The Art of Asking (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help) by Amanda Palmer

"From what I've seen, it isn't so much the act of asking that paralyzes us--it's what lies beneath: the fear of being vulnerable, the fear of rejection, the fear of looking needy or weak. The fear of being seen as a burdensome member of the community instead of a productive one." - The Art of Asking, Amanda Palmer

Half autobiography, half self-help book, The Art of Asking takes you on a journey through the ups and downs of Amanda Palmer’s life and how she learned that both asking and accepting offers for help is ok!

If you’ve never heard of Amanda Palmer, or are a diehard fan of her music – it doesn’t really matter. This book is very honest and explores the ongoing relationship of trust that Amanda Palmer has with the world. I loved reading the ‘rockstar’ stories of her life as a living statue and couchsurfing as she played gigs across the world, alongside her personal battles like dealing with a friends illness and falling in love with someone unexpected (in this case, writer Neil Gaiman). 

I put the book down thinking that maybe she is right about some things – maybe we should all “take the flower” when it’s offered and trust in people just a little bit more.

 - Beth

A book review from our teen fiction collection

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Park is a quiet boy who loathes attention. Eleanor is a big, red-headed new girl whose gawkiness and style makes her stand out like a sore thumb. On Eleanor's first day, Park hesitantly invites her to sit next to him on the crowded bus and the pair share awkward trips to and from school, until they begin to realise they amicably share similar tastes in comic books and music. As time passes they both fall into a flurry of first love and nothing is ever the same.

I owned this book for a year before I decided to read it and I can't believe that I waited so long! Rainbow Rowell never fails to produce an amazing story and Eleanor and Park is no exception. I can see myself re-reading it in the future because the story was so captivating and I'm so fond of the characters.

It's easy to identify with the characters in this book. Park is an introvert who finds that the best way to deal with his teenage angst is to listen to music and keep to himself. Eleanor wants to be an individual, to stand out from the rest, and she expresses this through an outrageous style of fashion. If you read this book, not only will you fall in love with the story, but you will fall in love with the characters too.

This is a story that has won over my heart and I won't ever forget it. It's beautiful and it perfectly depicts the awkwardness and clumsiness of falling in love for the first time. Although this is categorised as a teen fiction/young adult novel, I believe know that this is a book that can also be enjoyed by adults.

Eleanor and Park is available for loan at Hurstville City Library. Don't cheat yourself out of reading this beautiful book! Click here to view Eleanor and Park in the Hurstville City Library catalogue.

- Holly.

A book review from our teen fiction collection

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This story follows the companionship between Violet Markey, a girl who has recently lost her sister in a car accident, and Theodore Finch, a charismatic and troubled boy who suffers from bipolar disorder. They meet each other on top of the school bell tower and from the moment they meet they begin an unlikely friendship.

I cannot give this book enough praise, I am still whirling from the experience of reading it. It is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, and most importantly it tackles a delicate issue - mental illness.

Violet and Finch get paired up together for a Geography project, which sends them travelling to find 'the wonders of their state'. They learn more about one another as each new adventure passes, each of them discovering more details about the others depression and dark thoughts.

I was gripped from the very first page and once I picked the book up I could not put it down. A book like this, including its characters and messages, stays with you forever.

This story changed my life. It is so confronting and raw. It shows that people from all walks of life can be affected by mental illness, no matter who they are or what they've been through.

Experience the journey with Violet and Finch and borrow this book from our library! Click here to see All the Bright Places in our catalogue.

- Holly.

Spandau Ballet now available at Hurstville City Library!

Remember the Eighties, then you will probably remember Spandau Ballet. One of the most influential rock bands of the era in music and fashion. Well, you can now watch the Spandau Ballet story on a new dvd titled: ‘Spandau Ballet: Soul boys of the Western World’, now available for loan from Hurstville Library. Follow this link for more information.

National Trust Heritage Festival 2015

The National Trust Heritage Festival started in NSW in 1980 to nurture & promote heritage related events in NSW. From the 11 April – 26 May 2015 join the National Trust in celebrating Australia’s cultural heritage, through talks, tours, exhibitions and events across NSW, the National Trust invites people to explore our heritage and find out what has shaped Australia.1 

To celebrate the theme of this year’s National Trust Heritage Festival Conflict and Compassion Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery will be hosting the following events:

We will start our program of events on Wednesday 22 April 2015 with a beautiful and informative tour of Oatley Park. You will be guided on a journey through the natural beauty of Oatley Park with Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society Inc. This walking tour will explore the abundance of flora and fauna and significant sites relating to the heritage of the area. Yummy refreshments will be provided! 

More information.

Hurstville War Memorial c.1930

 Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection

Join us on Wednesday 6 May 2015 for a bus tour where we will visit some of the war memorials and places of commemoration throughout the Hurstville and surrounding suburbs. There will be time to view the Remembering them: People of St George and the First World War exhibition is included. Scrumptious refreshments will be provided. 

More information.

 
Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection

On Monday 11 May 2015 join Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery staff as they present the talk 'Mateship and Mercy' which highlights the compassion and camaraderie of the people of the Hurstville district during the First World War. Extensive research has been undertaken, finding a selection of published letters, diary extracts and correspondence, reflecting the experiences of both local service people and their loved ones during the conflict. 

More information.

Our final program for the National Trust Heritage Festival will be a film screening of 'Revealing Gallipoli' on Tuesday 26 May 2015. Revealing Gallipoli tells the story of the nine-month battle, which ended with the evacuation of all its troops in December 1915. The film was produced in 2005 and has been provided by the Commonwealth Department of Vetrans' Affairs. After the screening, talk some time to view the exhibition 'Remebering Them: People of St George and the First World War'.

More information.

Bookings are essential for all programs.

Remembering Them - People Of St George And The First World War exhibition runs from the 15 February to the 31 May 2015 at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.This exhibition commemorates the ANZAC centenary in 2015 showcasing the experiences of men and women of the St George area during WW1. Personal stories will come to life through soldiers‚“ diary and letter extracts. A highlight on display from the Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection will be the pictorial honour rolls portraying over two hundred photographs of soldiers.

Hurstville Museum & Gallery 

14 MacMahon Street Hurstville 2220

Phone: (02) 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Visit our Website for more information.

  1. Australian Council of National Trusts http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/Heritage-Festival

Check out our Zinio E-magazines!

You can now read these magazines in digital format through Zinio e-magazines magazine downloads, accessed from the Hurstville Library E-library catalogue on our website.

Total Guitar is an excellent resource for guitarists with songs and backing tracks from a wide range of genres plus gear information and lessons.

Electronic Musician is aimed at musicians who play, record and share music, with interviews and information about equipment and trends in recording.

Follow this link to access our E-library!

Gus and Me - Keith Richards and his first guitar

Keith Richards has written a delightful  picture book for children about how his grandfather Theodore Augustus Dupree bought him his first guitar. The story is presented as a tribute to his grandfather and includes family photographs and vibrant artwork by Keith’s daughter, Theodora Richards. Accompanying the book is a compact disc with a reading by Keith. Hurstville Library has two copies of this book for loan. If you wish to learn more and place a reservation, please follow this link to our website.

Remembering Them: People of St George & The First World War

Sailors' and Soldiers' Memorial

The Hurstville Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Memorial Monument, was unveiled in May 1922 to honour local people who died as a result of their involvement in the First World War. The monumnet was created through the industry and generosity of the Hurstville community. 

Unveiling of the Hurstville War Memorial in May 1922.
Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection. 

The memorial was initially proposed to be a Memorial School of Arts building in MacMahon Street which would honour those killed in the conflict whilst also providing social and educational facilities for returned veterans. Ultimately however, the community decided to construct both a monument and a Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, the latter being officially opened in June 1929 and later becoming the Hurstville RSL Club. 

Hurstville Memorial Hall, 1930s.
Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection.

The monument survived a proposal for its relocation in 1926 after which its surrounds were improved with the addition of turf, gardens, pathways and a flagpole. Fittingly, the names of local people killed in subsequent wars have been added to the monument. The memorial has witnessed the ebb and flow of passion for the commemoration of conflict, its very surrounds have undergone change, but its essential core, afforded it by the sacrifice of those it honours and the foresight and spirit of the community which insisted on its creation has been undiminished by time, adding to its reverence and empowering its manifold significance as local landmark, civic facility and, most poignantly, monument of tribute.

Hurstville Railway Square, c. 1926.
Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection. 

Sailors' and Soldiers' Memorial, mid 1930s.
 Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection.

Hurstville Memorial surrounds, c. 1952.
Image: Hurstville city Library Museum & Gallery collection.

Do you want to find out more about other places of commemoration in the Hurstville area?
Join our bus tour:

Places of Commemoration Bus Tour - National Trust Heritage Festival

Wednesday 6 May 2015, 10am - 12.30pm

Ages: All welcome

Cost: $10.00

Book here: LMG What's On

.

Have a look at other memorials in the Hurstville area: Register of War Memorials NSW

Zinio Magazine of the Month: Popular Science

This is the most exciting time to be alive in history. 

Discovery and innovation are reshaping the world around us, and Popular Science makes even the most complex ideas entertaining and accessible. By taking an upbeat, solutions-oriented look at today's most audacious science and revolutionary technology, we forecast what tomorrow will be like. We deliver the future now.








April’s edition of Popular Science will keep you entertained for hours! There’s so much in this month’s feature, you won’t know what to read first. But here are some helpful suggestions of our favourite articles in Popular Science this month:

·         A Three-Wheeled Supercar
·         Inside the Dark Web
·         Virtual Reality
·         Reversing Disease
·         Can you be allergic to technology?

Download the magazine FREE from Zinio, by visiting the Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery website.