Make mine a strawberry frappuccino - but hold the bugs...

"Indian Collecting Cochineal with a Deer Tail" by Jose Antonio de Alzate y Ramirez (1777)

Strawberry flavoured milk, ice-cream, yoghurt, confectionary; who doesn't love strawberry-flavoured goodies? Perhaps though, some people wouldn't be so keen on consuming these goodies, if they knew that the colour (the dye) contained in some of these products has been extracted from the insect shells of the female cochineal bug - a parasite that lives on a certain type of cactus.

Recent controversy surrounding the use of cochineal extract in some of the US coffee chain Starbucks' products, has highlighted the debate surrounding this food colourant; which, it is claimed, can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Find out more about the Starbucks' controversy and about cochineal (which is also used in textiles and cosmetics) by accessing the Proquest Academic Research Library Database free from home/library, by logging in with your library card's barcode.

Anyone for a red smartie? Rayyan.

Get That Job Online - free seminar

Come along to our free seminar on Wednesday 30 May at 7.00pm.  Information covered in the seminar is:

• how to find a job online
• how to be found online
• an overview of job boards
• Linkedin - the world's largest professional network

Join us for this free hour long seminar at Hurstville City Library, Cnr. Queens Road & Dora St., Hurstville.
Bookings required: 9330 6142

Vale Robin Gibb 1949 – 2012

Singer songwriter Robin Gibb passed away on 20 May, after a long battle with cancer. Robin, along with brothers Maurice and Barry, was a founding member of the iconic band the Bee Gees. With careers spanning decades, Robin and his brothers received many accolades, including induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the ARIA Hall of Fame. The Bee Gees are known for their skilled and soulful harmonies, in which Robin’s sweet and touching voice played an integral part.

Many have heard about the British-born brothers’ early years on the Australian pop music scene. However, few people are aware of their strong connection to Hurstville. The Bee Gees recorded a number of songs at the St Clair Recording Studio which was located on Queens Road, Hurstville. Eight of these were released on the Spin record label, including the now famous Spicks and Specks (which was their first real hit in Australia after years of failing to attain chart success in their adopted homeland). Robin’s death has sparked an outpouring of public grief and sympathy, especially in light of the untimely deaths of his brothers Andy (aged 30) and Maurice (aged 53). You can hear legendary Australian recording artist Col Joye talk about the Bee Gees’ early career in Australia, including their time in Hurstville here.

Library Week 2012 Mortdale Station

One cold crisp morning the team from Hurstville City Library set off on a mission, to hand out free books for Library Week. As you can see the mission was a success and a great time was had by all. We will return to the Station again in the not too distant future.

Home front: wartime Sydney 1939–45 exhibition now on at Museum of Sydney

Home front: wartime Sydney 1939–45 is an exciting exhibition which will be on display at the Museum of Sydney until 9 September 2012. This exhibition explores the experiences of Sydneysiders living on the home front during World War II and how they coped with the uncertainty, loneliness, fear and excitement of war to their changing city. These stories aretold through text, drawings, photographs, objects, film, costume and personal memorabilia. As part of this exhibition, objects were selected by Museum of Sydney staff from Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery’s war collection to form part of this exciting new exhibition. Stay tuned for updates...

‘Why not check out some more of our war collections in our exhibition, 'Living on the Water’s Edge: Stories of St George’. 

Image caption: 'Change over to a victory job' (detail), artist unknown, 1943. Australian War Memorial ARTV01060.

Bookan Chinese eMagazines

好市围图书馆的会员们现在可以透过博看电子中文期刊资料库 - 世界上最大的中文杂志资料库，来阅读到超过2,500种中文杂志。杂志种类多样，从政治、财经和科学，以至健康、文学和娱乐都有，全部向图书馆会员们免费提供。在家或在图书馆内，都可以凭借书证上的电脑条码登陆博看网.

Living in the Library

Hurstville City Library has a new resident this week. A living statue has made our Dora Street window her home between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon.She has taken up lodgings during Library Week and is a master of disguise adopting a different persona each day.

Visitors and onlookers have been amazed by the variety of costume choices from relaxed travel gear to lycra superhero clothes to a period gothic dress. She is surrounded by an assortment of books relating to the National Year of Reading monthly theme of Escape and can often be seen perusing their contents.

Rumor has it today is the last day she will appear. I wonder what her disguise will be?

Author Talk: Kate Forsyth

Fans of fantasy, historical fiction and anyone who loves a well told tale are in for a real treat when internationally best selling author Kate Forsyth appears at Hurstville City Library to talk about her amazing new novel Bitter Greens. Inspired by the traditional Rapunzel fairytale but definitely for adults this is a compelling story of desire, obsession, black magic, and the redemptive power of love.
Kate's books have been published in over 13 different countries and won or been nominated for many awards including including Best First Novel and a CYBIL Award in the US. Among her best known works are The Witches of Eileanan and the Rhiannon's Ride series for adults.
Kate is currently undertaking a doctorate in fairy tale retellings at the University of Technology.


"One of the best things about being a writer is you get to spend all day discovering fascinating things about the world and call it research." Kate Forsyth

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

Thursday 24 May @ 1pm

Free event

Bookings at library Service Desk or 9330 6142

Free Seminars at Hurstville City Library

Get That Job
Wednesday 23 May @7pm

Get That Job Online
Wednesday 30 May @ 7pm

Get That Job Resume Seminar
Wednesday 6 June @ 7pm

The perfect job is not going to find you.  You have to go out and chase it.  Come along to one or all three free seminars and learn some valuable tips to compete in the job market.

Where:  Hurstville City Library
Cnr Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville.

Bookings required:  9330 6142

Mitchell Library: 100 Years

David Scott Mitchell was born in 1836 to a wealthy Sydney family. Educated at the University of Sydney, Mitchell was a prolific collector of works on Australia and the surrounding regions. In 1898, Mitchell offered his collection of 40,000 volumes to the State Library of NSW, on the condition that a new building was created to house it. Work on the new building began in 1906, and Mitchell’s collection was bequeathed on his death in 1907. The Mitchell Library opened on 9 March 1910.

The Mitchell Collection, along with the Dixon Collection, has now swelled to some 800,000 items, including manuscripts, pictures and maps. An exhibition entitled Mitchell Library: 100 Years was mounted at the Mitchell Library in 2010 to celebrate its centenary, and showcase 100 remarkable items from the collections. A travelling panel display, highlighting 25 of these items, is now on at Hurstville Museum & Gallery. On show in conjunction is a display recounting the history of library services in the Hurstville municipality, and showcasing rare and interesting items from the Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection. Mitchell Library: 100 Years is on at Hurstville Museum & Gallery until 27 May.

You can explore the State Library’s vast collections further here.

Visit Hurstville Library to learn more about the Mitchell Library in these and other publications:

• Magnificent obsession: the story of the Mitchell Library, by Brian Fletcher
• Treasures of the State Library of New South Wales: the Australiana collections, by Anne Robertson

References
Biography – David Scott Mitchell
Mitchell and Dixon Collections
David Scott Mitchell and the Mitchell Library

Henry Lawson and his journey through NSW in 1892

On 6 May the Museum & Gallery hosted Paul Brunton, Senior Curator at the Mitchell Library, for a fascinating talk on Australian poet and writer Henry Lawson. Paul talked about Lawson’s harrowing journey through drought-affected NSW in 1892, which was a seminal event in his life. Lawson experienced first hand the difficulty of bush life, and the experience informed his writing for years.

Though Lawson had a sad and troubled life that was plagued by alcoholism and mental illness, he was the first writer to be given a state funeral. His work lives on through such classics as The Drover’s Wife. Thanks to Paul Brunton for bringing the story of Henry Lawson to Hurstville! You can read some of Lawson’s work at Hurstville Library.

In the Blood

"Cheer, cheer the red and white..."

Thirty years ago, in 1982, the struggling South Melbourne Football Club flew north of the Barrassi line to become the Sydney Swans. In round one of that year, the Swans played their first game at the SCG against the Melbourne Demons and tomorrow night (Saturday), to mark the occasion, the Swans play the Dees again (in 1982 the Swans won 137 points to 108. Needless to say I'm hoping for a similar result tomorrow night!). So, in honour of the occasion, let's consider this offering.

In the Blood by Jim Main (a fellow Swans tragic) celebrates the rich history of the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans Football Club. Covering every season from its foundation in 1874 up to 2009 (when this book was originally published), Main's passion and knowledge of The Bloods history shines through, with the highlight being the 2005 Grand Final triumph (as well it should be!).

While there may be two AFL teams in Sydney now, the Swans were here first and in many ways blazed the trail for what was to become a truly national competition.

"What though the odds be great or small, Souths/Swans will go in and win over all.
While here loyal sons are marching, Onwards to victory!"

Bingo

Guess What!

We are holding a Bingo morning on Friday the 25th May.

A play on words, not your ordinary Bingo but Bingo played with titles from books.

Come in and join us at Hurstville City Library between 10am -12pm.

Bingo will be held in the Exhibition Area.

Refreshments will be served.

Games are free and there will be prizes.

For bookings please phone Hurstville City Library on 9330.6142



Third Wednesday Book Club: New group for book lovers

Love to read?  Like to share your opinions and thoughts with other like-minded people? Then the Third Wednesday Book Club a new lunchtime book group that aims to provide an informal and friendly atmosphere for adults of all ages might be for you. If you live, work or shop in the Hurstville area keep a lunchtime free once a  month, bring along a sandwich and share a cup of tea or coffee with others and join in the discussion.

Book groups are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. They can give you a more focussed way of reading and can often help you discover a new author, genre or style of book you may never have considered before. A relaxed rather than academic atmosphere with no right or wrong way of reading or responding to a book and where all contributions are welcomed is encouraged. With the library being the central meeting place there is no need to travel to a new address each month.

At each meeting, a preselected book will be the topic for discussion and everyone is encouraged to join in. All members can suggest titles both fiction and nonfiction for discussion at future meetings.

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

Coming dates: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21 @ 1pm

To register interest or to find out more contact

The Adult Collections Librarian,

9330 6142

Free Seminar - Get That Job

Are you thinking about returning to work? Are you looking for a career change? Do you want to learn some valuable tips to compete in the job market?

Come along to our free seminar on Get That Job.

When: Wednesday 23rd May at 7.00pm
Where: Hurstville City Library
Bookings required: 9330 6142

This is the first in a series of three free seminars. Keep watching this space for more information on Get That Job Online and Get That Job Resume Seminar.

Free Law Talk: Planning the Future - Wills and Power of Attorney

Mark Twain once said that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. All jokes aside, it pays to be careful and safeguard your loved ones' futures with a well planned will.

Mr Peter Wood, from the Law Society of NSW, will be giving a free talk at Hurstville City Library on preparing wills and power of attorney.

Hurstville City Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville
Tuesday 15th May @ 12 pm
Free event and free Find Legal Answers show bag
Bookings at library Service Desk or 9330 6142

Win an Ipad 3!

The LMG is running a photography competition and the major prize is an Ipad 3. There are also monthly double movie passes up for grabs. All you need to do is join Flickr, search and join the LMG Photograhy Competition group, and submit photos according to a monthly theme.

To submit, you must tag your photos according to the monthly theme you wish to enter. The monthly tag for May is 'escape_lmg'. Our panal of judges will be looking at your photos for composition, artistic expression and technique, and how your they relate with the theme you have chosen. To find out more information go to the Hurstville City Library website and look for what's on.

The LMG will also run classes on how to use Flickr. Just call the service desk to find out dates and sign up.

Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture

Indigenous Women’s Art of the Central and Western Deserts from the Sims Dickson Collection

Contemporary Indigenous women’s art from remote central and west Australia is the focus of a new exhibition at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture was originally developed to celebrate the Centenary of International Women’s Day at Cessnock Regional Gallery in 2011, and is touring Australia with the support of Visions of Australia funding. The exhibition will tour venues across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

The exhibition explores the role of desert women as artists, community leaders, and custodians of cultural traditions and family life, and demonstrates the important role of Aboriginal owned and managed arts centres. Works on display include Kapi Tjukula by Tjampawa Katie KAWINY (pictured). The exhibition includes large scale works on canvas, woven baskets and soft sculptures.

Strong Women Strong Painting Strong Culture is on display at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery from 21 April – 5 August 2012. A curator floor talk will be held on Friday 4 May 2012at 6.00pm, followed by the official opening at 7.00pm. All welcome, bookings essential on 9330 6444 or via email.

For further information visit our website, telephone us on 9330 6444, or send us email.

96 year old artist Tjampawa Katie KAWINY from Amata, South Australia. Photo by Skye O'Meara, courtesy Tjala Arts.

Kapi Tjukula by Tjampawa Katie KAWINY (c. 1921). Image courtesy Deborah Sims.