Altrusa Great Read

Altrusa’s focus worldwide is the improvement of Literacy. Did you know that world wide over 776 million adults lack minimum literacy skills?

The Altrusa Great Read project is aimed at promoting the importance of literacy skills in opening the gateway to future opportunities.

The basic concept is to have as many people as possible to take time out to read for 10 minutes between 12 noon and 3pm on Thursday September 8th 2011 – “International Literacy Day”.

Register at http://www.altrusa.org.nz/AGR.html

All those who register and participate in the Altrusa Great Read will go into a special prize draw.

Database of the Month

Ancestry Library Edition gives individuals of many ages, races and backgrounds something truely priceless: the chapters of their own authentic, unique family stories.

The world's largest online collection of family history records and resources, ALE is a popular research tool. It offers a wide variety of unique content to help users trace their family lineage.

Collections are sourced from around the world, and many of the resources featured have not been previously available in libraries.

The collections include:

* The 1911 census; United Kingdom and Ireland Census Collection; England & Wales Civil Registration Index 1837 - present; US Federal Census Collection; US and UK Military Collection; Australian Convicts Collection; Canada Census Collection; German Records Collection

This online database is only accessible at any of our libraries.

Allyson Gofton Library Visit - Country Calendar Cookbook



Two New Zealand treasures bring you the ultimate cookbook and the stories behind the recipes...

Timaru District Library and Paper Plus Timaru invite you to an evening of fun and laughter with Allyson Gofton. Allyson will enertain us with a recipe demonstration from the Country Calendar Cookbook, some fun out-takes from the project and give you a chance to ask your most pressing cooking questions. This is not to be missed.

Thursday 18 August

7.00pm

Timaru Library 56 Sophia St

Entry by gold coin donation

Proceeds will go to the Christchurch earthquake appeal

Family History Month

August is Family History Month

Have you ever thought about tracing your family history – finding about ancestors or discovering lost relatives??

South Canterbury Branch of NZ Society of Genealogists can help – bring your questions to Timaru District Library on Wednesday 10th August 11am – 4pm. For more info email SouthCanterbury@genealogy.org.nz

Some handy links:

http://www.genealogy.org.nz/ - New Zealand Society of Genealogists

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/familyhistory/ - BBC Family History Page

http://www.natlib.govt.nz/about-us/news/family-history-month-2011 - National Library of New Zealand

http://www.natlib.govt.nz/collections/areas-of-focus/family-history/family-history-websites - Useful Family History Websites. A list of helpful websites and online resources for family history and genealogy. Includes resources for New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain & Ireland, Pacific Islands and United States of America.

Also check out our great range of books and magazines on Family History -

http://www.timaru.govt.nz/library-catalogue.html