Newspaper stories

Students from Canberra College who visited the ACT Heritage Library this morning learnt about finding stories in newspapers and the preservation of newspapers in Australia.

We looked at one of the ACT's earliest newspapers, the Canberra Community News (1925-1927) in hardcopy, and then on microfilm. After discussing the use of microfilm and microfiche to preserve newspapers, we looked at the Australian Newspapers website and database of digitised and searchable historic Australian newspapers and searched the Canberra Times from 1926 to 1954.

Finally we looked at today's Canberra Times online, looking at the similarities and differences between online and hardcopy newspapers.

The ACT Heritage Library has a large collection of local and regional newspapers in hard copy and on microfilm. There is a complete list on the ACT Virtual Library.

All I Want For Christmas # 8

I'm hoping to receive a copy of Sweet Surrender: Love, life and the whole damn thing by Mary Moody. I'd also like to read Sweet Poison: Why sugar makes you fat by David Gillespie.

The Story of Danny Dunn

The Story of Danny Dunn is the new book from Bryce Courtenay. The author of numerous bestsellers, including The Power of One, Bryce's new release is set in Australia during World War Two.

In the aftermath of the Great Depression few opportunities existed for working-class boys, but at just eighteen Danny Dunn has a good deal going for him: brains, looks, sporting ability - and an easy charm. His parents run The Hero, a favourite neighbourhood pub, and Danny is a local hero.

Luck changes for Danny when he signs up to go to war. He returns home a physically broken man, to a life that will be changed for ever. Together with Helen, a woman of strength, character and intelligence who becomes his wife, he sets about rebuilding his life. It is a life tormented by personal demons, and shaped by compassion, corruption, love and power - and the gift of twin daughters, Sam and Gabby.

Set against a backdrop of Australian pubs and politics, The Story of Danny Dunn is an Australian family saga spanning three generations. It is a compelling tale of love, ambition and the destructive power of obsession, at a time of great change in Australia's history.

Visit Bryce Courtenay's web site for more information and to read the first chapter.

All I want for Christmas # 7

Following on from a recent author visit, I’d like to read Felice Arena’s Wish.

All I want for Christmas # 6

The title of Audrey Niffenegger’s book The Time Traveller’s Wife grabbed my attention so I would like to read that.

Vulpes Libris

Vulpes Libris is a collective of bibliophiles writing about books. Visit the blog to read the work of reviewers from all walks of life who have diverse interests and share a love of books.

Booklovers will also enjoy interviews with authors and publishers. Special features include: in conversation with famous readers, theme weeks, and the Thursday soapbox.

Book Fox (vulpes libris): a small bibliovorous mammal of overactive imagination and uncommonly large bookshop expenses. Book foxes live in a wide variety of habitats, and usually find something to read in the unlikeliest places. They tend to hunt alone but often gather in packs to discuss their prey.

All I want for Christmas # 5

I’d like to read Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin which I’ve already listened to on audio book and seen at the movies.

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's Story Time

Come along to the library for some Christmas stories, songs and fun. With a special guest visit at the end of story time!

• Belconnen - Tuesday 8 December
• Tuggeranong - Wednesday 9 December
• Gungahlin - Thursday 10 December
• Erindale - Monday 14 December
• Kippax - Wednesday 16 December
• Woden - Thursday 17 December
• Dickson - Friday 18 December
  
• All sessions begin at 10.30am.
• Story time is targeted at 3 – 5 year olds, however other ages are also welcome to attend. No bookings required.

All I want for Christmas # 4

I want to read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, both by Ayn Rand. I read them forty years ago, and would like to re-visit the stories.

Meet the Author: Blow the Wind Southerly

From the grime of an English industrial town to the sparkling tropical seas of northern Australia and the blood soaked trenches of northern France, Vincent Smith will share with you the story behind his novel Blow the Wind Southerly, a sweeping story of greed, cruelty and tremendous love.

Thursday 3 December 2009
2pm - 3pm
Dickson Library

Bookings: www.library.act.gov.au or phone 6205 9000.