November Good Reading

The November issue of Good Reading magazine is ready for you to read!

In the latest issue of gr, Isabel Allende tells us about her new book, The Japanese Lover, describing an illicit love spanning the years during and after World War II. We talk to Suki Kim about her life teaching the sons of North Korea's elite and Holly Ringland tells us about her envy-inducing writer's retreat to Oxford. Discover our Book of the Month, Unbecoming by Jenny Downham, a story encapsulating the effects of dementia on a family. Read our Book Bite extract from The Devil is a Black Dog to delve into some of the most war-torn and desperate places on Earth, and find your next great read from our wide range of independent reviews. 

Read the lastest issue of  Good Reading for free on your home computer or tablet just by clicking through to the eMagazines section of our website.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

The Tyrannosaurs are Coming to Newcastle!

Some prehistoric visitors will soon be calling Newcastle home - the Tyrannosaurs family are taking up residence at Newcastle Museum from Saturday 31st October. The exhibition will reveal a snapshot of life as a Tyrannosaur, showcasing life-size specimens and fossils, and hosting a range of fun dinosaur-related activities for children.

To celebrate their visit, we've put together a list of our favourite children's dinosaur books available from Newcastle Region Library.

DINOSAURS LOVE UNDERPANTS by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort

In this cheeky follow up to 'Aliens Love Underpants' you'll discover the real reason dinosaurs are extinct. Children will enjoy seeing these prehistoric creatures romping around in their favourite fancy knickers and causing mischief!

BIG BOOK OF AUSSIE DINOSAURS by Kel Richards

Meet a whole new crew of dinosaurs such as Muttaburrasaurus, Ozraptor, Qantassaurus and Tyrannosauropus. The 'Big Book of Aussie Dinosaurs' introduces a diverse range of dinosaurs that once called Australia home. With hilarious illustrations by Glen Singleton children will love learning about these dinosaurs that may have just live in their own backyard!

HOW DO DINOSAURS EAT THEIR FOOD? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague

'How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?' is a fun book demonstrating the impeccable manners of dinosaurs at the dinner table. Jane Yolen and Mark Teague find a rather unusual way to introduce children to good table manners whilst meeting some lesser known dinosaur friends.

HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS series by Ian Whybrow

It all starts when Harry finds some old toy dinosaurs at his Nan's house. He cleans them up and learns their names only to discover the dinosaurs can talk to him! Join Harry as he takes his new friends on all sorts of adventures whilst trying to avoid his annoying big sister, Sam. These books are great for helping children identify different  types of dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Scelidosaurus and more.

ROBERT IRWIN: DINOSAUR HUNTER series by Robert Irwin, Lachlan Creagh & Jack Wells

Older children might like to check out the 'Dinosaur Hunter' series, featuring Robert Irwin. It's no surprise to see Robert following in his famous dad's footsteps with his passion for dinosaurs reminiscent of the Crocodile Hunter's devotion to Australian wildlife. Join Robert as he travels the world with his fossicker's tool kit looking for fossilised remains with his palaeontologist buddy, Scott. Recommended ages 6-9.

If you're after something a little more factual search our catalogue for books on dinosaur facts or even some DVDs to take home.

Find out more about the 'Tyrannosaurs Meet The Family' exhibition at Newcastle Museum's website.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website

Book Appraisal Event

Ever wondered if there was a rare gem in your collection? Newcastle Library is offering the community a chance to find out the value of their books!

Thursday 29th October 10am -12 noon bring your books along to discuss with the experts in rare, antiquarian, and collectible Australian books - Berkelouw Books. Held in the City Library's Lovett Gallery on the 2nd Floor; enjoy the library's version of antiques roadshow whilst taking in the last days of the beautiful exhibition, A Gift to the City: The Roland Pope Collection. 

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Back to the Future Day

October 21, 2015 is the day chosen by Marty McFly and Dr Emmett "Doc" Brown to time travel forward to in the 1989 movie Back to the Future 11.

The movie featured many speculations about the world in 2015. Some such as flying cars and Jaws 19 have failed to eventuate but some technologies, including handless and wireless video games and multi screens are here. Some surprising inclusions such as drones walking dogs are being tested.

For an in depth review of the status of their predictions go to the BBC website.

You can find out more about the day and the movie on the Back to the FutureDay website and face book page.

World Statistics Day

World Statistics Day is October 20, 2015

The United Nations is promoting data and its role in creating a better world. 

The celebration features a data visualisation competition. The finalists include representations of statistics such as world asylum seekers, refugees, literacy and women in government.

ABS, our national agency for demographic, social, health and economic data is celebrating by sharing a some facts about Australia via  facebook.

You can find economic and demographic about Newcastle on our website. If you need help locating statistics or information you can phone us on 4974 5340 or submit a question.

Man Booker prize winner for 2015

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James's novel brings alive the turbulence of gangland Jamaica in the 1970s and 1980s. It describes a fictional assassination attempt on Bob Marley's life and is told from multiple viewpoints including; journalists, ghosts, killers, drug dealers, beauty queens, FBI and CIA agents. The book is a must read for fans of Tarantino, intense action or the music of Kingston.

James is the first Jamaican novelist to win the Man Booker prize.

Value Your Mind

On Friday, October 9, the Newcastle Region Library along with Ability Links, Compeer, Headspace, Newcastle City Youth Advisory Committee, Samaritans Community Youth Development Project and Vinnies Youth will be hosting a special event and expo to wrap up Mental Health Week. This event will consist of street performances, music, Circus Avalon, street art and much more.

 

Running alongside this event will be an expo of information, agencies and support services available for young people needing assistance in this area. The expo will take place in City Library from 12pm, agencies confirmed to be participating in the expo are Alesco, Oasis Hunter, New Horizons,  Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Youth Mental Health Project, Headspace and CAMHS.

 

 

The performances will start at 4pm, and will take place in Laman Street as well as City Library.

 

The main message of the Value Your Mind campaign is to encourage all individuals to think about how mental health exists in their daily life & promote the need for all individuals to make mental health a priority in their daily lives. When we make our mental health a priority, we are practicing self- care which is an important part of our daily living to ensure the maintenance of a balanced wellbeing.

The event is specifically aimed at young people and raising awareness about how this message is relevant to them.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.