a library building.

(image via Co.Design)

Discover our Databases

Looking for information? Searching the Internet? How do you know if the information is accurate, trustworthy and up to date? There is another option…

Hurstville Library subscribes to a wide range of databases that cover health, business, family history, literature, science, consumer & current issues and much more...

All of our databases can be accessed for free if you are a library member. Not a member, start the join up process online at the Hurstville Library, Museum & Gallery website or visit Hurstville or Penshurst library to join .

How do you access the databases?

Go to the Hurstville LMG website Under Find Information click on Research Databases and select the databases you are interested in by subject or from an alphabetical listing. Many of the databases you can access from home. You will just need your library card number X16.....

After selecting the database click on Login from Library or Login from home.

What databases can I access from home or the library?

ANZ Newsstand
Full-text newspapers and newswires from Australia and New Zealand covering regional and international topics.

Bookan Chinese E-magazines NEW!!
The world’s largest Chinese online magazine & newspaper website.

Consumer Health Complete
Consumer-oriented health content covering all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated medicine.

Points of View NEW!!
Gain a balanced perspective on current issues with information from a range of viewpoints.

and many more...

What databases can I access when I visit the library?

Ancestry Library
Access to a wide range of unique resources for genealogical and historical research, including census records; military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; passenger lists and more. Start searching your family history today!

Choice Online
Access to articles from Choice – the consumer magazine. Compare products and find independent product reviews. See the library staff to gain access.

And many more...

St George Art Awards - Winners announced!

Congratulations to all the finalists whose works are displayed in the LMG!
We are very proud to announce the following prize winners of each category....drum roll please....

St George Art Prize
Winner:
Life Adjustment Disorder, Sunny Day - Simon Collins

Highly Commended:
Barthelemy Roger's Oui-re kine - Nicola Dickson
Barthelemy Roger's Bedgi-bedgi - Nicola Dickson
In Your Arms - Fiona White


St George 3D Art Prize
Winner:
Ambiguous Perception No. 7 - Tim Mantzouridis


St George Local Youth Prize
Winner:
In Trouble - Colan Luo

Highly Commended:
Sisters - Julie Zhao


Exhibition runs until 16 December 2010. 2D & 3D works are displayed at the Museum & Gallery. The Youth finalists are on display in the Library exhibition area.

Come and vote for your favourite work in the People's Choice category!

New Uniforms?

Ahh yes. Everyone has their idea of the typical librarian in their heads. Perhaps an elderly, silver-haired woman with stern features and little circular glasses that sit so precariously on the tip of her nose that every time she mutters "Shh!" at noisy schoolchildren you swear they're going to topple off her face and land in her fine bone china tea cup. Perhaps not. Chances are you picture someone rather neatly, stiffly, and stuffily dressed.
At Hurstville Library, our librarians are considerably more relaxed. They drink their English Breakfast tea out of mugs, not fine bone china! Which is why, these t-shirts are far more appropriate uniform suggestions.









Well, what do you think? Do the wonderful, albeit slightly nuts, people that work at Hurstville Library need a uniform like this?

(images via. zazzle)

Mr. Bean in the Library

Oh bless the English, for not only have they brought us colonisation and Jordan, but they also offer up the quietly hilarious and entirely endearing Mr. Bean




Where would we be without his blundering antics to amuse and delight us?

Just make sure you treat Hurstville Library's books a bit better!

From Sweden with Love

First we had Abba

Then came Stieg

Why not come and see all our New Swedish Authors

Check it out! - Museums & Galleries NSW IMAGinE Award

Last Friday night, Hurstville City Museum & Gallery won a Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGinE award for 'Exhibitions - Less than seven staff' for our permanent exhibition, Living on the Water's Edge: Stories of St George!


The event was held on the beautiful Circular Quay Terrace at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). It was a perfect way to spend a Friday night - and an awesome birthday present for one of our curators!

Congratulations to all the LMG staff who worked on this exhibition. A big thank you to all the volunteers and interns who assisted as well.


Look at our virtual version of the exhibition online or why not come and visit us and see our 'award winning' exhibition for yourself!


Congratulations to the nominees in all categories. Check out the winners of the other categories!

Hugh Mackay - What Makes Us Tick?

Hurstville City Library was lucky enough to have leading psychologist, social researcher and author, Hugh Mackay, join us at the library. Hugh discussed his new book 'What Makes Us Tick?' and in this short excerpt, delves into the human desire for control.



Check out more videos at the LMG's YouTube Channel.

Do You Love To Write? Yes!

Check out these works hot off the press from the recent Hurstville City Library youth creative writing project! ‘Do You Love To Write?’ was a series of fun, relaxed writing workshops for young people. The group worked on their techniques, learnt skills and received feedback from authors, culminating in a publication and launch of their work. There are more writing workshops coming up, starting on Tuesday 9th November from 4.30pm at the Library and continuing right through until May 2011, if you would like to be involved call 9330 6118 for more information. Until then, have a look at these cool short stories from the group!


In trouble

By Amelia S.

He knew he was in trouble when the teacher called out his name.
“Yes, Miss?” His voice squeaked.
“Up,” she ordered.

He glanced around the room. The other students were a sea of curious eyes watching him. He gulped loudly and stood up. His chair scraped against the floor.
“Jay, do you know why I’m making you stand up?” asked Miss Miller, leaning against her desk.
“No, Miss,”
Miss Miller raised an eyebrow. Jay’s knee shook.
“You’re not lying, are you, Jay?”
He could feel sweat beads form across his forehead which he wiped with the back of his hand.
“No, Miss, I wouldn’t lie,” he said, hoping his squeaky response wouldn’t give him away.
“Hmm,” said Miss Miller, tapping a pen against her lips.
His teacher shook her head and walked around the other side of the desk.
“Sit down, Jay.”

He sat down quickly as his classmates broke into whispers.
Jay watched as Miss Miller went through the papers piled on her desk.
Please, please don’t let her find it. He prayed silently.
But Miss Miller found what she was looking for, the piece of paper that could –
“Well class,” she began, “it seems that I am going to have to interview every single one of you now.” She stared at the paper in her hands.
Jay’s best friend, Thomas, stared at him. He shrugged. Even though Jay was the only one who knew what Miss Miller was talking about, he figured that acting clueless was the best option.

“Miss, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Jay.
“Miss, you haven’t exactly told us anything about this catastrophe,” chimed Thomas, hoping to help his friend out. There were a few nods of agreement around the classroom.
Miss Miller held up the piece of paper.
“This is what I’m talking about,” she said.

The most unusual day in the world

By Cate H.

One day I was walking to school when something unusual happened. I could see my friends running towards me, squealing and screaming excitedly.

“Why are you so excited”? I asked them.
At first they didn’t respond. I kept asking them why they were so excited. Finally I got an answer.
“You’re the best singer in the world because your album went to second place over night!”
My two friends told me that I would work it all out when I got to school.

When we got to school, everyone started running towards us.
Then we saw the backs of two men and I wondered who they were.
When they turned around, we realised they were Justin Timberlake and Zac Efron. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My friends screamed so loudly.

“Quiet,” they said. “We don’t want to get caught.”

Adam

By Denise C.

I remember when I first heard him. I wanted to pinch myself, convinced that this was just a dream. I wanted to run around the hospital room, screaming and laughing like a lunatic. This was it. My biggest wish since I was four years old.
“He’s coming,”said the doctor.

Those two words turned my legs to jelly and a sudden chill ran down my back. Tears burst from my eyes, tears that I didn’t try hiding. Still, I promised myself I’d be strong, just for mum. The doctor held him carefully, supporting his neck. Mum pushed. She didn’t scream or cry like in the movies. My brother’s cries made me want to soothe him, reassure him that the world he was entering was OK.

I watched transfixed as my mother closed her eyes and gave a final push. My heartbeat quickened, my mouth went dry. The doctor turned to me.

“I need you to help me pull him out.”

Birds Of Tokyo

Australia produces some true rock gems, and this group of superb talents is definitely one of them.


Birds Of Tokyo gained notoriety as one of Australia's leading rock powerhouses in 2006 with their debut album Day One. This song, Silhouettic, is off their sophpomore album Universes. The lead singer Ian Kenny also fronts progressive metal band Karnivool and with vocal abilities like that, it sure is hard to deny his talent. He also rivals Peter Garrett for the title of 'Australia's Strangest Dancer'.

Coming soon! - St George Art Awards 2010 exhibition

The inaugural St George Art Awards exhibition will be officially opened on Friday 29 October, 2010 at 6.00pm at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery (14 MacMahon St, Hurstville).

The biannual St George Art Awards is a national competition open to all Australian residents. To be eligible artists had to submit entries relating to the theme below:

Relationships [ri-ley-shuhn-ship] - noun
1. connection; a particular connection
2. connection by blood or marriage
3. an emotional connection

The theme enables artists to explore ideas such as the connections between and water; humans and the earth; disticy cultures; the past and present or emotional connections between people.

Prizes will be awarded the in the following categories:

• St George Art Prize 2010 - $8,000; Painting; Acquisitive
• St George 3D Art Prize - $3,000; 3D works
• St George Local Youth Prize - $500 of art materials; No theme, open to either paintings or drawings.

For the Awards inaugural year we are proud to have attracted entries by established artists, emerging talents, students and amateurs. Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery would like to thank all the artists who entered and warmly congratulate those selected for exhibition in the first year of the St George Art Awards.

Make sure you bring your family along and come to the opening night to see the winnder of each category announced. We would love to see you there!

To RSVP, call the Museum & Gallery on 9330 6444 or send an email to museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Bringing books and people together

If you've ever aspired to that most noble of professions - the Librarian - heed this educational film from 1946 for a 'startlingly accurate' depiction of what we do.


Yes, that's right you too can "...derive satisfaction from the knowledge that your work is vital and essential in forming the kind of world in which you want to live." Even without PCs and research databases and online assistance and eBooks and, and...other stuff, the essence of a librarian's work is surprisingly similar to what it was 64 years (and more) ago and will probably continue to remain the same.

Despite popular opinion, being bilingual in Dewey Decimal is not a prerequisite.

Dianne Blacklock Guest Author at Hurstville City Library

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St

Wednesday 10th November, 2010

12.15pm Exhibition Area

Free Event: Bookings 9330 6142

One of Hurstville Library's most popular authors, Dianne Blacklock will be speaking about her writing and her new book The Right Time

Dianne says of her new book, "It's about that unconditional love you only find in families. The four Beckett sisters can be annoying, resentful and drive each other crazy, but when it really matters, they are there for each other in a heartbeat. I hope you enjoy their journey; I certainly enjoyed taking it with them."

Dianne's visit will be a treat for lovers of her works or for fans of books that explore family relationships, men-women relationships, love and friendship.

Other Dianne Blacklock books held by the library include:

Almost Perfect Call Waiting Crossing Paths

False Advertising Three's a Crowd Wife for Hire

Spotlight on DVD titles for October

New DVD titles come in regularly to the library. The sample list below of new DVDs is a mixed bag of titles to suit a variety of tastes.


DVDs and CDs are free to borrow but remember to bring them back on time so you don't receive a fine.


We would like your suggestions for DVDs and/or CD titles. It's easy! All you need to do is post your suggestions here.

DVD Titles Coming Soon:

• Fish Tank - starring Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender and Kierston Wareing; directed by Academy Award-winning director Andrea Arnold. This is a mysterious and powerful story of family, love and lust. Mia, played by Katie Jarvis is at war with everyone and everything. Her one passion is dancing which she practices in secret. One day Mia's mother brings home a stranger called Connor who promises to change everything in their lives.
  


• Letters to Juliet - starring Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave. I really enjoyed this movie. It's a simple and lovely story set in stunning Italy where we get a glimpse of the beautiful Italian countryside and I really, really want to go there even more after watching it. It is set in the city of Verona, where Romeo first met Juliet. The heartbroken leave notes to Juliet asking for her help. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) finds a 50 year old letter and sets off on a journey with the author Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and her handsome grandson to find Claire's long lost first love.



• Fantasitc Flesh - a documentary on special effects make-up where we meet the masters of the craft and discover it's history. There are behind-the-scenes photos and footage with interviews with Quentin Tarantino, James Brolin, John Landis to name a few. We also get to see clips from Frankenstein, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Exorcist, Planet of the Apes, The Thing, An American Werewolf in London and many more.
  



• Fashion in Film -a documentary that takes a look at the history of costumes, couture and glamour icons in the movies. There are interviews with designers, stylist and stars such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Tyson Beckford, Amanda Bynes, Jennifer Beals. Also, clips from The Devil Wars Prada; Flashdance; American Gigolo; Legally Blonde; Atonement; 27 Dresses; Clueless and more. A good one for up and coming designers to watch or anyone insterested in fashion.
  
• The Book of Eli - starring Denzel Washington and Gary Oldman. Eli (Denzel Washington), is a lone warrior who walks in a post-apocalyptic wasteland that was once America. He possesses the last copy of a book he fiercely guards with his life for it holds the only hope for the future. Carnegie (Gary Oldman) if the bad guy who is determined to get the book off Eli but Eli is determined to fulfill his destiny.

Midnight Juggernauts

Check out this amazing vid of Midnight Juggernauts Lara Vs The Savage Pack from The Crystal Axis.



Each frame was shot individually, then printed on 2000+ pieces of paper, reassembled and then re-shot as the final vid. Genius effort, probably several hundred, profoundly agonising papercuts in all that brilliance.

Like it? Place a reserve on the album for yourself or call us or drop in and let us do it for you. Don't forget to add your review!

Oh, yeah, and we also have their previous album, Dystopia, as well.

Need a bookmark? Here are some rather inventive designs.

It's quite easy to lose your place when you're reading any book, let alone a 963 page monstrosity like Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.
These designers and design companies have come up with some rather unique ways of ensuring you never lose your place again. Tassled bookmarks are SO nineties.





A bookmark lamp by fulguro perhaps?




Oh no your book's leaking! Or is it? Digustingly cool bookmarks by Kyouei Co Ltd.




How about this bookmark/USB stick? Data storage and page reminders all in one nerdtastic Clark Kent-glasses-style package designed by Willie Tsang

Happy Library-ing!

Mr. Hank is here to guide you around the UTS library!

Perhaps the LMG needs someone like Mr. Hank to get the word out about our facilities?
Happy library-ing!

School holiday visitors

We were lucky enough to have some visitors into Hurstville City Library during the September/October school holidays.

They weren't visitors we are particularly used to, however! These beautiful little gems of Australian fauna were brought in to entertain and entrance the kiddies.


And here's one of our staff, Lisa, getting up close and personal with Olive - the snake!




You can see more photos of our four-legged (and some no-legged!) friends at the LMG flickr photostream.

Tracking your collection in a digital age: RFID Technology

How can modern technology help you find those missing artefacts?

This presentation explores the benefits RFID technology has for the Museum and Gallery sector by examining the results of a six month trial at a regional museum & gallery.

Advantages covered include increased collection visibility, automatic tracking of objects, ability to quickly locate misplaced items, efficiency in conducting audits and stock takes, and reductions in object handling. We will also explore convergence and its relationship with RFID.

A useful case study for any institution interested in ways technology can help streamline the management of their collection.

Presented By Jessica Allen, LMG Curator at the Museums Australia Conference 2010 in Melbourne.

Tracking your collection in a digital age: RFID Technology

View more presentations from Hurstville LMG.

Mo-brarians

Movember is a global charity phenomenon. Every year thousands of men (and if able, I'm sure even some women!) grow spectacular fuzzy facial hair to help raise awareness and money for mens health issues, in particular depression and prostate cancer.
And now these fur-lip-lined heros of male health have spread! Into our libraries!
Mo-brarians is a group of male library workers in Australia that have banded together to help encourage participation in the Movember shenanigans.
So what do you think? Should we get some of the men at Hurstville Library growing some truly spiffy little caterpillars above their lips?

October is Mental Health Month

Mental health is a positive term about wellbeing and happiness. The theme this year is "Good friends help us bounce back".
The Library, Museum, Gallery is offering two Mental Health information sessions: Friday 15 October from 10-11 am for Mandarin speakers and Monday 25 October from 10-11 am for Arabic speakers - at Hurstville City Library - Miles Franklin Room. Call: 9330.6142 to book.

Some simple things to do when stressed:

• Take a deep relaxing breath
  
• Go for a walk with a friend
  
• Go to a funny movie and laugh
  
• Take a relaxing bath
  
• Surround yourself with people you enjoy
  
• Get enough sleep
  
• Eat healthy food
  
• Take time to do things you enjoy

How do your friends help you feel better when you're down?

But wait- There's more!

The response to the Cram For The HSC sessions so far has been amazing- so there are more on the way! After this Friday (8th October) session, the Cram series will be moving to weeknights so you can get that extra bit of realxed group studying done during the week. The Cram Sessions will continue on the following dates:
-Wednesday 13th October, 5-9pm
-Wednesday 20th October, 5-9pm
-Thursday 28th October, 5-9pm
-Tuesday 2nd November, 5-9pm.

Remember, please put you name down at the info desk in the library to make sure we are prepared with snacks and other goodies for you and your friends, and during this stressful exam time, please respect the space and one another here at the library and use the quiet study area for quiet study ONLY, thank you!

Congratulations to the 2010 NRL premiers!

Everyone at the library today is buzzing and frantically recalling the wonderful moment on Sunday eve when the St. George Illawarra Dragons held up the NRL premiership trophy for the first time in 31 years. From the heart of St. George territory, we want to congratulate the Dragons on a spectacular victory. Way to show 'em who the chokers are, boys!





(image courtesy of Getty images)

On this day in history..

On October 1st 1946 Roland Berill and Dr. Lancelot Ware formed MENSA - the high IQ society were the only qualification for membership involves having an IQ in the top 98th percentile. There is estimated to be around 100,000 members worldwide. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions.
You know what else happened this day in history? The first annual 'Follow a Library day' on Twitter! Do you follow the LMG? If not then follow us toot-suite @hurstvillelmg
http://twitter.com/hurstvillelmg

Author Talks - John Birmingham

John Birmingham, author of 'Leviathan' and 'He Died With a Felafel in His Hand' popped into Hurstville City Library earlier in September to discuss the inspiration behind his books and the grungey history of the 'Leviathan' itself - Sydney.
Check out this excerpt from his talk.

Matthew Reilly

Matthew Reilly is one of Australia's most beloved authors. His books have sold over 3.5 million copies worlwide and have been published in more than 20 countries.

One of the favourites here at the LMG is his Jack West series, starting with The Seven Ancient Wonders. The series continues to include The Six Sacred Stones and lastly The Five Greatest Warriors. These fast paced, action packed novels are a favourite of both young and old.

Come into the LMG today and check one out!

Who else writes like Nora Roberts

Ever felt sad whilst reading a book? Don't want it to end but can't wait to get there to see what happens? Can't wait to read another book by the same author only to discover you've read the lot?

Yes it's frustrating but there is light at the end of the tunnel! Often there will be other authors who write just like your favourite.

Our featured author this month is Nora Roberts so if you are a fan why not pop along to Hurstville Library to see the range of books currently on display and available for loan by authors who write like her. Just click onto any of the following names to see what the library holds.

Sally Beauman

Barbara Taylor Bradford

Janet Dailey

Jude Deveraux

Julie Ellis

Linda Gillard

Kristen Hannah

Iris Johansen

Jayne Ann Krentz

Debbie Macomber

Judith McNaught

Kasey Michaels

Linda Lael Miller

Diana Palmer

Luanne Rice

Lavyrle Spencer

Danielle Steel

Rachael Treasure

Recycled books

In the back of every cupboard amongst the mis-matched socks and clouds of dust there is an old book or two. Okay, admit it, there's about 30. They're all books that you bought, maybe read once, and then decided you didn't particularly like. But you're yet to donate these unloved members of the literacy world to your local library (which is what you should be doing. Right now.)

Perhaps you're a hoarder. Perhaps you're keeping them there until you can give them away as a birthday present to someone you don't particularly care for. Whatever the reason behind your accumulation of abandoned books, there's always someone somewhere else in the world that could be reading and loving those books that you use as a door stop.

And even if you don't feel like giving those books to a library and being a wonderful human being, there's always other ways of recycling these literary orphans...

How about this recycled book chandelier by Lula Dot Studio?

Maybe turn them into pot plants, like Italian designer GartenKulter.

But perhaps the best of all, a recycled book library information desk! Brilliance!