It's hot outside

but it's cool in here

Vale John Updike

John Updike

1932-2009

chronicler of American loves and losses

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The library A to Z

librarytart
Paralysed by choice, her eyes moved across the shelves. So many books, so little time; suffering from what she called book confusion, she decided she had to find a way into the collection. Books by authors whose surname began with A seemed as good a place as any.

Her first was Becoming Abigail by Chris Albini. It was such a revelation, she had to share. With a career in journalism stymied when the truth got in the way and an escalated sense of self importance, she turned to that refuge of the unpublished, blogging. But limiting herself to 50 word descriptions followed by 150 word reviews soon wasn't enough, as author interviews followed.

Sharing her love of reading and borrowing titles she's shunned in the past, she'll move to the next letter when the online magic 8 ball tells her to.

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Eggcelent chair

Egg chair: now playing!


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Give yourself a hand

Take a seat
on a hand!

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green hand

blue hand

chair hand
fun hand

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Antipodean greats

Australian Stack classics
In honour of Australia Day, Frankston's display of Stack books has been refreshed with a selection of classic Australian titles.

They may be old and a little scruffy now, but they're the books that help shape a nation.

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Obamarama

Reading Obama
What a U.S. President reads was a bit of an issue with George W. Bush. With the Barack Obama, we have a fair idea of what he's been sitting down to. The people at Shelfari have even put together Barack Obama's Shelf, based on published interviews and his writings. I wonder if George W. ever read Harry Potter?

To catch up with the Obama story, we have several biographies and books by him to help you get a handle on his background and politics. I'm only judging this book its title, but here's my favourite: A bound man : why we are excited about Obama and why he can't win.

To keep in touch with Obama, you can follow his Twitter, become his friend on Facebook or watch what happens at the White House.



Let's hope.

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Australia Day 09

Australia Day
Libraries closed Monday, 26 January.

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While people celebrate (or commiserate)
the Australia Day public holiday,
the Frankston Library Service will be closed.

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At Frankston: The returns chutes will close at 4pm,
Sunday, 25 January and re-open on Tuesday, 27 January at 9am,
the library re-opening at 10am.

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At Carrum Downs: Returns will cease at 4pm, Sunday 25 January
and start again on Tuesday, 27 January at 11am,
when the library re-opens.

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Either way, have a good one.

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yourtutor in 09

yourtutor is back!

School isn't back yet, but our free, online tutoring service, yourtutor, is back up and helping.

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yourtutor links students from years 4 to 12 with professional tutors in a safe, chat like environment between 4 to 8pm, Monday to Friday. To access, you just need a Frankston Library Service membership number. Students can even join online to gain access.

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We've had plenty of good feedback on this service, so if you're a student, the parent or guardian of a student or a teacher, check it out and share the joy.

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Vale John Mortimer

John Mortimer
barrister
novelist, playwright, screenwriter

creator of Rumpole

1923-2008

R.I.P.

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SMH article

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Computing for non-curmudgeons

Seniors Computer Classes
Our popular Seniors Computer Classes with Sam are back for 2009!

The waiting list has been re-opened, but as classes are already full until March, the new classes will start after that.

The classes cover the basics from what to do with a mouse to getting online with the web.

Book now, wait a bit, then enjoy your new e-life with your e-guide, Sam. Although, if you're reading this, you probably don't need them, but please fell free to pass the info on to someone who does.

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December 08 backchat

Frankston feedback
December 2008's feedback is short but varied, ranging from Christmas decorations and William S. Burroughs to drive thru returns chutes.

Unfortunately, it's all Frankston. Carrum Downs customers had nothing to add. Probably the pre-Christmas rush.

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Online book ads

Book trailers
One of the latest ways to find out about new books is to watch book trailers on YouTube.

Short advertising teasers, they're becoming quite an art form, with companies such as Circle of Seven Productions (COS) specialising in them. Some, though, are clearly home made by the authors.

To see what to read next, you can follow blogs like Bookscreening.com, Book Trailers and Watch the Book, search and browse YouTube for book trailers or check out the COS YouTube page.

Here's an example, for Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes.


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Online computer help

Computerschool
There's a new way of getting help to use your computer.
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Compterschool features simple, easy to understand tutorials on a the most popular Windows and Vista applications, including Word 2003 and 2007, Excel, PowerPoint and Movie Maker. Lessons range from computer basics to Internet research skills.
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A web based service, it's free and accessible via the Library's Online Information page. You simply follow the links and use the password provided. You don't even have to be a library member to use it.
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Ye Olde Book Display

Classics from Stack

Here's one for those customers who think that the library never buys anything new. It's also for those who think we should never chuck anything out.

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Currently on display at the Frankston Library is a selection of classic fiction from our Stack. These are old, well read books that are too important to discard but which don't have enough demand to stay on the open shelves.

They normally reside in our upstairs compactus, but for a short time you can browse a sampling of these normally hidden treasures. You can even take some home, as long as you promise to return them.

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