Welcome to Electronically Yours, the brand new Hobsons Bay Libraries eNewsletter. This will be sent out on a monthly basis, and occasionally a special edition will be published. You will be kept up to date with the latest library news, events, resources and developments, all the while contributing to Hobsons Bay City Council's commitment to being carbon neutral by 2020. If you require a printed version, please ask a library staff member.

The February edition of Gateways, the paper based newsletter will be the last after six years of publication. We hope you have enjoyed reading it and that you will pass on the good news about this eNewsletter.

We are pleased to be hosting a Justice of the Peace Signing Centre at Williamstown Library. Local JPs are volunteering their time to offer free signing services to the community. 

Residents have the opportunity to have documents witnessed; this includes items such as Statutory Declarations and Power of Attorney.

JPs will be at Williamstown Library every Tuesday from 11.00am–2.00pm. The service is free and no appointment is necessary.

Meet Steven Carroll, 2008 Miles Franklin Prize Winner
A picnic, 1970s music, train memorabilia, and a free talk by Steven Carroll, the winner of Australia’s most prestigious literary prize in 2008. Enjoy the lot as part of the State Library Victoria’s Summer Read program coming to Williamstown on 19th February.

Steven Carroll’s prize winning book The Time We Have Taken is set in a Melbourne suburb in 1970. The suburbs citizens are on the brink of radical change. The story flows in and out of personal memories and reflections while meditating on the rhythms and complexities of suburban life. Bookings are required...

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Share your great reads, the ones that have made you laugh, inspired you or created a challenge. Join with others who enjoy all things books and reading and check out a range of new biographies from the libraries’ collection.

The focus for the first of these monthly gatherings is on biography or narrative non-fiction, so bring along your favourite book in this genre, or just come prepared to chat over coffee.

Thursday, 5th February, 6.45pm–8.00pm
Williamstown Library
Bookings tel: 9932 4170

Aromatic coffee, a cool café, a few kindred spirits and a good book; just the kind of ambience needed to create a unique book group.

The first book for discussion is Kate Holden’s In My Skin, a compelling story of survival and resourcefulness. The story offers a look at the consequences of addiction and the struggle for power and control that addicts face.

The Famous Blue Raincoat Café
25 Vernon Street, South Kingsville
Saturday, 7th February, 2.00pm –3.00pm
Bookings tel: 9932 1330  

The Time We Have Taken by Steven Carroll.
1970s Melbourne - Michael, now at university, isn't living at home anymore, and the key landmarks of his childhood suburb, such as Webster's factory, are on the point of disappearing.

It is only his mother Rita who remains stubbornly in the family home, unable to imagine leaving the house she has tended so lovingly for so long. Yet this is also the moment of the suburb's centenary. Michael's artist friend is commissioned to paint a mural celebrating the suburb's progress - but will it depict what is expected?

Tuesday, 17th February, 1.30pm–3.00pm
Williamstown Library
Bookings tel: 9932 4170

Free talk and book signing.
To celebrate the launch of her first book, Secrets of the Zodiac, local astrologer and author, Michele Finey will present a free public lecture as part of the annual Bayside Festival. Signed copies of her book will be available for purchase.

Secrets of the Zodiac explores the archetypal qualities within each sign of the zodiac and reveals what they say about your priorities and how you interact with others. Find out what makes you tick, why some things are second nature to you, and why you repeat the same mistakes time and again. What do you most need to learn, and what can you teach others?

Saturday, 14th March, 2.00pm
Altona Library
Bookings tel: 9932 1330  

The Williamstown Literary Festival is in its seventh year and bigger and better than ever. The festival is a popular local cultural event focusing on literature, drama and writing which presents established and emerging writers and literary figures.

A feature of the festival is the Ada Cambridge Writers Prize and the Seagull Poetry prize. Entry forms for both are available from Hobsons Bay Libraries or the Literary Festival website. Find out more at www.willylitfest.org.au

Introduction to Short Story Writing  

Interested in writing short stories? Want to gain confidence as a writer? This short course will introduce you to the basics of short story writing and provide you with ideas and encouragement.You can be a complete beginner or have some experience. All you need to bring are ideas, personality, pen and paper.

The facilitator will be local writer/producer, Lucia Nardo. Lucia received a Highly Commended in the Ada Cambridge Prize for biographical writing at the 2008 Williamstown Literary Festival.

Thursdays, 19th, 26th February, 5th, 12th March from 9.30am-11.30am at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre.

Cost for the four week course is $65.00 or $55.00 concession.

Bookings tel: 9932 3020.  

Come and celebrate Chinese New Year at Altona Library. Enjoy delightful folk dances performed by the graceful and colourful Jasmine Dance Group.

New Chinese books, CDs and DVDs will be available for loan and light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, 7th February, 2.00pm
Altona Library
Bookings tel: 9932 1330

Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and a craft activity at this Chinese and English bi-lingual storytime. This session is aimed at pre-school children and the guest storyteller is Sharon Chen.

Friday, 13th February, 10.30am–11.15am
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre 

No bookings are required for this event.

Show your support for Earth Hour by participating in the libraries’ Earth Hour Exhibition, part of Council’s Art in Public Places project. Local primary and secondary school students are invited to illustrate their view of how working together can make a positive impact on climate change and return it to any library branch by Sunday, 1st March.

Pick up an Earth Hour design template from any Hobsons Bay library or download one from http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

The Earth Hour Exhibition launch will feature 'Just Cool It!’ a family friendly environmental performance by Our Planet Enterprises. All participants and interested members of the community are invited to come along.

Wednesday, 11th March, 6.30pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020.

View the whole exhibition at Hobsons Bay Libraries from Tuesday, 10th March to Sunday, 19th April 2009.

Wine bottle corks, stoppers and aluminium screw tops can now be deposited at the Environment Resource Centre (ERC), where a collection box is permanently available.

Melbourne Zoo is hoping that corks popped or pulled during the festive season will be donated to the Friends of the Zoo cork recycling campaign, which raises funds for special Zoo projects. 

So support the zoo today, drop your corks into the ERC at Altona Library.

Kick start your 2009 family history research at the Williamstown Library. Come along to the launch of our new Family History Group. Anne Dixon, a member of the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies will show us an eclectic array of memorabilia for the novice and enthusiast alike.

Our meetings, which will be held on the last Thursday of each month, will look at Ancestry and other resources, feature guest speakers and provide an opportunity to swap stories, tips and celebrate family history over afternoon tea. 

Thursday, 26th February, 1.30pm-3.00pm
Williamstown Library
Bookings tel: 9932 4170 

Ancestry Library Edition is the largest online family history database in the world. Class participants will be provided with the skills to locate relevant information for genealogy purposes. Basic Internet skills are essential and the cost is $6.

Wednesday, 4th February, 4.00pm–5.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

Wednesday, 18th March, 9.00am–10.00am
Williamstown Library
Bookings tel: 9932 4170

Do you want to do something fun with your baby? Want to be in a place where lots of noise and funny smells is welcome? Then bring your baby, park your pram and join in the excitement at Rhymetime!

This four week program is designed especially for children aged from birth to 18 months and sessions include rhymes, finger plays, songs and short stories.

Rhymetime aims to develop young children’s listening and interactive skills and provide an opportunity for them to socialise.

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Lots of young people have submitted stories and poems for the Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries Summer Writing Competition. This year, for the first time there was a poetry category and some were inspired to enter at the wonderful poetry workshops led by award winning author Sherryl Clark.

Make sure you get to the awards night to discover if you have won a prize from the $480 prize pool sponsored by Rotary Club Point Gellibrand.

Wednesday, 25th February, 6.30pm
Williamstown Town Hall
Bookings tel: 9932 4170

This free session is a presentation open to students, parents and anyone else who is interested in finding out what electronic resources and databases are available through the library. It is perfect for students of all levels returning to school this year.

Wednesday, 25th February, 7.00pm–8.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

This free practical session follows the previous ‘Back to School’ presentation. Get hands on with electronic resources, including the Your Tutor service. Library staff will be able to offer tips and suggestions, as well as help you locate suitable resources.

Wednesday, 4th March, 6.00pm–8.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

A recent addition to the libraries’ collection is a selection of children’s stories in Auslan format. Auslan is the native sign language of Australian signing people. It differs from sign language used by people in other countries in grammar and linguistic structure in the same way that oral languages differ.

The new items are primarily picture books, and include titles such as Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and There's a Hippopotamus On our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards and Jezza by Krista Bell. 

Produced by the Victorian College for the Deaf these items are available in either DVD or CDRom format. 

This introduction to computers class covers areas such as using a mouse and keyboard and operating your computer to open, save and print files. This session is free for Seniors Card holders.

Wednesday, 11th February, 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Newport Library
Bookings tel: 9932 2050

This class teaches participants to navigate the internet. Learn how to search and evaluate the information discovered. Relevant websites for seniors will be showcased. The session is free for Seniors Card holders.

Wednesday, 4th March, 3.00pm–5.00pm
Newport Library
Bookings tel: 9932 2050

Learning keyboard and mouse skills provides the basic essentials required to operate a computer. No previous computer experience is necessary and the class costs $6.

Monday, 9th February 3.30pm–5.00pm
Friday, 6th March 10.30am–12.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

This class will provide basic instruction such as turning the computer on, using the desktop and opening programs and many other basic computer tasks.
Keyboard and mouse skills are essential and the class costs $6.

Monday, 16th February 3.00pm–5.00pm
Friday, 13th March 10.00am-12.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

This class introduces the internet and focuses on key areas such as the browser, surfing the net and how to use search engines. Basic computer skills are essential and the class costs $6

Friday, 20th February 3.00pm–5.00pm
Monday, 16th March 10.00am–12.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

Learn how to communicate with friends and relatives online by attending this introductory class and register for a free Yahoo email account. Participants will create emails, add attachments and start an address book.
Basic internet skills are essential and the class costs $6.

Wednesday, 18th February, 2.00pm–4.00pm
Newport Library
Bookings tel: 9932 2050

Monday, 23rd March 10.00am–12.00pm
Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Bookings tel: 9932 3020

The Friends of Altona Libraries (at the rear of the library)     

• Friday, 6th February, 10.00am-2.00pm
• Saturday, 7th February, 10.00am–1.00pm   
• Friday, 6th March, 10.00am-2.00pm                
• Saturday, 7th March, 10.00am–1.00pm

The Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries (In the foyer of Williamstown Library)

• Saturday, 14th February, 10.00am-12.30pm
• Saturday, 14th March, 10.00am-12.30pm

Pick up a bookmark listing all the 2009 booksale dates from any library branch, or visit http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au