What's New?

All New Digital Libraries for Auckland

If you were a member of any of the previous library networks: Auckland, Manukau, North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney, Franklin and Papakura – you now have access to the Digital Library.

The Digital Library is ideal for those who cannot physically get to the library for books and information due to time constraints or other reasons. It is great for researchers, teachers, students, and parents helping their kids with homework.

You can use your current library barcode and PIN to access the Digital Library, which holds 100+ specialist eResources encompassing some of the world’s most sought after information:

• Renowned encyclopaedias, e.g. World Book Online and Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
• Top business statistics and information, e.g. Kompass, MarketLine
• Top arts eResources Oxford Art Online and William Blake’s America
• Fun interactive children’s sites: TumbleBooks and TumbleReadables
• World-class online exhibitions e.g. Shades of Grey, Shakespeare, and, Is It Real Gold?
• Downloadable Media (eAudio books)
• Auckland and specialist family history databases, e.g. passenger lists and cemetery records
• Digitised heritage material e.g. Manuscripts Online

Visit the all-new Digital Library now: www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/digitallibrary

Auckland Libraries - Make The Most Of Our Courtesy Reminders

No more fines! Auckland Libraries helps you make the most of the biggest public library collection in Australasia without chalking up overdue fines.

As part of Auckland Libraries from 1 November, you will have access to approximately 3.5 million items from 55 libraries stretching from Wellsford to Waiuku – managing up to 35 items on your card can be a breeze with the help of our courtesy reminder email service.

How courtesy notices work

The notices:

• Are sent to you via email
• Are sent three days before the library items are due back
• Provide you with options to either renew or return items
• Aim to help you manage your borrowing and hopefully eliminate or reduce overdue fines.

If you’re not subscribed to this free service, please update your email address right away and automatically receive courtesy notices.

You can do this by logging into your My Info account and choosing ‘Modify personal information’. 

Come 1 November, not only will Auckland Libraries give you access to a massive combined collection, it’s also offering free requests.

This means, from 1 November, you can reserve that book or magazine or DVD you’ve been hankering to read or watch totally free of charge. Rental charges apply on certain collections when you borrow, e.g. $2 for a DVD for a week.

To see Auckland Libraries’ full list of new library fees, overdue charges and loan periods, visit the borrowing information page.

Auckland Libraries - a new chapter

From 1 November, the 55 libraries within the Auckland region will join together and be known as Auckland Libraries. You can borrow from and return to any of the 55 libraries. You'll enjoy better services and benefits right across Auckland.

From 1 November, you can use your library card at Auckland Libraries to access approximately 3.5 million items including fiction and non-fiction books, CDs, DVDs, console games, audio books, foreign language and reference materials, plus over 100 eResources providing access to the world's information.

Borrowing fees and loan periods will be consistent across the 55 libraries.

Free membership

There will be no joining or membership fees for residents of Auckland. Everything is free to borrow except for bestsellers and rental items (DVDs, CDs, console games). Charges on children's or teens' overdue books or items no longer apply except for rental collections. Audio books will be free to borrow.

Out-of-zone subscriptions

The subscription fee for residents living outside the boundaries of Auckland Council from 1 November is $160 per annum.

Existing loans

Items borrowed before 1 November will be subject to existing terms. If renewed after 1 November the new terms and conditions will apply.

New overdue fees and how to avoid them

Any items borrowed or renewed after 1 November will be on the new borrowing terms. Overdue fees for an adult book will increase to 50 cents per day. Borrowing a bestseller book remains at $5.

Reminder notices is a free email service to help you manage your borrowing. It will be available region-wide from 1 November. With this service, you get a reminder email advising of any items due back in 3 days. You then have the choice of renewing the item, or returning it by its due date. This service is currently available in Auckland, Franklin, Manukau, Papakura, North Shore and Rodney.

Look out for colourful posters and leaflets now available at your library.

More information will be available from 1 November. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please ask your librarian.

The Man Booker Prize 2010

The Man Booker Prize 2010

The Man Booker Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards.

Six books have been short listed for the 2010 prize & the winner is to be announced 12 October.

This year Peter Carey, Emma Donoghue, Damon Galgut, Howard Jacobson, Andrea Levy and Tom McCarthy are in line for the top prize.

The Prize
The 2010 Shortlist
The Lost Man Booker Prize - 39 Years Late
Websites

The Prize

The Booker prize aims to recognize the year’s best original novel written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe.

NNow sponsored by the investment company Man Group, the Booker Prize was first awarded in 1969. Its winners have generally gone on to attain international success & recognition. A ‘longlist’ of 12 books was selected in July. From this a shortlist of 6 books were chosen.

The 2010 Shortlist

Parrot and Olivier in America By Peter Carey

Australian author Peter Carey has won the Booker Prize two times. This book tells the story of two characters from very different walks of life. Olivier is an aristocrat (a character modelled on Alexis de Tocqueville), born in France just after the Revolution, and Parrot is the son of an itinerant English printer.

"In short, it’s a buddy novel. But what a novel! Funny, bawdy, brainy and moving, Parrot & Olivier in America is an utter delight." The Globe & Mail.

Room : A Novel By Emma Donoghue

Donoghue’s story was inspired by the Josef Fritzl case. Five year old Jack’s mother was abducted & the two of them are held captive in a tiny room. Jack tells us the story of their lives.

"In the hands of this audacious novelist, Jack's tale is more than a victim-and-survivor story: it works as a study of child development, shows the power of language and storytelling, and is a kind of sustained poem in praise of motherhood and parental love." The Guardian.

In a Strange Room By Damon Galgut.

This book is made up of three stories. They all feature the same character and his travels he has made through Greece, India and Africa.

“These stories are low-key and subtle. Galgut writes with a beautiful sense of the visible world, and an acute understanding of how people relate, or fail to relate, to each other.”
Living Scotsman.com.

The Finkler Question By Howard Jacobson

This witty yet poignant story explores the nature of Jewishness.
“... marks another memorable achievement for Jacobson, a writer who never fires blanks and whose dialogue, which reads like an exchange between Sigmund Freud and Woody Allen, races along like a runaway train.” Herald Scotland.

The Long Song (Audio book) By Andrea Levy.

This tale follows the life of July, a slave. Its setting is Jamaica during the last years of slavery and the early years of freedom that followed.

“Andrea Levy’s insightful and inspired fifth novel, “The Long Song,” reminds us that she is one of the best historical novelists of her generation…. It’s clear that Levy has done her research, but this work never intrudes upon the narrative, which travels at a jaunty pace. Levy’s sly humor swims just under the surface of the most treacherous waters.” The Washington Post.

C By Tom McCarthy.

Serge Carrefax is a man transfixed by the by technologies that emerge during his lifetime.
But will this prove to be his undoing?

“This is one of the most brilliant books to have hit the shelves this year, and McCarthy deserves high praise for an electric piece of writing which should be read and enjoyed as much as dissected and discussed.” Telegraph.

The Lost Man Booker Prize - 39 years late

This year saw the Lost Man Booker Prize awarded. This prize is for the best novel of 1970. In 1971 the competition rules changed & books published in 1970 missed out on the prize. So the Lost Man Booker Prize is a special award to recognise those books that didn’t have the opportunity to win.

The winner was Troubles by J.G. Farrell. While Farrell won the Booker in 1973 (for The siege of Krishnapur: a novel) he never got to collect this prize. Sadly he died in an accident in 1979.

Troubles is set in post World War One Ireland. It tells the story of a British major & his pursuit of a woman amidst the turmoil of the Irish War of Independence.

Websites.

Launch Your Lyrics winners announced!

Jana Nee's winning lyrics, 'I carry you'. Click image to view pdf.

On Your Bike - The Bike Code

It's not too cold and it's not too hot.

It's the perfect time to start biking to work or school.

Before you start, make sure you are doing the right thing, borrow the Bike Code from your library.

This book was written for New Zealand conditions and roads and is easy to read.

To find more books on cycling search our library catalogue using the subject search Cycling or Bicycle.Make your next trip by bike!

• Commuting by bike, ride to school, to the shops, to your work
• Get fit
• Save money
• Safety rules for cyclists

Commuting by bike, ride to school, to the shops, to your work.

Using your bike as transport can bring all sorts of benefits. Cycling is good for your heath and lowers stress levels. It is also good for your community - if more people biked to work or school it could lower the number of road accidents, and reduce pollution and congestion. Over short distances during peak times cycling can be twice as quick as driving.

• Check out cycling in Waitakere City
• Aucklanders share their cycling experiences
• Cycle Action Auckland - Cycle Action's aim is to making cycling safer and easier in Auckland
• Cycling Advocates' Network - A voice for Kiwi cyclists

Get fit

Save money

Reduce parking fees or petrol costs. If you used to drive to and from work 5 days a week, cycling could potentially save you over $1,000 a year - money which can be spent on other things.

Safety rules for cyclists

Remember, we all share the road and bikes are vehicles too. Be safe by keeping alert and using common sense.

• Safe cycling checklist
• Cycles: Road rules and equipment
• Road rules for cyclists

Community Education Computer Course

The Sturges West Learning Centre is pleased to offer community volunteers free computer classes to help them improve their confidence and computer skills. Class content is determined by the skill of those attending - that means you tell us what you want to learn, whether it be improving your Internet search skills, becoming familiar with a website or using online tools.

The course includes:

• How to fill in online forms
• Searching the internet
• A focus on frequently used websites or those that you wish to learn more about
• Websites that may be useful in your work, e.g. Waitakere Online, Community Education Online etc...

For the more advanced:

• Advanced search strategies
• Hints and tips on how to get the most out of website navigation

The course is a condensed three hour session, which stops for a 15 minute tea break (coffee, tea and Milo provided). Each class has a 10 person maximum, and bookings are essential.

Please register to:

Mavi Zimba
Sturges West Learning Centre