Sunday 9 December 2012

First Wednesday Book Club in 2013



[Image: Book rest lamp from Suck UK]

The First Wednesday Book Club was started as one of the City of Mandurah's National Year of Reading 2012 initiatives.  Throughout 2012 the group's monthly meetings were co-ordinated by the City of Mandurah's National Year of Reading Project Officer.

This book club will continue to meet in 2013 and beyond under their own steam.  They have lots of exciting ideas about how to develop their activities including writing a blog with book reviews and recommendations, event listings and other information of interest to keen readers in and around Mandurah.


You can find their new blog at:

If you would like to join the group then come along to their first meeting for 2013

at Cafe Pronto
(corner Pinjarra Road & Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah)
on
Wednesday 6th February 2013
from 7-9pm.

Thursday 29 November 2012

Let's Read early literacy campaign


The 2013 Let's Read early literacy campaign, with $1million funding from the federal government, will raise awareness of the importance of reading with children and support the work of reading professionals. The campaign was initiated during the National Year of Reading and leveraged off the success of the year.

Find out more about the Let's Read campaign and how to get involved here.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Writers in the Library - Stephanie Roberts


You are invited to meet local Mandurah author Stephanie Roberts at the launch of her first book.

Stephanie Roberts

"On the Wings of Autumn"

Thursday 15th November at 2pm

Mandurah Library
331 Pinjarra Road

Unconditional love of a dog can teach humans the lessons of life.

"On the Wings of Autumn" is an unusual journey into relationships both human and animal, with Stephanie learning how those tie together.  It is sometimes fun, sometimes thoughtful and sometimes sad ... a look back at a full life, packed with all those emotions and more.

A must-read for anyone convinced their pets read their mind, offer comfort during trying times and would gladly give up their lives to save ours.

To book your seat Phone 9550 3650
or email libstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Sunday 4 November 2012

Read Out Loud @ the Eastern Foreshore



You are invited to celebrate the National Year of Reading by attending
Read Out Loud @ the Eastern Foreshore
on Friday November 16th

between 10am and 4pm.

Join us for a special story-time session near the playground on Mandurah's Eastern Foreshore.  Look out for the Love2Read marquee.

Feel free to bring along your favourite read-aloud books, to turn up at any time between 10am and 4pm and to stay for as long as you like.

Class and childcare centre groups are welcome at this event.  To arrange a group visit, please contact Deidre Robb on 9550 3237 or email deidre.robb@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Read Out Loud events will be happening across Western Australia on this day. 
For information about other Read Out Loud events in WA see http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/whats_on/national_year_of_reading

Thursday 1 November 2012

Extended Opening Hours at Mandurah Libraries


The City of Mandurah is delighted to announce that the opening times at Mandurah Library and Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre have been extended. 

The new opening hours are as follows.

Mandurah Library
Pinjarra Road, Mandurah
9am - 8pm     Monday to Thursday
9am - 6pm     Friday
9am - 5pm     Saturday
10am - 4pm   Sunday

Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre
Cnr Flavia St & Cobblers Rd, Falcon
9am - 6pm     Monday to Wednesday
9am - 8pm     Thursday
9am - 6pm     Friday
9am - 5pm     Saturday

Sunday 21 October 2012

It's never too late ... to learn to read - Short Story Competition


The National Year of Reading 2012, in partnership with the Tasmanian Writers Centre was given a grant by the Department of Industry, Innovation Science, Research and Tertiary Education, to run a writing competition as part of Adult Learners' Week 2012 (ALW).

"It's never too late ... to learn to read" was a short story competition for unpublished, new, emerging and established Australian writers to tell their own stories about adults learning to read. The aim was for the creation of exciting, inspiring and challenging stories to support and encourage adult learning, and to highlight the fact that "It's never too late ... to learn to read".

Readers around the country voted for their favourite story in the People's Choice award. Congratulations to Rebecca Raisin for winning this award for her story By teaching Thomas. This moving account of a single mother teaching her father to read under the guise of teaching her son won the hearts of an overwhelming number of voters in the Adult Learners’ Week short story competition.

Check out all the stories and download the podcasts at

Friday 19 October 2012

Speech Pathology Australia 2012 Book of the Year Awards

Speech Pathology Australia
2012
Book of the
 Year Awards
Best books for language and literacy development

Speech Pathology Australia's Book of the Year Awards aim to promote children's books as literacy tools, as well as raising awareness of the role speech pathologists play in helping children develop language and literacy skills. 

The winners of the Speech Pathology Australia 2012 Book of the Year Awards are as follows.

Young Children : Come Down, Cat! by Sonya Hartnett


Lower Primary: The Little Refugee by Anh & Suzanne Do


Upper Primary: The Invisible Hero by Elizabeth Fensham


Indigenous Children: The Snake and the Boy by Azmen Sebastian


For information about Speech Pathology Australia visit www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au


Monday 15 October 2012

eBooks from Overdrive - Learn how!



Mandurah Library members are now able to use their membership cards to download up to five eBooks from Overdrive. The Western Australian Digital Media Collection contains thousands of fiction and non-fiction eBooks with new titles being added regularly.

Visit http://wapldmc.lib.overdrive.com/ to access to collection.

Over the next few weeks, we will be running 4 workshops at each library, where you can learn how to download and borrow eBooks from Mandurah Libraries.  Bring along your device and join staff for an information session.


Mandurah Library
Tues 23rd October 11am & 6pm
Sun 4th November 11.30am
Tues 6th November 6pm
Thurs 8th November 9.30am

Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre
Thurs 25th October 11am & 6pm
Thurs 8th November 11am & 6pm

Bookings are required as there are limited spots available.  Bookings can be made at the desk at each library or by contacting:
-   Mandurah Library on 9550 3650 or manlib@mandurah.wa.gov.au
or
-   Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre on 9550 3230 or elibstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au


Thursday 4 October 2012

Writers in the Library - Adam Morris


Adam Morris

My dog gave me the clap.

Not a semi-autobiographical first novel.

Thursday 11th October at 5.30pm
Mandurah Library
331 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah

 
Adam Morris is a self-taught guitarist, songwriter and author who has been playing music and writing for the past ten years.

When Adam is not making music he spends most of his time brewing stout, jumping in rivers and reading books written by men.

Join us to hear Adam Morris talk about his novel My dog gave me the clap.

To book your seat Phone 9550 3650
or email libstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au



Thursday 27 September 2012

Competition - Are we there yet?

 
Competition!
 
Alison Lester's award-winning book Are We There Yet? tells the story of her family's exciting journey around Australia in a camper van.
 
It's your turn to tell us about your home town or a special place you have visited in Australia.  If you're under 12, just send us a short story or a letter or a drawing of your favourite place and you could win a fabulous prize.

The age categories are:
  • Pre-school (for under 5 year olds);
  • Early primary school (5 to 8 yrs);
  • Later primary school (8 to 12 yrs).
 
Entries for Western Australian residents:
  • open on 28th September and
  • close on 7th November.
 Prize announcement on 5th December.
 
More information about the competition here.
Read the competition entry rules here.
Submit your entry via the online entry form here.

Sunday 23 September 2012

Writers in the Library - Ian Reid


Ian Reid

"The end of longing"

and

"That untravelled world"

Thursday 27th September at 2pm
Mandurah Library
331 Pinjarra Road
Mandurah

Join us to hear Ian Reid talk about writing historical fiction and his two novels The end of longing and That untravelled world.

Ian Reid is a widely published author of literary and historical non-fiction whose writings have been translated into several languages.  Originally from New Zealand, Ian now lives in Perth, where he is a Winthrop Professor at The University of Western Australia and Emeritus Professor at Curtin University.

His second novel, That untravelled world, is set in iconic locales around early-twentieth century Perth and WA.

To book your seat Phone 9550 3650
or email libstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au


Thursday 20 September 2012

Young adult book club


Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre is considering hosting a young adults book club for youths aged 12 and up.  We have a number of titles available with ten books in each collection.  You will have one month to read it and once a month you will meet up with the rest of the group to discuss the book and any others that you may be reading. 

We are asking for expressions of interest to decide which day and time will be most suitable.  To register your interest email your name, phone number, email address and preference for day and time to elibstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au with Young Adult Book Club as the subject.

For more information phone Julie Larnach on 9550 3230.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Mums of Mandurah visit to the library



Photos: Kimberley Paton, Mums of Mandurah Incorporated
This week Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre hosted a visit from members of Mums of Mandurah Incorporated*.  This child-friendly visit was tailored to the needs of the group and included a tour of the library including the children's section and parenting collection, a storytime session and craft activity followed by a complimentary morning tea and chat with other parents.  Visitors were given an information pack about key services offered by the library.

Mandurah Libraries welcomes visits from community groups and we are happy to tailor the visit to the needs of your members.  To arrange a group visit please phone:
-  Mandurah Library on 9550 3650 or
-  Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre on 9550 3230.
The registration desk will be open during your visit and people who are not already library members are welcome to join the library during the visit.

*Mums of Mandurah Incorporated is a not-for-profit incorporated association. Their vision is "for all the mothers of the Mandurah region to CONNECT, SUPPORT, INFORM, INSPIRE and EMPOWER each other, their families, their friends and the wider community of Mandurah".  For more information about Mums of Mandurah visit their website here.

 

Wednesday 12 September 2012

School Holidays at Mandurah Libraries


From craft activities, drawing and games to bookclubs, storytelling and group art projects, the Mandurah Libraries are a great place to spend your school holidays! So join us for some fun and games with your friends at the libraries.

The schedule of activities for the October 2012 school holidays are now available. Be sure to book your child's spot as places are limited. All activities are FREE!

See the October School Holiday program for:
-   Mandurah Library here,
and
-   Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre here.

Bookings can be made at the desk at each library or by phoning:
-   Mandurah Library on 9550 3650,
or
-   Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre on 9550 3230.

For more information, please contact any of our friendly library staff.

Thursday 6 September 2012

Artist's talk: Sally Richardson on Sonya Hartnett's The Ghost's Child


      Artist's talk    

Sally Richardson

Writer / Director / Producer

discusses

Sonya Hartnett's novel The Ghost's Child

and the process of adapting the book for the stage.

Winner of the 2008 Australian Young Adult Book of the Year Award, The Ghost's Child is an allegorical fable asking powerful questions about the worth of life and the power of love.

An exploration of independence and identity, Sally’s adaptation for stage invites consideration of how we live our lives, and reflects upon the nature of beauty, self, love, and the quality of happiness.

Friday 14th September at 6pm

INQB8 Centre for Contemporary Art
Ormsby Tce, Mandurah

To book your seat at this FREE TALK

phone 95503230  or email elibstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au


This FREE TALK is co-presented by the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, National Year of Reading, INQB8 Centre for Contemporary Art and Mandurah Libraries.

The SHOW premieres at The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre from Friday 28th September – Friday 5th October.  Suitable age 10+. Full details here.

The BOOK is available to borrow from Mandurah Libraries.

Monday 3 September 2012

First Wednesday Book Club - Wed 5th September


The next meeting of the First Wednesday Book Club is coming up on Wednesday 5th September, 7-9pm at Cafe Pronto.

Many thanks to Corona Books who have again given us some great new release books to give away at the next meeting.  All the books pictured above and below will be available for keen readers to take away this Wednesday evening.


At the First Wednesday Book Club we don't all read the same book as in a traditional book club, however this month a few of us read The Ghost's Child by Sonya Hartnett and we'll discuss it this Wednesday. 


We chose this book because it is going to be adapted for the stage for the first time ever and it will have its world premiere in Mandurah at The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre later this month.  This novel is classified as Young Adult - it was the winner of the 2008 Australian Young Adult Book of the Year Award - but like many YA books its appeal is not limited to that age group.  I found it an enchanting, beautiful and magical read and I look forward to discussing the book with others on Wednesday night and seeing Sally Richardson's adaptation of The Ghost's Child on stage in a few weeks time. 

Everyone is welcome at The First Wednesday Book Club.  For more information about this new informal book club visit this page or contact the National Year of Reading Project Officer, Deidre Robb, on 9550 3237 or deidre.robb@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Tuesday 28 August 2012

How to publish your book or e-book


Dan Kelly
General Manager of Boolarong Press

Seminar: How to publish your book or e-book

Saturday 1st September, at 10am - 12pm
Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre

Boolarong Press offers publishing services and important advice to writers.  Over the last 10 years they have run seminars in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne on publishing from the perspective of commercial trade publishing and self-publishing.

The aim of this seminar is to present the facts about publishing in Australia and overseas.  More recently Boolarong Press have included a presentation on e-books.

To book your seat phone 95503230
or email elibstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Monday 27 August 2012

Huge success for Mandurah's Reading Hour Pyjama Party


The City of Mandurah’s Reading Hour Pyjama Party has been hailed a huge success after close to 500 people took part in the ultimate community bedtime story session on Saturday.

Many children and their families dressed in brightly-coloured pyjamas or as storybook characters for the free event, which was held at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.


After browsing a variety of reading displays and stalls in the foyer, the crowd moved to the main Boardwalk Theatre for the story sessions, where local reading champions took to the stage to share some of their favourite storybooks.

A highlight of the evening was local MLA David Templeman – dressed in his colourful pyjamas – giving an entertaining reading of The Very Cranky Bear.


The Pyjama Party was held as part of The Reading Hour – a key date on the 2012 National Year of Reading calendar which aims to raise awareness of the importance of reading to children.

The Reading Hour encourages parents to read with their children, especially in the first three years of life, for just one hour per week, giving children the best chance of becoming good readers.

Deputy Mayor Darren Lee said the event was a big success and highlighted the importance of reading with young children among the local Mandurah community.

“The Pyjama Party was well attended and it was great to see so many young children and their parents come and support the event.

“Hopefully we have helped to spread the message that just one hour of reading per week provides children with a range of educational and social benefits.”


For further information on The Reading Hour go to http://www.thereadinghour.org.au/



Saturday 18 August 2012

Look who is coming to the Pyjama Party!


There will be some familiar characters making an appearance at The Reading Hour Pyjama Party this weekend.  Do you recognise the character above?

And how about these four friends below?

I am sure that many people will know who this creature is.



These characters are all from books that reading champions will read to the audience at The Reading Hour Pyjama Party.  There will also be readings of classic Australian poetry and original works by local authors young and old.

Full details as follows.

The Reading Hour Pyjama Party

Saturday 25th August, 5-7 pm

Mandurah Performing Arts Centre

Come dressed in your best pyjamas (or as a book character) and join us for the ultimate community bedtime story session featuring a series of reading champions!

5-6pm Supper, entry into prize draws, stalls, displays.

6-7pm The Reading Hour bedtime story session.

Free family event for all ages.

RSVP online here to be entered into a prize draw!

See you there!

(The three much-loved books these characters feature in are Wombat Stew, The Very Cranky Bear and The Gruffalo.)

Thursday 2 August 2012

Writers in the Library - David McNamara



David McNamara

Loves, kerbsides and goodbyes: a backpacker’s road

Thursday 9th August at 5.30pm
Mandurah Library


Join us to hear David McNamara talk about his book inspired by his decade-and-a-half long journey.

Loves, kerbsides and goodbyes captures the nature, characters, emotions and living loose of global backpacking today.

These backpackers journey cheaply, partying hard and travelling even harder.  Kerbsides are backpackers theatres to meet, re-connect, share their lives, fall in love and say goodbye.

To book your seat at the Library phone 95503650
or email  libstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Tuesday 24 July 2012

First Wednesday Book Club - Wed 1st August



The next meeting of the First Wednesday Book Club is coming up on Wednesday 1st August, 7-9pm at Cafe Pronto.

Corona Books have given us some great new release books to give away at the next meeting.

This new informal book club is hosted by Mandurah Libraries as part of the National Year of Reading 2012.  This casual meet-up for book-lovers meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Cafe Pronto (corner Pinjarra Road & Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah) from 7-9pm.  Everyone is welcome.

This book club is suitable for:
  • keen readers who love discussing what they are reading and have recommendations to share;
  • those who do not want to commit to reading one particular title each month;
  • busy people with limited time for reading for pleasure.  Come along and get that must-read recommendation to inspire you to treat yourself to more reading time; and
  • those who can’t promise to make it every month but would love to attend whenever they are able.
Feel free to bring along books you have finished with to pass on to others.

For more information please contact the National Year of Reading Project Officer, Deidre Robb, on 9550 3237 or deidre.robb@mandurah.wa.gov.au

This month I'll be recommending the winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, 2011: Stephen Daisley's debut novel Traitor.  This was one of those books I wanted to read slowly to savour the images and beautiful language. 


I'd love to hear your recommendations next Wednesday night.

Thursday 19 July 2012

Interview Skills Workshop

  
Lloyd White
Interview Skills Workshop

Thursday 26th July at 1-2.30 pm

Falcon eLibrary and Community Centre

Lloyd White, Career Change consultant with 25 years of experience and author of the book Write a winning job application, will host this hour and a half interactive workshop where you will learn how to prepare and “sell” yourself at the job interview.  This event is for anybody who wants to improve their job interview skills.

Sell yourself at the job interview!

To book your seat ph 95503230 or email elibstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Writers in the Library - Nicole Sjardin and Sally Scott



Nicole Sjardin and Sally Scott
Bridging foods: an introduction to gluten, dairy and yeast free eating.

Thursday 26th July at 1.30 pm

Mandurah Library

Do you have an intolerance to certain foods?

In their book Bridging foods, authors Nicole Sjardin and Sally Scott ask you to consider how food makes you feel and how it affects your body.  This book also asks you to consider how you feel when you buy, cook, prepare and eat food.  Every ingredient that you use and the energy you cook with affect the end result.  This event is a must for food lovers and dieters seeking to recapture the joy of eating well. 

To book your seat ph 95503650 or email libstaff@mandurah.wa.gov.au

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Gruffalos, Gruffalos everywhere!



The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood...

But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist... does she?

Coming soon to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre is a magical musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved picture-book The Gruffalo's Child.  To tie in with this Mandurah Libraries are giving you the chance to get acquainted or reacquainted with the story of The Gruffalo's Child and the original story, The Gruffalo.

Come along to
The Parents Place
on Ormsby Terrace 
at 10.30am on Thursday 2nd August
to hear The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child
at a special Gruffalo storytime session.

Or if you are going to the show on Tuesday 14th August, come early to hear the books read aloud before you see the show.  We'll be in the foyer of The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and reading the Gruffalo stories:
  • from 10am-11.30am (before the 11.30am performance) then,
  • from 1-2pm (before the 2pm performance).

For more details about the performance of The Gruffalo's Child and ticket prices, please see the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre's website here.

If you can't make it to these storytime sessions, then you will have another chance to hear the story of The Gruffalo at The Reading Hour Pyjama Party on 25th August where this very popular bedtime story will be read on stage by a reading champion!