Sutherland Shire Libraries Staff News

I was very fortunate to attend the ALIA 2012 Conference last week. With a theme of Discovery, I sure had my eyes opened as to some of the latest things happening in libraries around Australia. Some of the highlights for me were the keynote speakers Justice Michael Kirby (who can still remember his school librarians' names - can you?); Michael Whitelaw from the University of Canberra who introduced me to the concept of and developments in the discovery of digital information as opposed to the search for it; and an author's panel of Melina Marchetta, Matthew Reilly, Richard Glover, Anita Heiss and P.M. Newton. The personality differences were considerable - but paying out Matthew Reilly for his success and the speed at which he writes was a common thread!

It was good to get out of the public library environment and mingle with others from academic, special, school and State libraries and to hear of some of their programs and staff development initiatives. Collaborations with big business (Rio Tinto in WA), state governments (Parks Victoria), local art galleries and museums, libraries continuing with '23 Things' programs similar to the Library 2.0 program we had a few years ago, techniques for leading change and the power of research in Library Advocacy were all very interesting to me. Many libraries routinely include social media functions in their position descriptions and performance reviews.

I also saw Melissa Smith, volunteering her time assisting as an ALIA organiser, Melinda Hammer, Alex Cato, who is now loving work as a Research Librarian for law firm Ashurst and others who I knew from my studies. It was a great opportunity for me and I encourage you to say 'YES!' when next we are asked for expressions of interest.

Sue S

For all you Hunger Games fans out there...

Whats happening 
Guess what we've got! Check out these lovely photos of Jess's wedding.

July Theme- Discover
July Theme is Discover. To celebrate this theme, the sort room staff are creating a display each week to help customers discover new genres. A different genre will be featured each week, these being Fantasy, Historical, Humour and Australian Authors. A list of authors pertaining to each genre will be posted each Monday of July on Library News.

Millenium
 Are you ready? As I am sure you are all aware, the Millenium rollout is 21st June. The ref team will have roving staff members  near the OPAC's to assist and encourage customers to use Encore.

New Library App
Love2read app. A free app for your iphone or ipad has been created to celebrate the National Year of Reading. You can find it at the app store-love2read (itunes.apple.com).

More Knitting
Engadine Library is holding another Holiday Knitting workshop on 4th July.
 Many thanks to those knitting librarians and knitting group ladies who have kindly completed lots of book marks to send to Canberra as part of their world record attempt, to create a bookmark that is 4.7 kilometres long, the distance betwween Civic and Dickson Libraries in Canberra. Thanks also to everyone who has promoted this project.

Litl event- Sherlock Holmes
 This event was booked out, with 45 people attending. Thanks to everyone who helped to promote this event, and particularly big thankyou to the staff at Cronulla Library for their efforts in hosting this event.

Look Exhibition at Hazelhurst Gallery
Melinda Mac has been working very hard, in conjunction with Hazelhurst gallery for the Look exhibition.  Melinda says:
 This exhibition will be at Hazelhurst, 30th June - 5th August with the works of some well known Australian children's book illustrators.


Display Ideas
2nd-8th July- Naidoc week
2nd July- World UFO day.
8th-14th July- Diabetes Awareness week
10th July - Teddy Bear picnic day.
13th July- yes, its Friday the 13th again!
14th July - Bastille Day
29th-4th August- National missing people week


What's on

 Author Talk with Jaye Ford
The best selling crime writer will be talking about her latest book release, Scared Yet?
Tuesday, 26th June, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Cronulla Library.
A free event, bookings essential

 Author talk with Sue Whiting
Sue Whiting, popular children's author and book editor, will talk to parents and caregivers about inspiring children to become readers.

LITL event - Shakespeare Talk with Robert Englund
Tuesday, 31st July, 10.30am

Sixteen happy listeners enjoyed hearing Melinda read a Jeffrey Archer short story last Wednesday. A rainy, windy day was just right for a lunch time story in our southern lounge. The story ran a fraction over time but nobody left - they all waited for the twist in the tale.
Melinda had enrolled her family in spreading the news and this month coincided with Leader advertisements and other Jess organised publicity. Thank you both.
Amber and understudy Jess are scheduled for Wednesday 4/7/2012.
Dianne.