Family Christmas Movies

Below is a selection of family Christmas movies in our collection that arrived this week. Relax and enjoy watching a movie or two with your family over the Christmas period.
Walk a mile in my Prada's
The Nutcracker
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
A Princess for Christmas
Ice Age. A mammoth Christmas
What is your favourite Christmas movie? Post the title here.
Merry Christmas. Bella

New Christmas Music at Your Library

We have just received new Christmas music Cd's from our supplier which will be on our stands today. I hope there is something in our collection that will add that special touch to your Christmas celebrations.
Rockwiz-The Christmas Album
The Worlds Greatest Christmas Concertos
Christmas Cocktails
A Christmas Carole by Carole King
What is your favourite Christmas album? Post the title here. I hope to post one more Christmas movie blog by tomorrow so stay tuned. Bella.

好市围图书馆刚进了三款全新的雅思英文学习新书，每款两本. 这些新书涵盖了一系列帮助你更快地学好英文的技巧. 每本书包含两只光盘，能辅助你提高英文的听、读、写能力，是行将参加雅思考试的考生所必读. 此外，你还可以使用好市围的雅思之路Road to IELTS 网上模块学习. 这个网上学习模块，是专为好市围图书馆会员免费提供. 如果你对雅思之路感兴趣，可向图书馆查询.

这三本书将帮助你准备雅思考试、实现理想成绩.

Christmas Movies at Hurstville City Library & Penshurst Branch Library

Do you need to be inspired to get you into the Christmas Spirit? I know I need all the help I can get at this busy time.
The list below is a selection of Christmas themed movies. Our collection holds both classic and more recent titles so take a look at our catalogue.
A Very Glee Christmas
A Nanny for Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street (1947 and 1994)
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Chefs Christmas - series 1
Would you like to tell us what you like to watch over the festive season? Post your suggestions here.
Keep checking here for more ideas. Bella.

Council goes to Uni

What do you get when you cross Hurstville, Rockdale, Shoalhaven, Camden and Wollongong City Councils with a university?

A consortium ready to crank up the research dial to support the business of local government.

Our own Hurstville City Council staff are presently engaged in research over three years with the University of Wollongong (UOW):

Christmas Music at Your Library

Are you ready to get into the festive spirit? Keep checking here over the next few weeks for Christmas movies and music that you may like to borrow. All titles are held at Hurstville City Library and/or Penshurst Branch Library.
Season's Greetings - A Jersey Boys Christmas
Under the Mistletoe - Justin Bieber
Christmas - Michael Bublé (coming soon)
Glee: The Music: The Christmas Album volume 2 (coming soon)
Do we have your favourite Christmas music in our collection? If not, let us know by posting the title here.

Beautify your writing

Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, has been practiced and highly regarded throughout the world for centuries. This impressive forms of artistic writing can be performed in a number of distinct styles, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Nepalese, Islamic, Persian and Western calligraphy.

On Saturday 3 December, visitors to the Museum & Gallery were treated to a demonstration of the process behind creating calligraphy works by members of Calligraphy Southscribes Inc.
The demonstration was run in conjunction with our current Dragon’s Lair Gallery exhibition, Inkspirations: Playing with the Pen.

Inkspirations: Playing with the Pen is an exhibition of intricate and ornate traditional and playful contemporary styles of calligraphy works by members of Calligraphy Southscribes Inc.
The exhibition is on display in the Dragon’s Lair Gallery of Hurstville City Museum & Gallery until Wednesday 21 December. You can visit us Tuesday – Saturday between 10am and 4pm, and on Sundays from 2pm – 5pm.

Don’t miss your chance to see these beautifully detailed works up close!

Holiday Readings

I can almost smell the salt air. At long last my holidays have arrived and as you can see, I will be cruising the high seas on my way to New Zealand. But no holiday is complete without a couple of good reads packed away in the suitcase.
If you don't like shuffle board try this
All that I am
The drop
Tiger men
Vault
Bon Voyage
Susie Q

Celebrate the festive season at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery

The festive season has arrived at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery are you are invited! Join us for an afternoon of Christmas crafts with experienced art teacher Bing Wu. Participants will be shown how to make their own decorated Christmas cards and other Christmas items.

The Christmas Creative Workshop will be held at 14 MacMahon St Hurstville on Sunday 11 December between 2:30pm - 4:30pm. All welcome, ages 12 to adult, and it's okay if you're a beginner. The workshop is $10 per person and refreshments and materials will be provided. For more information or bookings please contact the Museum & Gallery on 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Tell us what kinds of art and craft activities YOU'D like to see at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. Post your responses here!

Christmas DVDs at Hurstville & Penshurst Branch Library

Both Hurstville and Penshurst Branch Library have a selection of Christmas themed movies and music Cd's in our collections. Keep checking here in the weeks leading up to Christmas for ideas to get you into the Christmas spirit. Here are some movie ideas to start you off.

It's a Wonderful Life - directed by Frank Capra. Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. A classic Christmas movie.

White Christmas - directed by Michael Curtiz. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney (George's auntie). A classic Christmas musical.

The Holiday (one of my favourites) - directed by Nancy Meyers. Starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. A Chick flick.

A Christmas Carol - directed by Michael Zemekis, starring Jim Carey, Colin Firth and Gary Oldman. An animated movie.

Christmas - Celtic Thunder. A Musical performance.

Do we have your favourite Christmas movie in our collection? If not post the title here.

Display your artistic creations at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery

Hurstville City Museum & Gallery’s Dragon’s Lair Gallery, offers a professional and affordable art exhibition space available for individual or group hire.

Expressions of interest are now open to local artists or art groups for 2012 and 2013.

If you are interested in exhibiting your work contact the Museum & Gallery today on 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Arthur Beetson 1945-2011

Arthur Beetson passed away suddenly yesterday. He played 221 first grade games for Redcliffe, Balmain, Hull, Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta. He also coached Easts, Recliffe and Cronulla. He was also captain of Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980 (Queensland beat New South Wales 20-10. Some would argue that not much has changed since) and is rightly regarded as one of the best props in Australian rugby league history.

Beetson also was one of seven Rugby League immortals. Up there with the likes of Churchill, Fulton, Gasnier, Langlands, Raper and Lewis. As such, we may not see his like again. 

Want to relive some of Artie's greatest exploits? Hurstville Library has a range of items on the history of rugby league. Also the museum currently has an exhibit, League of Legends: 100 years of Rugby League in Australia which runs until December 18.

Guest speaker Mark Byfield talking to visitors @ Hurstville City Museum & Gallery

In October, record collector and Bee Gees historian Mark Byfield gave an engaging talk on the Bee Gees, in conjunction with our Let Me Enteratain You exhibition. After presenting an overview of the history and significance of the band, Mark discussed the band's time in Australia and some of the songs they wrote during the period. He also talked about the rare and valuable recordings released on the Downunder record label, all of which were recorded at the St Clair Recording Studio in Queens Rd, Hurstville. Mark's passion and knowledge of these subjects made it a wonderful afternoon, with many visitors asking when we would be holding similar events in the future! Some other visitor comments included:

"Excellent"; "Very interesting and informative talk", and "Looking forward to more in the future".

Thanks to Mark for allowing us to add this fascinating event to our 2011 calendar! If you would like to see similar events run at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery in 2012, post your comments here, or send us an email.

You can also check out the following Bee Gees titles at Hurstville City Library:

The Bee Gees: tales of the brothers Gibb
Bee Gees: the number ones [sound recording]

ARIA Awards - Nominated Albums at Hurstville City Library

The ARIA Awards are being held on Sunday 27th November. The library collection holds many of the nominated albums.
Moonfire by Boy & Bear - nominated for Album of the Year; Single of the Year; Best Group;
Breakthrough Artist Album & Single; Best Adult Alternative Album.
Rrakala by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu -nominated for Album of the Year; Best Male Artist; Best Independent Release; Best World Music Album.
Insomnia by Washington - nominated for Best Female Artist.
Temptation by The Waifs - nominated for Best Blues & Roots Album.
Listen Here by Jasmine Rae - nominated for Best Country Album.
Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses by Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses - nominated for Best Independent Release.
Mark Seymour & The Undertow by Mark Seymour - nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
Zonoscope by Cut Copy - nominated for Best Dance Release.
Heartbound by Dream & Dreamer - nominated for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album.
The Life of Riley by Drapht - nominated for Best Urban Album.
Down The Way by Angus & Julia Stone - nominated for Highest Selling Album.
Mad Rush by Sally Whitwell - nominated for Best Classical Album.
First Seed Ripening by Elixir featuring Katie Noonan - nominated for Best Jazz Album.
Check our catalogue for more ARIA nominated albums.
Post your suggestions here for music albums you would like to see in our collection.

A century of rugby league jerseys talk

The phrase 'blood and bandages' refers to the St George Dragon's circa 1920s - 1940s heritage jersey. Hurstville City Museum & Gallery will be hosting a talk by rugby league historian and author Sean Fagan on the evolution of rugby league jerseys from 1908 to the present day. Sean's illustrated presentation will look at the development of jersey designs and styles with a focus on the Sydney clubs, and draws on his extensive research into the history of the game in Australia. Sean will also look at the history and symbolism of the iconic St George Illawarra jersey.

When: Sunday 6 November, 3pm - 4pm
Where: Hurstville City Museum & Gallery, 14 MacMahon St Hurstville
Details: free event, all welcome, tea and coffee provided
Bookings: 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Why not come early and view our current exhibition League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia?

You can also borrow Sean's books, The Rugby Rebellion: the divide of League and Union, and The Master: the life and times of Dally Messenger, at Hurstville City Library.

Coming Soon to the DVD Collection

The following DVDs should be on our DVD stand very soon.

Water For Elephants - based on Sara Gruen's best seller. A story of unforbidden love between a veterinary student and a beautiful circus performer. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz and Robert Pattinson.
Fresh Fast & Simple - Donna Hay gives us her tips on how to create fast and simple dishes.
Oranges & Sunshine - based on a true story of a determined social worker who reunited thousands of families that were split up by the organised deportation of children from the UK to Australia. Starring Emily Watson, David Wenham and Hugo Weaving.
Scre4m - reviewed as the best of the Scream sequels. Starring David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courntey Cox, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere.

Keep checking the DVD stands for lots of new titles expected to arrive soon.

If you have a suggestion for titles that you would like to see in our Audio Visual collection please post them here.

'So You Love to Write?' Script Writing Sessions

[Enter Stage Left] Two school children get off the bus at the bus interchange at Hurstville. Walking together, the two students manoeuvre through the winding streets of Hurstville.

Jennifer: Hey Mark...

Mark: Yeah, Jenny?

Jennifer: Did you hear about that awesome new program that Hurstville Library, Museum and Gallery is running?

Mark: No, I don't think I did. What's it about?

Jennifer: It's a six week script writing program called 'So You Love to Write?' They even have the award-winning playwright PP (Pat) Cranney as the facilitator!

Mark: No way! When is it?

Jennifer: It's on a Monday night between 4:30 and 6:30pm from the 31st of October to the 5th of December, 2011. Do you want to hear the best part? (Mark nods eagerly.) Some of the 'mini-scripts' will be selected to be produced in the filmmaking workshops that have been planned for the New Year!

Mark: Whoa! So -

Jennifer: And... It's only $5 per session.

Mark: So how do we sign up?

Jennifer: Let's go ask the Librarian about booking.

The two students enter through the front doors into Hurstville City Library, in order to sign up for the script writing sessions. [Exeunt Stage Right].

Got Rugby League Fever?

If you've got rugby league pumping through your veins then you won't want to miss the next exhibition at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia is a photographic exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia. Relive the moments, remember the legends and discover the history of the game through a collection of photograph documenting 100 years of rugby league in Australia.

Also on show will be a display looking at the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Rugby League fans of all creed are invited to attend the exhibition opening on Saturday 29 October at 11:00am at 14 MacMahon St, Hurstville. All welcome, light refreshments provided. Please RSVP by Friday 28 October on 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au. Get into the spirit of the day and wear your team colours!

League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia is on display at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery from 29 October - 18 December 2011

Graphic Novel Expo

Come to the Graphic Novel Expo and kick start Hurstville Library's collection for adults.

We'll have a stack of new titles for you to browse; you can catch up with other fans and the guys from Kings Comics will be there to share their insider's knowledge.

Where: Hurstville Library, Cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

When: Wed 2nd November at 6:30 pm

Enquiries: Ring 9330 6142

Julian Barnes 2011 Man Booker prize winner

Julian Barnes was announced as the 2011 winner of the Man Booker prize for fiction for his novel Sense of an Ending
Regarded as the favourite to win since the short list was announced on 6th September, Julian Barnes has long enjoyed critical acclaim for his writing. His books Arthur and George ,England, England and Flaubert's Parrot were shortlisted on previous occasions.

His writing apart from fiction includes memoirs (Nothing to be Frightened Of), essays and short stories (Pulse, The Lemon Table).

The shortlisted listed authors for 2011 were:

Carol Birch Jamrach’s Menagerie

Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers

Esi Edugyan Half Blood Blues

Stephen Kelman Pigeon English

A.D. Miller Snowdrops

For more about the authors and the prize go to the official Man Booker website. Borrow one of the books and let others know if you agree with the judges by adding a review and a rating on the library's catalogue.

Free Music Downloads

I have been having so much fun each week deciding which three tracks to download from Freegal. There is a wide variety of artists and tracks to choose from and it is all free. Three free tracks per week! You need to be a current member of Hurstville City Library, have a pin number and no fines or stops on your library card. Go to the library website, click on eLibrary Catalogue, click the link to Freegal and sign in with you library card number and pin. Easy!

There are so many artists available including: Pink, Michael Jackson, John Farnham, Jack Vidgen, The Cast of Glee, Cage The Elephant, Franz Ferdinand, Pitbul, Ke$ha, Pete Murray, Hugh Sheridan, Pearl Jam, Paul Pots, Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper, Tony Bennett, Cold Chisel, AC/DC, INXS, Hoodoo Guru's, Men At Work, Midnight Oil, Oasis, Easy Beats, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Dolly Parton, Placido Domingo and all you idol favourtes such as Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy.

But that's not all...genres to choose from are: R&B, Pop, Latin Pop, Jazz, Country, Classical and Rock.

Trip on the Ghan to Darwin - Travelogue

If the romance of trains and a trip to the red centre spark your imagination, join us for a travelogue to Darwin on the Ghan. Sue Rooney, avid reader, traveller, and library member, recently returned from her travels and will share her photos & stories with us.

Wednesday 30 November 2011 10am-11am Miles Franklin Room

Hurstville City Library crn Queens Rd & Dora Streets Hurstville

Free event

Bookings Call 9330 6142

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Dominion now in Large Print

Bourne again! Jason Bourne, the best rogue spy in the business, is back in his new book, The Bourne Dominion. Author Eric Van Lustbader is now writing the series that Robert Ludlum started with this the 9th Bourne. If you love fast-paced thrillers with intricate plots, this one is for you.

Steve Jobs - I love my ipad but....

I was in San Francisco when Steve Jobs' death was announced. There was saturation coverage by the media, the windows of the Apple Store were covered in personal tributes and people had congregated on the street in seeming pilgrimage. It brought to mind the public reaction to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

I love my ipad but ...what has this man done to engender such an emotional response on such a scale?

I'm looking forward to reading the new biography by Walter Isaacson, it might give me some insight into an obviously charismatic individual.

Rob Lowe At Hurstville City Library

I have recently read Rob Lowe's autobiography "Stories I Only Tell My Friends". Great stories, great photo's and very well written. Not only is Rob Lowe a wonderful actor he writes a really good book. He has been in some fantastic movies and the following is a list of some of his movies that are in the library DVD collection.
West Wing - seasons 1 to 7
View From The Top
The Invention of Lying
Too Late Too Say Goodbye
Wayne's World
Salem's Lot
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
The Outsiders

Do you have a suggestion for a movie, music CD or audio book that you would like to see in our collection? All you have to do is post your suggestion here.

Say it with Feeling

Gerald Stone has a long and distinguished career in Australian journalism. Amongst other things he was of the founding reporters on This Day Tonight, which shook up current affairs reporting in this country (not to mention the ABC itself), and also established 60 Minutes for the Nine Network in this country.

Say It With Feeling covers that period and more. Starting with Stone's arrival in Australia from the U.S., it covers his rise from a journalist with the Daily Mirror to one of the most senior executives in Australian television. It also covers his views on the difference between Australian and American culture.

A most interesting read.

Rockdale Musical Society’s production of Avenue Q

Rockdale Musical Society's Avenue Q program
Image courtesy Emma Williams

Having spent a good deal of time researching the history of Rockdale Musical Society for our current exhibition, Let Me Entertain You, staff from the Museum & Gallery decided to check out one of their productions.

Avenue Q is a musical with a difference! An all singing, all dancing spectacular, it tells the story of a group of outer suburban New Yorkers as they struggle to find their place in the world. The story is told by both human performers and puppets, and is definitely not for children!

Rockdale Musical Society's production of the show was excellent, and despite being put under pressue by a last minute change in venue, both cast and crew did a great job. A good time was had by all who attended and we can highly recommend this performance group.

Have you seen Avenue Q? Or any other Rockdale Musical Society productions? What did you think? Post your thoughts here.

Learn more about Rockdale Musical Society and other famous performances groups and spaces in the St George Region at Let Me Entertain You, an exhibition at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. On display at 14 MacMahon St Hurstville until Sunday 23rd October. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 2pm-5pm, all welcome!

Author Talk: Editor Anna Valdinger - HarperCollins Australia: A glimpse into the world of book publishing

Hurstville City Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville
Thursday 27th October @ 7pm
Bookings 9330 6142

Ever wondered what it takes to get published?
Why do some authors end up on bestsellers lists?
What are publishers looking for?
What is the role of an editor?
Anna Valdinger Commissoning Editor of Australian commercial fiction authors for HarperCollins Australia will take us behind the scenes of the book publishing world. Anna is responsible for looking after and building up a stable of Australian commercial fiction authors and helping to develop their careers from book to book particularly in the genres of crime, thrillers, sagas, women's fiction both contemporary and historic.
Anna will share her insights and experience and looks forward to answering all those questions you may have about the publishing scene.
Star authors with HarperCollins include;
Colleen McCullough, Tara Moss, Nikki Gemmell and Belinda Alexandra.
Anna also looks after international authors such as Paullina Simons, Paulo Coelho, Daniel Silva and Michael Crichton, as well as some of the Avon romance authors including Stephanie Laurens and Anna Campbell.
With experience in the publishing world both in London and Sydney this evening promises to be a real treat for all avid readers and aspiring writers.

Colleen McCullough

Movies Adapted From Books

Lot's of great movies have been adapted from books. Maybe the list below will inspire you to watch the movie and read the book to make a comparison.

The library holds both the movie and the book in this list at the time of writing this blog.

1. Never Let Me Go: based on the book by Kazuo Ishiguro

2. Crossing the Ditch: based on the book by James Castrission

3. The Kite Runner: based on the book by Khaled Hosseini

4. Pillars of the Earth: based on the book by Ken Follett

5. The Color Purple: based on the book by Alice Walker

6. The Green Mile: based on the book by Stephen King

7. Winter's Bone: based on the book by Daniel Woodrell

8. Dear John: based on the book by Nicholas Sparkes

Is there a movie you like that was adapted from a book and isn't in our DVD collection? You could post the title here and we will see if we can purchase it for our DVD collection.

Russian Ark

This has to be one of the most astonishing films ever made. Not just for it's sheer majesty but also for it's technical accomplishments. Russian Ark involves an unseen narrator accompanied by "The Stranger" walking in and out scenes from Russian history as they wander through the Winter Palace (now the Russian State Hermitage Museum) debating Russia's role in European affairs.

From a technical perspective the film is amazing: 2,000 actors, 300 years of Russian history, 33 rooms at the Hermitage museum, 3 live orchestras, filmed in one, 99 minute continuous camera shot (which took I believe three takes due to technical faults. The third take is the final film). No camera trickery or CGI employed at all. It's worth watching this film just for that alone.

Careers for Young People in Local Government

Are you just starting your career and looking at Local Government as a prospective employer? Hurstville City Council employ a number of Trainees as part of our Professional Traineeship Programs. This program has a big impact for people at the start of their career. The Library Museum and Gallery employ two trainees – one in business administration and one in library studies.
Shereny Selim presented an extremely popular paper in Canberra at the 2011 International Public Works Conference organised by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia. The topic of her paper was ‘Grab Them While They are Young’ and focussed on how programs such as Hurstville City Council’s Professional Traineeship Program can make a difference to address current skill shortage problems in the Local Government industry by attracting emerging professionals to Local Government as a prospective employer. See the presentation here!

Careers for Young People in Local Government by Shereny Selim.

View more presentations from Hurstville LMG

Home and Community Care for the aged, disabled and carers

Do you need help at home? The Home and Community Care (HACC) services in your area may be able to help. Listed are some important contact numbers:

• Aged Care Assessment Team-Calvary Rehabilitation & Geriatric Service (CRAGS) 9553 3000
• Carers NSW Carer Support Line 1 800 242 636
• Dementia Advisory Service 9531 1928
• Hurstville Community Food Services 9584 1286
• St George Home Modification & Maintenance-can help make your home safer to live in 8558 4000
• St George Easy Care Gardening 9024 5500
• Nurses on Wheels 9502 3422
• St George Community Nurses 1 300 427 603
• St George Community Services - for shopping outings, social lunches, frozen meals & delivered groceries 8558 4000
• St George Community Services Stroke Support Group 8558 4000
• St George Community Transport 9580 8911

Author Talks: Michael Mobbs "The Sustainable House"

Author and sustainability expert Michael Mobbs will be Hurstville City Library's guest author for September. Whether you're planning to build, renovate or just want some tips, whether you live in an apartment or a house, Michael's book Sustainable House is regarded as the essential guide to help you achieve an environmentally friendly home. First published in 1998, the long-awaited second edition covers the revolutions that have since occurred in sustainable housing, and, critically, includes his assessment on technologies and materials used in his own ground-breaking sustainable house more than 14 years after installation. Did the solar panels last? Is rainwater in the city safe to drink? How has the garden handled over one million litres of treated sewage?
Michael has worked as a lawyer, specialising in environmental law. He has advised on technology, design, environmental law and policy to government, the private sector and community groups. Since publishing Sustainable House in 1998 he has founded his own company specialising in the design and project management of sustainable residential and commercial properties. Read Michael's website to find out more.

Michael's first hand experience on all aspects of sustainable housing and gardening promises an enlightening and information packed evening.

Hurstville City Library
cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville
Thursday 22nd September @ 7pm
Bookings 9330 6142
Books availabe for sale & signing

STOCK UP! Get first pick of the new stock

Be among the first to take home some great new holiday reading, listening and viewing when

Hurstville City and Penshurst Branch libraries make available a great new selection of fiction and nonfiction books, CDs and DVDs for loan. Everyone is welcome, bring your library card or join on the spot. Membership is free!

Meet staff and take the opportunity to tell us what you think of the collections and what you'd like to see more of. We'll show you how to make suggestions and requests.

Find out about our eLibrary where you can download audio and e-books from home and about Freegal where you can download 3 tracks of music per week for free.

Hurstville City Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

Wednesday 21 September

9.30am - 9pm

Penshurst Branch Library

630 Forest Rd, Penshurst

10.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 6pm

HOLLYWOOD STARS COME TO SYDNEY

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Isla Fisher are in Sydney for the next few months working on Baz Luhrmann's 3D film "The Great Gatsby", an adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the same name. They have been out and about whilst in Sydney being spotted at Darling Harbour, swimming at Bondi and shopping in Paddington. The Library DVD collection holds a number of movies these Hollywood stars have appeared in take a look below.

Leonardo DiCaprio: Titanic; The Aviator; The Departed; Blood Diamond; Inception; Shutter Island;

Tobey Maguire: Spider-man; Spider-man 2.

Isla Fisher: Confessions of a Shopaholic; Rango.

Carey Mulligan: Never Let Me Go; The Greatest; Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps; An Education.

Do you have a suggestion for titles to add to our DVD, CD or Audio book collection? All you need to do is post your suggestions here.

Children’s Book of the Year – Early Childhood.

Maudie of the winner of the Children’s Book of the Year – Early Childhood, “Maudie and Bear” is a demanding and mostly obnoxious child. Bear’s patience and understanding is matched by the wonderful illustrations by Freya Blackwood. By contrast the babies in “The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies” are delightful infants full of the simple joys of childhood. Their willingness to co-operate contrasts with Maudie’s total obsession with her own desires.
But the small boy in “Look See, Look at Me” is enjoying every moment as part of a large loving family.
These delightful books all celebrate being young with the whole world before you but also show the different worlds that these small people inhabit.
From Maudie with her solitary companion to the twelve babies who act more like a litter of playful puppies, to the three-year-old who has a whole world of others, adults and children, they show that childhood is a very special world.

A Spoonful of Sugar: Cakes and Cooking exhibition on now

Visit Hurstville City Museum & Gallery for a delicious discovery into the world of cake decorating , sugar art and cooking.

View a unique collection of decorative handcrafted cakes from across Australia that have been elegantly handcrafted using a variety of techniques, accompanied by photographs of cooking demonstrations and food shops from Hurstville. This display will feature recipes from the St George County Council's All Electric Cookery Book, photographs of the former Classic Cake Shop in Forest Road and both traditional and contemporary examples of cakes and cake decorating equipment.

Display dates: 3 September - 2 October 2011
Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
14 MacMahon St, Hurstville
ph: 9330 6444

EAT HISTORY at Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery

This years History Week is on NOW and the theme is EAT HISTORY! To celebrate Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery is hosting three wonderful events:

Sugary Delights: Sugar Art and Cake Traditions on display at Hurstville City Library, Local Studies Room

On display now is a unique collection of cakes and sugar art including sugar art instruction books and booklets, tools and associated utensils. Take the time to look at the intricate details of each cake and observe techniques not commonly practiced today. On display until 11 September 2011.

Eat History: High Tea at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
To celebrate the theme of Eat History, Hurstville City Museum & Gallery is hosting a high tea! Whilst enjoying some scrumptious high tea goodies, Marian Jones, President of the Cake Decorators Association of NSW, will be hosting a cake decorating and sugar art demonstration.

Wednesday 7 September 2011
Session 1: 10am - 11.30am
Session 2: 2pm - 3.30pm
$10 per person
Hurry spots are limited! Call the Museum & Gallery on 9330 6444 today!

Something Sweet Kids Program at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
This fun 90 minute workshop is designed to teach the basics of cupcake decorating. Our aim is to encourage kids to explore thier imagination, whilst learning techniques from a bygone era. Materials and tools provided.

Thursday 8 September 2011
4pm - 5.30pm
$5 per child
7 -12 years
Please call to today to secure your spot on 9330 6444! Limited spaces!

Batavia

The events that happened aboard the Dutch East India Company's Batavia in 1629 off the coast of Western Australia is sadly one of the lesser known events of early Australia history. While it takes place over 150 years before Phillip and the First Fleet landed, it is the earliest know landing of Europeans.

But that's only a (very) small part of the story. And what a story it is! Peter Fitzsimons described it as being "a true Adults Only version of Lord of the Flies meeting Nightmare on Elm Street." A slight exaggeration perhaps, but the shipwreck of the Batavia (especially in Fitzsimons rollicking style) tells the tale of the birth of the world's corporation, the brutality of colonisation, the battle of good versus evil, sea-faring adventure, mutiny, shipwreck, love, lust, blood-lust, fascist dictatorship, a reign of terror, murder most foul, sexual slavery, survival, retribution, rescue, first contact with native peoples and much, much more (phew!). No wonder there's talk of turning this book into a movie.

Machine Atlas – the techno expo

Machine Atlas - the techno expo, 28 August 2011.
Anything is possible ... if you have the right machine!
Image courtesy Emma Williams.

Staff from the Library Museum & Gallery attended a fantastic event put on by Shopfront Contemporary Arts & Performance on Saturday evening. Machine Atlas - the techno expo transformed Kogarah Town Square into 'a night market like no other', including performance, film, music, and installation pieces. It was a spectacular (and at times, confronting) feast for the senses. Keep your eye out for future Shopfront events.

Did you attend Machine Atlas? Post your thoughts here.

The Built-in Bookcase

Celebrate Multicultural Health Week at Hurstville Library

5-12 September is Multicultural Health Week and this year's theme is Health Information at your library. This year Hurstville Library is running a number of programs for our Chinese, Arabic and Indian communities.

On Tuesday the 6th September staff from the Calvary Hospital will talk about the rehabilitation and geriatric services available. This information session will be conducted in Mandarin and starts at 1.00pm in the Hurstville Library Exhibition Area.

For our Arabic speaking community and information session about building self esteem in your child will take place on Wednesday the 7th September starting at 10.00am in the Library Exhibition Area

On Friday the 9th September come along and join in the fun as the library hosts a morning of events.

At 10.00am learn about how yoga can help you get fit and maintain your health. If you enjoy gardening then come along at 11.00am to hear volunteers from the Resourceful Australian Indian Network talk about starting a permaculture garden.

For those of you who enjoy a more upbeath form of exercise instructors from the Abhinay School of Performing Arts will be taking a class in Bollywood dancing for exercise starting at 11.45am

To finish off the morning join us for a healthy Indian lunch. Volunteers from RAIN will provide samples of healthy Indian cuisine to try.

Make you bookings today at the Hurstville Library Information Desk or ring 9330 6142.

In memory of Graeme Shirley Strachan

Graeme Shirley Strachan wearing the 1976 teatowel shirt
on display at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery
Image courtesy of Skyhook Management

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the untimely death of Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, who was killed in a helicopter crash on the Sunshine Coast in 2001. As well as being the lead singer of the immensely popular Australian rock band the Skyhooks, Shirley was also a well known solo musician and television and radio presenter.

Shirley is well remembered for his amazing vocals, killer costume choices and Shirley Temple like curls. His performances in Horror Movie and Million Dollar Riff are perhaps some of his most memorable.

Hurstville City Museum & Gallery are honored to have this important piece of memorabilia on display during this significant and solemn milestone as part of our Let Me Entertain You exhibition.

Share your memories of Graeme Shirley Stachan with us.

If you like

If you like Lee Child why not come in to Hurstville Library and try this.
These are Authors who write in the same style as Lee Child
Authors such as
Stephen Leather
Len Deighton
John Stanford
Robert Crais
James Lee Burke
Daniel Silva
Harlen Coben
Come in and have a browse on Wednesday 31st August

Coming Soon: New DVDs

Murundak: Songs of Freedom: a documentary about some of Australia's finest Indigenous musicians and the heart of Aboriginal protest music.

The Fantastic World of Michael Crawford: a behind the scenes documentary about the actor Michael Crawford.

Mountain Gorilla: a documentary about Gorillas living on forested peaks of isolated volcanoes surrounded on all sides by a growing human population, and the dedicated teams of vets, rangers, researchers and conservationists that work together to raise awareness of the uncertain future of this species.

Kingdom of the Forest: a documentary that explores Europe's remarkable primeval forests.

Secretariat: a true and moving story of an incredible horse and his owner who risked everything to make him a champion.

Do you have a suggestion for DVD, music CD or audio book titles to add to our collection? Please post your suggestions here.

Free Financial Seminars for Seniors

Centrelink Financial Information Service is offering free education and information sessions at Club Central 2 Crofts Ave Hurstville. Please arrive early to sign in. Seminars are 2 hours long.

Session: Aged Care Fees & Charges
Dates: 21 September 3.15 pm
Session: Retirement reality and investment choices
Date: 21 September 5 pm
Session: Working beyond Age Pension age
Date: 21 September 7 pm

Basic Photo Design for Seniors

Would you like to take better photos with your digital camera? This course covers the principles of good photo design.
The two-part course will include practical exercises, so bring your fully charged digital camera.
Date: 12 & 19 October 10am-12pm
Cost: $20 for the two sessions (non-refundable)
Where: Penshurst Library 630 Forest Rd Penshurst
Open to Hurstville Library members 50 years of age or older.
Bookings taken at Penshurst Library only with payment made at time of booking.
For enquiries please phone 9330 6422.

Let Me Entertain You Curator Floor Talks

Join Hurstville City Museum & Gallery's curators and translator to explore this wonderful exhibition. Talks are also translated into Mandarin.

Sunday 21 August 2011:

2pm - 3pm (English)

3pm - 4pm (Mandarin)

Thursday 22 September 2011:

6pm - 7pm (English)

7pm - 8pm (Mandarin)

Free event. Refreshments avaliable. Bookings essential.

Hurstville City Museum & Gallery

14 MacMahon St, Hurstville

phone: 9330 6444

email: museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD

Freegal is a new service Hurstville City Library is providing to current members who have no fines or stops on their library card. Library members can now download 3 tracks per week for free from Freegal. The music titles are taken from the Sony music catalogue. The tracks have no DRM so any track downloaded on an MP3 player will stay until deleted by the owner. The download procedure is similar to downloading from iTunes.

To log in select the eLibrary catalogue from the homepage, then the link under Freegal. http://lmg.hurstville.nsw.gov.au/elibrary.html

(Post suggestions here for any titles you would like us to purchase for the audio visual collection.)

Every child is an artist exhibition now open!

A selection of the artworks in display in Every Child is an Artist.

Last Saturday was the official opening of our newest Dragon's Lair Gallery exhibition, Every Child is an Artist, an exhibition featuring artworks from children in Hurstville City Council's Childrens Services.

The opening was a huge success with over 40 people attending and we have already had two groups through to see the exhibition since Saturday.

We think the exhibition will be of particular interest to families visiting our services especially those with children attending preschool. The exhibition is also a great opportunity for adults to see the world through the eyes of a child again.

Exhibition on display at 14 MacMahon St, Hurstville until 28 August - all welcome.