Meet the new boss

Introducing our new Library Manager

Wasn’t it lovely to celebrate Library and information week last week? Libraries are such fabulous places to stimulate our minds and escape the humdrum of our everyday lives through storytelling – in print, spoken word or in films. I just love them!

My name is Kim Kearsey and I’ve recently been appointed the Manager of Frankston City Libraries. harps has been prompting me to blog about where I think the library is heading and what’s in store for the future, so here it is.

We are living through changing times and that’s certainly true for public libraries. In my 23+ years in libraries there’s been so many technological changes that it’s become commonplace to see new software and equipment almost every year. Through all of that, we’ve still delivered the traditional services that encourage people to learn and discover. From storytimes for young children to computer classes for seniors and all the information queries in between, the library remains a place to pursue your pastimes and satisfy your curiosity.

Our customer survey run earlier this year told us that our patrons are pretty happy with the services we provide but want more of them! More new books and films, more events, longer hours at more locations and digital formats to download. Whew! The library’s recent introduction of more self service was done so that our staff can provide more of these events and programs and that’s where we’ll keep heading.

Librarians connect people with great books and accurate information and will continue to do so. They’ll also continue to connect people with people, as one of the best things that libraries do is provide opportunities for people to engage with others who have similar interests. This is the really exciting part of what we’ll be doing, so look out for these through our website and newspaper updates.

Our purchasing schedule runs throughout the year, so there’s always new stock available and in the coming year the biggest change to our lending collections will be the introduction of digital content – whether that’s e-books or downloadable audio books is yet to be decided. It came through load and clear from the recent survey that this is what many customers want and so that’s what we’ll deliver. How great will it be to download a book you want to read on a cold rainy night and that doesn’t cost you anything?

Working with the Literacy Villages Partnership, the library will move into a space of further promoting early literacy through our storytimes, tiny tots times and the upcoming Mayor’s Reading Challenge. It’s so important that children’s language and reading skills are developed prior to school so that they can leap into learning other skills and acquiring knowledge when they start prep. We’ll continue giving tips to parents and grandparents about how to read with their children to make it a special bonding time and instill the love of stories. We all have that love, but it can be hard to find the time to develop it with our busy lives.

I hope that you continue to visit us and share your thoughts with our staff and through our written feedback forms. I look at those every month with my management team and it’s a great way to let us know what you think. It’s a real pleasure to be able to head up such a good library service and I look forward to delivering library services to our community here in Frankston.

Happy reading!

Kim

Round 10 round up

Our OneManTeam is back!

Jonathan Brown is back on board and the Lions are off the bottom and climbing the ladder. Look at it this way: we're just 3 wins off the top 8 and there's still 12 rounds left.

In the Blogalogue tipping competition, MandyH still sets the pace, with six wins in round ten (including Brisbane) taking her total to 60, three above google and librarytart.

Briso The Lion

My fave reads #7: What does harps read?

AFM

I'm such a watermelon, that it's probably surprising that I'm more at home with a copy of Air Forces Monthly than New Internationalist. Maybe it's because I make what if scale model planes. It could be that I'm such an arch civilian that I find it interesting to read what the other side are up to. Possibly it's because my older brother was a member of the Air League when I was young. I blame the model plane habit on him. 

I get agitated when I've finished a copy and the new edition hasn't arrived yet. What? The June edition has an article on RAF Typhoons over Libya: hold me down! I've been one of the few people keeping Borders staggering through their crisis by buying the air mail copies as they arrive.

It's a worry.

harps

Fave read #6: Sabine's top 2

Steinbeck and Dr. Seuss

These are the books that mean a lot to me and that I recommend to friends a lot:

I was given John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: In search of America by a very dear old friend when I was 16 years old and spent my holidays at her place in California. In it John Steinbeck travels in his truck through America accompanied by his dog, Charley. I vividly remember him writing observations about nature and how humans were living and slowly destroying it. It is really a philosophical diary of his time spent driving through America, the people he meets and the places he sees. Given that it was first published in 1962, it was way ahead of its time. I loved reading it when I was younger and am planning to re-read it again with my family before setting off for my American road trip. A classic!

The other book I love very much is Dr. Seuss's 'Oh, the places you'll go'. It is a beautifully optimistic book about life and our journey through it. Another classic!

Sabine

Fave read #5: By "IT" girl Sam

It by Stephen King

Why? Not for everyone and not necessarily a book I would recommend to many. Having said that I first read this book whilst travelling on the Newell Highway through NSW at night sitting in the front seat on the top row of a double decker bus, so perhaps where I read this had an effect. However I have since read it again six times and enjoyed it as much. The characters and their lives are as important as the scary bits. I was completely captured by this book and can picture every person and place. Funny that I love it so much considering I am very scared of clowns!

Sam

Frankston's graphic novels on the move

Graphic novels now shelved together

We are in the process of creating separate shelving areas for the teen and adult graphic novel collections at the Frankston Library.

Teenage graphic novels are now located next the Wii Games Room. Over the next month, we will be moving the rest of the teenage collection to that corner of library.

With part of the adult collection soon to move into what is currently the teen area, the adult gpaphic novels are currently located next to the Long Room.

We will be creating separate areas for graphic novels at Carrum Downs later in the year.

harps

Fave reads #4: Glenda finds the words to share

The King's Speech

This inspiring biography tells of the shy and stammering royal prince forced to speak in public, despite his debilitating speech defects, and Lionel Logue, the Australian self trained speech therapist who befriended and helped the prince to overcome his difficulties and become a proficient public speech maker - and eventually King George VI of England.

The book reveals the fascinating real life stories of the two men in the film, "The King's speech". It was written by speech therapist Lionel Logue's grandson Mark Logue. He researched the story from Lionel's detailed diaries, notes and scrapbooks of letters, news articles, and photos.

We learn so much about the relationships between the two men, their families and the abdication crisis that led to the prince becoming King - far more than we did in the movie. In addition, the book contains pictures of the real people. I found it to be an inspiring read about these dedicated men, and their great achievements.

Glenda

Temporary Wifi issue

Our WiFi doesn't like IE8

The Library's WiFi service is currently having issues enabling connections through the Internet Explorer 8 web browser. As an alternative, we recommend using the Firefox or Safari browsers - you can download these on to a USB via our public PCs.

We are working on fixing the problem and apologise for any inconvenience.

harps

Wiggles help make Australia a Reading Nation

Wiggles and libraries join forces

Popular Australian performers to young children, The Wiggles, have thrown their support behind the cause of literacy to encourage littlies to get into the reading habit. Concerned that that 46% of Australians struggle with the basics of everyday literacy, The Wiggles have joined forces with ALIA (Australia's peak libraries body), to make a pair of community services announcements promoting reading.





You can find online resources to help with early childhood reading from the ALIA website, or come to our regular storytime events for great stories and advice.

harps

Fave reads #3: A miscellany from Helen

Why choose just 1 favourite book?

Where do I start? It's impossible to narrow the choice down to only one favourite title as it depends on so many personal factors, such as what place I was in at the time and what mood, what age etc.

In my earlier days I devoured the short stories of Somerset Maugham, most of DH Lawrence's work and those of Virgina Woolf. British crime fiction has been a steady favourite over the past couple of decades including anything by Elizabeth George, Susan Hill, John Harvey, Ian Rankin, Deborah Crombie and many others. Of late I have enjoyed the Scandanavian crime fiction authors from which Jo Nesbo is a standout favourite, particularly "The Snowman". Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben are my American heroes of the book world, particularly the early novels such as "Blood Work", "City of Bones" and "Tell No One".

Aside from crime I enjoy anything by Joanna Trollope (especially "The Other Family"), Geraldine Brooks and Bill Bryson. "Mr Rosemblum's List" by Natasha Solomons is an all time favourite with its quirky story, and in 2001 I was besotted with "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks mainly because of its Derbyshire setting where I lived as a child. How can I forget Tracy Chevalier in 2002 with her delightful "Falling Angels" which I read in a few sittings and rated nine and a half out of ten! Another favourite from 2002 was "Mrs Cook" by Narelle Day which tells the fictional story of Elizabeth Cook, the wife of Captain James Cook. "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd also published in 2002 was a winner for me that year. 2002 was obviously a good year!

In 2006 my favourite was "The Memory Keepers Daughter" by Kim Edwards for its haunting tale about life and its choices. In the same year "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen rated a high score for its glimpse into the circus world. In 2008 it was "The Glassblower of Murano" for its Italian flavour and great storyline. A terrific yarn.

As you can see my tastes are eclectic and vary from week to week. Hope I'm not boring you stupid here, but my favourite this week has been "Sister" by Rosamund Lupton which is a psychological crime thriller set in London. It's a ripper of a novel as Beatrice searches for the killer of her younger sister, Tess. There are so many twists and turns in this one, and a terrific ending.

Last week I enjoyed "The Three Weissmans of Westport" by Cathleen Schine which is an American chick lit type novel as it traces the Weissmann family when their husband and father of forty eight years runs off with his younger girlfriend. Full of wit and satire this one had me laughing out loud as the three Weissmann women search for love and solace while staying in a rundown beach shack. Echoes of Jane Austen here. 




Search for Helen's fave books here.

 This week I've also dipped into "Nice Girl: the Story of Keli Lane and her Missing Baby, Tegan" by Rachael Jane Chin which is fascinating stuff about the water polo champion and her three secret babies. However the book I have enjoyed most over Easter is a new cook book "Leftover Makeovers: Quick and Fabulous Food from Your Fridge and Pantry" by Sally Wise. It has kept me out of mischief and in the kitchen making seafood mornay crepes, hazelnut and sultana muesli dream slices, bubble choc chews, chewy muesli cookies and the quick chicken and veg soup. Didn't do much else over Easter, needless to say!

Well that's all for now. By the way, I've just started "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay which is shaping up to be an absolute gem. All the best.

 
Helen

The 5.30pm project

An evening with Charlie Pickering

Frankston City Libraries, groupies that we are, are proud to present an evening with Charlie Pickering. You may know of Charlie from TV's The 7PM Project and Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, or from his stand-up comedy work, but do you know about Charlie the author?

To celebrate the release of his book Impractical Jokes, Charlie Pickering will be gracing us with his presence at Frankston Library, 5.30pm, Saturday 25 June. The book tells of  the true story of two toilets, a deceased poodle, the State Emergency Service and what happens when Dad takes a joke too far...

This is a free event only for members of Frankston City Libraries, but as spaces will fill fast, please call on 9784 1020 or email us to book a seat.

harps

Round 9 round up

We know how to play the game

Occasionally beaten, but never down, the Pies rose to the challenge at the weekend and went birko at the goals in the second half. Well done those boys in black and white!

Library team member champ knew who to pick in round 9, coming home with the burger and climbing into 4th position. MandyH dropped half the games, but still sits on top of the ladder with 54, two better than google and community member librarytart on 52.

Eddie

Fave reads #2: Debbie rates Zamba highly

Zamba

One of my most favourite books is called Zamba by Ralph Helfner. It is about a man in Africa who finds a baby lion cub and he adopts it.

This starts him down the road of becoming an animal trainer but he uses affection rather than mistreatment to train his animals. His animals were used in movies such as Daktari.

The trust and loves he receives from these animals is inspiring, it is just a beautiful book that any animal lover is sure to love. I give it 10 starrs out of 10.

Debbie

Fave reads #1; Lea loves Shhh!

To celebrate Library and Information Week, each day this week a Frankston City Libraries team member will share a favourite read. We begin with the effervescent Lea, with a title which reminds of certain library stereotypes but which is typically about something far scarier.

Shhh!

"Ah, the memories! It was back in the Summer of '97 when I discovered what would become my Most Favourite Book of All Time. It arrived as a gift to my young children from a beloved Aunt, and in a very short time had crawled its way into our hearts, where it remains to this day.

The name of the book is...Shh! - some would cheekily say that it is completely ironic that a book with such a title is MY favourite read!  It is a picture story book written by Sally Grindley and illustrated by Peter Utton which tells the rather sweet tale of a guided tour through The Giant's Castle.  However, the last page still freaks me out to this day.  I have had many a sleepless night because of it, yet I have a peculiar penchant for such things, as many of you know, so I always find myself returning to this book time and time again, simply to be shocked by its surprise ending!
 
Now that the nights are often cold and blustery, do yourself a favour - find yourself a copy, snuggle down into a nice, comfy beanbag.....and prepare to be scared witless!"
 
Lea

Library and Information Industry Careers Evening

More than libraries

The State Library of Victoria is holding a free careers evening
about the library and information industry
on Tuesday, 24 May from 5.30pm until 7.00pm.

The information evening will cover:

• Getting into the industry
• Qualifications and courses

• Career opportunities

Where: Experimedia, State Library of Victoria

328 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Bookings: Call 03 8664 7099

or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au

(Book by Friday 21 May.)

For more information, visit destinationlibrary.pbwiki.com.

harps

Round 8 round-up

Awesome

After beating the Pies on Friday night, I feel confident in predicting that Geelong will win what's become expected - a premiership every second year. And that's with a new coach and without The Son.

MandyH is also pretty awesome. Along with chloe4, MandyH tipped 7 winners over the weekend. That puts her on 50 wins, 3 in front of second placed google on the Blogalogue ladder.

Friday we're going to beat the Blues.

Gary "The Father" Ablett I

April 2011 customer feedback

Hugs and lashes

Each month, our customers pass on their thanks, suggestions and occasional criticisms about the service that we provide. Library management read and respond to each.

In the interests of transparency, here are the customer feedback and responses for the Frankston and Carrum Downs libraries for April.

harps

Round 7 round up

A number too far

The Swans are in the 8, but this week that was one number too many for the Blogalogue's tipsters. 6 competitors picked 7 wins, all falling foul of either the Swan's victory over the Doggies (yeah!) or the Sun's defeat of the Lions.

Community member MandyH still has top spot, just 1 win from second placed library worker, google. Community members muddy60 and agent zero are third and fourth, respectively.  harps is fifth (there should be an enquiry if he wins).

Next week Sydney beats Port Adelaide.

Herbie

Marvellous May competition

Win an iPad 2! You can win the latest in whiz-bang personal computing with the Marvellous May Competition. Borrow 10 or more items, complete an entry form, pop it in to an entry box and you'll go in to the draw for your chance to win an Apple iPad 2. The competition runs until 31 May. Please read the terms and conditions document for details. harps

March 2011 customer feedback

Your words to us

Here's the written feedback from March that customers left us at Frankston Library, along with the responses by Library managers.

Enjoy.

harps

Round 6 round-up

Where there's hope

Sorry about the late report on round 6, but I have my reasons. I was asked to post a column on round 6 action before the Essendon match. Now that I'm out of therapy, here it is.

Both Vicki Wangman and MandyH picked 7 winners from 7 games. This put MandyH on top of the Blogalogue ladder with 38 wins, two games ahead of second place google, who's on 36, with muddy60 and librarytart following on margin.

I'm looking forward to meeting our traditional rivals , Brisbane, on Saturday. They are below us on the ladder, winless. At least we're only half a win behind one of last year's grand finalists.

Gary "Sunny" Ablett II