Friday, August 31, 2012

Are libraries still relevant?




Having seen quite a few new and renovated libraries in the last few years, I was interested to note the recent letter in the St George Leader by a Rockdale resident on plans for the new local library building. Of course there will be a huge financial cost to the Council and ratepayers but this reader was adamant that this new library would become a "white elephant". On speaking to people in conversation there is an urban myth that technology is making Libraries irrelevant. Libraries have been and continue to undergo huge changes and are constantly evolving. Technology does not mean that Libraries are redundant, on the contrary, they are are hub of community engagement providing programs from birth to the grave. The great thing about Libraries is that there are physical libraries where we can spend time but they do close. The virtual library never closes and offers information database resources and borrowing e-collection at all hours, every day. If you have a look at the range of programs offered at most Council Libraries and the use of spaces for a wide range of activities that educate and entertain, the future for Libraries looks very bright.



Thursday, August 30, 2012

Interested in finding out more about the 'God particle'?


Photo: Model of Large Hadron Collider (LHC) taken by Johannes Simon/2008 Getty Images (Ebsco Image Collection)
Physicists have for decades been looking for the elusive Higgs Bosun particle (aka the ‘God particle’). Scientists at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) have recently  discovered a new particle  that they believe is consistent with Higgs Bosun, which is thought to be responsible for the presence of mass in the universe. This discovery will contribute not only to our understanding of atoms, but will contribute to our understanding of the universe itself. The experiments which have led to this amazing scientific break-through, took place at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - the world's biggest and most powerful particle accelerator, which is located on the French-Swiss border. To read more about the 'God particle', login to the Ebsco Science Reference Centre    either from home or in the library, using your library card’s barcode.  
Rayyan                                                                                                                                              

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Julian Assange: Ecuador-bound?


Source: Scarff, O. (2010). Julian Assange [Photograph]. Retrieved 31 August, 2012, from Ebsco Image Collection.
Julian Assange, the WikilLeaks founder who was responsible for the biggest leak of secret government documents in history, has been offered diplomatic asylum in Ecuador. Although this is a tremendous moral boost for Assange and his supporters, it does not appear that Assange will be able to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations.

Assange, who has been living inside an office at Eucador's embassy for the past two months, believes that if he is extradited to Sweden, he will face a further extradition to the United States, where he might face trial for WikiLeaks-related charges.

Read more about Julian Assange and WikiLeaks in the ANZ Newstand (Proquest) and the ANZ Reference Centre (Ebsco). The latter database contains a fascinating interview with Assange, conducted by Jamie Kelsey-Fry (see reference below), which discusses the power of state intelligence agencies, the criteria that WikiLeaks used to decide what to publish and the intense media scrutiny on Assange's personal life.

Reference
Kelsey-Fry, Jamie. 2012. "Julian Assange." New Internationalist no. 452: 62. Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre, EBSCOhost (accessed August 24, 2012).

Rayyan

Monday, August 27, 2012

Hurstville Library goes to Narwee





Passersby of all ages were delighted to receive a free book from Hurstville Library staff when they visited Narwee Shopping Centre on a very windy Thursday afternoon as part of a promotion for the National Year of Reading. Staff took the opportunity to talk about the wide range of services available from the library as well as the many programs and events to be held over the coming months.
The afternoon was a great success and comments included, “Thanks for coming to Narwee, its great you made the effort”, others promised they would visit or attend one of the events promoted.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Join in the fun this book week and get involved in The Reading Hour

Sharing a book with a child for 10 minutes a day, an hour a week, is the aim of  The Reading Hour, a national event being celebrated this Saturday 25 August at 6pm.

Reading to your child for just 10 minutes a day will give them the best chances of becoming a good reader. As most of our brain development happens between birth and three years of age it is important to read to your children from day one.

Get involved with the reading hour by visiting Hurstville or Penshurst branch libraries and borrowing some great reads to share with your children on Saturday night.
Have a look at some of the great new children's books we have available. While you are in Hurstville library why not check out the great range of past children's book week winners on display.

We also have a special offer running this Saturday and Sunday to coincide with Children's Book Week. Any child under 3 that joins the library as a new member will receive a special gift pack. Conditions apply and this offer is only available while stocks last.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The McClymonts

The McClymonts are playing the Enmore Theatre on Saturday 1st September.  The band won an ARIA Award for their first album Wrapped Up Good.  The second album Chaos and Bright Lights made no. 2 on the ARIA album charts.  Two Worlds Collide is their most recent album which was released early May 2012 and debuted at no. 7.  You can borrow Wrapped Up Good free from the library now.  Two Worlds Collide will be in our collection very soon.  If you like the McClymonts music you may also like to check out the following titles which are in the library collection.

CMC Rocks The Hunter 2011 (DVD)
The Best of Australian Country
Country Music Awards Australia 2011Winners (DVD)

Wes Carr winner of 2008 Australian Idol will also be on tour with The McClymonts. Check out Carr's music on Freegal via the library website and download three free tracks per week.  All you need is to be a member of Hurstville City Library.  If you are not a member and would like to become one just bring in 2 items of i.d. with one item containing your current address.

Museum 2 You – Kid’s Craft Activities

Look at some of the great projects the children made at our recent Kid’s Craft Activities program! This session was held in conjunction with our current display Museum 2 You, where visitors can learn about climate change, sustainability and biodiversity, and in keeping with the themes, the children made vases our of old water bottles, bugs out of egg cartons, and bird feeders out of milk containers.

There are lots more exciting programs coming up in conjunction with Museum 2 You. Check out our website for more information.

Image courtesy Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Visit our new exciting exhibition Sydney’s Italian Fruit Shops – The Original Green Grocer


Visit our new exciting exhibition Sydney’s Italian Fruit Shops – The Original Green Grocer.

Colourful photographic panels tell the story of Italian migrant families who came to Australia in the early decades of the 20th century and opened small fruit shops. These shops were important places for intercultural exchange and they changed Australian eating habits. At that time some of Sydney’s residents met Italian families for the first time and learned about eggplants, sundried tomatoes and spaghetti. The travelling exhibition was created by Co.As.It., (Italian Association of Assistance) in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Public History (ACPH) at the University of Technology, Sydney. Check out the Online Fruit Shop Register and find your local Italian fruit shop.

Join us for the Official Opening this Friday 17 August , 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. Call 93306444 or email us to reserve your spot.

The exhibition will be on show at Hurstville Museum & Gallery from 11 August – 30 September. Our opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm - 5.00pm. 14 MacMahon Street, Hurstville.

Image: The Firenze family fruit shop in Cronulla NSW 1955. Image courtesy of the Firenze family.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Literary farewells

In recent weeks four writers have died leaving behind a body of work encompassing a wide range of styles and subject matter.
Literary giants Gore Vidal  and Australian Robert Hughes were perhaps the most well  known so discover or re-acquaint yourself with some of their best writing with a book from Hurstville Library.
Gore Vidal  (3 October 1925- 31 July 2012) novelist, essayist, social commentator and screenwriter. His books included United States: Essays 1952-1992, Point to Point Navigation: a Memoir, 1964 to 2006 and Inventing a Nation: Washington, Adams, Jefferson with a foreword by Bob Carr who over the years gave many interviews to the ABC's Lateline program.
Robert Hughes (28 July 1938 – 6 August 2012) was one of Australia's most widely known expats, an art critic and historian perhaps best known for his groundbreaking book on modern art The Shock of the New and what is regarded as a modern classic on Australia’s convict era The Fatal Shore.  His other works include histories, Rome and Barcelona and his memoir Things I Didn’t Know. An ABC Lateline interview with Malcolm Turnbull remembering his friend was aired recently.

Maeve Binchy (28 May 1940-30 July 2012) popular novelist, columnist and commenator whose gently humorous books on small-town life in her native Ireland were loved by many readers and John Keegan (15 May 1934 - 2 August 2012) military historian and jounalist who according to the The Guardian , "possessed a rare ability to describe warfare from the standpoint of the frontline soldier",, were two very different writers who have died recently.

Take a look

Why not check out this month's issue of Australian Photography magazine. It is your one stop shop for all of your photography needs. Whether you are a beginner or a professional this magazine complete with reviews of the latest photography equipment and articles to getting the best shots will blow your mind with ideas. Why you are looking you might get some inspiration so that you can enter our LMG National year of reading Digital photography competition. Many great prizes to win.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Learn about climate change, sustainability and biodiversity at Hurstville Museum & Gallery

Come to the Dragon’s Lair Gallery in August to learn all about climate change, sustainability and biodiversity. Museum2You is a display that comes from the Australian Museum. It has lots of information about energy use, the environment and natural resources, books to read, and samples of products you can use to reduce your impact on the environment. For the kids, there are colouring in sheets, bug samples to handle, and books to read.

The exhibition will be on show Saturday 4 August – Sunday 2 September 2012. We also have an exciting calendar of programs and events including a lunchtime talk, kid's craft activities, a kids's workhop, a bus tour and a poster competition.

For more information contact us on (02) 9330 6444 or via email or visit our website.
Dragon’s Lair Gallery
Hurstville Museum & Gallery
14 MacMahon St, Hurstville

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Winner for the July heat of the LMG Digital Photography competition announced.

The theme for July, "Discover" was a difficult one to capture, however everyone submitted some quality shots. The quality of photos was that good, judges had difficulty selecting a clear winner. After a lot of thought they narrowed the pool to three photos that they felt displayed technical poise and addressed the theme of "Discover".  


The judges thought this photo showed how much joy discovering things for the first time can bring.

Discovering Through Little Eyes by Vincent.ZZY, on Flickr

The judges thought this photo balanced colours well, and were amazed to discover that the photo is of a passion fruit flower. The photo allowed judges to discover new things for themselves.


DISCOVERY by Gee&Ash, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic License  by  Gee&Ash 

However, after careful deliberation, the panel of judges thought this photo deserved to win the monthly heat.


The photo demonstrated technical ability, and the judges discovered multiple interpretations and stories. For example. the judges saw the couple discovering a new relationship, whilst also discovering a new art work. Congratulations to the photographer.

August ushers in a new theme, "Question". Has anyone given this theme thought?

Below is a slideshow of all the photos submitted for July.

Monday, August 06, 2012

Free Movies

Take a look at the list below for the latest DVD titles that will be available for loan very soon.  Did you know that you can borrow DVDs for free from Hurstville City Library and the loan period is one week?

Albert Nobbs
The Artist
A Few Best Men
The Grey
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Hugo
21 Jump Street
J. Edgar
Happy
John Carter
London Boulevard
A Separation
My Week With Marilyn
The Only Way is Up - One Direction

Keep checking here for more fantastic moves in the coming months.

Would you like to borrow any of the movies above but you aren't a member of Hurstville City Library? Just bring along two items of identification and we can join you up on the spot.  Remember that one of the items of I.D. must have your current address on it.

Author Talk Mark Gasnier

Mark Gasnier, the legendary St George - Illawarra Dragons player is coming to Hurstville Library and will share highlights from his life and career and introduce his recently released autobiography Gaz.
He is regarded as one of the best players in the game in recent years, playing at Club, State of Origin and International levels. With a Rugby League immortal as an uncle, there was always going to be a high level of expectation surrounding Mark Gasnier. He scored over 100 tries in his Rugby League career, and won that elusive premiership with the Dragons in 2010.
Mark is also a contributor to the recipe book Footy Flavours a collection of delcious dishes from favourite Rugby League stars.
This is a great opportunity for all Dragons fans and sports lovers to meet one of the club's most popular players.
Copies of Gaz and and Footy Flavours will be available for sale and signing.


Hurstville Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville
Wednesday 29 August @ 7pm
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 9330 6142