Room

Emma Donoghue

Nominated for the Man Book Prize in 2010, this is an almost unimaginable story. Five-year-old Jack lives in a locked room - "Room" - with his mother, Ma, and has done all his life. He believes that Room is the only "real" part of the world. Everything he sees "in TV" is "Outside" and therefore not real.

One day Ma lets it slip to Jack that there is actually a world outside Room and she suddenly realises that they must now try to escape. Once they finally emerge into the world, Jack has a hard time coping with anything, as does Ma.

Written from Jack's point of view, this book really makes you think about what we take for granted every day in "Outside".

Not at all sensationalist (as books about kidnap and imprisonment can be), this is a very well-written book that grips you from the start, about a woman re-entering the world and a boy encountering it for the very first time as a five-year-old.

(Reviewed by Angela)

Rock and Roll 50s

Last week we had our annual housebound party. The theme this year was the rock and roll era so the show feature young rock and roll dancers, and Elvis impersonator and that old classic game show; The money or the bag.

For those who aren't aware we have a housebound service for roughly 100 patrons who are unable to get into the library. Our hard working housebound librarian, Alison, picks books, DVDs and spoken word for each housebound patron. These are then delivered by volunteer couriers.

Once are year we organise for as many housebound patrons and their couriers as possible to come along to the library were we give them afternoon tea and put on a show.

This years show was a great success due to many staff members and other helpers donating their time and skill. I made the ultimate sacrifice this year dressing up as a woman for the show. It disturbs me how many people told me I made a good woman. As I have promised that I will never do this again the only evidence is the photos below.....

Well those and the video other staff are threatening to put on You tube.

True Spirit: the Aussie girl who took on the World

Jessica Watson

What an awesome story! You may remember last year when there was a bit of controversy over a young (16years old) Australian girl wanting to sail solo, round-the-World. Well, True Spirit is her story. Watson and her family lived on a boat for several years and this was when she developed her love of sailing. She loved to read about sailors and their solo journeys around the World. At around age 14, she decided that she would like to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the World. This was her dream and for the next two years, her main focus. She spent all her spare time reading books, talking to the sailors, crewing for local yachties, and generally mentally preparing herself. Single-minded, determined and ultra focussed, Watson won many supporters who not only helped her to organise sponsorship but also to prepare and equip her yacht.

Watson’s parents certainly copped some flak, both in the media and from strangers on the street, but they had brought all their children up to be responsible and independent - and I don’t think that they could have stopped her from her round-the-World attempt even if they tried!

True Spirit is an awe-inspiring, exhilarating read for boaties and non boaties of all ages. It includes excerpts from her blog, a chart of her circumnavigation, a glossary of sailing terms, lots of photographs as well as a detailed list of the equipment and supplies required for a round-the-World trip.

Reviewed by Jill

Book Trailer - Monsters of Men

Breakout and Fundview

Yes it’s nearly the end of the year and you may have plans for academic study or maybe you are seeking support for a voluntary group for 2011. Is that important financial backing what’s holding you back? Have you heard of Breakout and Fundview?

Here is the perfect solution for all of you who are seeking funding as an individual or as a part of a group. These are both comprehensive databases that provide details of various institutions and organizations that provide money for scholarships and voluntary group/team activities.

Go to www.ilibrary.co.nz and click on Databases.

Breakout: This is the option for individuals.

This database provides access to information on over 2000 awards, scholarships, and grants. This database may be accessed in library or from your home – click on the appropriate link.

Fundview: This is the option for voluntary organisations seeking funding and contains over 600 different funding sources.

This database may be accessed in library or from your home – click on the appropriate link.

All that is required is that you answer the criteria questions to build your profile. Then ask the database to complete the search and it will cross-reference your profile with all the options and you will be provided with a list of possible funding sources.

Both Breakout and Fundview have calendars and alphabetical lists of the funding organisations. The calendar lets you see the closing date for the funding applications. Some of the criteria factors can be age, geographic location, gender and nationality.

One of the most important things to note when gathering the funding opportunities from the databases is the “application close by date”. They all vary.

When you have generated a list of possible funding organisations you can then print off the results. There are no guarantees that your application will be successful but, as the old saying goes, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” - so why not give it a go!

Article by Vanessa.