PRETXTS

Youth Week Art Exhibition Winners Announced

2010-04-28T16:21:00.001+10:00

This was the first year that the exhibition was held in a professional art space, Gallery NTK in Croydon. It showcased works by 39 local young artists, aged between 12-24 who either lives, studies or works in the Ashfield Council area. During the exhibition, people were invited to vote for their favourite artwork. We received 90 votes in total. The Winner of the Most Popular vote was Nicolette Khoury for Still Life with Flowers.

to read more...

New Books

2010-03-24T11:05:00.007+11:00

Book Reviews featured in the upcoming Library Gazette

Confessions of a liar, thief and failed sex god by Bill Condon YF COND
If you loved Craig Silvery's Jasper Jones you will be hooked on Bill Condon's latest novel.
It's 1967. Young Neil is about to lose his brother to War, be faced with the brutal death of one friend and discover another, he falls in love and unwillingly treads a path that may lead to murder.
A great gut twisting read, highly recommended for older readers.

Matty forever by Elizabeth Fensham JF FENS
With a friend like Matty nothing else matters. A beautiful tale of friendship, racial tolerance and family, that could be set in any Australian suburban community. Ideal for children aged 7 to 9, this story is broken into short accessible chapters and will be easy for children to emphathise with.

The greatest blogger in the world by Andrew McDonald JF MCDO
Charlie's mission is to Be the Hero, get the Girl and Save the Day, oh, and win the Greatest Blogger in the World Competition. He has plenty to Blog about – a mate with an illegal red-cordial business at school, a little brother who only wears a tuxedo, a mother who wants world dominanion and a duck named Barcode. A quirky book that is targeted for years 5 and 6, but is a challenging read.

Pink by Lili Wilkinson YF WILK
Ava is intelectual, uber-cool, black, seriouse and a lesbian; But she wants to be perky, pink and popular. So she is stripping the black from her hair, hanging with the pastels and joining the school musical. Ava is determined to be everything the world wants her to be. Pink is witty, sharp and chocked full of awesome.

The poison throne by Celine Kiernan YF KIER
Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, fifteen year old Wynter Moorehawke is a unique girl; qualified in a man's trade, best friends to the princes, speaks to the kings' cats and knows a few spectres to boot. This first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy is compelling storytelling. If you liked Phillip Pullman's Dark materials trilogy you will love this.
Eight must read picture books:

Crazy hair written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean : Obscurly amazing!

Work Experience

2010-03-19T14:52:00.004+11:00

We have had two lads from Sydney Tech this week working with us, Suvra and Jeffrey. They have done a few different things and gotten out and about.

A few words from the boys:
Jeffrey : This week we did a lot of things such as scan books, stack books, move books into boxes, help the little kids at summerhill community centre, and then we helped with the setup of a harmony day concert. yes indeed it was a great week i would for sure definitely recommend this to anyone for work experience and, a little bit, of hard...work. yes thats right this place is no bludge this is full of hard work, **edit**. it has been a great week (Y) =]
Suvra: This week at work experience we met alot friendly faces who made us do countless task over the week. My favourite was getting the old books and recycling them **edit**. We were playing basketball with the books. However packing reference books into boxes then palcing them in the foyer was quite boring and repetitive but it was worth it because there would be nothing else to do. It was "definately" fun watching little kids being entertained. But overall I would recommend this job to anyone looking to do work experience.

Library is Closed

2009-12-15T18:52:00.001+11:00

Ashfield Library will be moving to a temporary location due to the Civic Centre redevelopment. The Library will close this Friday (18 December 2009) and will reopen in a temporary location under Ashfield Town Hall on Monday January 4 2010.
The library hours will be :
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-4pm
Sunday closed.
This will be for approximately 13 weeks.

Vamp Fiction

2009-11-10T13:40:00.009+11:00

If you are into Vamp Fiction here is a author resurected for you.

L.J. Smith is author of many series featuring our favourite fanged and spellbinding friends that have been around for many years, but are enjoying a revival of the undead kind!

The Vampire Diaries has also taken to your TV screen on GO!99

Listed are a few of her titles with blurbs fro LJ's website.

The Vampire Diaries, Volume I: The Awakening

The most haunting love triangle of all. Two vampire brothers, one good and one evil, are in love with the same beautiful girl. Stefan meets Elena, and falls for her instantly. But he swears never to approach her because of his dark secret. On the other hand, Elena has sworn to make Stefan hers or die.

The Vampire Diaries, Volume II: The Struggle

Damon is haunting Elena’s footsteps; coaxing and coercing her by turns. Stefan desperately tries to protect her from his brother. And Elena is having her blood drawn by two separate vampires. Meanwhile Caroline plots to expose Elena in front of the entire town. Can things get worse? They do, when Elena drives too fast over an unsafe bridge and drowns.

The Vampire Diaries, Volume III: The Fury

It’s happened. Elena wakens as a vampire. She belongs to Damon, now, and to his world. The town mourns her as dead while she haunts the Old Wood by night. But by the time she remembers that Stefan is her true love, a new and powerful enemy appears. This is the last battle; and the only way Elena can win it is to sacrifice herself.

The Vampire Diaries, Volume IV: Dark Reunion

As a psychic, Bonnie has dreams of Elena in the Other World. But the dreams quickly turn frightening. There is a terrible new enemy stalking Fell’s Church, killing young girls. Elena’s friends call for Stefan and get both him and Damon—but whose side is Damon on? The ending is the most surprising yet for Elena!

The Vampire Diaries: The Return : Nightfall --On Order

A pair of kitsune--fox spirits--from the other side of the world possess Damon and force him to commit abominations. Meanwhile, Stefan apparently abandons Elena and her friends on a quest to find the one place where the curse of his vampirism can be lifted from him. Definitely for mature audiences.

Shadow Souls--out 2009? A penitent Damon, along with Elena, and Matt follow Stefan into the darkest dimension in an attempt to set him free from the prison he has found instead of salvation. Bonnie and Meredith join Elena as all three are forced to enter as slaves, the chained and leashed property of a vampire--Damon.

Midnight--out 2010. The surviving group of Fell's Church friends return to find their town in a shambles. Meredith makes a horrifying discovery in her research and Bonnie has an out of body experience which might explain all the mayhem that is going on. Matt faces down Caroline, while, Elena must face the most important question of her life: who does she really belong with? Stefan or Damon?

from vamp's to witches

The Secret Circle, Volume I: The Initiation -- On Order

Shy, sixteen-year-old Cassie falls in love with the mysterious Adam before moving to New Salem, thinking she’ll never see him again. But as it turns out, Adam is there, too, at a high school where a strange elite rule. Beautiful fair-haired Diana, whom Cassie learns to love as a sister; voluptuous dark Faye, who wants to turn Cassie into her puppet. The greatest surprise: Cassie, like the other elite boys and girls, is a witch! And then Cassie discovers that Adam is actually the boyfriend of gentle Diana, now her best friend and the leader of the coven!

The Secret Circle, Volume II: The Captive -- On Order

Adam and Cassie have sworn not to love each other for the sake of their beloved leader Diana. But Faye has caught them in their one embrace. Now she uses it to blackmail Cassie, forcing Cassie to lie to Diana and to dig up the strange crystal skull that gives them all such dangerous visions. Meanwhile, students are being murdered, and the witches are under suspicion. And Faye wants from Cassie the ultimate betrayal: her vote for Faye as coven leader.

The Secret Circle, Volume III: The Power -- On Order

Faye rules the Circle, while Diana reels from Cassie’s apparent treachery. Cassie and Adam are drawn more strongly together than ever. A new principal appears who seems to know all the Circle’s secrets and is dedicated to persecuting them. Cassie, no longer the shy girl she was only a few months ago, takes charge in solving the murders, the mystery of the crystal skull, and the true meaning of the Secret Circle. Her reward is her dream come true.

Bring all the spooks together in Night World.

Night World: Secret Vampire - Hits the shelves in December

The Night World isn’t a place. It’s the world of vampires, witches, and shapeshifters who live in the human world—by their own rules. And the first two rules of the Night World are simple: 1) Never tell any human about its existence, and 2) Never fall in love with a human.

Spunky, sassy Poppy has always been in the best of health. Until today, when she discovers that she has a rare disease, and only weeks to live. James, her best friend, and the coolest boy at school, is confronted with a frightening decision. He can make Poppy a vampire like him, or he can let her die. But telling Poppy about the Night World is almost as dangerous as letting her die of a human disease, for he’s broken both of the Night World’s rules, and fallen in love with her.

Night World: Daughters of Darkness -- Hits the shelves in December

Mary-Lynnette, seventeen, loves to watch the stars from her Oregon backyard. Then one day, she thinks she’s witnessed a murder through her telescope. She’s wrong: it’s only three vampire sisters burying their mysteriously-killed aunt. Mary-Lynnette, by the laws of the Night World, must become kin to the sisters or be sentenced to death: a sentence that seems to be sealed when their brother Ash appears. Gorgeous, lazy Ash has never dreamed that he could fall in love with a human, but it seems that Mary-Lynnette doesn’t want him on any terms because of his lurid vampire past.

Night World: Spellbinder -- Hits the shelves in December

Thea and Blaise are cousins, and witches, and as different as day and night. They even belong to different witch covens, Circle Twilight, for the not-so-wicked-witches and Circle Midnight for the real hellions. In fact, Granny Harman, the Witch Leader, often compares them to Hellewise and Maya, the sisters who were the mother of all witches and the very first vampire, respectively. But when Thea breaks the laws of the Night World and falls in love with Eric, an ordinary human boy, she has unexpectedly to rely on the whims of Blaise or both she and Eric are doomed. This is the book in which Circle Daybreak debuts.

Night World: Dark Angel -- Hits the shelves in December

Childlike, innocent Gillian Harman is trying to save a baby she hears crying in the woods when, to her own surprise, she dies! Even more surprising is her guide in the afterlife, Gary Fargeon, an “angel” with a great body and a gorgeous face. Returned to life, Gillian listens to her dark angel in all things . . . and soon finds herself anything but childlike and innocent. But things are not what they seem, and even angels can make mistakes. Soon Gillian is on a quest to find out just what deed Gary committed to strand him in the afterlife; and to find out the secret of where she belongs in a world she never knew existed: the Night World.

Night World: The Chosen -- Hits the shelves in December

Rashel Jordan lost her mother to a golden-eyed vampire at the age of five—and just barely saved herself by her wits. She’s grown up to the age of seventeen as a vampire hunter—the best. But when a group of hunters captures Quinn and decides to torture him, Rashel feels something in her soul twist. Left alone with Quinn, she goes along with her mad impulse and allows him to escape. But Quinn, a vampire with one of the darkest reputations in the Night World warns her not to expect him to return the favor. Nevertheless, when Rashel gets herself chosen for a bloodfeast and finds that Quinn is in charge of gathering girls for the dark ceremony! Enemies—and soulmates—what will happen during their final fight?

Night World: Soulmate -- Hits the shelves in December

Sixteen-year-old Hannah goes to a psychologist to understand the meaning of her the notes she keeps finding—in her own handwriting. “Dead before 17,” “He’s coming,” “Watch out.” Only under hypnosis is their cryptic meaning revealed. Hannah is actually an Old Soul, a girl who has been reincarnated many times and can remember her past lives. And in every one of them, the fair-haired stranger appears—and Hannah loves him—and Hannah dies at age16. Meanwhile, the leader of all the vampires of Circle Daybreak, all those who have human soulmates, Lord Thierry, is searching. He’s looking for her—the girl he loved and accidentally killed thousands of year ago. Who will find Hannah first—her vampire soulmate, or Maya, the first of all the vampires who has murdered Hannah a thousand times to keep her from Thierry. And who will Hannah believe when they do find her?

Night World: Huntress -- Hits the shelves in December

Jez, with flaming red hair and silvery blue eyes, is the epitome of the wild teenage vampire, riding her motorcycle and chasing skinheads through the woods. She and Morgead regularly challenge each other for leadership of the gang, and Jez believes—naturally enough—that the handsome, dark-haired vampire hates her. But suddenly the world changes for Jez. She discovers that she has no right to the Night World, because one of her parents was human. Now Jez has turned into a vampire huntress, and one with a special job: find one of the four Wild Powers who can fight off the Apocalypse, the end of the world. To do so, though, she must challenge her dearest enemy once again for the leadership—knowing that she has only half-vampire Powers.

Night World: Black Dawn -- Hits the shelves in December

Maggie is the picture of an ordinary human teenager. Yet when her brother’s lovely girlfriend reports that he has been killed in a mountaineering accident, she knows it is a lie. The chase leads her to discover an entire community of human slaves ruled by vampires in the hollow of a Washington mountain. There also, she finds Delos, the second of the Wild Powers, the vampire ruler of this kingdom where she is a slave—and her soulmate. Her modern clothes cause the other slaves to hail her as a messiah come to bring them freedom. Can even level-headed Maggie deal with her arrogant soulmate and an entire kingdom to be freed?

Night World: Witchlight -- Hits the shelves in December

Keller is a seventeen-year-old shapeshifter, a panther, who goes by her last name only. She’s an operative for Circle Daybreak and her mission is simple: find the third Wild Power who can fend off the Apocalypse. Keller does find Iliana, and much more, as well: a dragon in the shape of a human, and her own liege lord Galen. So, she learns: dragons walk the Earth again, even if in disguise. And Iliana is as far from a serious Wild Power as Keller can imagine. A love triangle quickly develops between the handsome princely Galen, the exquisite but bubble-minded Iliana, and Keller—who counts herself out with her favorite saying, “I’m just a grunt.” Life has surprises in store for the cynical, embittered Keller, and her opinions of both Galen and Iliana are in for a radical change.

MTV Story on LJ

Ye Olde Blog by LJ

2009 Inky Awards

2009-11-05T13:17:00.002+11:00

VOTE NOW!

And don't forget to enter the Creative Reading Prize...

Voting closes on November 20

There is no other award in Australia that relfects what teenagers want to read. The Inkys are international awards for teenage literature, voted for online by the readers of insideadog.com.au. There are three awards: the Golden Inky for an Australian book, the Silver Inky for an international book, and the Creative Reading Prize, won by a young person for a creative response to a book they love, in any format they choose.

The 2009 Inkys Longlist
(click the title for a review)
Broken Glass by Adrian Stirling
Something happened when I was fifteen, something that made me invisible to everyone in Broken Glass.

Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell
I believe in Chloe and chocolate.
I believe the best part is always before.
I believe that most girls are shifty and most guys are dumb.

Exposure by Mal Peet
The boy with all the dreadlocks had two line of business: cars and the patio trade.

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Ollie was in aisle five of Galaxy Art Supply stocking oil paints when Clio Ford emerged from the manager’s office.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.

Into White Silence by Anthony Eaton
The SS Loongana steamed slowly up the Derwent River towards it’s berth at Salamanca Warf...

Jarvis 24 by David Metzenthen
I tend to worry, I know I do, but only because I think there is lots of things to worry about.

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne La Fleur
It was fun at first, playing house. I made all my own meals. Crackers and cheese, three times a day.

My Candlelight Novel by Joanne Horniman
I am a reading girl, with a pale face, and glasses.

Paper Towns by John Green
The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle.

Screw Loose by Chris Wheat
Chelsea Dean opened the front door to her parents' substantial riverside residence and was assulted by booming reception-centre music.

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki
I had a dreamI put my hands inside my chest and held my heart

Ten Mile River by Paul Griffin
Ray was bigger but José was boss. They were fourteen and fifteen, on their own and on the run.

The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi
Tuesday the fourteenth of February began badly for Frankie Parsons.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
I was born with water on the brain. Okay, so that’s not exactly true.

The Beginners Guide to Living by Lia Hills
She looks good for a corpse.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress.

Two Pearls of Wisdom by Alison Goodman
I let the tips of both by swords dig into the sandy arena floor. It was the wrong move, but the dragging pain in my gut was pulling me into a crouch.

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah
It’s six-thirty in the morning. I stumble out of bed and splash cold water in my flushed face.

Worldshaker by Richard Harland
A sound brought Col out of a deep sleep. Something was happening out in the corridor.

KOALA 2009 Winners

2009-11-05T10:26:00.002+11:00

The winners of KOALA 2009 have been announced!

Picture Storybooks
Winner
Rex - Ursula Dubosarsky & David Mackintosh
Honour Books
Are We There Yet? - Alison Lester
Jungle Drums - Graeme Base

Fiction for Younger Readers
Winner
Zac Power: Series 1 - H.I.Larry
Honour Books
The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow - Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Go Girl! Two sides: #1 Track Stars! - Kathy Castle & Danielle McDonald

Fiction for Older Readers
Winner
Garden of the Purple Dragon - Carole Wilkinson
Honour Books
Give Peas a Chance - Morris Gleitzman
Ranger's Apprentice: Series - John Flanagan

Fiction for Years 7-9
Winner
The Wizard of Rondo - Emily Rodda
Honour Books
Then - Morris Gleitzman
Tales of Deltora - Emily Rodda & Marc McBride

Just more words...

2009-10-13T16:19:00.008+11:00

An update on stuff in Library world! New Ashfield Library

Work continues on the new Ashfield Civic Centre redevelopment which includes the building of a larger library and a youth centre. As a result Ashfield Library will relocate for approximately 13 weeks from Friday 18 December 2009. A temporary library will open on January 4 underneath Ashfield Town Hall. Library hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday Closed.

More info on the redevelopment

New World Music
Ashfield Library now has a gorgeous new World Music collection – "music from around the world". Karen writes: "World Music may include: non-Western music, folk music, music played with traditional instruments, music from urban communities and modern interpretations and adaptations of traditional music. Our collection includes a fusion of musical styles. Some of the new CDs featured include: ‘So Frenchy, So Chic: the unofficial soundtrack to the French Film Festival’, ‘The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan’, ‘The Rough Guide to the Music of China’ and many more. "

Some new stuff:

Bustin’ Down the Door narrated by Edward Norton ASH DVD Lifestyle category
In the 1970s a group of young ambitious surfers from Australia and South Africa headed to Hawaii to prove themselves by surfing the biggest waves on the planet. The Hawaiians welcomed these brash upstarts, but the relationship turned sour when the newcomers became successful and a violent clash of cultures resulted. When this was finally sorted out these surfers pioneered their sport and lifestyle and made surfing viable as a professional career, unheard of up to then, as surfers were perceived as hippy dropouts. There is beautiful photography and intimate interviews with surfers even I have heard of, including Rabbit Bartholomew, Kelly Slater and Mark Richards – household names now. You don’t need to be inside the surfing culture to appreciate the passion and important history portrayed in this touching and lovingly produced film.

Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine ASH Graphic Novel collection

There are four separate stories in this exquisite graphic novel. Tomine’s strength lies in the depth of his character writing. Tomine is a young, alternative graphic novel writer, who paces his stories sparingly. His characters are lonely, disillusioned and very real. The stories end with you not knowing what will happen next – will there be a happy ending? – probably not. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

What's comin up:

Teen Book Group
RED Book is a book group for young people. Its next meeting is Thursday 29 October and then Thursday November 26 at the Summer Hill Community Centre at 5. 00pm- 6.30pm.

William Kostakis- Being an teen author writing for teens
William is the award-winning author of Loathing Lola, the side-splittingly funny story of Australia's newest reality TV star, fifteen-year-old Courtney Marlow, with a love story, some mystery, betrayal, cuss words and Lola to boot.

In 2005, William won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year. Come and meet William and find out the stories behind the book and on being a young writer. Don't miss your chance to meet this talented young author and get copies of the books signed.

Williams webpage and on twitter
Date Friday 6 November

Venue Ashfield Council Chambers, 260 Liverpool Road Ashfield

Time 10am arrival, talk 10.15am till 11am

RSVP 9716 1827

INKY Awards - Vote Now

2009-10-13T15:36:00.001+11:00

The Inkys are international awards for teenage literature, voted for online by the readers of http://www.insideadog.com.au/. There are three awards: the Golden Inky for an Australian book, the Silver Inky for an international book, and the Creative Reading Prize, won by a young person for a creative response to a book they love, in any format they choose.

[voting is open to anyone under 20 years of age] http://www.insideadog.com.au/inkys/index.html

School Holiday Fun

2009-09-17T15:31:00.004+10:00

Ashfield Council offers a diverse program of free children’s activities and events across the municipality every school holiday period.

Download the Very Hungry Caterpillar Colouring Competition!

Activities for Children aged 0-6 years

Very Hungry Caterpillar Picnic
Bring a picnic morning tea and enjoy the stories, songs and games.
Date: Friday 9 October
Time: 10:30am to 11.30am
Venue: Darrell Jackson Gardens, Summer Hill

Leaf Litter Collage Craft
Make your own aussie bush collage.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 15 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

A Bouquet of Stories
There will be two sessions of this stories and craft activity.
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 8 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Big Bro Pyjama Storytime
Come along in your pyjamas and bring teddy for stories, songs and supper.
Date: Friday 16 October
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library

Baby Rhyme Time
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 10:15am to 10:45am
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Every Thursday
Time: 10:00am to 10:30am
Venue: Ashfield Library

Worm Tales Storytime
There will be two sessions of this stories and craft activity.
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 15 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Activities for Children aged 5-12 years

Learn to Sing
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Cadigal Room, 160 Elizabeth St. Ashfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Learn to Tap Dance
Date: Monday 12 October
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Venue: St Vincent Church, 7 Bland St. Ashfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Digital Photography Workshop
Date: Friday 16 October
Group 1: 10:00am to 3:00pm
Group 2: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Graham Yarroll Room, 78 Dalhousie St. Haberfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Stroke Correction & Water Safety
Date: Friday 9 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Aquatic Centre
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Family Tree Craft
Make your own leafy family tree.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Tuesday 6 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
Date: Tuesday 13 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Pots of Fun Craft
Each child will decorate their own miniature pot and plant a herb to take home.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 8 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Magicians Apprentice Workshop
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Venue: Graham Yarroll Room, 78 Dalhousie St. Haberfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Make a Mark : environment drama workshop
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 10:00am to 11:00am
Venue: Summer Hill Community Centre
RSVP: Melanie on 9716 1921 or email mel

Special Children's Week Activities

Road Safety Book Workshop
A craft for parents and children aged 5+, make your family’s own
Road Safety Book with kids author Deb Westbury.
Dates: Saturday 24 October
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: Michael Maher Room, Haberfield Library
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

RED Bug Picnic
Bring a picnic morning tea and enjoy the stories, songs and games.
Date: Monday 26 October
Time: 10:00am to 11.30am
Venue: Ashfield Park

More information can be found on the Council website

Book News!

2009-09-17T14:33:00.003+10:00

Australian Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Winners
Older Readers : Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Younger Readers : Perry Angel’s Suitcase by Glenda Millard

Early Childhood : How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham

Picture Book of the Year : Collecting Colour by Kylie Dunstan

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books : Alive in the Death Zone by Lincoln Hall

All of these great titles are now available at your library.

New Young Adult Books requested by you!

Margaret Mahy's The magician of Hoad

Meg Cabot's Code Name Cassandra and When lightning strikes

Deborah Ellis' Bifocal

Jennifer Roy's Yellow star

Darren Shan's Death’s shadow

Brian James' Dirty liar

A Rose for the Anzac Boys

2009-07-03T11:22:00.004+10:00

A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French is a CBC Shortlisted title for the Older Readers category. It is a heart wrenching novel on the ‘War to end all Wars‘, we follow Midge Macpherson on her journey in search of her 'missing' twin brother Tim, and her determination to do her bit for the cause.

Midge and her friends Ethel and Anne start a canteen in France, caring for the endless flow of wounded soldiers returning from the front. Midges' experiences as an ambulance driver are horrific, she is thrust into carnage and terror scenes I could never have imagined. But there is also courage, love and friendship - this book brought a tear to my eye many times.

I highly recommend this book and I thank Jackie French for sharing this story with us. It is a must read for every Australian and holds the true spirit of ANZAC between it's covers.

Jackie French wrote on her Blog a response to the many letters and requests for a sequel:

"I don't think I'll write a sequel to ‘A Rose for the Anzac Boys’ but I have always known what happened to them afterwards.

Midge spent the first few days at the farm crying, finally letting go of all she had seen – which helped her relationship with her mother-in-law to be, who fussed over her so protectively that she didn’t mind as Midge slowly took over managemnt of the farm and their lives. .

Midge and Harry built the new house up on the hill. The farm became one of the most prosperous in the region. Midge had three daughters, and then one son – he enlisted in World War Two but developed appendicitis so never went overseas. She and her Harry lived a long and happy life together, surrounded by many grandchildren. She died at 89, asleep on the verandah looking out at her farm and her family.

Ethel never married, but grew closer to her brother, finally recognising his courage too – how he had supported her and the canteen, organising supplies, refusing to fight for a cause he didn't believe in. Ethel was offered to be made a Dame of the British Empire for her work organising food supplies in World War Two. She refused, and with her brother's support, entered Parliament. She died relatively young, at 62, still fighting for her causes.

Anne and her Gavin worked in Mesopotamia till the late ‘30s, when political tensions made it too dangerous to work there. Anne's daughters were born in 1937 and 1939.

Anne's scars faded with time, and her consciousness of them faded too. Gavin worked in Intelligence in World War Two; Anne ran the local billeting for refugees.

After the war Gavin was offered a professorship at the University of Queensland. Anne finally took her degree, and eventually became a part-time tutor. Although not wealthy by the standards of the aristocracy, Anne's family money meant they lived comfortably and generously, in a large house on the Brisbane River near the university, filled with students, discussion and laughter.

The three girls met only once more altogether, at the christening of Anne's first daughter, but kept in touch with love and letters throughout their lives.
When Anne moved to Australia one of Midge's granddaughters lived with them while she studied in Brisbane."

Other historical novels by the author:
The Goat Who Sailed the World
Pharaoh
They Came On Viking Ships
Hitler's Daughter
A War for Gentlemen
Tom Appleby Convict Boy
Macbeth and Son
Walking the Boundaries

Further Reading:
Australian War Memorial Kids HQ in Flanders Fields

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

2009-06-29T15:22:00.005+10:00

Finnikin of the rock is Melina's fantasy novel debut and it lives up to her previous standards. Like Looking for Alabrandi and Saving Francesca this book is about friendship and belonging. It is shortlisted for Book of the Year Older Readers.

I loved the characters in this book they are realistic, human and easy to identify with, Melina's strong characters are what really drive this narrative.

The Kingdom of Lumatere falls, it's royal family slaughtered and is cursed. Most of the Lumaterians are banished to wander foreign lands while others are trapped within the cursed walls.

Ten years later, Finnikin is lead to find Evanjalin, a young novice of Lagrimi who dreams of those trapped inside Lumatere. Together Finnikin and Evanjalin must follow their entwined destiny to save their people.

Checkout an interview with Melina.

Supanova: did you go?

2009-06-29T14:36:00.011+10:00

Supanova was great!

The Dome was packed, so much bigger than last time.
The Madman panel was interesting, lots of new things coming our way. 'Loveless', you will know it if your into yaoi, is being released as a complete series later this year. 'Blood the last vampire' has been out in anime but is now Live action! The clip looked good. You can check out the new Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood full episodes at Madman.
The noise was a bit much though, coudn't really hear Sly, even with the mic.

I bumped into Wolverine (pictured), I love CosPlay! This guys must have spend ages working on his claws, they look fantastic! My friend Jane was happy to see so many Sailor Scouts this year.

We got to have Q&A with Twilight superstar Rachelle "Victoria" Lefevre (pictured), she was so sweet - didn't seem evil at all. She shared many stories and told us about what it was like on set and that she is in Team Edward. Her favourite book is SHE’S COME UNDONE by Wally Lamb - am ordering a copy today!

Hey did you know there is a Dr Who Club of Australia - I saw K9 but there was no sign of the Dr!

If you didn't make it this year, it's back in 2010.

Book of the Year - Older Readers Short List 2009

2009-06-29T14:30:00.002+10:00

Here are the Youth shortlisted titles for Book of the Year. It is a really good shortlist this year, every title has plenty to offer. I will be posting some reviews and bits and bobs for each title over the coming weeks, check them out.
Author	Title	Publisher
CORNISH, D. M.	Monster Blood Tattoo Book Two: Lamplighter	Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
EATON, Anthony	*Into White Silence*	Woolshed Press, Random House Anustralia
FRENCH, Jackie	*A Rose for the Anzac Boys*	HarperCollinsPublishers
MARCHETTA, Melina	*Finnikin of the Rock*	Viking, Penguin Group Australia
MOLONEY, James	*Kill the Possum*	Penguin Group Australia
TAN, Shaun	*Tales from Outer Suburbia*	Allen & Unwin

Meet UK author: JOS CARLYLE

2009-06-25T12:15:00.006+10:00

Jos will give a fighting staff demonstration and talk about the Hayley Hicks Series at the Ashfield Library on Monday 13 July at 10am, there are still places available RSVP By 6 July on 9716 1810

On Jos' website you can read the opening chapters of book one on this website. I’d love to know what you think, so please write in and tell me. You can find out more about the characters by taking a look at their character cards.

Extract from Jos' website:

So this is me: Jos Carlyle, creator of Hayley Hicks. Admittedly it’s a nice photo, which is one of the perks of a website being your own. But I suspect I don’t always look so wholesome as I was once told (by a gentleman far too honest for his own good, in my opinion) that I look like a miserable ogre when I’m concentrating and that my hair is continuously disorganized. I think he could have been a little less blunt.

Unfortunately I tend to concentrate rather a lot. Not because I want to (I’m much better at daydreaming), but because Hayley and her cohort demand it of me. Ah yes, they’re a fascinating and complex, yet effortlessly compelling bunch! But who exactly are they? And what am I actually talking about?

Hayley Hicks is the main character in the series of fantasy books that I’m currently writing for older children and adults. By series I mean six books: THE LIGHTYEARS (books one to three) and THE DARKYEARS (books four to six). So far Book One is finished, Book Two is started, and Books Three, Four, Five and Six are all planned out…

Supanova Pop Culture Expo

2009-06-25T11:54:00.005+10:00

The Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits Sydney this weekend, June 26th to 28th, at The Dome in Olympic Park. If you don't know, Supanova is an annual celebration of pop culture, featuring manga, anime, stars and merchandise from film, television, gaming and other forms of comics.

Clipped from SMASH newsletter 13:
A taste of some of the awesome guests instore for Sydney this year:* Karl Urban - DOOM, Pathfinder, The Chronicles of Riddick, The Lord ofthe Rings, The Bourne Supremacy* Dirk Benedict - Battlestar Galactica, The A-Team* Jake Lloyd - "Anakin Skywalker" - The Phantom Menace* Richard Hatch - Battlestar Galactica - the Original and theRe-Imagined* Spike Spencer - Neon Genesis Evangelion, Martian Successor Nadesico* Christopher Sabat - DragonBall Z, One Piece, Fullmetal Alchemist,Tsubasa Chronicle* Dave Gibbons - The Watchmen, Star Wars: Vader's Quest, Dr. Who, ThePhantom* Stanislav Ianevski - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* Rachelle Lefevre - Twilight, New Moon* Herb Jefferson Jr. - Battlestar Galactica, Rich Man, Poor Man, TheYellow Rose

See you there!

Hysterical Histories School Holiday Fun Program

2009-06-25T11:49:00.003+10:00

Get wrapped up in Mummy Craft, lost in the Time Slip PJ Story Time, and find hidden delights at Treasure Tales these school holidays.

Hysterical Histories Storytime
Bring your mummy or daddy along for some stories and morning tea. For children ages 4+ years old. At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 22 July 11am. At Ashfield Library on Thursday 23 July 11am. No Bookings required.

Time Slip PJ Storytime
Wear your Pyjamas; bring your teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. All ages welcome. Bookings required. At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 July 5.30pm

Treasure Tales Storytime
Find hidden treasures with these stories and a morning tea. No Bookings required. Suitable for children 4+ years. At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 15 July 11am. At Ashfield Library on Thursday 16 July 11am.

My Mummy Craft
Bring your Mum along and you will make a mini Mummy of your own. (Mum's will be photographed for this craft) Suitable for children 4+ years. Bookings essential. At Ashfield Library on Tuesday 14 July 11am. At Haberfield Library on Tuesday 21 July 11am

For more info contact the Children's Librarian on 9716 1827.

Lattitude: Global Volunteering Talk

2009-05-04T11:57:00.002+10:00

What does it take to be a global volunteer? What can I do? Where can I go?

To celebrate National Volunteer Week the library has organised for return global volunteers to come and share their stories and adventures.

Come and discover what it takes to be a global volunteer, what an individual can contribute to make the world a better place, and discover the places you can go.

Date: Friday 15 May
Venue: Ashfield Council Chambers 260 Liverpool Road
Time: 6-7pm
A light supper will be provided.

YABE: Young Adult Book Exchange

2009-04-08T15:28:00.001+10:00

Are you interested in joining a book group for young people?
At YABE you can exchange ideas and reading materials, meet fellow readers and chat about your reading. YABE will be meeting at the Summer Hill Community Centre on the last Tuesday of the month from 5.00 till 6.30pm.
The first meeting will be on Tuesday, April 21. The group will discuss 'Words with Bite'!
Do you have a fav' horror author or love scary stories. You can bring your own books or library books to share, swap or read from.
For more info call Alex 9716 1827

School Holiday Activities

2009-03-31T18:44:00.004+11:00

Splash into the Library this Holidays

Under the Sea Stories & Craft
Splash into some stories and then make a rock pool diorama.
At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 22 April, 11am
At Ashfield Library on Thursday 23 April, 11am
No Bookings required. Age: 4+ years old

Seaside Stories & Craft
Bring your beach towel for seaside stories and then make a sea creature mobile.
At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 15 April, 11am
At Ashfield Library on Thursday 16 April, 11am
No Bookings required. Age: 4+ years old

Ocean of Stories PJ Storytime
An all ages event, come along in your pyjamas; bring your teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs.
At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 April, 6pm
No Bookings required.

Crabby Craft
In this craft session you can make your own little crabby friend to keep.
At Ashfield Library on Tuesday 14 April, 11am
At Haberfield Library on Tuesday 21 April, 11am
Bookings essential. Age: 6+ years old

Seahorse Workshop
Make your own sequined Sea Horse sun catcher to decorate your room.
At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 April, 11am
Bookings essential. Age: 8+ years old

Rhyme Time
Songs, nursery rhymes and stories for 0-3 year olds.
At Haberfield Library every Wednesday 10:15am
At Ashfield Library every Thursday 10am
No Bookings required.

Contact Alex for more info.

Creative Classes

2009-03-18T19:49:00.004+11:00

Free workshops with artist Gillian Hand

Gillian Hand is the artist in residence at Thirning Villa (40 Arthur Street, Ashfield) at the moment till late May. Gill will run workshops on making and keeping of creative journals as well as how to bind papers into book form, and create a diverse range of handmade books.

Tuesday weekly workshops 10am to 12.30pm Handmade books
1.30pm to 4pm Creative Journals

Wednesday evening weekly workshops
6.30pm to 9pm Creative Journals

There will be Saturday ‘Handmade books' workshops held on 21 March, 18 April and 9 May.
These workshops will be from 10am to 4pm.

All workshops are FREE. To register or for more information please contact Anthia on 9716 1866.

Underground Films

2009-03-18T19:38:00.003+11:00

Get your entries in now for the Sydney Underground Film Festival. With no restrictions on style, genre, production date etc – we are open to any creative output from anyone around the world. Deadline is May 29.

The 2009 festival will be held at The Factory Theatre from Sept 10-13.

The Sydney Underground Film Festival is dedicated to nurturing an alternative film culture through the promotion of independent and experimental films. The organisers want to support local filmmakers who operate outside established film industry infrastructures, by providing a platform for exhibition, exposure and critical discussion. Find out more...

Vampires, Aliens and Monsters Cartoon Workshop

2009-03-03T22:40:00.003+11:00

Join us after school on Thursday April 2 for a Youth Week Fun activity.

You will learn to create stacks of your own crazy cartoon character vampires, aliens and monsters in no time at all. Cartoon Dave will lead the way and you will see how easy cartooning can be. The event is free just drop in at 4pm.

Dave has even written some books (click here so you can get them at your library).

Words with Bite

2009-03-03T22:31:00.003+11:00

Creative writing competition

Flex your creative muscle and win a $200 book pack. All you need to do is create your own work with bite in any written shape or format. The competition is open, March 1 - April 9, to all young people aged 14-24 years. The maximum word limit of 2000 words.

Entries must be hand delivered or mailed to Ashfield Library, PO Box 1145 Ashfield NSW 1800 or emailed to ashlib@ashfield.nsw.gov.au by 5pm Thursday April 9, 09.

Include with your submissions your name, age & contact details. Entries must be your own original work.

Download Flier Here.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

2008-12-18T17:55:00.006+11:00

I haven't finished Twilight yet (some people keep reserving it), but I went and saw the movie anyway, and it was great! I am happy I didn't get past chapter 2 in the book when I went to the movie, because I spent the forst 20 minutes say 'that's not right!' and I'm pretty sure I was annoying the other people around me.

I actually think, I enjoyed the movie more than the book (I will probably burn in libray hell now!). I am almost finished the book and I am enjoying it, but I probably wont read the rest of the series. Which I suppose is just as well considering the huge reservation list that keeps forming. I now have 4 copies per branch going round the loop.

According to an interview 'on the night of June 1, 2003, Stephenie had a dream: a young woman was talking to a beautiful, sparkling man in a sunlit meadow. The man was a vampire. They were in love, and he was telling the girl how hard it was for him to keep from killing her.' This dream formed the basis of the first book. I wish my dreams were that profitable.

If you are interested in learning more about Stephenie check out: 10 Questions for Stephenie Meyer

If you liked reading the Twilight Series …

Tithe YA B HAB
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, who has been visited by faeries since childhood, discovers that she herself is a magical faerie creature with a special destiny.

A Great and Terrible Beauty F BRAY ASH
After the suspicious death of her mother in 1895, sixteen-year-old Gemma returns to England, after many years in India, to attend a finishing school where she becomes aware of her magical powers and ability to see into the spirit world.

Beauty YA M ASH
Beauty grows to love the Beast at whose castle she is compelled to stay and through her love releases him from the spell which had turned him from a handsome prince into an ugly beast.

Sirena YA N ASH/HAB
The gods grant immortality to the mermaid Sirena when she rescues a human man from the sea and they fall in love, but his mortality creates great conflict between love and honor when he is called to defend Greece in the Trojan War.

Wounded YA C HAB
Sixteen-year-old Tom Anderson and seventeen-year-old Kate Folan try to escape Kate’s werewolf family and fight becoming werewolves themselves.

A few more to sink your fangs into:

Jinx YA W ASH/ASH
Stardust YA G ASH/HAB
Interview with the Vampire F RICE ASH
Peeps YA W ASH
Vampire blood trilogy YA S ASH
Merrick F RICE HAB
The last vampire F STRI HAB
Blood and Gold F RICE HAB
Bloody bones PB HAB
Lords of the night F LORD ASH
Lilith’s dream F STRI HAB
Dark days GN 741.5973 NIL ASH
Blood is the new black F STIV ASH/HAB
The vampire shrink F HILB ASH
99 coffins YA W ASH
13 bullets YA W ASH
The night watch YA L ASH/HAB

Get in the Game, READ!

2008-12-17T10:06:00.003+11:00

This summer holidays your library is offering many opportunities for your family to get involved, get reading and win.

The Summer Reading Club is open 1 December 2008 to 18 January 2009 and all you need to do is read ten books, collect your reading rewards and then go into the draw to win $200 worth of books, toys and vouchers.

Every child who participates will be posted a 'participation certificate'.
To be eligible for the prize draw you must read 10 books and return the reading log to the library before 18 January.

Join in with the many summer holiday activities and games.

Get in the Game Party
The end of the Summer Reading Club will be celebrated at the ‘Get in the game party’. Summer Reading Prizes will be awarded. Bookings are essential.
Date: 23 January
Venue: Haberfield Library
Time: 3pm

Board of Studies Club
Come along for board games at the library with fun, lollies and activities. For 10 years and over. No bookings are required.
Date: 8 to 11 December
Venue: Ashfield Library
Time: 4-6pm
Date: 8 & 10 December
Venue: Haberfield Library
Time: 3.30-5.30pm

‘StorySport’ Pyjama Storytime
Wear your Pyjamas; bring your favourite teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. Toddlers to 8 years recommended. No bookings are required.
Date: 15 & 20 January
Venue: Ashfield Library
Time: 6pm

Snakes & Ladders Craft
Kids are invited to come along and make their own Snakes and Ladders board game. Recommended for ages 4-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Date: 7 January
Venue: Haberfield Library
Time: 11am
Date: 8 January
Venue: Ashfield Library
Time: 11am

Pizza Olympics Night
Come along for a Pizza Olympics Night. Dress as your favourite sportsman or woman and join in the games and celebrate gold with a pizza supper. Prize awarded for best dressed. Bookings are essential.
Date: 13 January
Venue: Ashfield Library
Time: 6-7.00pm

Sand Boomerang Craft
Design your own boomerang and decorate it with sand art. Recommended for ages 4-12 years. Bookings are essential.
Date: 21 January
Venue: Haberfield Library
Time: 11am
Date: 22 January
Venue: Ashfield Library
Time: 11am

Download the Summer Holiday Fun Flyer and the Summer Reading Log.

New Books for November

2008-11-14T22:21:00.007+11:00

Hey, I forgot to tell you about the new books list for November, and yes I know I have the wrong month on the cover (a blond moment- well blond streaks anyway).

Some of the new kids fiction books are:
Terror in cubicle four by B. Strange
UFO afloat by Dave Hackett
The Dragon Prince by T. Nhat Hanh
The wizard of Rondo by Emily Rodda
Werewolf versus dragon by M. Morgan

Some of the new youth books are:
The cat kin by Nick Green
Buffy: The quotable slayer
Rich dad poor dad for teens by R. Kiyosaki
Nation by Terry Pratchett

Some of the new youth graphic novels are:
Avril Lavigne’s make 5 wishes by C. D’Errico
Master of the clow by Clamp
World embryo by D. Moriyama
The knockout makers by K. Hashimoto
Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim
Kimmie66 by A. Alexovich

Some of the new kids graphic novels are:
Geobreeders by Akihiro Ito
Baby & me by Marimo Ragawa
Cowa! by Akira Toriyama (same guys who made Dragon Ball Z)
Kilala Princess by Rika Tanaka
Garfield pigs out by Jim Davis

There is also a very long list of baby board books in the book list, that's because in the span of two weeks about 15 mothers said 'why don't you buy more board books?'. I do buy board books, in the last 6 months alone the library has spent almost $5000 on them. It's just that I can't spend all the money on board books, or we would have no kids or teen fiction or information books, or graphic novels. There are of course many, many more new books at the library, a selection (with some reviews) is listed in the new books list but also check out the library gazette for more reviews pick up either in print at your library.

Happy reading.

Trends in borrowing

2008-11-14T21:15:00.004+11:00

Just a quick note, It has been a few weeks since an update on any library activities - that's not because I haven't done anything - rather that I have been doing to much.

All the Summer Reading Challenge stuff is almost ready to launch, are you ready to Get in the Game? Along with the joy of reading, and of course the thrill of the competition (I know you don't have to be the best - but you cant help wanting to win can you!) There will also be some Board of Studies afternoons in December - that's board games and snacks in the libraries after school (Homework is on hold, but the tutor will be there if you have a mean teacher who has given you some) . As well as after Christmas we have a heap of holiday activities all in the sporty theme to go with the Summer Reading Challenge (not that I normally accessorize).

In the theme of reading, I was hanging out with a group (45) of childrens' and youth librarians on Thursday and we discussed what you and your friends are reading. That's right we do talk about you amongst ourselves (hope that doesn't sound too creepy). Did you know that there has been a state wide drop of 13% in kids and teens reading non-fiction (that's information books for you non library types) and a gigantic 43% increase in teen books being borrowed! What's so amazing is that traditionally librarians have said 'those teens don't read' and scarily some still think that (they arn't childrens' or youth librarians though).

So in accordance with this trend and many other little things I've noticed about our reading community at Ashfield, I am planning on merging (read mash-up) the kids and adults non-fiction (info books) together and expanding the teen area a bit further. Now of course you do get a say, so if you think its a horrifically catastrophic mistake feel free to email me and say so alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au.no.spam.

Something else I probably should tell you is that the Council will be advertising shortly for people aged between 12-24 to join a youth council advisory thingy. So if you are (or know) someone who is passionate about our community start thinking about joining. It wont actually be called the youth council advisory thingy, but you will know it when you see it (and I will point it out here anyway).

Oh, and next week we have Mike who will be spending some time with us at the library for work experience, so he will be featuring here soon!

Ok, that's enough procrastination, I have an essay to finish.
Have fun.

PS. Did you know JK Rowling has a new book coming out soon?

KOALA Winners

2008-10-22T18:41:00.011+11:00

I spent a wonderfully exhausting day today out at Blacktown Library for the 2008 KOALA Awards Day. I got to meet (and have lunch with) Duncan Ball, Ursula Dubosarsky, Anna Fienberg, Kim Gamble, Catherine Jinks, Chris Milne and Emily Rodda. I also got to meet all the students from across the state who attended Awards Day.

It was a great day despite the miserable and wild weather. Val the KOALA Secretary commented 'it is the first time that authors have had to come through snow to attend Awards Day!'

The 2008 Kids Own Australian Literature Awards were announced and the winners are:
Picture Book Winner: Annie's Chair by Deborah Niland
Honour Books: Where is the green sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek and Rex by Ursula Dubosarsky and David Mackintosh

Younger Readers Winner: Just Shocking! by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Honour Books: Tashi & the mixed up monster and Selby Shattered by Duncan Ball and Allan Stomann

Older Readers Winner: The Key t o Rondo by Emily Rodda
Honour Books: Boy Overboard by Morrris Gleitzman and Spookiest stories by Paul Jennings

Fiction Years 7-9 Winner: Mao's Last Dancer by Lee Cunxin
Honour Book: Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson

Here are a couple of pic's Yvonne took today.

Ursula Dubosarsky, Catherine Jinks, Duncan Ball and Emily Rodda

Anna Fienberg and her Tashi doll.

Did you know? Anna invented the Tashi stories with her mum, and Kim Gamble invented the way Tashi looks. Kim had this little doll made for Anna so he could keep her company while she writes, but Anna's little boy liked the tashi doll so much Anna gave it to him.

Kim Gamble and the artwork he created in front of our eyes.

Kim's artwork was won by Wollondilly Public School on Awards Day. Kim was inspired to create a dragon for Tashi after Lee Castledine told the assembly a story about a great dragon and a magic golden snail.

Ashfield Spring Life

2008-10-14T18:27:00.002+11:00

Abstract expressionist paintings by the children of Ashfield
We had a picnic in the library on Friday 10th October to celebrate the art works created by the children.
The project was coordinated by the Artist in Residence Cher Breeze and involved 5 preschools and a parents group 'Jump in Joeys' who created a series of abstract expressionit paintings reflecting Ashfield in the spring time.
Each of the 6 canvases was a communal work completed by many hands; this shared creative experience means that these works truly reflect the vibrancy and uniqueness of the Ashfield community through the eyes of children.
The works have been displayed in the Ashfield Library Children's Section, please drop in and see them.

Inky's Shortlist

2008-09-30T18:00:00.004+10:00

Have you been following the Inky Awards nominations?

The nominations have been cast and the shortlist have been drawn.

Now you get to decide who gets the Golden and Silver Inky.

Vote now!

The shortlist

Town, James Roy

My brother Kimlan works all night fixing the road. He wears a shirt that reflects the light from the cars. The boss man says that if he does not wear that shirt, no one will be able to see him unless he smiles.

Tales from Outer Suburbia, Shaun Tan

It's funny how these days, when every household has its own intercontinental ballistic missile, you hardly even think about them.

A Brief History of Montmaray, Michelle Cooper
Officially, the head of our household is Uncle John, who is Aunt Charlotte's brother and Veronica's father (and the King of Montmaray), but he's rather distracted on his good days, and downright alarming on his bad ones.

Genesis, Bernard Beckett

…the only thing the population had to fear, was fear itself. The true danger humanity faced during this period was the shrinking of its own spirit.

Boy Toy, Barry Lyga

It was like watching the mating rituals of retarded birds, clumsily stepping the wrong patterns around each other over and over again.

Before I Die, Jenny Downham

I sit up and switch on the bedside light. There's a pen, but no paper, so on the wall behind me I write, I want to feel the weight of a boy on top of me.

School Holiday Fun

2008-09-17T13:23:00.004+10:00

Click on the thumb nail to download the school holiday activities flyer.
Call the library to book on 9716 1810 or email me on alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Spring has Sprung - and I hope you can keep up!

2008-09-08T13:26:00.008+10:00

Ok, this is a big season, take a big breathe and then read on!

Winner: The Peasant Prince Competition
Luke R, 4 years old from Summer Hill for his review of Ziba came on a boat by Liz Lofthouse, illustrated by Rob Ingpen "When I look at the paintings it makes me feel I'm on the boat and even in the waves, hanging on to the edge of the boat. The waves are splashing me, too. When I see Ziba and her family eating, I feel like Im eating with them. It is sad and scary to see them run from bad guys and guns. I hope they come to Australia on that boat.

Teddy Tales Picnic - Thursday 18 September 2008
Ashfield Library and Summer Hill Community Centre invite you to bring your bear for a Teddy Tales Picnic on Thursday, 18 September 2008 at Darrell Jackson Gardens (next to Summer Hill Community Centre, 131 Smith Street, Summer Hill).
Bring a picnic lunch to share with your teddy. Stories and fun begin at 1.30-2.30pm followed by a bear hunt at 2.30pm.
Please RSVP by Tuesday 16 September 2008 on 02 9716 1810. Down load Flyer.

October School Holiday Fun
Get crafty and creative this school holidays, let your imagination run riot, and visit your library!

Page to Stage Workshop
Join Monkey Baa in looking at how you can adapt a story for the stage, and have fun with improvisation, movement and drama games. For teens between 8-11 years Bookings essential, limited places.
1pm Friday 03 October Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

“Millie Jack and the Dance” Drama Play Workshop
Join Monkey Baa and be delighted with this magical exploration of drama through games, storytelling and fairytales. Ages 5-7 years. Booking essential with limited places.
10am Friday 03 October Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

Creative Beading Workshop
Come design and make your own unique jewellery to reflect your unique personality. Booking essential with limited places. Strictly for ages 12+
3pm Friday 10th Oct Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library
3pm Wednesday 08 Oct Ashfield Library

Imaginitis Pyjama Storytime
When everyone catches ‘imaginitis’, who knows where these tall tales will take you! Wear your Pyjamas; bring your favourite Teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. Children of all ages welcome. No Bookings Required.
6pm Tuesday 07 October Ashfield Library

Twisted Tales Storytime
Why do they always pick on the poor wolf? Has anyone seen that naughty Goldilocks? And what is that smell! Come for stories, songs and morning tea. 0-8 year olds. No Bookings Required.
11am Wednesday 01 October Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 02 October Ashfield Library
11am Wednesday 08 October Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 09 October Ashfield Library

Chinese Storytime
Come for stories, poems, craft and fun for 0-8 year olds. No Bookings Required
11am Friday 03 October Ashfield Library

Kids Author Talk: DEBORAH ABELA

Date: Friday 28th November, 2008

Time: 10am arrival, talk 10.15am till 11am

Venue: Ashfield Council Chambers

Author of the fantastically popular “Max Remy Super Spy” Series and “Jasper Zammit Soccer Legend” is coming along to share some of her stories and adventures with us. Ideal for kids in grades 4 to 7.

Living Languages Carnival

Ashfield Carnival of Cultures is coming up on Sunday 12 October 2008

The Carnival will be back to Ashfield Park. This family and community celebration attracts up to 20,000 visitors from Ashfield, the Inner West and beyond. So join us again to celebrate "Living Languages".

I told you to take a deep breathe. There is so much coming up in the next few weeks I think I will need a holiday, O' that's right these are the school holidays.

Children's Book Week

2008-09-08T13:15:00.004+10:00

Children’s Book Week is celebrated right across Australia, from Hobart to Broome. This year we at Ashfield celebrated with many storytelling events, with preschools, primary schools and even babies. Children’s Book Week is all about celebrating stories, those found in books and those we make ourselves.

The Winning Picture Book this year “Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley” is about two unlikely best friends, a typical tale of childhood. I know every child in ashfield has many stories to tell, and who know's, one day we may see them published.

On the afternoon of August 22nd Clr Ted Cassidy, Mayor of Ashfield, announce the winners of the StoryCraft and Colouring Competitions to a crowded Haberfield Library. The Mayor congratulate every child who participated and, that afternoon awarded over 100 prizes.

The Colouring Competition received over 700 entries, and every participant has had a certficate forwarded to their school. The StoryCraft competition invited years 4-12 to submit a creative storyline in a unique way, pictorial and graphic works were encouraged. Of all the wonderful tales received we could not pick 3 winners, it was just to hard! So the following 4 winners will receive a $50 Music or Book Voucher.

Raymond W.
Terrell H.
Ricky V.
Desmond C.

I encourage you to drop into your library and have a look at many of the entries on display in the children’s area.

Is there a book you want?

2008-07-29T21:02:00.005+10:00

Requests taken!!!
Don't forget, if there happens to be a book (or CD or DVd or Sound recording) you want, and we dont have it yet, let me know! The library does take requests, and if we cant buy it, we will borrow it for you... yes libraries borrow from libraries (we are all connected in library-land).

So if you have been hanging for Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Book 3 Brisinger or can't wait for that librarian to get around to picking up Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, or Melina Marchetta's new On the Jellicoe Road, send in a request to my email (or on paper in the library) and don't forget your name and library card number or I can't set it aside for you.

Melina is our next Kids Authors @ Ashfield author talk. So if you want to come along and meet her, you can and it's free.

Check out an interview with Melina on Insideadog

July New Books (and other stuff)

2008-07-23T13:36:00.003+10:00

Woohoo! It's a new year!
Financial year that is, with a shiny new budget and lots more money to spend on books, toys, DVD's and music etc, etc. Talking about spending, the July new Books list is up have a squizze. If your into real life stories and reality (that's non fiction for you library types) we are experiencing a tidal wave of new titles. From stuff on Vivaldi (a classical muscician), a book called "Why should I eat this carrot?" a very informative read, stuff on "Australia’s Air Force "and Navy, if your interested in animals and nature, what about "Venom" or "Cockroach’s night out" or if your into the heavy stuff "It’s a climate for change".

There are still some new good stories of course!

Leaving Barrumbi by Leonie Norrington is a new talking book (CD to listen to, a book with no reading!) The author spent much of her childhood on a remote community, growing up among aboriginal people who live in the traditional way, and she has brought many of these experiences into this beautiful story. The sequel to The Barrumbi kids and The Spirit of Barrumbi, this story see’s Dale start boarding School. Many challenges face Dale, finding his place in ‘white’ society, making new friends, and staying connected to his family and community – no wonder Dale doesn’t know who he is anymore! This story is 7 ½ hours long and is read in a fashion that will engage with adults and children alike. This book is listed on the Children’s Book Council 2008 shortlisted, and it deserves an award, it is a great story to read or hear.

Clay’s Way by Blair Mastbaum
The reviews screamed “A gay Catcher in the Rye”, “trilling, sexy, terrifying” and it was voted 2005 “Book for the Teen Age” by the New York Public Library. What can I say; it came highly recommended, so then why was I disappointed? I found the push and pull between Clay and Sam the duo-protagonists to be scary and disturbing; I couldn’t stand either of them, let alone like them. Set in the sun and the surf of Hawaii, Mastbaum must be congratulated for achieving a dark and twisted tale that delves into the teen psyche to perturb the readers mind. That said it is a good read, it held me and I just had to finish it, I wasn’t happy at the end, but did I really want a Disney ending, definitely not.

Win a copy of the Peasant Prince!
To win a copy of The Peasant Prince, tell us in 50 words or less about a picture book or illustrator that has moved you. Submit your entry at the library desk by 24 Sept 08.

Erak’s Ransom wins the Australian Book Industry Award: Book of the Year for Older Children. A Spokes woman from the RHA said 'Sales for Australian series Ranger’s Apprentice have topped over 1 million copies worldwide. The adventure, humour and friendship of the Ranger’s Apprentice series is clearly resonating with fans across the world. With more books in the series and a major film deal struck with United Artists films and writer-director Paul Haggis, Random House Australia is looking forward to the continuing success of this series.'

Madeline and Milia

2008-07-01T19:13:00.003+10:00

I would like to welcome Madeline and Milia to the Ashfield (they are here every day for a week the poor things) for their work experience. You can check out what they are getting upto this week on their blogs. Madeline's Blog and Milia's Blog.

You can leave messages or comments on their blogs.

If you think you may one day like to work in a Library, check out the Workplace Learning Blog and see how you can do work experience here at the Ashfield Library with us.

Going Tribal: July School Holiday Fun

2008-06-17T09:44:00.006+10:00

Feel the jungle beat this July as we go tribal at the Ashfield and Haberfield Libraries. Download the flyer here.

Shekere Beats Drumming Workshop
Ideal for 6-16 year olds, get into the beat with this tribal drumming workshop.
Date: 2pm Wednesday 16 July

Venue: Graham Yarroll Room above the Haberfield Library.

Henna Tattooing Workshop
For ages 10+ who want to learn the art of Henna and have some fun. Booking Essential with limited places
Date: 3pm Wednesday 9 July

Venue: Wattle Room Level 2, above Ashfield Library.

Jungle Drums Pyjama Storytime
Wear your Pyjamas, bring your favourite Teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. Children of all ages welcome. No Bookings Required.
Date: 6pm Tuesday 15 July

Venue: Ashfield Library

Savanna Storytime
Stories, poems, craft and fun
for 0-10 year olds. No Bookings Required.
Sessions:

11am Wednesday 09 July @ Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 10 July @ Ashfield Library
11am Wednesday 16 July @ Haberfield Library
11am Thursday 17 July @ Ashfield Library

Please contact the Children's Librarian for more information and bookings on 9716 1827.

Hal Spacejock... Wow, a free ebook!

2008-06-10T10:11:00.004+10:00

Here is an interesting marketing tool: get book 1 of the Hal Spacejock Series free and then you need to buy the rest of the series! Don't fall into the trap, read book 1 free and then visit your local library, get all of them free to read. Terms and conditions apply!

See whats in stock on the Ashfield Catalogue

Hal Spacejock by Simon Haynes (from the website)

'An incompetent, accident-prone pilot is given one last chance to save his ship. An ageing robot is trusted with a midnight landing in a deserted field. And a desperate businessman is prepared to sacrifice both of them to get what he wants ...

Combining relentless action with non-stop laughs, Hal Spacejock explodes onto the science fiction scene with the subtlety of a meteor strike and the hushed reverence of a used car salesman.'

"Better than Red Dwarf" Tom Holt

"The quirkiest genre satire to hit bookstores since Terry Pratchett's Discworld" The West Australian

The Hal Spacejock series to date:
1. Hal Spacejock (2005)
2. Hal Spacejock: Second Course (2006)
3. Hal Spacejock: Just Desserts (2007)
4. Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (2008)

Visit Hal Spacejock's web page to download your free copy of book one. http://www.spacejock.com.au/

New Books for May

2008-05-06T02:07:00.004+10:00

This month we have some fab new titles for you. get the new book list into your hot little hands and reserve your choices now!

May's Staff Picks:

+Anima Volume 1 JF M ASH
By Mukai, Natsumi
+Anima is unabashed shonen (Boys) manga, with adorable magical childrenwith golden hearts and mysterious secrets yet to be revealed. All the characters are likable, and the drawing clear and stylised. An enjoyable romp for comic/manga readers with a sweet tooth.

The clockwork forest JF M ASH
By MacLeod, Doug
Morton goes into the forest in search of four precious objects, and he discovers something far more valuable. The Clockwork Forest is a wonderfully dark and twisted fable. Bringing to life a
magical world where nothing is as it seems. Danger lies everywhere. But the biggest surprise is
what lies at the end of the quest?

Joel and Cat set the story straight YA E ASH
By Earls, Nick & Sparrow, Rebecca
A love-hate relationship, without the love part. This book has assault rifles, tea-drinking heroines, a Salvadorian salsa instructor and the most hilarious medical scene. You may have guessed, humour is a big part of the book, but there's drama, too, as both Cat and Joel experience family breakdown. The Joel/Cat tension is finely balanced and the end is sweet but not sickly. A very funny read!

SMASH 08 - pre register

2008-05-05T20:56:00.005+10:00

Now I know that you know, but just in case you dont know (what SMASH is that is), let me tell you. SMASH is an Anime con. Just in case you dont know what an Anime con is:

An anime convention is an event or gathering in a venue where the primary focus is on anime and manga as a fan driven event. An anime convention allows fans to meet and interact with other like minded people, show off their own creative talents, buy anime and manga related goods and celebrate their fandom in a social environment. Simply put, an anime con is a place for anime fans to gather and have fun, spend all their yearly savings and buy art & merchandise until they go bankrupt. source

SMASH is a one day Anime convention on August 2nd at Roundhouse@UNSW with a $10 entry fee if you pre-register, $15 if you pay at the door.

Hidenobu Kiuchi

SMASH! 2008 is going to have the very first Japanese Voice Actor to make an appearance at an Australian Convention!

Kiuchi is a talented seiyuu, well known for his role as Oshitari Yuushi from Prince of Tennis, and more recently, Ryohei Sasagawa from Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

He has also starred in a number of leading roles including, but not limited to, Kenzo Tenma (Monster), Ren Honjo (Nana), Hei (Darker than Black), Ryuuren Ran (Saiunkoku Monogatari), and José (Gunslinger Girls); his credits also include Rurouni Kenshin, Death Note, Pokemon, Hunter x Hunter and many more!

Now do you know what I'm talking about?
See ya there!

Oh my, I turn around for one momento and April is gone... lost forever

2008-05-02T17:38:00.002+10:00

Oh, well, there will be another...

Congratulations to the Competition Winners for Brewhaha Poetry Slam and Youth/ Seniors Creative Writing Competition
Thank you to our poetry slam performers and congratulations to Raymond N and Jesse N who took home $300 worth of prizes.
Thank you to those who submitted entries into the writing competition and congratualtions to Meredith W and Elizabeth W who each recieved $100 worth of prizes.
One of the winning entries was 'The Homeless Kindergarten' by Elizabeth. It is reproduced here in full.

'The Homeless Kindergarten'

The ceiling is dissolving
and the carpet seems to smell
kinder kids are moulding
and the classroom is as well.

The fungi start to smoulder
it is like a prison cell
the kindy kids are homeless
in the small hall they must dwell.

The roof tiles are fragmented
there's an under carpet dam
electricity is risky,
and we cannot use our plan

Book week's a disaster!
The children are upset.
They cannot practice reading
for their readers are too wet.

I hope we get the funding
for the flooding to resolve
'Cause if we don't replace the roof tiles
the children will dissolve.

Elizabeth W from Haberfield Public School

Harmony Day Celebrations

2008-04-12T07:50:00.008+10:00

Happy Harmony Day!
Well, yes I am late, Harmony Day was the 21 March, which was a public holiday due to that Easter thing. So at Ashfield Library we celebrated Harmony Day on the 28th March. I want to share with you what the children of our ESL class put together for their parents on Harmony Day.

harmony day

The Ashfield Library ESL homework help class practice their English Skills with songs and poems and short stories. They performed some of these for their parents at the Harmony Day afternoon tea.

harmony day radio program

The children were recorded by radio announcer Joy Lu and broadcast on Saturday 12 April on 2AC Australian Chinese Radio.

Harmony Blossoms was written by poet Li Fu Qi for the program.

Harmony Blossoms
the star in the sky,
the flower on the ground,
we are in one family,
joined to the world.
hand in hand,
shoulder to shoulder,
I help you, you help me,
love one another happily.
our fiends every where in the world,
for peace ,for freedom,
let us sing and work together,
making a peaceful universe,
harmony in bloom all over the world.

$500 worth of prizes up for grabs!

2008-03-19T23:25:00.002+11:00

Brewhaha Poetry Slam
Ashfield Library in conjunction with Leichhardt Library will be launching our first Brewhaha Poetry Slam taking place 12pm on Saturday 12 April in the new Brewhaha Chill Out Tent.

A poetry slam is a competition which performers read or recite original works, or more rarely that of others, without any other tools except for the microphone.

Up for grabs as first and second prize is $300 worth of prizes for a slam-dunk performance.

Entrants must register for the event by Sunday 6 April 2008, with full contact details and a short spiel on their work in writing. For more details contact Alexander 02 9716 1827. Brewhaha Poetry Slam flyer or entry form.

Youth and Seniors Creative Writing Competition
'They think they know it all!' is a Writing Competition where you can flex your creative muscle and express your viewpoint on the topic of harmony and acceptance of all ages.

Entries can take any written shape or format. All entries must be delivered by hand or mailed to Ashfield Municipal Library, PO Box 1145 Ashfield NSW 1800 by Sunday 13 April 2008.

Up for grabs as first and second prize is $300 worth of prizes. For more information contact Alexander on 02 9716 1827. Entry form.

Are you an online manga reader

2008-03-03T16:29:00.003+11:00

Did you know manga was online and free to read?
I didn't, well I did but not to this extend.

I have been asking the teens and kids for fav titles and manga authors to add to the library, and yes I have bought lots of new stuff (almost $3000 worth) it will hit the shelves over the next few weeks.

I digress, One kid asked for Naruto, and I said we have that (turns out its all missing off the shelves , sorry my bad, but I don't have time to stand there watching who touches what.) I'm getting some more if your a naruto fan! But its online - free - for you to read!

My friend Ms Doyle also recommends OneManga and says 'my students love this site -- they can read some of their favorite manga online, another favorite is crunchyroll where they watch anime'

Check out some of these:
MangaVolume
OneManga
ReadManga
Mangashare

Computer games in the library

2008-01-30T09:18:00.000+11:00

THERE'S GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS!

There is strong debate between academics and librarians (not to mention parents) on whether computer games are good for you, not to mention if they have a place in the public library.

My stand was (and has been for a long time) that kids and teens know where to find online games, and therfore can play them in the library. That has worked at ashfield till now!

The Good News : we have new computers. Every PC now has a wide screen and is much faster than the old ones.

The Bad News : the new PC's are so locked down for network security that they do not allow plug-ins or add-ons, and therfore can not play most online games.

I have been flooded with feedback (not all complaints) that we can not play games on the internet anymore. What has been decided is that we will have a few additional PC's in the children's area reserved for PC games. There will be no internet access, but they will be networked together for multiplayer games.

So here's where you come in : What games should we buy to put on them?

Philip Pullman's 'The Golden Compass'

2007-12-31T17:36:00.000+11:00

The Golden Compass is good movie, but the book Northern Lights is better.

Well, that's my opinion anyway, feel free to disagree. If you haven't seen it yet, The Golden Compass is a fantasy movie, starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards and many others. You are swept into a parallel universe, where 'Dust' is not just lint and dust bunnies. The Golden Compass is an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s book : Northern Lights. The movie is very intricate for someone who hasn’t read the book.

Considering how hard it is to adapt a 400-or-so-page novel, in a 114-minute movie. The result is entertaining, but personally a let down (i knew i shouldn't have read the book first) , parts of the book have been cut, and the end is different. The movie stops earlier than the book, which will leave Pullman’s fans a little wanting.

But there are two sequels to Northern Lights : The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. Both ready for their big screen close-ups.

You can learn a little about 'daemons' with the Jan YouTube Lit Link on the right.

Season's Greetings

2007-12-20T19:15:00.000+11:00

You may have noticed Tom and Jerry's 'the night before Christmas' is this months Lit Link. This is one of my favorite Chrissie cartoons, I remember watching it with my brothers every year during the festive season. I though you may like a laugh, as tis the season to be jolly after all.
I hope every one is happy with their end of year results, be they a UAI, exam marks, or just a satisfying feeling that you did good. Congratulations to all those who have now finished high school and received their UAI's. Best of luck in the uni offers.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Chrissie and a blast of a New Year.
Talk to you in 2008!

Savage Chicken's

2007-12-17T13:58:00.000+11:00

Just wanted to share, It tis the season you know!

Musicovery

2007-12-17T13:01:00.000+11:00

Music for any mood!
Carleen, from the US posted this fantastic little gem that I had to share.

'Usually it’s the teens in our library who help me keep up with all the new or “it” websites but this time, it was actually my husband'

'Musicovery is an interactive radio website that allows you to choose music according to your mood. You can then narrow your search by music decade or music type. Your search results show up as a kind of funky selection web, then you can choose what song you want to listen to from there. It doesn’t stop there, it also provides additional suggestions according to the artist being played.'

Cybils: blogger book award

2007-11-26T20:52:00.000+11:00

Let me introduce you to the internet's first literary awards!
Check out the Cybils Widget!

Like all revolutions, this one started small, with a single post on a blog devoted to children's literature. The Newbery Awards seemed too elitist and the Quills, well, not enough so. Was there a middle ground, an annual award that would recognize both a book's merits and popularity?

The Cybils are the middle ground. The public nominates their favorite children's books from 2007 in seven categories: Picture Books; Non-fiction Picture Books; Middle Grade fiction; Poetry; Young Adult fiction; Non-fiction (YA/MG); and Graphic Novels.

Anyone with an e-mail address can nominate one book per category. Then groups of bloggers get to work. First, a nominating committee reads ALL the titles in a given category. After nearly two arduous months, this committee winnows the nominees to five finalists. A second committee of bloggers considers the shortlist and, after much debate, chooses the best of the best for 2007.

The Cybils is a blogger-run, blogger-inspired awards process... make sure you cast your vote!

Workplace Learning aka. Work Experience

2007-11-26T16:53:00.000+11:00

In case you didn't know Ashfield Library provides work experience to high school students through the Workplace Learning Program.

Workplace learning programs are part of the NSW secondary school curriculum. The programs encourage young people to gain practical experience of workplaces and learn industry and workplace skills as part of their studies.

This Blog provides information about work experience opportunities that the Ashfield Library offer. Please read through the posts and have a look at the Reflection Blogs as well.

The Library tries to make the workload as varied and interesting as possible. Students will be required to follow as schedule set down by the library which can contain activities such as helping with kids craft activities, Storytime or Tiny tots's sessions, working with the Housebound service, an introduction to the online library, as well as shelving and circulation duties.

Each student will keep a Workplace Learning Reflections Blog, in which a daily reflection on will be added.

Street Fiction / Gangst Fiction

2007-11-05T22:28:00.001+11:00

Hot new blog!

Street fiction, also known as urban fiction, street lit, or gangsta fiction, is one of the fastest growing genres, these books expose the reader to drugs, violence, sex and and the gritty realities of street life in urban America.

Street Fiction is a blog dedicated to reviewing this genre. Daniel Marcou, creator of this blog, is a corrections librarian, creative writing instructor, and author.

The latest title under review is Naughty Girls byAlisha Yvonne. "Ivy Lee Jones and Candy Cane are a couple of sexy girls gone wild. Just look up the meaning of fierce in the dictionary, and you’ll find a picture of both Ivy Lee Jones and Candy Cane with sinister smiles on their faces."

Another book that caught me eye was Going Broke by Trista Russell, "Sarai Emery loves her life. Enclosed in the luxurious penthouse-style apartment just minutes from the beach, Sarai drives a tricked-out S.U.V. and sports a Beyonce-worthy hair weave, but what Sarai prizes above all else is Damian Carter, the man who makes this whole overpriced lifestyle possible. Despite all the bling, Sarai is drowning in debt."

Don't forget, if you find a book you want, feel free to leave me the details in a meebo message (with your ashfield library card number), or email me alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au.nospam, when it comes in I will reserve it for you.

New Youtube Lit Links

2007-10-30T13:48:00.000+11:00

There are some really cool clips on Youtube and I bumbled across this one ( read procrastination), The potter puppet pals in 'the mysterious ticking noise'. I thought you might like it, so it's posted down on the left above the book sites.

Tadah! the birth of Lit Links, once a month I will post a new clip that features some literary expression. If you come across a great clip, post a link here in a comment and share it! It doesn't have to be a book, it could be a piece of poetry, a song or a twisted tale, etc.

By the way, if you have an idea for a Lit Link Clip of your own, email it into me (alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au.nospam) and we'll see if we can make it and post it to Youtube, and of course feature as a Lit Link!

Check out my new Widget!

2007-10-18T01:57:00.000+10:00

I'm off to see the Widget, the wonderful Widget of Oz!
(your supposed to sing that or it's not funny)

Well, you don't have to come into the library to talk to a librarian. The widget is a tool you can use to contact me any time. I'm not always online, but you can leave messages for me. Make suggestions for library items I need to buy, ideas for what you would like to see in the library, things you think the library could do for teens.

Or just say hello!

There are also two new sites listed for Online Homework help.

Ask Now is IM chat with a reference librarian, available from Monday to Friday 9.00am - 7.00pm AEST. AskNow is staffed by librarians across Australia. Depending on the time you try the service, you may be chatting to a librarian in any of the States and Territories. You can ask them any questions you need help with, for example if you want to know how the state government works, or if penguins fly?

Your Tutor is available for students from Year 4 to Year 12. All the tutors are qualified experts in their subject areas and specially trained in online tutoring for young people. Students can access one on one support in the areas of Mathematics, Science, English, Essay writing, Assignment Research or about Study Skills. Log on between 4pm to 8pm on weekdays for free.

Carnival of Cultures 07

2007-10-15T16:46:00.001+10:00

Sunburn, Sparkles and Sausage Sizzles
Thousands of people turned out for the Ashfield Carnival of Cultures last Sunday (14 October). We had a small library stall (next to Mr Whippy - yummy) and we displayed our wares. Story telling, homework help, craft, all knowingness and books of course.

The Library sold 2 truck loads of old books at our book sale for 50c each (its not for profit, believe me). We had people looking for all sorts of treasures! We managed to sort and shuffle box's of books around our little tent searching for the pony books or NSYNC Cd's and even old encyclopedia sets in Chinese.

Staff helped aspiring young artist design 600 bookmarks and 400 door hangers at the craft table. The glorious sun shone, the cool breeze carried the smell of the scouts sausage sizzle to our nostrils and there was not a blow fly or bull ant to be seen, a wonderful day, I can't wait till next years carnival.

the Gnomes are coming, the Gnomes are coming!!!

2007-09-22T11:18:00.000+10:00

This school hols, get down, dirty and express yourself with a warrior Gnome.

Terracotta Warrior Gnomes
For teens who would like to exercise their artistic side,
Clay modelling to design your own warrior Gnome.
2pm Tuesday 2 Oct @ Ashfield Library

2pm Tuesday 9 Oct @ Haberfield Library

Contact the Library or speak to Children’s Librarian for more details (02) 9716 1827

For the full holiday program checkout the library website.

Get active in Ashfield

2007-09-22T10:43:00.000+10:00

The Ashfield Carnival of Cultures is coming up on Sunday 14 October 2007.
The event will run from 10am to 4pm at Ashfield Park, on the corner of Parramatta Road and Orpington Street in Ashfield. The Carnival is Ashfield Council's premier outdoor community event, attracting more than 20,000 visitors in 2006.

The theme for this year's events is "Active and Healthy" with a focus on encouraging our community to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Browse the Carnival pages to see the great range of free entertainment and activites on offer this year, including:

Live performances on the Main Stage
Free giant slide, pony rides, jumping castle and cup and saucers
New Active Zone, with soccer, netball, aerobics and AFL Auskick
Interactive Food Market
Community and Commerical Market Stalls

Reading matters

2007-09-22T01:11:00.000+10:00

You will notice on the right a few links for good book sites. If you know of any good book sites let me know and I will add them in. Good book sites only please!
You will also notice Pink Books listed there, there not pretty pink books or even books written by that Pop Diva Alecia Moore (aka P!nk) , but rather Gay and Lesbian themed books.
ta,

I'm here and there's no excuses!

2007-09-20T14:34:00.000+10:00

Hey, I have finally got the guts to mash up my 'library world' with your online reality, and yes there is a library world, you just need to discover it!
This Blog is called Pretxts, cause it is subliminally providing you with cool library world things like, interesting information, what's happening updates, links that make homework easier and more.
ta

“Youth does not require reasons for living, it only needs pretexts.”
Jose Ortega y Gasset Spanish philosopher / humanist.

PRETXTS

Youth Week Art Exhibition Winners Announced

New Books

Work Experience

Library is Closed

Vamp Fiction

2009 Inky Awards

KOALA 2009 Winners

Just more words...

INKY Awards - Vote Now

School Holiday Fun

Book News!

A Rose for the Anzac Boys

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Supanova: did you go?

Book of the Year - Older Readers Short List 2009

Meet UK author: JOS CARLYLE

Supanova Pop Culture Expo

Hysterical Histories School Holiday Fun Program

Lattitude: Global Volunteering Talk

YABE: Young Adult Book Exchange

School Holiday Activities

Creative Classes

Free workshops with artist Gillian Hand

Wednesday evening weekly workshops6.30pm to 9pm Creative Journals

Underground Films

Vampires, Aliens and Monsters Cartoon Workshop

Join us after school on Thursday April 2 for a Youth Week Fun activity.

Words with Bite

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Get in the Game, READ!

New Books for November

Trends in borrowing

KOALA Winners

Ashfield Spring Life

Inky's Shortlist

School Holiday Fun

Spring has Sprung - and I hope you can keep up!

Children's Book Week

Is there a book you want?

July New Books (and other stuff)

Madeline and Milia

Going Tribal: July School Holiday Fun

Hal Spacejock... Wow, a free ebook!

New Books for May

SMASH 08 - pre register

Oh my, I turn around for one momento and April is gone... lost forever

Harmony Day Celebrations

$500 worth of prizes up for grabs!

Are you an online manga reader

Computer games in the library

Philip Pullman's 'The Golden Compass'

Season's Greetings

Savage Chicken's

Musicovery

Cybils: blogger book award

Workplace Learning aka. Work Experience

Street Fiction / Gangst Fiction

New Youtube Lit Links

Check out my new Widget!

Carnival of Cultures 07

the Gnomes are coming, the Gnomes are coming!!!

Get active in Ashfield

Reading matters

I'm here and there's no excuses!

Wednesday evening weekly workshops
6.30pm to 9pm Creative Journals