Free Internet Lessons at Newcastle Region Libraries

Newcastle Region Library has launched a series of internet training workshops for children, students and adults. Bookings are essential for all sessions and can be made by ringing 4974 5340.

The full range of lessons can be accessed via our website.

Some of the highlights for March include:

What to Read Next?

Monday March 12th, 10.00am-11.00am, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.

Who writes like your favourite author? How can you find great books to read? Let library staff guide you through our easy to use databases.


Get Connected for Seniors

Tuesday March 13th, 9.30am-11.30am, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.

Join the students from Newcastle High as they assist in showing the best way to Communicate with family and friends. This session will include setting up and using an email address. The more advanced people will also cover attaching documents and photos, and having a look at Chat. After the break the students will help you explore the use of Skype and this can be used to stay in touch with your family and friends all over the world for free!

Discover Your E-Library

Monday March 19th, 10.00am-11.00am, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.
Tuesday March 20th, 2.00pm-3.00pm, Wallsend District Library, Bunn Street Wallsend.

Books, downloadable music and research material. Find out how to make the most of your library's electronic resources.

Social Media for Beginners

Monday March 19th, 2.00pm-3.30pm, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.

Learn the basics of setting up a Facebook or Twitter account. As a pre-requisite participants will need to have an existing email account.

HSC Blitz

Monday March 12th, 4.00pm-5.00pm, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.
Tuesday March 20th, 4.00pm-5.00pm, Wallsend District Library, Bunn Street Wallsend.

Looking to prevent an EPIC fail? Find answers that don't sound like "yahoo" with our HSC e-Resources.

Kids in the Library, for 6-9 year olds.

Tuesday March 13th, 4.00pm-5.00pm, City Branch Library, Laman Street Newcastle.

Discover the fun stuff on the library's website. Learn to use our catalogue, download free music from Freegal, find e-books and puzzles.

In addition to these sessions basic Internet Awareness sessions are held regularly at Beresfield Library, New Lambton Library, City Library and Wallsend District Library.

Bookings are essential. For more details phone 4974 5340.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

WIN! with Good Reading magazine online!

Did you know that you can access the latest Good Reading magazine through Newcastle Region Library's website?

This month you could WIN $100 worth of books just by answering a simple question and submitting your details to the Information & Research Centre by 31st March 2012. This competition is open to members of Newcastle Region Library.

Click the promotion below to find out more!

Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral

Author: Kris Radish

Publication Date: 2006

Category: Fiction

Who'll want to read it? Women. Possibly older women, who have teenage or older kids, but I think all women will get it.

Point of no return: The title. I saw it more than a year ago, but only just borrowed and read it. Now I want a travelling funeral!

Classic line: 'Laura: "Kind of psychic, Have this missing-daughter thing. Not happy in Chicago. Husband stuff okay."
Rebecca: "You know me, Marie. Stuck in reverse. Filled with loss. Tired of people dying. Feel as if the world has betrayed me. Have not been laid in way too long."
Jill: "You know me a little bit, too. A professor. Wallowing in self-pity. Closeted lesbian - My God, Marie. That's enough. I've never even said that out loud before."
Balinda: "Tired. Tired of sacrifice. Have also not been laid in a very long time. Desperately seeking my own life."
Katherine: "I'm going to laugh, Marie. Let's see ... Supporting the entire world has ruined my back. Missing my dead mother. Settling into life when nothing should be settled. There. That's enough. Are you happy now?"
...
Marie: "Obviously always very late. Can't let go. Too hard on myself. Need to take a course in spontaneity." '
pages 245-246

What's it all about? Annie Freeman dies, obviously. She doesn't want a traditional funeral, but instead plans a travelling extravaganza for five of her closest friends. Katherine, Jill, Rebecca, Marie and Laura only know each other through their connection to Annie. Some of them have not even met.

They are thrown together on this well-planned trip, spreading Annie's ashes in places that were special and important to her, usually turning points in her life. Along the way, they learn much about Annie, each other, and themselves.

This is a very American tale of sisterhood, but don't let that put you off. I picked it up because of the title, and was happy with my choice after reading the first couple of paragraphs, which describe the terrible tragedy of a dead bra. The rest of the first chapter, in which the owner of said bra mourns it with the UPS lady, just confirmed me in my choice. The rest of the book was likewise entertaining, heart-rending, insightful, and uplifting.

Publisher: Bantam Books

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

National Year of Reading Events

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie libraries are partnering to bring the region’s residents an exciting program of reading-related and story-telling events and activities.

Celebrations kicked off at a launch in Centre Court, Charlestown Square shopping centre on Friday 17th February with information stands, stories in the “Big Fish” story tent and historic photograph display.  Of course, the area was festooned with National Year of Reading banners, posters, and handouts.  The joint National year of Reading program of fun and educational activities aims to promote a culture of reading across the cities. 

Staff from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in front of the "Big Fish"

The program starts with a photographic exhibition - Our World Unseen and related workshops at Newcastle Library in Laman St.  The Write Here! series of discussions with local published authors reveals the diverse stories behind their writing successes.  Author of psychological thrillers, Jaye Ford is the first author to feature at Swansea Library on Monday 19th March.

Acclaimed surfing writer Tim Baker will give a new perspective on wave riding as a way of life at Newcastle Library on the 15th March, Michael Sala will talk about his novel The Last Thread  at Charlestown Library on Monday 26th March and Wallsend Library will host a group poetry slam Tuesday 20th March.

Other highlights in the February to June program are a presentation by the host of SBS’s Letters and Numbers David Astle at Wallsend District Library on Monday morning and in the afternoon at Charlestown Library on Monday 2nd April. A dinner with best-selling author Peter Fitzsimons and a talk by the joint writer of the famous Underbelly series, Andrew Rule are other events to look forward to.
Events will continue until December with a second program to be released mid-year.

Contact Newcastle Region Library on 4974 5300 or Lake Macquarie City Library on 4921 0463.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Who says crime doesn't play?

Wallsend Distric Library's display

This is the catch phrase for the new Phryne Fisher television series, which could be on YOUR television at 8:30pm, Friday 24th February. Spend an evening with Miss Fisher, and you may find that one evening is not enough.

Played by Essie Davis, Miss Fisher is smart, sassy, and sexy. Supported by a whole host of interesting characters, her adventures are sure to be exciting, and a lot of fun.

Based on the novels by Kerry Greenwood, the television series has thirteen episodes of giltz, glamour, and guns (quite probably pearl handled).

To read a book review of the first Phryne Fisher novel by Kerry Greenwood, Cocaine Blues, click here.

Make a date with the Hon. Phyrne Fisher this Friday!