Blogalogue

Australia Day!

2012-01-20T09:00:00.001+11:00

Yes folks, next Thursday is Australia Day. To celebrate our heritage we at The Library are indulging in the Great Australian Tradition of taking the day off. Chutes will be closed at 9pm on Wednesday the 25th and will re-open on Friday the 27th at 9am.

If you find yourself with items due on this day, please refer to This Post for information.

Scott.

One day left!

2012-01-19T10:32:00.003+11:00

Tor.com Readers choice nominations.

One day left to add your voice to the Tor.com readers choice awards for 2011.

Head over to the Tor website to vote for the best Sci-fi, fantasy or even book covers for 2011.

Categories are:

Best Novel: Must have been published in 2011, doesn’t matter where.
Best Short Fiction: Same as Best Novel, except for stories that are under 40,000 words.
Best Comic: Any comic, single issue, strip, or collection - online and/or off, put out in 2011. [Note: This category was originally limited to just Graphic Novel collections.]
Best Book Cover: Must be a book cover, as you’re taking design and typography into account here along with the art. Standalone art (like that which adorns Tor.com’s original fiction) is often pretty pretty pretty, but not eligible

Nominations close this Friday, so get over there ASAP.

Scott

Get more from the catalogue

2012-01-15T09:00:00.015+11:00

Saved lists etc

Because we are occasionally asked about the ways you can save or bookmark searches or get updates, here's several options.

Saved lists
When you're logged in to the catalogue and have a page of searches you want to return to later, you can select the Save Selection button above your results.

Saved lists can be accessed from the website My SavedList link at the bottom of the catalogue's Home page when you are logged in. Here's you'll find an option to email your saved list too. Saved lists last 24 hours.

Bookmark
You can bookmark searches made through the basic Search box on the website. When you next click on the bookmarked search, a fresh search will be made and give you updated results. Bookmarks don't work from Advanced Search.

Read Alerts
If you are wanting updates for particular searches, you can create a Read Alert to receive an email whenever new items matching your search are added to the catalogue. You can make Read Alerts for authors, subjects and collections.

What's new for loan
The Library's New books, CDs and DVDs page gives you catalogue, blog, email and RSS options for discovering new additions to the Library's catalogue by collection. The catalogue search covers the current and previous month.

RSS
All catalogue search result pages feature an RSS button. This means that you can create your own search and whenever new matching items are added to the catalogue you'll get an alert via your RSS reader. RSS readers can be website based like Google Reader, feature in your web browser or be a smartphone app.

If you have any questions about these services, please don't hesitate to ask.

harps

Are your loans due Australia Day?

2012-01-12T15:07:00.001+11:00

Well, now they're not!

There has been a system error made with holiday dates and items have been issued with a due date of 26th January 2012.

These items have all now been changed to a due date staggered over the week after Australia Day, i.e. somewhere between 27th January - 3rd February 2012. If you have a receipt with a 26 January due date, please check online or with us to confirm your new due date.

Please do not attempt to return any items on Australia Day, 26 January, as the libraries, returns chutes and Council customer service centres will all be closed.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

harps

#NYR2012 #MoP12

2012-01-11T09:00:00.001+11:00

A month of poetry

#MoP12 is a blog and Twitter challenge to write a poem, of whatever style, everyday in January.

If you find poetry difficult, that's probably because you've been exposed to more classical styles, but what's interesting with #MoP12 is that amateur poets often write more accessible verse.

Why not follow #MoP12 as part of a #NYR12 challenge?

harps

#NYR2012 Goodreads challenge

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000+11:00

Set your own goal

Goodreads, a social networking site for readers, has a 2012 reading challenge that asks you to set your own reading goal.

What's surprising is that some people have already completed their goals.

harps

#NYR2012 Aussie Author Challenge

2012-01-09T15:13:00.000+11:00

Read local

Not read enough Australian authors? This is the year to rectify your oversight and indulge in the literary delights this broad brown land has to offer. From Di Morrissey to Les Carlyon, Mem Fox or Andy Griffith, there's a wide range of Aussie writers to choose from.

The 2012 Aussie Author Challenge comes in two sizes; the Tourist for casual visitors to Aussie author land and the Dinki-Di for those more committed to this patriotic venture.

At the Library, Australian books have a red kangaroo sticker on their spine.

harps

#NYR2012 Eclectic Reader Challenge

2012-01-06T15:26:00.001+11:00

Read widely

The Eclectic Reader 2012 Challenge prompts you to read up to 12 books outside your comfort zone this year, then share your review/thoughts online if you so desire.

It's good for you.

harps

#NYR12 : Happy National Year of Reading 2012

2012-01-03T14:57:00.002+11:00

A year to celebrate reading

2012 is set to be a momentous year. For some, 2012 is the year that the current Mayan calendar ends, resulting in theories ranging from the dawn of the New Age, the re-appearance of Atlantis to the end of it all. For others, it's the Year of the Dragon.

For libraries and our readers, 2012 is the National Year of Reading (NYR2012). Throughout the year, you'll see reference to NYR2012 in national, state and local reading related projects and programs.

For more information, please visit the NYR2012 website, Like their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter (and use #NYR12 when Twittering about books and reading - and join the monthly Twitter book reading group).

harps

Your mission if you choose to accept it

2011-12-29T15:02:00.003+11:00

Australian Women Writers
2012 challenge

The Objective: To challenge the male gender bias in reviewing and social media newsfeeds about books and writing.

The Goal: To read (and review or otherwise share and make mention of) books by Australian women writers. Use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, newsletters etc.

The Timescale: You have all of 2012.

For more info: Check out the challenge website.

harps

2011 achievements

2011-12-28T09:00:00.004+11:00

A baker's dozen (at least)

It's that time of the year where we indulge in some shameless self-promotion and list the new stuff we've brought you this year:

Launched the Mayor's Reading Challenge
Began sending near-due reminders via email
Arranged the music CDs in genres
Added an extra storytime at Carrum Downs
Upgraded to catalogue, which now includes RSS feeds
Held a junior short story competition
Introduced the Books For Busy Mums area
Revamped Frankston's teen area
Gave graphic novels their own areas
Got a new library head-honcho
Made Power Mates for loan
Launched the home work, family history and job clubs
Featured Art for Loan artists painting in the library

And lots more, too. For a glimpse of what library staff achieved during the year, here's what we'd like to share with you. Some of the projects are behind the scene stuff, but it's all important, like duck legs paddling like mad to maintain a graceful surface momentum.

We hope you enjoyed 2011 at Frankston City Libraries. Look out for 2012 and the National Year of Reading!

harps

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.002+11:00

Note to none-turkey eaters - just pretend that they're pineapples.

Merry Christmas

from all at
Frankston City Libraries

to all our wonderful customers!

November customer feedback

2011-12-20T15:34:00.001+11:00

It was the month before Christmas...

and we were going great with storytime, surveying our customers about opening hours, having artists paint, singing Christmas carols and lots more.

Here's what customers at Carrum Downs and Frankston had to say about these and other things.

harps

Frankston's coffee break

2011-12-20T10:21:00.000+11:00

Carol et al take a holiday

Carol, Alex and Rob are taking a break over Christmas, so Frankston Library's Coffee Cart will be closed from Saturday 24th December and re-open on Monday January 16th.

harps

Library Express over Christmas/New year

2011-12-19T15:23:00.002+11:00

Festive season hours

Last day for 2011: Thursday 22 Dec
Closed from Tuesday 27 Dec to
Tuesday 10 Jan
Re-opens Thursday 12 Jan

Anne and her occasional helpers wish all their customers a safe and happy festive season and look forward to seeing you all again in 2012.

harps

New tech at Frankston

2011-12-19T09:00:00.002+11:00

Introducing

the microfilm reader/printer

The Library's new microfilm reader is accessible via the Microfilm Reader PC. It lets you play with the microfilm image on the adjacent PC the get the best possible view and then save it or print it.

Frankston Library has very old local history newspapers on microfilm for you to use on this new fangled machine.

harps

School holiday program

2011-12-15T15:39:00.000+11:00

A magic start to 2012

A magician, a movie, a faerie, some crafts, Wii and a party feature in January's school holiday program.

You can check out the details via the Libary's website or the brochure.

Bookings open Wednesday 28 December.

harps

Books by thier covers

2011-12-14T09:47:00.003+11:00

Caustic Cover Critic

Our first impression of a book is often its cover.

With that in mind, here's a blog that both celebrates and turns a critical eye to the art of book covers. It's described as one man's rantings about book covers, but it has plenty of comments from others to make it lively.

Of particular note are recent posts on how prolific costume drama actress Keira Knightly is creating her own library via movie tie-in releases and how the woman holding a birdcage (above) has a whole genre to herself.

harps

21st Annual Frankston Community Appeal

2011-12-13T15:35:00.001+11:00

Donate at Frankton Library

You can give to the Frankston Community Support and Information Centre's Christmas hamper appeal at Frankston Library. Hampers are distributed to disadvantaged people in our neighbourhood in conjunction with other Frankston emergency relief agencies.

Donations needed for hampers include tinned veggies suitable for roasting, tinned ham or salmon, rice, tinned plum puddings, shortbread, bon-bons and anything non-perishable with a "Chritmasy" feel.

harps

Christmas/New Year hours

2011-12-07T09:00:00.006+11:00

Holiday hours 2011-12

Here are the Library's festive season hours.

Please note that returns chutes will close when the libraries close before public holidays and re-open when the libraries open.

Frankston Library

Saturday 24 Dec 9:00am–12 noon (ie, an early close)
Sunday 25 Dec Closed
Monday 26 Dec Closed
Tuesday 27 Dec Closed
Wednesday 28 Dec 10:00am–9:00pm
Thursday 29 Dec 10:00am–9:00pm
Friday 30 Dec 10:00am–6:00pm
Saturday 31 Dec 9:00am–4:00pm
Sunday 1 Jan Closed
Monday 2 Jan Closed
Tuesday 3 Jan 10:00am–9:00pm

Carrum Downs Library

Saturday 24 Dec Closed
Sunday 25 Dec Closed
Monday 26 Dec Closed
Tuesday 27 Dec Closed
Wednesday 28 Dec 11:00am–6:00pm
Thursday 29 Dec 1:00pm–8:00pm
Friday 30 Dec 9:30am–4:30pm
Saturday 31 Dec 11:00am–4:00pm
Sunday 1 Jan Closed
Monday 2 Jan Closed
Tuesday 3 Jan 11:00am–6:00pm

Library Express

Last day of operation for 2011 will be Thursday 22 Dec
Closed from Tuesday 27 Dec until Tuesday 10 Jan
Re-opens Thursday 12 Jan

We wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

harps

Libraries closed 6 December

2011-12-01T15:27:00.003+11:00

Team training day

The Frankston and Carrum Downs Libraries will be closed on 6 December for a team training day. The Frankston Library Express service will also be closed.

The returns chutes at Frankston will be open but the chutes at Carrum Downs will be closed.

We apologise for any incovience and hope that you still have a good day.

harps

PCs, printing and copying downtime?

2011-12-01T15:14:00.000+11:00

Upgrade take 2

A couple of weeks ago we said the PCs, copying and printing were going to be down because of an upgrade. That upgrade was postponed, until now.

Both Frankston and Carrum Downs libraries will be closed on Tuesday, 6 December due to a team training day. We're doing the upgrade then, but just in case things don't go to plan, the PCs are booked out for Wednesday and Thursday too. If all goes well, they'll be back when we open on Wednesday, 7 December.

Here's hoping.

harps

October 2011 customer feedback

2011-11-25T09:00:00.002+11:00

Conversations

The feedback given by our customers and the responses from Library management are a discussion of sorts. To read the discourse between Library patrons and bosses for October, please take a look at these Carrum Downs and Frankston feedback posters.

harps

2011 Festival of Lights

2011-11-24T14:38:00.007+11:00

Annual Christmas celebration

Rides, Alvin and the Chipmunks meet and greets, amusements, carol singing and more will be taking place around the corner from Frankston Library this Saturday as part of the Festival of Lights. Oh, and Santa is taking over Cube 37!

Road closures and detours

For those coming to Frankston Library on Saturday, please note that the Frankston Arts Centre carpark will be closed.

Young Street, between Playne Street and High Street, and Davey Street, between Nepean Highway and Baxter Street, will be closed from 5:00am, Saturday, 26 November until 3:00am, Sunday, 27 November.

There's parking on Playne Street outside the Library, the commercial car park next door in Playne Street and the big carpark in Young Street with foot access to Playne Street opposite the Library.

harps

Christmas comes early at the Library

2011-11-22T14:35:00.001+11:00

Christmas stock now available

The Library's Christmas picture story books, CDs and DVDs are now available for loan from the junior areas at the Carrum Downs and Frankston libraries.

Normal limits of 5 per card apply to the CDs and DVDs, but there's no limits on the books.

harps

BBQ at Frankston Library

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000+11:00

Community lunch in the forecourt

Vital stats:
Date: Tuesday, 22 November
Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Location: Frankston Library
Consumables: Sausages and onion on bread for $2.50. Water and vegetarian options also available.

Some nice words:
Are you proud to live and/or work in Frankston?
Would you like to connect with other community members?
Attend our BBQ for your chance to meet and connect with other Frankston residents.

The ulterior motive:
Celebrating Social Inclusion Week, 19 - 27 November

harps

Local History books for sale

2011-11-18T11:38:00.002+11:00

Fishing Sand and Village Days
and Frankston Source Materials

These two local history books are currently on sale at Frankston Library as a set for $5.00.

Fishing Sand and Village Days is an oral history of the Frankston area from the early 1900s through to 1950. In it you'll discover amazing facets of Frankston's history, like the lost sandpits of Seaford, the long gone hop farm on Robinsons Road, the Gas Works in central Frankston and what happened when the Yanks arrived in WW2.

Frankston Source Materials features primary sources related to transport in old Frankston. The days of horse and cart come to life along with the early days of the Frankston railway line.

The money from the sale of these items will go back into the Library's local history budget.

harps

The computers are OK

2011-11-17T10:05:00.000+11:00

Technical delays mean access today
The planned computer, printing and photocopying outage today and tomorrow (17-18 November) has been postponed, so things are back to normal for now.

We apologise for any inconvenience

harps

New Adult Fiction updates return

2011-11-17T09:00:00.029+11:00

RSS and email feed fixed

It's been down for a while, but now it's fixed, so you can again receive regular alerts for the Library's new Adult Fiction.

Using email or RSS, you can receive updates every day that we add new books, CDs and DVDs to the Library's collections, including the fiction, non-fiction, junior, teen, movies and music collections.

harps

Why can't I cancel my reserves online?

2011-11-16T18:54:00.001+11:00

Because it's broke!

When you login to your membership record on the catalogue, you can normally cancel any reservations that are no longer required. We are currently having issues with this service, i.e. it's not working.

We are trying to fix the problem. In the meantime, if you have any reservations that you want cancelled, please phone us on 9784 1020 during opening hours or email us on libraryenquiries@frankston.vic.gov.au with a list of the titles you want cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

harps

Public PC and copier downtime

2011-11-13T09:00:00.034+11:00

Update:
The upgrade is potponed!

17 and 18 November

The Library's Pharos printer, copier and computer management system is being upgraded on the 17th of November.

Because of this, there will be no public computer access, no printing and no photocopier service on the 17th. Just in case it takes longer than planned (as these things sometimes do), we are currently not taking computer bookings for the 18th too.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

harps

Wanted: a new

2011-11-11T14:51:00.001+11:00

Collection Management Librarian

If you're a fully qualified librarian and love buying books, DVDs and CDs (now, that narrows it), and you wouldn't mind working with our fabo team at Frankston City Libraries (and who wouldn't), then this Band 6 position might just be for you. See the Position Description for more details.

Our current Collection Management Librarian has a new job and we need to move Wally out and replace him with a real librarian and clutter the desk up with personal stuff.

harps

New feature for parents and guardians

2011-11-09T13:00:00.000+11:00

Accessing family loans

If you are the designated guarantor of an under 18 library Library member, you can now manage their loans as well as your own from the one login.

We can now create family links in the Library's catalogue, so that when you login on the website to your own record, you can also see the loans of those for those of whom you are a guarantor.

To activate this service, please ask in person or over the phone on 9784 1020.

harps

Parking next to the Frankston Library

2011-11-07T15:47:00.000+11:00

Another option

The old RACV site in Playne Street, next to the Frankston Library, has just opened as a car park. So now, in addition to on-street parking and the Arts Centre carpark, there are a few extra spaces adjacent to the library.

Please note that this is a commercially operated carpark on private land and is not associated with the Library or Frankston City Council.

harps

National Year of Reading update

2011-11-02T09:41:00.000+11:00

Our Story - voting open

You can now vote for Victoria's favourite book with a Victorian flavour from a short-list provided by the National Year of Reading.

Here's the shortlist:

Bearbrass – Robyn Annear
Radical Melbourne – Jeff Sparrow and Jill Sparrow
Sold – Brendan Gullifer
The comfort of water – Maya Ward
Unpolished gem – Alice Pung
Well done, those men – Barry Heard

Voting closes 6 January 2012 and the winning book will be announced at the launch of the National Year of Reading on 14 February.

harps

Books for busy mums

2011-11-02T09:00:00.004+11:00

In the kids zone at Frankston

A selection of books for mums is now available in Frankston Library's picture story area.

It's a mix of light fiction and non-fiction titles, conveniently located on a bright yellow slat wall for you to browse while the kiddies do their thing close-by.

harps

Melbourne Cup Day

2011-10-30T09:00:00.003+11:00

Time for the gee gees

We usually start late on the first Tuesday of the month. Not this week, though. This Tuesday, we're not opening at all!

We are duty bound to close for a horse race. The returns chutes will also be closed, at Frankston from 9pm and at Carrum Downs from 6pm, Monday.

Oh well. What can you do?

harps

Road closure near Frankston Library on Saturday

2011-10-28T09:00:00.002+11:00

Sports Festival in Playne Street

Playne Street between Young and Thompsons Streets will be closed between 9AM and 7PM this Saturday due to the Victorian Adrenaline Sports Festival. As this is close to the Frankston Library, you may need to change your route.

harps

Short story winners

2011-10-27T09:00:00.004+11:00

Read them here

Congratulations to our short story competition winners. Anabel Hayes took 1st prize with her life-affirming piece, Scruffy. 2nd prize went to Cadyn Morgan-McGregor for The Keeper of the Door, a fantasy about belief. Predator of the Jungle, a tale of illegal animal smuggling, won Zoe Crouch 3rd prize.
Thankyou to all the entrants.

harps

Opening hours survey

2011-10-26T19:53:00.003+11:00

Should we change or stay the same?

We are currently reviewing library opening hours and your opinion is important to us.

To have your say, please complete the online survey or the paper ones available at our locations.

harps

The catalogue returns

2011-10-26T11:09:00.003+11:00

With new toys

The catalogue updgrade is complete and all is returning to better than normal.

Navigation

There are two new features that customers will note. The most obvious is more navigation options. There's lots of them, but it's important to note that only the relevant ones are active (in blue). If they're not relevant, they are supressed (in grey).

Click on image to enlarge.

RSS
The other big thing is the addition of RSS feeds. RSS allows you to get updates on new additions to the library. All you have to do is search for what you want (an author, series, subject or collection) and subscribe to the feed to get updates. You can subscribe via your web browser (see Internet Explorer example below) or RSS reader. You access the feed by doing a search and clicking on the orange RSS logo above the navigation.

Click on image to enlarge.

If you're not sure what RSS is about, please watch this video.

If you have any questions or comments about the new features, please ask our staff.

harps

The Conversation

2011-10-25T09:00:00.005+11:00

It's news, but not as you know it

I know there's plenty of websites for you to catch up on the daily news, but if you're a bit tired of the predictable knee-jerk op-eds, celebrities and fluff, now there's The Conversation. It's an article based news site written by Australian academics and researchers. The commentary and analysis tends to be calm and considered, more based on fact and a bit more sensitive to subtleties than you'll find elsewhere.

harps

Catalogue upgrade 25 October

2011-10-24T15:00:00.000+11:00

Catalogue downtime

On Tuesday, 25 October, we'll be upgrading the Library's catalogue.

On the new system, you'll see a few navigational enhancements and we'll update you on those once it's online.

During the change over, the catalogue will be offline. This means that there will be no searching or payment of fines and you won't be able to login to make reservations, renewals etc. Fortunately, you'll still be able to come in and borrow. We hope to have the new system running during the afternoon.

harps

September customer feedback

2011-10-24T09:00:00.001+11:00

Customer op eds

Improvements to the way CDs are shelved are balanced by poor public PC performance in the September customer feedback from Frankston and Carrum Downs.

harps

Our Story

2011-10-21T13:01:00.000+11:00

Read and vote for fave Victorian book

As part of the National Year of Reading 2012, the State Library of Victoria is inviting you to read and vote for a favourite book with a Victorian flavour. The winning book will then compete against those from other states for the national title.

Here's the shortlist:

Bearbrass – Robyn Annear
Radical Melbourne – Jeff Sparrow and Jill Sparrow
Sold – Brendan Gullifer
The comfort of water – Maya Ward
Unpolished gem – Alice Pung
Well done, those men – Barry Heard

Voting starts 1 November (more info then) and the winning book will be announced at the launch of the National Year of Reading on 14 February.

harps

Book clubs

2011-10-21T09:47:00.002+11:00

Share the joy of reading

Book clubs are a great way to socialise around your love of reading. Each month, people get together to discuss a book that they've all read, to tease out meanings, revelations and responses .

You can start your own book club or join an existing one. Groups can choose their books from the Library's book club collection, with titles ranging from prizewinners and contemporary fiction to the classics, biography and autobiography, history, and social issues.

For more information on book clubs at Frankston City Libraries, please see our website's book clubs page.

harps

And the 2011 Booker Prize goes to...

2011-10-19T12:50:00.000+11:00

Julian Barnes

The London-based Julian Barnes has won the 2011 Booker Prize for Fiction with his novel The Sense of an Ending. In a year of judging marked by controversy as critics accused the judges of rating popularity over quality, a book that has been both a best seller and a critical success took out the prize.

Described as readable, subtle and keenly felt, several of the Booker judges have described The Sense of an Ending as having the hallmarks of a English classic.

You can reserve your copy of The Sense of an Ending and other books by Julian Barnes for free via our catalogue.

harps

The Nobel prize for literature goes to...

2011-10-19T09:00:00.005+11:00

Congratulations to Tomas Tranströmer, the 2011 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Tomas Tranströmer (born 15 April 1931 in Stockholm) is a Swedish writer, poet and translator, whose poetry has been deeply influential in Sweden, as well as around the world.

The official press release states that he has been awarded the prize "because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality".

Read a selection of his work here.

Scott.

The King's Speech

2011-10-17T09:00:00.004+11:00

Screening in the Library Long Room on Thursday 27th of October at 6:00pm.

The King's Speech is the story of how the Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) helped King George VI (Colin Firth) overcome his stutter and find his public speaking voice.

Nominated for 12 Oscars, The King's Speech won the directing, best picture, best leading actor and best original screenplay awards. Margaret and David both gave it 4 out of 5, but lots of cinema goers would have given it 5.

The King's Speech is rated M and bookings are required on 9784 1020 or via email.

New book alert services

2011-10-13T09:00:00.000+11:00

Discover what's new

There's lots of ways to find out about new books. You can read reviews, keep a watch on what the Library has new for loan, receive author, bookshop or publisher updates or join social networking sites for readers like Shelfari, GoodReads and LibraryThing.

Another way is to sign up for regular emails from specialist new book release services. Here's 3 to get you started.

Any New Books - Rreceive weekly emails for new books from a list of fiction and non-fiction categories.
Book Buzzes - Sign up for email updates for new books by author. Note that the author selection is small and has a bias towards sci-fi and fantasy writers.
Track New Book - Get email updates for authors, subjects, keywords or a "seed" (which finds books similar books to the ones you already know).

harps

Sharing the love

2011-10-11T09:00:00.001+11:00

Thanks Brodie. It's always nice to have such positive feedback.

Discussing Nevil Shute

2011-10-10T09:00:00.002+11:00

Graham Fricke presents - Shute the messenger

Graham discusses his book Shute the Messenger, based on notable author Nevil Shute, best known for the novels On the Beach, A Town like Alice and No Highway.

The movie On the Beach was filmed in Frankston and Melbourne and starred Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins.

Books will be available for sale on the day.

When: Friday 14th October, 11:00am

Where: Frankston Library Long Room

Cost: FREE!

Technology - Where do I start?

2011-10-07T09:00:00.001+11:00

As part of the seniors festival, the folks from Dick Smith Frankston will be joining us on Wednesday the 12th of October to give you advice and guidance when purchasing technology such as computers or mobile phones. Come on down for the FREE information session.

Frankston Library Long Room

10am - 11am

Wednesday 12th October.

FREE!

The prequel before the encore

2011-10-06T10:30:00.000+11:00

Extra storytime at Carrum Downs

Due to overwhelming demand, we are introducing an additional storytime session on Wednesday at Carrum Downs.

The Wednesday session's book and activities will be the same as the Friday session, so you won't miss out anything if you just go to one.

The Wednesday storytimes at Carrum Downs start at 11AM, beginning Wednesday, 12 October..

harps

New graphic novel collections

2011-10-03T09:00:00.027+11:00

Same stuff, new collection names

The Library's adult and teen graphic novels collections are now easier to browse on the catalogue. Each now has their own collection, either Adult Graphic Novel or Teen Graphic Novel.

You can find the collection names in the holdings fields; they're the bits under the title, author and publication info that tell you where to find the item and if it's on loan.

harps

Poetry Workshop

2011-09-29T11:46:00.007+10:00

Do you enjoy listening to, writing or reading poetry? Take this opportunity to further develop your lyrical and poetry writing skills with support from Benjamin “IQ” Sanders who has won numerous poetry competitions.

Venue: Frankston Library, 60 Playne Street,Frankston (Melway Ref: 100 D8)

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Bookings required on 9784 1020.

Library Closed!

2011-09-29T09:00:00.002+10:00

Sad to say, but it's that time again and the Frankston and Carrum Downs branches are going to be closed next Tuesday morning for our monthly staff training session. Seaford and Langwarrin shops will remain open for their usual hours.

Altered Opening Hours Tuesday October 4th:

Frankston Library
12:oo-9:00pm

Carrum Downs Library
1:00pm-6:00pm

Scott

August Customer Feedback

2011-09-27T09:00:00.002+10:00

Presented for your approval, the customer feedback for the month of August.
Frankston Library Feedback
Carrum Downs Library Feedback
Enjoy.
Scott.

New parking charges at Frankston

2011-09-25T09:00:00.004+10:00

Bring extra change

For those who park in the Frankston Arts Centre carpark, new parking fees will apply as of 26 September.

The new charges will be 80c per hour (up from 70c) and $4.50 per day (up from $3.50). The same charges will apply to other Council parking areas, including the Playne Street and Young Street East carparks.

Don't forget that there is free parking on Level 2, with 18 free spaces available for upto 2 hours. These spots are marked Reserved Parking for Library patrons during hours of operation. If you are there for longer or haven't paid outside these hours, you could be booked.

For more on parking at Frankston Library, please refer to our website's page, How do I park at Frankston Library?

harps

What to read next

2011-09-20T09:00:00.000+10:00

Book recommendations

There are several online resources to help you find your next read. In addition to online bookshops that tell you what others purchased, here's some ways to discover similar books to the ones you like.

LibraryThing - You can sign up to LibraryThing yourself, or click on book titles in our catalogue to see similar books also held by the Library as recommended by LibraryThing users.
Goodreads and Shelfari are similar to LibraryThing in that they are based on a community of readers sharing their reviews and creating links between books.
For a simple type in the author or title experience, try Booklamp, What Should I Read Next or The Book Seer. These sites either use reader reviews or algorythms based on book scanning for data.
Whichbook is different, as it gives you suggestions based on the factors you're looking for in a book. Note, though, that the Borrow link on helps if you're in Britain.

Try them and discover which works best for you. You might be suprised.
harps

Inky short list

2011-09-17T09:00:00.000+10:00

Vote for your favourite

The Centre of Youth Literature has announced the short list for the 2011 Inky Awards. The Inkys are an Australian teen choice book awards for both Australian and international books.

Please follow the links below to find these shortlisted titles in the catalogue.

Gold Inky (Australian book)

Silver Inky (International book)

Voting will be open until midnight October 14.

harps

Possible phone scam

2011-09-14T19:30:00.002+10:00

We don't ask for credit cards

It has been reported to us that people claiming to represent Frankston City Libraries as debt collectors have been asking customers to pay their library charges over the phone.

We and our collection agency never ask for credit card information over the phone. Please do not pay any library charges to anyone over the phone.

If you receive one of these calls, or have paid library charges over the phone, please let is know.

If you are the victim of a phone scam, you can report it to the Victorian Government's Dob in a Scam or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch.

harps

Take your pick...

2011-09-14T09:45:00.000+10:00

An exclusive selection event

Here's your opportunity to play librarian and select books for the Library.

In an exclusive, Frankston City Libraries members only evening at Robinsons Bookshop, you can select up to 3 books from their shelves for inclusion in the Library's collection.

Bookings required: phone 9784 1020
Date: Thursday, 29 September 2011

Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Location: Robinsons Bookshop 3/11 Station St
Cost: Free

harps

Shekilda 2011

2011-09-12T16:35:00.004+10:00

Who, What, Where?

If you like Aussie crime written by women, then Sisters in Crime Australia's Shekilda convention is for you. The convention program features luminaries like Tara Moss and Kerry Greenwood, plus sessions and workshops for aspiring crime writers and readers alike.

The Shekilda, Australian Women Crime Writers' Convention, runs 7-9 October.

harps

#NPW2011 day 5

2011-09-09T09:00:00.002+10:00

And your

poetic activity

for today
is to

celebrate!

harps

#NPW2011 day 4

2011-09-08T09:00:00.003+10:00

And your

poetic activity

for today
is to

live

harps

September 2011 school holiday program

2011-09-07T09:55:00.003+10:00

Fun things for the holidays

It's almost time for the September school holidays, so here's our activities for the kids. Please follow the links for information on bookings.

Terry Denton workshop - Tuesday 27 September, 11:00am or 1:30pm - Both fully booked
Lyrebird Community Centre Footy Fever Day - Wednesday, 28 September, several sessions
Tiny Tots Storytime - Thursday, 29 September 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Wii Challenge - Friday, 30 September 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Pom Pom Critters - Tuesday, 4 October 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Tiny Tots Storytime - Wednesday, 5 October 10:30am-11:00am
Movie screening: Tangled - Rated PG - Thursday, 6 October 10:30am - 12:10pm
Scrapbooking - Friday, 7 October 11:30am - 12:30pm

harps

#NPW2011 day 3

2011-09-07T09:00:00.003+10:00

And your

poetic activity

for today
is to

full moon above

this winding road

this empty church

harps

Music genres return!

2011-09-06T17:01:00.006+10:00

Music now in categories at Frankston

Due to popular demand, the music CDs at Frankston Library are now arranged by category. The CDs will will be arranged by author (band name, composer or act) within each of the larger categories.

Here's your new categories:

Popular - POP in white (or a white dot)
A broad church of contemporary music from pop to dark ambient.
Heavy metal - HEA in black
Hey you in the black t-shirt! Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slipknot etc.
Classical - CLA in red
Old classics like Mozart to contemporary neo-classical like Sophie Hutchings.
Country and folk - COU in green
Music with a twang or whatever sound folk singers make.
World - WOR in orange
Indigenous music from Africa, Asia, Ireland, Iceland, Cuba and so on.
Jazz and blues - JAZ in blue
If it's jazzy or bluesy, then you can dig it here.
Relaxation - REL in purple
Soothing chillout music for quiet moments.
Nostalgia - NOS in mauve
Popular favourites from yesteryear like Dame Vera, Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller.
Soundtracks - SOU in yellow
Songs, themes and scores from movies and musicals.

harps

National Poetry Week day 2

2011-09-06T09:00:00.005+10:00

And your

poetic activity

for today

is to

buy
(but we'll accept borrow)

harps

It's National Poetry Week

2011-09-05T16:51:00.000+10:00

And your
poetic activity
for today
is to

write

harps

Round 24 round up

2011-09-05T15:26:00.002+10:00

And the winners are...

At The Age, the best "expert tipper" was Martin Boulton with 138 wins. Over at the Herald Sun, Cameron Smith topped the tipping with 140 wins. But in the 2011 Blogalogue tipping comp, 140 got you no better than 6th place.

Community member Bottle is hereby declared the winner, with a total score of 145 wins. Librarian kiwi sok took second prize, a whisker behind on 144.

Bottle and kiwi sok will be receiving their prizes, but it takes a community to make a ladder, so thank you all. Also thanks to our guest contributors, the footy bears.

So you again in AFL season 2012 (probably).

harps

The Jeannette and Lenny Show

2011-09-01T14:57:00.004+10:00

At Thursday's Mayor's Reading Challenge Finale

author Jeannette Rowe and
injured but ace Sainter Lenny Hayes

did the honours.

Lenny also shared some reading tips
with a young reader.

See our Facebook album of this event

which includes a link to more pictures from the

St Kilda Football Club.

harps
(Go Saints!)

Frankston Literacy Festival

2011-08-31T09:00:00.005+10:00

Literary events in September

The Library is hosting several events related to books, writing and literarcy during September. Please follow the links below for more information, including booking details:

A short story competition for ages 3 to 8 - enter all month
Mayor’s Reading Challenge Finale - 1 September
This Writing Life - a Melbourne Writer's Festival panel discussion, 2 September
Our very own poetry slam - 7 September
Michael Panckridge's writing workshop for young writers - 10 September
Graham Davey performance storyteller for kiddies - 15 September
Terry Denton's drawing workshop - 27 September
Plus our usual pre-school and tiny tots storytimes throughout the month

harps

Graffiti outrage

2011-08-29T17:03:00.002+10:00

Street art and the library

The Herald Sun (Graffiti site preserved for cultural value) and 3AW's Neil Mitchell have been all over it today. The National Library of Australia's Pandora archive of Australian websites includes one site that is pro-graffiti (along with plenty of Council websites that are against it, like our own).

As Richard of Melbourne points out in the story's public comments (see comment 24) , "it is the JOB of the National Library to collect and archive materials pertaining to all aspects of Australian life." Likewise, it is the job of public libraries to make available to our customers the best books available on subjects relevant to their interests. Therefore, we have books and DVDs on all sorts of odd and controversial topics, from UFOs to the occult, believers vs Richard Dawkins, on tattoos, bonking and, yes, even graffiti. It doesn't mean that we approve of it.

It is part of a librarian's ethics that we provide free access to information: there's even an ALIA policy statement on this that the Library endorses.

harps

Round 23 round-up

2011-08-29T15:29:00.001+10:00

No free burgers

The 8 is finalised and, for North Melbourne, the necessary delusion of finals football in 2011 is over. Maybe the AFL knew something that we didn't by playing us in next week's Sunday twilight match.

Because of the Kardinia Park upset, no one on the Blogalogue ladder tipped 8. With just a week to go, Bottle leads kiwi sok by 1, with Magpie Magic 3 wins behind in 3rd, so the top prizes are still up for grabs.

Kanga

#geekreads finale

2011-08-25T15:25:00.002+10:00

SF month round-up

August is the month of the Hugo awards, which reward excellence in science fiction and fantasy publishing. This year's top novel prize goes to Connie Willis for her books Blackout and its sequel, All Clear, which you can borrow from the Library.

Part of the reason for August being being dedicated to science fiction is that it includes National Science Week. In a neat segue between science real and science imagined, NASA and major SF publisher Tor/Forge have agreed to give SF authors some time with NASA scientists to help them get their facts right. I wonder if we'll see more "hard SF" as a result?

harps

Like us on Facebook

2011-08-24T11:41:00.001+10:00

And potentially win something!

Like our Facebook page between between 19 August and 30 September, 2011, and you'll go into the draw to win one of 6 signed copies of popular children's books.

When you Like us, you'll be kept up to date with all the latest Library events, competitions and programs.

Here's the link to the terms and conditions.

harps

Round 22 round up

2011-08-24T10:47:00.000+10:00

Season's twilight

As the season slides towards it's inevitablee conclusion with another Collingwood premiership, I must admit that I'm getting a little concerned. The Pies' margins aren't what they used to be. We're probably just saving ourselves for the finals. That must be it.

With only 2 weeks to go in the Blogalogue tipping contest, the ladder is still topped by Bottle and kiwi sok, while google's 8 saw her jump 2 spots into 3rd. Mollyfud also scored 8 this week.

Eddie

Round 21 round up

2011-08-16T14:45:00.000+10:00

Beat-ups

Footy journalists follow memes and lately it's been winning margins, but I don't get it. In a season that's seen three draws and a jam of teams in the middle vying for a place in the 8, what's the problem? There's always been the occasional shellacking of bottom dwellers by top sides.

That said, the tipping has been a tad predictable this season, but only champ picked all 8 winners in round 21; lots picked 7, though. At the top of the ladder, Bottle, kiwi sok and Magpie Magic are still the top 3, with librarytart and google close behind on margin.

Gav

SF 101

2011-08-16T09:00:00.003+10:00

Where to start with #geekreads

If you're unfamiliar with science fiction books, these links will help you start:

Check out this top 100 list of science fiction and fantasy books as voted in the NPR listeners
Look for awards winners from the Hugo and Nebula awards for the best SF (and fantasy) novels
For the best in Australian SF (plus fantasy and horror), make a note of Aurealis Award winners
Read reviews and news from sites like SF Site, SF Book Reviews and SFFWorld.com

Don't forget to search the catalogue for the Library's science fiction titles and set up an alert for new items with the science fiction subject heading. We also have a selection of SF books on the fast fiction sehlves.

harps

July customer feedback continued

2011-08-15T14:41:00.000+10:00

Catching up with Carrum Downs

Here's the written feedback we recieved from our customers at the Carrum Downs Library in July.

Thankyou.

harps

Before and after Underbelly

2011-08-14T10:00:00.002+10:00

The Razor book(s)

Larry Writer wrote a book about the slasher gangs of Sydney during the 1920s. Now it's been appropriated into the Underbelly series and we have both an early edition from 2002 and the re-branded Underbelly edition available for loan.

Underbelly: Razor starts on the telly Sunday, 21 August.

harps

July (and June) customer feedback

2011-08-11T14:51:00.000+10:00

Entrées, roasts and sweets

Here is the June customer feedback for the Carrum Downs Library and the July customer feedback for the Frankston Library.

harps

Zines for all

2011-08-10T09:51:00.006+10:00

@stickyinstitute

Hear my confession: I am a paid up member of the Sticky Institute.

Before blogs, Twitter and online forums, there was the zine. Zines are DIY publications, a kind of underground magazine, often stapled, photocopied and written by angsty teens with an attitude and only sometimes by aging librarians with a thing for haiku. They can be funny, personal, political, illustrated and occasionally hand-written.

In this UNESCO City of Literature (Melbourne), the centre of zine culture is the Sticky Institute, a tiny zine-filled shopfront in the Flinders Street to Degraves Street subway. With so many of the CBD's book shops now closed, now is a good time to discover Sticky and the alt world of zines.

To learn more about the Sticky Institute, go to their website or watch these YouTube videos.

harps

August is sci-fi month

2011-08-08T15:09:00.002+10:00

Time for some #geekreads

Science fiction is hard to define, but you probably know it when you read it (or recognise it by its cover designs). Mostly it's futuristic, but sometimes those futures have past (like in Orwell's classic, 1984). Some people (like SF Grand Master, Isaac Asimov) have distinguished between science fiction (eg, Star Trek) and sci-fi (eg, Godzilla Meets Mothra), but please never confuse it with fantasy fiction (although there are cross-overs). From nut-and-bolts hard SF to genetically modified biopunk, anarcho utopias to authoritarian dystopias, time travellers to robots, science fiction's many sub-genres take us to worlds that are only partially defined by their advanced science and technology.

The Library has oodles of science fiction in print and on disc. The books have the Saturn-like ringed planet on their spines pictured here.

August is Read It 2011's science fiction month, so release your inner geek, read some SF and discuss it on Twitter using the #geekread tag.

harps

Round 20 round up

2011-08-08T14:57:00.003+10:00

Footy can be cruel

Spewin! That's how I felt as Goodesy's 50m kick after the siren sailed between the goal and point posts amid the boos of those feral Bombers supporters. Sick to the stomach I was. Nearly fish all over the place.

But I wasn't the only one. 8tony was the only Blogalogue tipster to pick all 8 this week, but lots of others tipped 7. They either fell by the way from picking my beloved Swans (wrong by 1 point) or the Lions (down by 5 points). While the top 3 on the ladder stayed in position, they picked only 6 wins each, seeing 4 others each with 7 wins join 3rd placed Magpie Magic on 117 wins. With only 4 more rounds, only 3 wins separates 1st from 7th.

Herbie

What if Winnie the Pooh and his friends went to the doctor?

2011-08-06T13:06:00.001+10:00

What would the doctor perscribe?

harps

Sparkles between the shelves

2011-08-05T10:00:00.006+10:00

Library lovers @Library_Vic

When an author wants to get the support of a publisher for a new book, they will often pitch their idea in the form a book proposal. Recently, at the State Library of Victoria, there was a different kind of "bookish proposal".

When Jonathon Chang wanted to propose to Stephanie Campisi, he left her a trail that led to the 843.9s in the Redmond Barry Reading Room at the State Library. In what reads like a plot line from a romance novel, Stephanie found a special present for her in a hollowed out book.

Maybe they could be the champions for the next Library Lovers Day?

harps

Save Our Libraries: Fairer Funding Campaign

2011-08-04T15:39:00.007+10:00

For the public good

The Victorian Government’s ongoing funding of Public Libraries is vital to our day-to-day operation. However, State Government funding has been cut in the 2011-2012 year and may result in a reduction of services and programs.

The Government’s ongoing contribution helps to cover the daily running costs of libraries – paying staff, opening the doors, providing web access, running programs and events.

Ratepayers are increasingly being asked to pick up the shortfall between the library’s daily operating costs and State Government funding contributions.

Get involved! Sign the petition in the library or online or contact Frankston’s local Member of Parliament:

Mr Geoff Shaw MP
140 Young Street,
FRANKSTON VIC 3199

Geoff.shaw@parliament.vic.gov.au

Phone No. 9783 9822

Join the Save Our Libraries Facebook page to show your support or tweet, blog, talk to your friends and write letters to the Editor. You can also write to or email the Minister for Local Government or even the Premier to show your support for public libraries. Here's one we prepared earlier for you to adapt.

More information about the campaign can be found on the Municipal Association of Victoria’s website.

Dollars, sense and public libraries
A recent study of the socio-economic value of Victorian public libraries highlighted 5 key reasons to keep investing in libraries.

1. For every dollar invested in Victoria’s public libraries, $3.56 is the average rate of return in community benefits. In Frankston , the figure is $4.56 for each $1 invested.

2. The majority of Victorians are public library customers. 2.6 million Victorians are library members.

3. Library customers receive services valued at $419 per year.

4. Victorian public libraries have something for everyone.

5. People would pay more… but don’t have the capacity to do so.

For more details, see the 2 page summary of findings or the full Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries report.

harps

2011 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards shortlist

2011-08-03T10:20:00.002+10:00

We (almost) have them all

The Victorian Premier's Literary Awards recognise excellence in Australian writing and this year's shortlist has recently been announced. Our Collections Team has tracked down almost all the shortlisted titles for your reading pleasure. Please feel free to reserve, read and vote for your favourite.

CJ Dennis Prize for Poetry

Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction

Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-Fiction

Prize for Writing for Young Adults

Louis Esson Prize for Drama

Sappho… in 9 fragments, Jane Montgomery Griffiths
Do not go gentle, Patricia Cornelius
Intimacy, Raimondo Cortese (we can't get a copy of this one)

harps

Round 19 round up

2011-08-01T14:40:00.004+10:00

On the rebound

Unfortunately for them, Port copped the Crows off a coach killing margin. All I can say about that, is that the Blues should take the Dees seriously this weekend.

As for the other results from round 19 AFL action, apparently it was all predictable. 17 of the Blogalogue's 41 tipsters achieved a perfect score at picking winners. Well done! Some of you have definitely got footy smarts out there. Bottle, kiwi sok and Magpie Magic still top the ladder, in that order.

Formerly Known As Craig

#whodoneit month concludes

2011-07-29T10:01:00.000+10:00

Next: #geekreads

The time is almost over for #whodoneit readers to tweet about their favourite and latest crime reads as part of Read It 2011.

All readers can join the monthly themed Twitter reading group by tweeting with the relevant # hashtag. Twitter is a free service that enables you to share your world in 140 characters or less. You can follow the Library on Twitter too and receive regular updates including new book, CD and DVD alerts.

The Read It 2011 genre for August is science fiction, which uses the #geekreads signature on Twitter.

harps

ALIA support Victorian public library users

2011-07-27T09:51:00.001+10:00

"We fear this may be the thin end of the wedge..."

The peak body for Australian libraries, ALIA (Australia Library and Information Association), is supporting Victorian library users following the State Government's decision to cut library funding. In a media release issued yesterday, ALIA point out that the $5.7 million cutback in funding announced after Councils had set their 2011-12 library budgets is in stark contrast to the government's pledge to increase library funding whilst in opposition.

ALIA notes that "Victoria is currently the fifth worst funded state in relation to public libraries and now looks like it will fall further behind the majority of States and Territories." They also observe that it's not a good look for a state that boasts a UNESCO City of Literature.

To support your public libraries, please see the Save Our Libraries Facebook page and sign the online petition.

harps

State Government cuts Library funding

2011-07-26T16:14:00.001+10:00

Support your local library

If you aren't already aware, after Victorian Councils had finalised their 2011/12 budgets, the State Government advised in July the level of funding for local libraries. This was less than the previous year. This has left many councils, including Frankston, with a financial shortfall for these services.

If this decision is not reversed by the State Government, then public libraries may have to consider alternative actions to account for the reduction in money, such as shorter opening hours, fewer new acquisitions, or cancelling community programs, to name a few.

If you, like us, believe that Libraries are a critical and integral part of all local communities, then please take the time to take a look at the Save Our Libraries Facebook page set up by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). Further still, if you "Like" the page or sign the petition opposing the funding cuts or forward the details on to all your friends, then you will help to convey the message to the current State government that libraries are valued and supported by the Victorian community.

Frankston City Libraries Management and Staff

Round 18 round up

2011-07-25T15:18:00.000+10:00

8 is a good number

At last the Saints are back where we belong! After an humiliating end to last season and a heart-breaking pre-season, the Seaford-based team has clawed its way back into finals contention. We're in the 8 and it feels good again.

In what turned out to be a predictable round for the fans (Saints win, Pies and Cats win, teams from Adelaide and Queensland loose), 12 Blogalogue tipsters picked 8 wins each. Bottle, kiwi sok and Magpie Magic are sitting pretty as the top 3.

Nicky

Customer feedback from July, 2011

2011-07-21T10:00:00.002+10:00

Appreciations and suggestions

I know that some readers of the Library's customer feedback are dismayed to read the nice things that some of our customers say about the us. Unfortunately, for those who only want to read the negatives, this month's feedback has a kinder, gentler feel to it. There's a whole lot of love out there.

As always, enjoy.

harps

The body in the library

2011-07-19T14:31:00.005+10:00

#whodoneit and where?

Here's your quick guide to finding crime books in the library:

In the catalogue, mystery fiction is a good place to start
and quite a few of the adventure novels have crime in them too
then there's sub-genres like legal fiction and novels about assassins
and the mystery books have their own Sherlockian stickers like the ones shown above
as do the trench coated suspense novels which also tend to have criminal acts in them (but don't have a separate identity in the catalogue to link to)
and you can find a selection of the mystery and suspense novels together in their own fast fiction area
and then there's true crime in the 364s on both the non-fiction and biographies shelves
and finally you can click on any crime book's title in the catalogue and use the LibraryThing tags and suggestions to find more of the dastardly books that you like!

Libraries are full of crime.

harps

Round 17 round up

2011-07-18T16:29:00.002+10:00

New leaders!

In a difficult round to pick, Freo beat the odds and beat the Swans in the Sydney rain. While not as good as last year, we're still a force to be reckoned with. Only 3 Blogalogue tipsters picked the Dockers, and 2 of those topped the round with a score of 6.

Meanwhile, there's been a revolution at the top of the Blogalogue tipping ladder. Long-time leaders harps and MandyH both had shocking rounds, with just 3 and 1 wins respectively, seeing both fall out of the top 3. Bottle's top score of 99 places him or her 2 games in front of Magpie Magic and kiwi sok, both on 98.

Pav

PS: Because so many away teams won, those who failed to tip this weekend picked a maximum 5 wins by default!

Fiction helps

2011-07-13T10:00:00.005+10:00

Are fiction readers soft and fuzzy?

It's official: reading fiction helps to make you a better person! According to Keith Oatley, Emeritus Professor at Toronto University, university studies prove that people who read more fiction are more empathic than those who read less fiction.

Fiction exposes readers to complex situations and characters, helping readers gain an insight in to how real people tick and respond to their environment. Rather than bookworms being unable to cope with the real world, they tend to have a better social understanding of the complexities of human nature.

You can here Prof Oatley discuss this research on the BBC website.

harps