eBooks

Press Release

Library books now online as eBooks come to Timaru

Haven’t the time to go to the library to find a good read? Can’t make it to the library to return a book in time before incurring a penalty? Just can’t make it to the library because you live too far away?

The word is out.

The library world of book borrowing is now but a click of a mouse away, thanks to Timaru District Council libraries. From today library books can be browsed, borrowed, read and returned – electronically. And it’s free.

And Timaru District Libraries manager Michelle Miles says borrowers will be able to borrow eBooks to read on their eReaders, tablets, smart phones, ipods, laptops or desktop computers. All they need is an email address and a password added to their library membership record. This can be done by simply phoning the Timaru library on (03) 687 7202, or for Geraldine residents (03) 693 9336, she said. They can then download books on to their home computers or other devices by signing in to the eBook platform after visiting the Timaru District Libraries website http://www.timarudistrictlibraries.co.nz/

"t’s free and easy,” Ms Miles said.

“Whatever your reading taste, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, how-to’s, we are building a comprehensive collection for people to browse, and borrow from.

So far, more than 400 books are available online, but that number will grow rapidly as publishers make further online products available and the library purchases them.

Ms Miles said there were some limits on the books on offer because of restrictions placed by publishers. While the online nature of books will not detract from the library’s core business of lending hard-copy versions, the digital form offered new options.

“Apart from being able to borrow from home, online books offered the reader the ability to change font sizes to suit their vision.

“And eBooks for loan gives people a truly 24-hour library service, which is easily accessible no matter where they live in the district.”

However, that’s where the differences end.

Ms Miles said all eBook borrowing would be on the same basis as for hard-copy books.

“eBooks are lent for up to four weeks, the same loan period as hard-copy books. But they don’t need to be returned. Instead, eBooks self-expire at the end of four weeks making them available for another borrower. But they can be renewed,” she said.

Library staff are available to help people set up their eReaders or to help with any other eReading questions or assistance.

And Ms Miles said people could attend the regular Exploring eBooks session which is being held on Thursdays at 2pm at Timaru Library during May and June. Staff can also provide assistance between 9am-5pm on weekdays.

Information on getting started with eBooks is available at the Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine Libraries and on the Libraries website, she said.

Library Opening Hours - Easter Weekend

Timaru

Friday 6th April           Closed

Saturday 7th April      10am - 1pm

Sunday 8th April         Closed

Monday 9th April        1pm - 4pm

Geraldine and Temuka

Friday 6th April           Closed

Saturday 7th April       Closed

Sunday 8th April         Closed

Monday 9th April        Closed

Arthur Ransome : Children's Novelist - Rumoured British Spy



Arthur Ransome : Children's Novelist - Rumoured British Spy

A talk and presentation by John Parsloe

Did you read Arthur Ransome as a child?

We remember him as the wonderful author of memorable Swallows and Amazons books, but he was so much more.

Did you know he wrote more than 25 other books?

This talk will show there is more to Ransome than the childtren's novels.

Was he a spy?

Come along and see what John thinks...

When: Friday 30th March at 2.30pm

Where: Geraldine Library

A free event - everyone welcome.

New Zealand Book Month - March 2012

New Zealand Book Month

March 2012

Books Change Lives...

Welcome to New Zealand Book Month where from North to South, East to West, Kiwis passionate about New Zealand books share them with each other, spread the word and recommend new books to read.

Join us for a month of fun and adventure…

Here’s what’s happening:

All Month - New Zealand Book Display; Join the Library and enter Prize Pack Draw

1st March - New Zealand Book Bingo Reading Challenge launched – take the challenge and win great prizes by reading New Zealand books

5th March - Enjoy this book and pass it on - launch of “free books” (in association with Literacy South Canterbury)

7th March - New Zealand Book Art Competition launched – turn an old library book into a work of art

Don't forget to come in and get an entry form and book to decorate...

10th March – Author Talk - Owen Marshall “The Larnach’s” 1.30pm

Join us for an afternoon with one of South Canterbury's great authors Owen Marshall. Owen will be talking about his latest novel 'The Larnachs' which was published by Vintage in 2011. Kelly Ana Morey reviewed the novel in the NZ Herald, 'The Larnachs is a thoughtful, tender love story with...an awful lot of lovely, restrained writing by Marshall.'

This was a very interesting talk - Owen spoke about his venture into writing his first historical novel and the background behind the story of The Larnachs...

17th March – Book Promotion / Author Talk - Leigh Marsden “Crush” 1.00pm

Leigh Marsden – Crush - Leigh Marsden is a novelist from New Zealand. She writes relationship dramas with an erotic twist. Her novel Scarlet was published by Penguin in June 2011. Her latest novel Crush is due to be published by Penguin in March 2012. Leigh has also self-published a novel, Beauty. She lives with her husband and daughter in Geraldine, New Zealand. Leigh will be visiting the Timaru Library promoting her latest novel 'Crush'.

20th March - Library Book Club Meets @ 2pm, join us and discuss your favourite New Zealand books

28th March - Friends of Library Annual General Meeting @ 2pm, followed by guest speaker Keith Bartholomew co-author of “The Streets of Timaru” @ 2.30pm.

Keith Bartholomew – The Streets of Timaru - The Streets of Timaru is an updated version of the original 1975 edition. This time the book is more comprehensive, with photographs and more in-depth research. It documents 448 streets, nearly double the 248 entries in the first issue. The new edition also contains more than 250 images. Keith Bartholomew carried out much of the research, adding to the original edition by Jack Hamilton.

30th March - Author Talk – Ken Catran on his new war books “When Empire calls” and “Earth Dragon, Fire Hare”. Join Ken and the Xtreme Readers in the Children’s Library @ 4pm

All events are free, everyone welcome…

Christmas Opening Hours

Timaru District Libraries Christmas / New Year


Opening Hours 2011 / 2012


Timaru

Friday 23rd December 9.00am – 5.00pm


Saturday 24th December 10.00am – 1.00pm


Sunday 25th December Closed


Monday 26th December Closed


Tuesday 27th December 1.00pm – 4.00pm


Wednesday 28th December 9.00am – 5.00pm


Thursday 29th December 9.00am – 5.00pm


Friday 30th December 9.00am – 5.00pm


Saturday 31st December 10.00am – 1.00pm


Sunday 1st January 2012 Closed


Monday 2nd January Closed


Tuesday 3rd January 1.00pm – 4.00pm


Wednesday 4th January 9.00am – 5.00pm


Thursday 5th January 9.00am – 5.00pm


Friday 6th January 9.00am – 5.00pm


Saturday 7th January 10.00am – 1.00pm


Sunday 8th January 1.00pm – 4.00pm


Normal Hours resume Monday 9th January

Temuka and Geraldine

Friday 23rd December 8.30am – 5.00pm


Saturday 24th December Closed


Sunday 25th December Closed


Monday 26th December Closed


Tuesday 27th December Closed


Wednesday 28th December 8.30am – 5.00pm


Thursday 29th December 8.30am – 5.00pm


Friday 30th December 8.30am – 5.00pm


Saturday 31st December Closed


Sunday 1st January 2012 Closed


Monday 2nd January Closed


Tuesday 3rd January Closed


Wednesday 4th January 8.30am – 5.00pm


Thursday 5th January 8.30am – 5.00pm


Friday 6th January 8.30am – 5.00pm


Saturday 7th January 10.00am – 1.00pm


Sunday 8th January Closed


Normal Hours resume Monday 9th January

Books now available for sale...

We are now stocking the following new release books that are available for sale at the Library:

The Streets of Timaru by Keith Bartholomew and Jack Hamilton.

$39.99

Love, lies and laughter by Noel Guthrie

$18.00

Magnus and the Maungati Mouse by Jan Hill

$10.00

Magnus and Maungati's Christmas by Jan Hill

$10.00

Magnus and the Motorbike by Jan Hill

$10.00

Maungati Mouse and the EQ Rescue by Jan Hill

$10.00

Plus

"I saw love today"

$20.00

This consists of 58 pieces of writing from 40 submitters scattered around NZ which was compiled by the Pleasant Point Presbyterian Parish and does include quite a few local authors.

Book Launch - Love, lies and laughter by Noel Guthrie



Love, Lies and Laughter is Timaru Author Noel Guthrie's first venture into the fiction field, it is made up of a selection of ten short stories, all total figments of his imagination, in the style of the writing of Barry Crump.

Timaru District Library, Thursday 17th November, 7.00pm.

Books available for sale on the night.

All Welcome.