Kid 2 - Luke

This is Luke, my spunky little boy. He is now 16 months old and boy has time flown. I blogged about him last June too. Amazing what can happen in just one year. We can now walk, sleep, talk (some words) and boy can we eat! Luke is the human garbage disposal. If we are full (or if Adam doesn't eat his dinner) that's ok because Luke will polish everything off!

Luke loves playing with toys (cars especially) and he loves putting stuff like blocks in other things. He also loves to get right to back of the cupboard to get that toy as per the photo above! But most importantly he loves "Ducky" which he got for Easter. Snuggles in to him everynight.

He FINALLY sleeps through. This was a nightmare kid. Realistically it was only once he turned one that he stopped crying in the night and has only been about a month since he has slept right through for a full 12 hours (I was spoilt with Adam I know...)

Luke loves his big brother most of all. Together they laugh, play (and fight). But Luke adores him. Follows him everywhere. So lovely to see...

Really looking forward to the next 12months as Luke will go from baby to toddler. Fun times ahead!

Kid 1 - Adam

This is my gorgeous little boy Adam. The first picture is of a rare lunchtime nap, and the second is him posing after seeing the photo of him sleeping. I blogged about Adam (or Addy, or Adsy) last June. It really is amazing at this age how much kids grow up. He turned 3 in March.

In the last year he has become a little man. He is now toilet trained (except at night), he now swims all alone with the other big kids and he no longer has a dummy.

Current obsessions include dressing up in costumes (Batman, Buzz Lightyear, Lizard etc.) TV wise we are obsessed with Mike the Knight and still fairly fond of Shaun the Sheep. Food wise we are obsessed with eating very little (but mushrooms, sausages, cheese, juice and bananas are ok).

He is still a fabulous big brother though he needs to learn to share (especially his cars), and needs to stop pushing if he doesn't get his own way.

All is all he is a fabulous little munchkin. Love him to bits and looking forward to seeing him develop in the next year.

Book: The Dog Fence

Summary: At 5400 kilometres, the Dog Fence is one of the longest man-made structures on Earth. It slices across Australia’s desert heart, dividing the continent to keep dingoes away from livestock. Bestselling author James Woodford embarks on a journey to follow its length, travelling some of the loneliest and harshest country in the world. He begins on a clifftop overlooking the Great Australian Bight and ends in the foothills of Queensland’s Bunya Mountains. He meets many of the remarkable people who maintain this amazing barrier as he passes through rocket ranges, nuclear test areas, sacred sites and places where nineteenth-century explorers perished. The Dog Fence is an enthralling account of a most unusual journey over sand, gibber plains and salt lakes. It is about the hazards of travel, the lessons of history and the passion and resilience of the men and women on the land.

What I thought: LOVED this book! I have had it on my shelves for years but picked it up because I watched a story on Landline about it. I couldn't put it down. I would read bits then Google to find out more about stations and locations. Just amazing!



Book: Tim Fischer's Outback Heroes

Summary:  Tim Fischer and Peter Rees tell the tales of some real outback heroes, their communities and their success in bouncing back from hardship to success. Full of canny thinking, hard work and a refusal to give up, these truly inspiring stories come from every corner of Australia.  The gap between the city and the bush has never been greater and the bush has never had to work harder to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing society.  This is a book about the never-say-die spirit of those who live in regional Australia the people and communities who see opportunity and the chance for renewal where others see dust.

What I thought: Hit and miss! I bought this at Clunes Booktown before hearing Tim Fischer talk. Like most of these books some characters you love and think are amazing and others are just so so. But it did highlight the fighting spirit of the bush. So proud to live in this beautiful land.

Card Swap #4

And the last lot...

Card Swap #3

And the next few...

Card Swap #2

Here are the next few...

Card Swap #1

Me and 19 of my closest friends (including acquaintances and strangers) have taken part in a card swap challenge. The general gist was that you made 20 of the same cards (one design), then you sent them to me, I split them out and send you back 20 different cards. The next few post are photos of the cards. Would love to hear which ones people like! (sorry some uploaded the wrong way).

Ballarat Technology Park Breakfast

On May 15th myself and a colleague headed out to The University of Ballarat Technology Park for a breakfast talk. Shane Carmody from the State Library of Victoria came to speak about The Changing Role of Libraries in the Digital Age.


Basically he discussed the Ballarat Store of the SLV and how it works and it's future, then he discussed online resources and some digitisation projects occurring at the SLV. For me I had pretty much heard it all before from one of the many talks or visits I've had to Melbourne. However my colleague was fascinated. All new information which highlighted the amazing work of SLV.

For me, it was fantastic that this sort of event was held in regional Victoria. It was also fantastic to catch up with other local colleagues who ranged from academic, school and public libraries. Makes me think that I could organise something else like this. Now just to find a library speaker who would be willing to travel...

Monday Night Bookgroup: The Slap

Summary: At a barbecue in suburban Melbourne, a man slaps a three year old boy across the face. The child, Hugo, has been misbehaving without any intervention by his parents, "the steely-eyed Rosie and the wimpish Gary". The slapper is Harry, cousin of the barbecue host and adulterous businessman whose slightly older son, Rocco, is being threatened by Hugo. This event sends the other characters "into a spiral, agonising and arguing over the notion that striking a child can ever be justified. Some believe a naughty boy should be taught some discipline, others maintain the police ought to be brought in to investigate a common assault" with a range of positions in between.

What I thought: I really loved this book and really hated the characters. They were all horrible! I did find it a hard slog though to get through it all. I sort of went in spurts of 100 pages here, then another 100 pages a few weeks later...  But it did lead for great bookgroup discussions. I just felt that the majority of characters were not in suburbia (well certainly not the one I love in). But maybe I lead a sheltered life...  I don't know if I will read any of his other books but I am still pleased I read this considering all the hype about it. I've got the TV series to watch now (but no time to watch it)!

Clunes Booktown

Once again I was fortunate enough to head out to Clunes for Booktown this year. So handy when it is only 20 minutes up the road.

On the Saturday I headed out by myself and browsed collections, purchased books, ate lots of yummy food and listened to a variety of guest speakers (notes below).

On the Sunday my hubby went to work so I took the kids to Booktown for a few hours to enjoy the attractions. This included stepping into the world of Narnia and sitting int he big story chair (see below), dancing and singing with a local musician, running around in the hay bale maze and it was finished off with a horse and cart ride.

I had a fantastic time and can't wait to do it all again next year.

Notes from the guest speakers:

Peter Rose (editor of Australian Book Review) on Reviewing

Have the confidence. Find your markets.
Sites like ABR have guidelines to help.
Lots of stuff in from the PR machines of publishers. Often we get lazy and use what they supply.
Not enough people tell it like it is. Tend to gloss over more...

Writing for family (Alice Pung and Anna Goldsworthy)

Both brilliant speakers!

AP - Second book is so different/such a different voice from the first. First book was as a 19 year old. She grew up!

AG - Writing family is a fine line. Your writing about THEM!Z Do they have a say? One thing to think it - another to write it! What to omit/include? Your memories are highly subjective.

I also listened to the Patrick White's Centenary talk and the Tim Fishcher talk. Both excellent too!

Research Involvement for Librarians

Question: How are you involved in research within your organisation? Should you be more involved? Less? What are the benefits and drawbacks of being involved?

Here at my place of work and I have recently begun to get more involved with the formal side of research. This includes me being an "expert" on the Human Research and Ethics Committee (HREC) which bridges both hospitals in the region, and I'm also now sitting on the Research Advisory Committee. I feel that the library is now working much more collaboratively with the research department and that we are marketing the library in a much more positive light. But I can't help but wonder if there is more I could be doing... I know that academic libraries are very different but in special libraries we are more thinly staffed and we can't do it all... Thoughts? What committees do you sit on that you think form an essential part of your job?

Stamp Club

At the start of the year I joined my local Stampin Up Stamp Club. I love their products and really like the concept of Stamp Club. There are 8 in the group. You meet 8 times per year at the demonstrators house. Each month you get to make something (see below). The rule is that you have to spend $38 on products. Then once a month you get to be "hostess" and reap any of the benefits. So here is what I madwe on Friday night. A gorgous card/box. Basically I will wrap some jewellery in tissue paper and pop it in as the gift.

I won a book!

So excited. Just got an email saying I won a copy of Jilted by Rachael Johns. I entered the competition through Cathryn Hein's blog. I already love Cathryn's books and if the blurb of Jilted is anything to go by I'm sure I'll love Rachael's books too. You all know how much I adore my rural romances so this has just made me so happy and cheery on a miserable Friday afternoon!

So what did I have to do? Just share my ideal breakfast. Here's what I wrote:


Mmm. Breakfast. Mine is similar to bacon and eggs but it our own take. It is affectionately known as steak and eggs. Marinated steak tips, fried eggs, home made chunky toast with lashings of butter, sautéed mushrooms and a home made hash brown. Delicious!

Book: Follow the Morning Star

Summary: Queenie and TR return in Di Morrissey's sequel to the bestselling Heart of the Dreaming (review here).  Queenie Hanlon has a perfect life. She's the mother of two adoring children, the wealthy owner of a thriving outback station and the wife of handsome bushman TR Hamilton. Then one day, Queenie's perfect life comes crashing down...

Her bitter and vengeful brother returns from Italy to lay claim to his inheritance. Her precious daughter is seduced by her uncle into giving up all Queenie's strived for. And her beloved TR, injured in a riding accident, can no longer recall the life they once shared.

What I thought: Ah, gotta love a good sequel. So nice to jump back into the lives of characters you love...

Crafting...

One thing I LOVE to do is craft. By this I mean scrapbooking and cardmaking. Problem is that with two small kids I rarely find the time. There is no way known I can do anything during the day while they are awake. And these days, by the time they are in bed I am too exhausted to do anything. So generally I slump on the couch or read...

However, one a month I go to a Stampin Up Stamp Club (which is tonight) and once a month I head to my friends for a Kaszazz Workshop (either cards or double page as above). I love these nights out as it gives me a chance to chat and relax and do something that I enjoy. I just wish I had more hours in the day (or energy) to inguldge in this hobby more often...

Another thing I have done recently with a great bunch of girls (including @shewgirl and @fionawb) is to organise a "card swap". Basically 20 of us from 5 states all made 20 of the same card. They have been posted to me (still waiting for one) and when I get them all I will split them up. That way you make one design (20 times) but get 20 different cards back in return. I'll take photos and add them over the coming weeks.

Book: Size 14 is Not Fat Either

Summary:  Former pop star Heather Wells has settled nicely into her new life as assistant dorm director at New York College - a career that does not require her to drape her size 12 body in embarrassingly skimpy outfits. She can even cope (sort of) with her rocker ex-boyfriend's upcoming nuptials, which the press has dubbed The Celebrity Wedding of the Decade. But she's definitely having a hard time dealing with the situation in the dormitory kitchen, where a cheerleader has lost her head on the first day of the semester. (Actually, her head is accounted for it's her torso that's AWOL.)

Surrounded by hysterical students (with her ex-con father on her doorstep and her ex-love bombarding her with unwanted phone calls) Heather welcomes the opportunity to play detective . . . again. If it gets her mind off her personal problems and teams her up again with the gorgeous P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives it's all good. But the murder trail is leading the average-sized amateur investigator into a shadowy world. And if she doesn't watch her step, Heather will soon be singing her swan song!

What I thought: I LOVED this. I also enjoyed the first and this was just like meeting an old friend. I had lots of laugh out loud moments. I mean sure it's pretty tacky but still so wroth the time!

Libraries and Digital Repositories

Here at work we are looking into having an organisational "Digital Repository".  I emailed a few e-lists the other day to see if any small libraries had digital repository. I got a number of responses that all pointed to dSpace. Are any of you out there using dSpace? Are you using something else? Thoughts? How do you go about it? Does the library run the project or is it another department? Is the repository well used? Up to date? Highly regarded? Any insights are most appreciated as I start along this journey.

Book: Wattle Creek

Summary: Damien McAllister is a man on the brink. Spending long, hard days on a farm he has no affection for, and nights ignoring the criticisms of his mother, Damien can no longer remember what he's living for. But in a small town like Wattle Creek, there are few people to turn to - and Damien learned long ago to keep his problems to himself.  Until Jacqueline Havelock, a young psychologist escaping her own issues, arrives fresh from the city and makes Damien question everything he has known about himself…also igniting a spark in his lonely heart.  Soon Damien is daring to ask for more than an ordinary life, and can glimpse the possibility of happiness. Will this accidental farmer dare to fulfil the long-forgotten legacy of his father and find peace in the arms of the doctor?  Or will the ghosts of their pasts threaten the fragile new lives they've just begun to build?

What I thought: OMG. I so LOVED this book. Read it in two days (which is pretty quick for me with the two tiny tackers!). Just a fantastic rural romance which helped top touch on a serious rural issue. Highly recommend.

Bonfire night

Once or twice a year we have a big bonfire night. Saturday night was lots of fun and the kids had a ball.

Before

During

After

Book: Naomi's Wish

Summary: It had always been Dr Naomi Fontaine's dream to practice small town medicine - an ambition that has brought her to the quirky, tight knit community of Cypress Hollow. But no matter how hard she tries, the locals still treat her with suspicion. Then ruggedly handsome Rig Keller walks into town and Naomi's heart stops for all the wrong reasons. For a few months back Rig was a rip roaring, throw caution to the wind one night stand. Now he's her partner at the practice - and keen to play doctors once more...

What I thought: Another trashy romance that hit the spot. I like that it is loosely based on her previous two books so that I feel like I already know the characters. Wish I could knit too!

Monday and Tuesday night bookgroup: Horse Boy

Summary: When his son Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson was devastated, afraid he might never be able to communicate with his child. But when Isaacson, a lifelong horseman, rode their neighbor's horse with Rowan, Rowan improved immeasurably. He was struck with a crazy idea: why not take Rowan to Mongolia, the one place in the world where horses and shamanic healing intersected?

The Horse Boy is the dramatic and heartwarming story of that impossible adventure. In Mongolia, the family found undreamed of landscapes and people, unbearable setbacks, and advances beyond their wildest dreams. This is a deeply moving, truly one of a kind story of a family willing to go to the ends of the earth to help their son, and of a boy learning to connect with the world for the first time.

What I thought: I started reading this and thought it was going to be all about hippies but I LOVED it. I really got into the story and thought it was fabulous. I'm not sure I'd be so willing to undertake such a big adventure with my autistic child but who knows, maybe I could find the inner strength. I borrowed the documentary from the library so am hoping to watch it later this week.

Blogging June

OK, so it's that time of the year again. June. Last year I managed 30 posts in the 30 days. But life was very different then. I was home on maternity leave. However, I'm still going to give it a try this year and we'll just see how we go.  So a little about me...

My name is Gemma. Professionally I'm a medical librarian. I work as the Library Manager at Ballarat Health Services. I have worked here for just on 10 years but became the Manager only a few short months ago. I love my job and the people I work with and am very excited about the direction we are heading.

Personally speaking, I live on 5 acres on the outskirts of Ballarat. I am married to the most wonderful man and together we have two small children. Adam just turned 3 and is a cheeky and fun loving little man. Luke was 16 months the other day. The highlight at this age is that he has just started walking and that he comes out with new words everyday.

So I'm looking forward to sharing this June blogging journey with you all. What can you expect? You can expect to see my book reviews, the card marking or scrapbooking projects I've been working on, a little bit about my family, a little bit about my life, and a little bit about my job. Or really who knows, you'll have to check back to find out!

Book: Devil's Corner

Summary: When prosecutor Vicki Allegretti arrives at a rowhouse to meet a confidential informant, she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time -- and is almost shot to death. She barely escapes with her life, but cannot save the two others gunned down before her disbelieving eyes. Stunned and heartbroken, Vicki tries to figure out how a routine meeting on a minor case became a double homicide. Vicki's suspicions take her to Devil's Corner, a city neighborhood teetering on the brink of ruin -- thick with broken souls, innocent youth, and a scourge that preys on both. But the deeper Vicki probes, the more she becomes convinced that the murders weren't random and the killers were more ruthless than she thought. When another murder thrusts Vicki together with an unlikely ally, she buckles up for a wild ride down a dangerous street -- and into the cross-hairs of a conspiracy as powerful as it is relentless.

What I thought: I enjoyed this. Not one of her best but a nice easy read with good characters. Simple crime where you don't have to think too hard!

Book: The Valley

Summary: The valley is nestled between rugged peaks, divided by a magnificent river. Within its peaceful green contours are held the secrets of generations of tribes, families and loners who have come under its spell. But some secrets are never shared, never told. Until one woman returns and begins asking questions... and discovers the story of a forgotten valley pioneer whose life becomes entwined with hers. But in looking into her own family's history she uncovers more than she ever expected – and what her mother hoped would always remain a secret...

What I thought: Great book. Although I may need a break from Di Morrissey as am having a bit of author overload. But I still really enjoyed. She captures country towns and landscapes so well.

Book: Bella's Run

Summary: Bella Vermaelon and her best friend Patty are two fun-loving country girls bonded in a sisterhood no blood tie could ever beat. Now they are coming to the end of a road trip which has taken them from their family farms in the rugged Victorian high country to the red dust of the Queensland outback. For almost a year they have mustered on cattle stations, cooked for weary stockmen, played hard at rodeos and outback parties, and danced through life like a pair of wild tumbleweeds. And with the arrival of Patty's brother Will and Bella's cousin Macca, it seems love is on the horizon too ...

Then a devastating tragedy strikes, and Bella's world is changed for ever. So she runs - from the only life she has ever known. But can she really turn her back on the man she loves? Or on the land that runs deep in her blood?

What I thought: I LOVED this book. Two wickedly bad country girls having a ball then the serious side of life taking over. A fantastic rural read!

Book: The Road Home

Summary: Lara Turner has a boyfriend, a nice house in the city and a chance at a big promotion. So when her brother calls asking her to come home, she hesitates. Can she face the memoires that inhabit the beloved place of her childhood? And how does she feel with the news it's to be sold? Could she be the answer to saving the family farm? Jack Morgan has memories of his own to contend with. A falling out with his family and a bitter end to a past relationship have left a big chip on his shoulder. When his best mate's beautiful sister arrives on the scene, he finds himself deeply conflicted. Lara and Jack have a powerful attraction but are constantly at odds. Will their love of the same land keep them apart, or grow into a love of a different kind?

What I thought: I LOVED this book. So fabulous. The girl, the boy, the farm. Le sigh! Heaven! Can't get enough of these!

Book: Purple Roads

Summary: Anna and Matt Butler were childhood sweethearts with a dream of owning their own land, a dream they achieved through hard work and determination. But as the seasons conspire against them and Matt is involved in a terrible accident, the couple face financial ruin and the loss of their farm. As they fight for everything they hold dear, they suddenly find themselves caught up in events much bigger and more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. Purple Roads is a story about maintaining faith in yourself, staying true to your ideals and, most of all, the belief that some things are worth fighting for.

What I thought: I really enjoyed this though not so much as her others. I think it might have been for a few reasons. Firstly I read it in bits (over about 10 days so that didn't help). Also it wasn't what I was expecting. I wanted more of the farm and female heroine that this genre is now famous for. Anyway, still enjoyed it but not one of my all time favourites.

The Big Read, at Ballarat Library

Yesterday I headed to the Ballarat Library with the kids for the Big Read event. Adam had lots of fun as he got to do some colouring in and he made a bookmark for his Nanny. He even got to draw on his hat so that was great fun! We then listened to some stories, and danced to some music. Then we sat down to read altogether. We last about 10 minutes so that was pretty good. All in all a fun time was had. Hoping they have it again next year :)

Tuesday Night Bookgroup: Notes on a Scandal

Summary: When the new teacher first arrives, Barbara immediately senses that this woman will be different from the rest of her staff-room colleagues. But Barbara is not the only one to feel that Sheba is special, and before too long Sheba is involved in an illicit affair with a pupil. Barbara finds the relationship abhorrent, of course, but she is the only adult in whom Sheba can properly confide. So when the liaison is found out and Sheba's life falls apart, Barbara is there...

What I thought: I quite enjoyed this book even though all the characters are ghastly! It will be interesting to see what everyone else thought!

Library Camp 2012

In the same week as VALA I was lucky enough to head back down to Melbourne on the Friday for Library Camp Australia 2012. Here are my notes from the day:

Hamish @hamishcurry

Partnerships essential. Talking is free. Inkind.
Filter bubbles. There is a whole world outside our own.
Help people build networks (beyond the first 10 results)
Problem vs Potential. Innovations have risks.
Empower your followers/staff.
Networks are powerful.

Mobile apps talk

Android - Google Ap Inventor
iPhone - Must be Mac Inventor

Instead do a "mobile version" of our website... Often through LMS.

Leadership talk

Macro level - change culture
Micro level - the "one" person

Involve HR
Keep the big picture in mind,
Leaders different to managers.
Look outside your workplace for advice.
Never one solution that fits.
Mistakes are OK. We learn from these.
No problems - only opportunities.
People are important - we're not going to leave you behind!
CULTURE. CULTURE.
Ask! Ask! Ask!
Leaders inspire.
Mangers mange the details.
Must communicate with staff.

Lightning talks (notes from 3 I got most out of)

Self promotion - Talk about yourself in a positive way. Use your strengths. Take up opportunities offered. Use your networks.

Put in applications for grants and research.

Ask - don't be hesitant. Nothing to lose.

Research talk

Do more professional reading.
RAILS.
Publish more in Incite, HLI etc.
Collaborate with others (just need ideas)
Conference - ie. HLI
What do others want to know?

Creativity talk

Libex (icon in Amazon that says if your library has book).

What I thought:

I had a fabulous day especially as I got to catch up with Sherrill, Jill, Tan and Margie. Plus I finally got to meet Steph! Then I got to touch base with lots of other library colleagues, twitter friends and interstates friends who I rarely see in life! I also came home with several good ideas and am in the stage of implementing some within my workplace :)

VALA 2012

I was lucky enough to go for a full day this year thanks to Health Libraries Inc. I caught the early train. Here are my notes from the sessions I attended:

Jason Griffey - Libraries and the post PC era

Website usage. 80% access online 20% in person
Can we get stats?
How much time is spent on your website...not 80%!

Apple iOS - what we need to pay attention to as it is the device people are buying.
Look at getting iPad for work.

Most popular way for people to interact is TOUCH. But we don't have any TOUCH options for library users...

X-Box - great for Adam... using gestures. GESTURE based interface is coming...

Twine - generic device which can tell you all sorts of things like a door opening, machine stopping, book moving...

Future:

Flip scanning: digitising book. 200 pages in 1 minute! Could eventually work on a phone. Are we then redundant?

Transparent smart windows - amazing!

3D printing - printing physical objects, not just paper.

Contact lenses with low resolution printed on them!

Though everything seems expensive now IT WILL GET CHEAPER...

Look outside of libraries. We are not unique. People are doing it better than we are.

Look at mobiles first.
Design website for your core users
We need to be ahead of users as they don't necessarily know what they want.

Annie Yee - Mobile Technology

Horizon report which looks at trends in academic libraries in 3-5years time.

Lots of Uni Library's have apps. Possibility?

Look at doing subject guides.

Card Star - all your membership cards in one app. So not in your wallet!

Jeremy Taylor, Jay Glaisyer & Julia Ryan - Mobilising patient care and research
(Download paper when available)

Impediment to access decreases efficiency

Mobile apps for Point of Care resources

Benefits: Access from anywhere; attracts next generation of clinicians; facilitates consultation, remotely; Eases pressure on hospital infrastructure; information when and where it's needed; 80% of clinicians use smart phones.

Challenges: Rapidly changing technology; costs of development - who will pay; security issues;complexity frustrating to clinicians; providing technical support - who is responsible?; Management/usage data distorted (once application downloaded no more data from that user); blurring boundaries - education needed for clinicians.

Some hospitals looking at banning androids due to security issues...

Toby Burrows - Supporting research in an era of data deluge

Should we have a digital repository? Thesis, e-prints, conference papers??

Benefits and opportunities of being involved in research:

Cross fertilisation of knowledge and services;
Closer integration and coordination of similar functions;
Better informed decision making;
Cross training;
Multiskilling of staff;
Identifying opportunities for closer and more active involvement in developments and solutions;
Holistic view of all these areas

Research profiles on BHS website... ie Dr Hurley?

Stephen Pugh - Harvesting relevant content

ICOLC - International Coalition of Library Consortia

Consortia - some wanted, some relevant, but lots of trash!

Collection profile - on areas of interest for academics. Profiling tools (companies such as YBP??)

Set up alerts for the Clinical Trials BHS have been part of...

Edmund Balnaves - OPAC as a meta data hub

Check OPAC. Is it up to date. Do all links work?

Add mash ups etc.

Load freely available e-books.

Load subscription e-lists (A-Z?)

Need more IT Skills (Do CSU still have IA course? Or IT at UB)

Add annual reports into catalogue. Plus other internally produced documents (link and PDF)

Why I love going to VALA:

I had a fantastic day. It helps to reignite ideas. Gets the creative juices flowing. You go away with things you want to implement overnight! Also the opportunity to network with fellow health library colleagues and those from other library industries.

Book: Under Southern Skies

Summary: Cate Perry's future couldn't look brighter. She's learning about life on the land, and has just completed her first solo flight over the vast Northern Territory cattle station she calls home. And she's falling in love – with handsome, gentle Alf. Then a tragic freak accident changes Cate's life forever.

Grief and shame drive her to Tamworth, where she meets the talented Nat and quickly stumbles into a singing career. But fame beings to take its toll, and just when Cate least expects it, Alf steps back into her life. Will Alf and Cate face up to their feelings, or forever live with the consequences?


What I thought: I did enjoy this and will read more of hers but I have read better. It did tend to jump very quickly with LOTS going on. But still a good trashy outback romance!

Book: Listening to Country

Summary: 'This big land, Australia. It's big enough for everyone!' calls Annie Karrakayn across the pre-dawn campfire to the other Law women stirring from the perfect quiet of a still, desert night. 'Strong Dreamin' ' she whispers.
So begins the intimate diary of Ros Moriarty, a white woman married to an Aboriginal man, as she takes an emotional journey across country and culture to the Northern Territory's Tanami Desert with Annie and the other matriarchs of her husband's Aboriginal family to perform ceremony. Interwoven with her desert journal are personal and family stories of black and white Australia - from the shameful and painful to the ordinary and everyday, to the glorious and awe-inspiring - illuminating the deep connection humanity shares, regardless of race and place.


What I thought: I did enjoy this book but didn't think it was neccessarily worthy of all the acclaim it has received. She was very sensitive to indigenous issues so I think I learnt a lot from it in that respect...