Grafton Campus Library 20092010-03-16T10:13:21ZNo AuthorCopyright 2010, No AuthorSPHPBLOGJill's Book of the Week 4 September 2009 If you are an intrepid overseas traveller, or a Tourism student, you may have noticed that the library has recently weeded the old Lonely Planet books and has purchased new and up to date Lonely Planet books. The Book of the week this week is one such book and it is called Vietnam .
I chose Vietnam because it is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination for Australians. I am told it is a beautiful country, with friendly, family oriented people.
The book is divided into chapters detailing Getting started (when to go, etc.), Itineraries, History, Food and Drink, The Culture, The Hill Tribes and The Environment.
It then breaks the country up into areas and describes them in detail. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and their surrounds are treated in great detail with entries on eating and drinking, festivals and events, sights, entertainments,activities for children, shopping, and dangers and annoyances to name a few.
There are plenty of maps and some beautiful colour photographs. There is even a section on Vietnamese language conversation with pronunciation guides.
This book is available from Wednesday 9th at Grafton TAFE Library ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090908-1433042009-09-08T00:00:00Z2009-09-08T00:00:00ZCathy's Book of the Week, 28 August 2009Hello Everyone,
This week’s Book of the Week features an enjoyable read for every person who has ever followed a newspaper column and not only enjoyed its entertaining content; but felt united with its fellow readers and contributors. However, this is not just any ordinary newspaper column. The Miranda column, featured in Heartbeat of the Country , is a column which spanned and united women across Australia for seventy years through the very popular Weekly Times newspaper, and instilled in women a sense of genuine placement in a man’s world; and an emphasis on the important role they played.
The Miranda column was a voice for all women; but especially for isolated country women who would not see another woman for months at a time; and therefore miss out on the enjoyment, companionship and support such a friendship offers.
The Miranda column was a hugely successful and popular column uniting women across the nation in times of loneliness, financial hardship, motherhood stresses, war; and many other numerous times of struggle in the lives of battling, but formidable women.
Heartbeat of the Country also depicts a valuable and informative insight into Australian history; yet it doesn’t simply do this by reciting fact in a monologue textbook manner; it does so in a factual, first-hand look at how life really was then for the people; from the people who were literally living it.
Heartbeat of the Country is a step back in time to a way of life sadly lost to us all in these modern, busy times. However, here at Grafton TAFE Library, we are endeavouring to bring back a little of those times, and this Book of the Week feature is just a small hint of what’s to come. So stay tuned to this space and expect new big things relating to the good old times! ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090901-1231472009-09-01T00:00:00Z2009-09-01T00:00:00ZDanielle's Book of the Week 21 August 2009The Dog & Lemon guide (2009 Edition) Miller, Michael Call no. 629.2222029/DOGA
For starters I have to thank Jill and Kerry for purchasing such an invaluable tool. Having recently been in the market for a new car and being a single woman, I was able to make my decision with a little more confidence than I would otherwise have had. The Dog & Lemon Guide is the 800 page printed companion to the on-line Dog & Lemon Guide and as the cover suggests “it’s like a Lonely Planet Guide to the world of cars”.
It is primarily a collection of car reviews covering all vehicles manufactured between 1993 and 2009.
Each review includes a reliability rating, safety rating, what you would expect to pay for each model (new, private used and from a dealer used), a general blurb on each and what you might expect to go wrong with this particular model, fuel economy as well as other useful features. Other chapters include ‘Cars & the world we live in’, ‘Safety’ and ‘How to use these reviews’.
This publication is not intended to be a ‘one stop shop’ when purchasing a car, nor is it designed to replace a mechanic’s inspection or a detailed NRMA style report, but it provides a useful place to start when purchasing a vehicle and enables the consumer to make more informed decisions in regards to that purchase. ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090901-1109542009-09-01T00:00:00Z2009-09-01T00:00:00ZDanielle's Book of the Week 17 August 2009Absolute Beginners Guide to eBay Miller, Michael Call no. 658.8/MILL
Michael Miller is not only a highly successful eBay Seller, but also a prolific author, his previous publications including Easy eBay, eBay masters & Making a living from your eBay business. As the title of this book indicates, his latest publication is for “Absolute beginners”. If you class yourself in this category or if you are like me and have had limited experience, you will certainly find plenty of useful information within its pages. Although this is an American publication, the information (apart from quoted prices and costs) should be relevant to Australian users. The book provides a comprehensive list of how-to instructions on all aspects of Buying and Selling on eBay as well as some very valuable safety tips.
If you’re passionate about recycling or the idea that one person’s trash is another’s treasure, then you will agree that eBay is most definitely a ‘treasure trove’ and the ability to tap into this phenomenon and possibly profit from it is a valuable skill indeed. ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090901-1022232009-09-01T00:00:00Z2009-09-01T00:00:00ZBook of the Week 10 August 2009Hello everybody,
This week, the book of the week is I love dirt: 52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature, by Jennifer Ward.
This book isn’t only for Child Care students and teachers. It’s for anyone who has access to young children; parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, carers and friends. It is written simply and divided into sections spring, summer, fall and winter. Yes, it is American, but can be applied to every country in the world.
It has been written to address the “nature deficit” that today’s children often have – rushing around and settling for indoor play with computers and electronic games.
Each short chapter has suggestions for activities and answers to questions children are likely to ask. Interestingly, the chapter headings, the questions (called “help me understand”) and the illustrations are all in green.
I love dirt is now available at your library.
]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090818-1412202009-08-18T00:00:00Z2009-08-18T00:00:00ZJill's Book of the Week 24 JulyHello everybody, The Book of the Week for the first week of Semester 2 is Kevin Rudd : the Biography by Robert Macklin. It tells the story of Kevin from the time he was born into a farming family in Queensland right up until he became Prime Minister late in 2007. Kevin was the youngest of four children, and his older siblings were Malcolm, Loree, and Greg. They had a good life on the farm, which his father Bert managed for the owner, until Bert had a car accident and subsequently died. The farm’s owner then asked the family to leave. Kevin’s mother had no money to buy a house and she found it difficult to get work as she had been too long out of nursing. The insurance company was hedging about paying Bert’s insurance. Kevin’s mother decided that she would have to retrain as a nursing sister. For some time, they had no home and spent nights with various relatives. On other occasions they had to sleep in their little Volkswagen car. Kevin has said, of this period in his life, “it doesn’t get much crooker than this.”
Finally the insurance came through, Kevin’s Mum qualified as a nursing sister and they were able to buy a modest home in Nambour. Kevin attended Nambour High School and was an average scholar until one day he made up his mind to “get really determined“ and began to excel at his studies.
From then on, Kevin’s star was rising. A career diplomat turned politician, he was not well known to Australians until he dramatically ousted Kim Beazley in the Labor leadership ballot of December 2006. He then led Labor to victory in 2007 and the rest is history.
I enjoyed this book, although I felt that I would have liked to know more about Kevin’s earlier life.
The adult Kevin is portrayed as an extremely intelligent, religious and wanting to make a difference. It is a very cautious biography, but there are some interesting moments in it.
This book will be available on Monday from your library. ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090729-1754142009-07-29T00:00:00Z2009-07-29T00:00:00ZOur Magazine LaunchOur Grafton TAFE Library Magazine, "Off the Shelf" will be lauched on Monday 15 June at 12:00 noon. Special guest will be the Mayor of the Clarence Valley, Richie Williamson, and there will be a delicious lunch served. ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090609-1228412009-06-09T00:00:00Z2009-06-09T00:00:00ZWe have a winner!Grafton TAFE Library is proud to announce the winning name in our ‘What’s in a Name’ magazine competition.
The winning name is ‘Off The Shelf’. The winner is Kerry Watson, who has donated her prize for a future magazine promotion.
A big thank you to all who entered. It was a hard choice, as there were many excellent entries.
In addition, an honourable mention must go to Allan Beech for his many entries!
Stayed tuned for an email from Jill in the next few days advising of our exciting launch plans for ‘Off The Shelf’.
]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090531-1757472009-05-31T00:00:00Z2009-05-31T00:00:00ZDanielle's Book of the Week 10 May 2009Plot: designing your garden
By Meredith Kirton
Call no.635.90994 KIRT
The book of the week for this week is ‘Plot; designing your garden’‘Plot; designing your garden’ , the companion title to best-selling gardening title ‘Dig’ . Plot is a comprehensive guide to garden design. It offers over twenty different styles, catering to all tastes and needs.
This gorgeous publication is packed full of colour photographs , including projects (with step-by-step instructions) that are easily attainable, as well loads of helpful little hints.
It’s fantastic for anyone starting from scratch or making use of an existing space.
I can’t say I have ever been able to grow more than a cactus, but this beautiful little book is enough to inspire me to keep on trying.
As usual this book is on display and available for loan at the Grafton Campus library. ]]>http://www.ncistudent.net/gblog/index.php?entry=entry090510-1343242009-05-10T00:00:00Z2009-05-10T00:00:00ZTarli's Book of the Week, 3 April 2009Hello all,
It is that time again for the book of the week. This week we have chosen something in the spirit of Harmony Day.
Our ‘Book of the Week’ review was kindly contributed by Tarli Logan, our fantastic work experience volunteer. Tarli was with us over the last 2 weeks and proved to be an able and hardworking young man. He was definitely a pleasure to have in our library.
The Australian People: an encyclopedia of the nation, its people and their origins., edited by James Jupp. Call No. 305.80994/AUST
"Only one Australian in a hundred can claim local ancestry before 1788. One in five Australians was not born in Australia, and a further one in five has parents who were born overseas. Of the remaining majority, most are descended from those who arrived during the earlier part of the twentieth century. Thus the history of Australia is not the same as the history of Australians". [James Jupp, editor, The Australian People]
Documenting the dramatic history of Australian settlement, The Australian People describes the rich ethnic and cultural inheritance of the nation through the contributions of its people. It is one of the largest reference works of its kind, with approximately 250 contributors and almost one million words.
The bulk of the book is an A-Z reference of the different ethnic groups who have settled in Australia. There are also three shorter sections: a summary of Australian settlement, Australian Aborigines, and issues concerning immigrants and immigration.
Although slightly daunting at first glance, The Australian People makes for fascinating reading. It shows what a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds we Australians are. As a reference, it is invaluable, but if you’re just looking for information on your Bulgarian ancestors, this is the book for you.
As always, it is available for loan at the Grafton TAFE Library.