Our next event is a Bookclub this Sunday afternoon! It’s the best kind of bookclub as you’re not even required to have read the books! (but if you have, that’s also good)
The Canberra Library Tribe invites readers, library lovers and GLAMR staff and students are all invited to join local author L.J.M. Owen to discuss her Canberra-based crime fiction series ‘Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth’. With archaeologists and librarians, ancient murder and family secrets, this is one series where the skeletons don’t stay buried.
#DrPimms, I presume
The book(s)
We’ll explore the historical research behind the first book in the series, ‘Olmec Obituary’, and L.J. will introduce – spoiler free – the history behind the second instalment ‘Mayan Mendacity’. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss your ideas about the themes, settings, characters and plot of ‘Olmec Obituary’ as well as ask questions of the author.
‘Olmec Obituary’ is available at a number of libraries in the ACT region and copies may be purchased from the National Library Bookshop. Arrangements may also be made via the Canberra Library Tribe for informal loan of personal copies.
Prize pack
There’s a prize pack up for grabs for the best question asked on the day: a collector’s set of all three editions of ‘Olmec Obituary’. All participants will also leave with a small gift pack of book-related items.
When and where
The Library Lovers Bookclub is on Sunday 13 November, 1pm till 2:30pm.
We’ll meet in the Ferguson Room, upstairs from the National Library foyer (it’s the glass room above the bookshop).
Mayan Mendacity!
Cost and tickets
The event is FREE, but please RSVP as places are limited. Tickets via eventbrite or facebook.
Gold coin donations gratefully received. All money collected will be donated to a worthy cause.
With special thanks to the National Library of Australia.
Other questions
There won’t be snacks, but you can buy take-away coffees and the like from Bookplate cafe.
Please get in touch if you need help with carpooling. Otherwise, there are buses that stop close by the Library or at Albert Hall. Bike racks are near the ramp to the library.
About the author
Dr L.J.M. Owen, author of the ‘Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth’ series, escapes dark and shadowy days as a public servant by exploring the comparatively lighter side of life: murder, mystery and forgotten women’s history.
Recipes in the series are tested under strict feline supervision.
There are lots of great free tours at the National Gallery to celebrate National Science Week! We were excited about their book club but the upcoming one is booked out 😦
Overview TLDR:
WWI musical instruments, digital transformation, conference tips, Japanese gardens, reading, 3D chocolates, migration book, victory in war, writing, foreign correspondent book, Indigenous policy in media, law resources, war and family history, Googong archaeology, John Gould/Gilbert, reading group, Les Murray’s portrait, celluloid film, Hamilton Hume, historian talk, sports panel, CBCA awards, rabbits, stargazing, instagram, sea poetry, sewing, book activities, grammar workshop, zines & badges, knitting, talk on gardens/Australia’s oldest camellia, kickboxing talk, and two authors discuss writing crime fiction.
Join a Memorial curator to learn about the strange violin of Private Max Nicholls that was made from scraps off the battlefield in 1918. Other relics in this musical talk include Lieutenant “Dad” Jarvis and his tin whistle, played in the thick of a German attack, and Bandmaster Sapper Bill Headen’s cornet, which sounded as a crowded transport sank on Anzac Day, 1918.
The Digital Transformation Programme has so far delivered five digital exemplar services released in Beta. In this session, DTO Head of Delivery Dan Pulham will showcase two of these exemplar products.
ALIA (ACT Students and New Graduates Group, and NLS8), NLA, 5:30-7pm
Are you thinking about preparing something to present at a conference but not quite sure how to do it? Have you presented before but need to brush up your skills? This event is for you. Hear from the NLS8 Team and ALIA about how to submit a proposal for NLS8 in Canberra next year, and join us for a panel discussion with local information professionals who have taken the plunge and presented at conferences in the past. This is your opportunity to ask questions, pick up some tips, and gather your courage! This event will be particularly useful for anyone who wants to start speaking at conferences and other professional events, or anyone who would like to brush up on their presentation skills.
Sharing a book with your child for 10 minutes a day, an hour a week is our aim for The Reading Hour. We know it’s not always possible for parents to share a book at bedtime with their children, but if you can manage 10 minutes most nights, your child will have the best chance of becoming a good reader, with all the social and educational benefits that brings. The Reading Hour is for everyone and there will be events and activities for all age groups. The Reading Hour is nominally 6pm to 7pm on 16 August, but events will be happening all day, to avoid or coincide with important sporting fixtures and venue opening hours, and to accommodate the different time zones.
What is better than chocolate? Chocolate that’s been cast in the shape of your favourite character or design! Learn to 3D print your own food-safe chocolate mould, and take plenty of chocolate home.
This workshop takes you through the basics of Computer Aided Design (CAD). Using CAD software, you will use a 3D printer to create a mould that you can use to cast chocolates. This is a great intro to 3D design and printing, and the molded chocolates are a great gift idea.
Permanent migration has long been vital to the story of Australia and today, there are more than one million temporary migrants living in Australia. They work, pay tax and abide by our laws, yet they remain unrecognised as citizens. All the while, this rise in temporary migration is redefining Australian society, from wage wars and healthcare benefits, to broader ideas of national identity and cultural diversity.
In Not Quite Australian, award-winning journalist Peter Mares draws on case studies, interviews and personal stories to investigate the complex realities of this new era of temporary migration.
Defining victory in most wars is inherently difficult because most wars are fought for limited objectives and because most war aims can be unstable, multiple, intangible, undeclared, and even negative (e.g. not losing or seen to be losing). Defining victory in modern wars is even more difficult because today’s wars are often vague in purpose and lack clear measures of success. This session will examine the problems and pitfalls of the problem of bringing a war to an end.
Hack in a Flak Jacketis a startlingly honest account of experiencing war and terrorism from the frontline by Peter Stefanovic, one of Australia’s leading journalists and foreign correspondents. For almost ten years Peter Stefanovic was Channel 9’s foreign correspondent in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. During that time he witnessed more than his fair share of death and destruction – all while putting his own personal safety very much in the firing line.
The seminar, through recounting the story of the development of Kidd’s Law Publications will seek to inform, equip and motivate librarians to seize opportunities to create their own client facing information value added resources and products. #kiddlaw
Dusted Offis the story of youth seeking adventure and of the traumatic reality of war, for those who fight and for those who support them. Accomplished actor and guitarist Brett Hunt shares his family’s story.
Meet for conversation and sharing of ideas around selected portraits, facilitated by members of the National Portrait Gallery Access and Learning team.
Just like everything else in this universe, film is governed by science. Our preservation and restoration experts will reveal how physics and chemistry shape the ‘life’ of film.
Dipesh Chakrabarty in conversation with Meera Ashar and Frank Bongiorno, reflecting on the public life of history in Asia and Australia and how historians participate in debates about the past.
Australians love sport – it is woven into our folklore, social fabric and weekend routines. But what does this obsession say about us as a nation? Has sport really been a vehicle for social change? Why do we idolise sporting stars?
ABC RN Big Ideas presenter Paul Barclay hosts a discussion about sport and how it has shaped Australian culture and identity with guests.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia and the Library invite you to the presentation of the Book of the Year awards and the launch of Book Week 2016, followed by book signings.
Rabbits are widely thought to have been domesticated by monks in southern France in the 4th Century AD and subsequently spread from monastery to monastery into northern Europe. As such, some believe rabbits are essentially ‘feral’ or domestic rabbits returned to the wild. However, other lines of evidence suggest that wild rabbits were also introduced. Research into mediaeval literature and archaeological investigation into rabbit warrens on the island of Guernsey offer detailed insights into the roles the clergy, kings and knights in the rabbits spread in northern Europe.
Mount Stromlo Observatory in conjunction with the Canberra Astronomical Society invite the Canberra community to attend public observing nights. Come and see the rings of Saturn, the craters of the moon as well as beautiful star clusters and nebulae. On the night attendees will be taken on a ‘tour of the universe’ with talks by astronomers from Mt. Stromlo Observatory and observations on several telescopes
Find out everything you need to know about the wonderful world of Instagram in this one day workshop with Instagrammers Canberra. Throughout the day you can learn all the basic elements and principles of iPhonography.
Do you love sewing? Are you keeping it real in the Canberra district? Care to hang out with other rad peeps stitching up a storm? If so, you may be interested in the CBR Sewing Crew! We’re a sassy group who love to catch up for an informal stitch and bitch session roughly once a month. The CBR Sewing Crew is open to all skill levels – just bring whatever project you are working on along. We’re also looking forward to additional catch ups throughout the year for movies/fabric shopping expeditions/cake for those interested.
An afternoon of activities based on books shortlisted for the Picture Book and Early Childhood Book of the Year by the Children’s Book Council of the Australia. There will also be creative activities inspired by exhibitions such as, May Gibbs by gum! The studio based activity for 4-12 year olds inspired by Ronojoy Ghosh’s book, Ollie and the wind,will include three sessions…
This workshop will cover the foundation rules of the English language (the parts of speech, the power of verbs, the rules of sentence construction, and punctuation rules), plus reveal the secret conventions used by skilled writers to break these rules in order to produce a more compelling narrative.
This workshop will introduce participants to the process of making zines and badges. The workshop will be taught by veteran street artist Christopher Tamm, coinciding with his new exhibition at Anvil Studio & Gallery.
Camden Park was built for the Macarthur family in 1831. The convict built Palladian house was designed by John Verge and is surrounded by the largest intact 19th century garden in NSW. Rare plantings include the oldest surviving camellia in Australia, c. japonica anemoniflora. John and Edwina and their family maintain the garden with the help of a group of dedicated
volunteers.
Discover something different in this series of talks exploring culture and identity through the lens of sportspeople who engage in unconventional sports.
Tara James is an Art Handler (aka full-time multi-tasking ninja) at the National Portrait Gallery but all her spare time is spent at Phoenix Gym training under Anthony Manning.
Award-winning crime writer Candice Fox has teamed up James Patterson,one of the world’s bestselling authors, to co-write a thriller set in the Australian outback.
Candice is joined by L.J.M. Owen, author of Canberra’s own crime fiction series Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth, to talk about this stunning new book, the challenges of writing crime fiction, and just how one goes about co-writing with an über-famous colleague!
Please comment with any GLAMR orgs or events we’ve missed!
…last but not least, CLT (Canberra Library Tribe, that’s us!) will plan an event for later in the year. See you for next week’s update!
While the phenomenon of planetary climate change is defined primarily by natural scientists and is often addressed, in practical terms, by the policy sciences, this lecture asks: What can the more humanist disciplines – or the humanities, as a branch of thought – contribute to our understanding of the phenomenon and how are they, in turn, challenged by it? The lecture will seek to provide some preliminary and provisional answers to these questions.
Dr Meleah Hampton, AWM historian, expores the allied efforts to capture the OG (Old German) trench line near Pozières, France, in 1916. This was among the most costly battles for Australians during the First World War.
Ashleigh Wilson will be in conversation with Sasha Grishin on Wilson’s new book, Brett Whiteley: Art, Life and The Other Thing. Written with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, and handsomely illustrated with classic Whiteley artworks, rare notebook sketches and candid family photos, this dazzling biography reveals for the first time the full portrait of a mercurial artist.
On the first Friday of every month, NFSA Sound curators hold a listening party, and everyone’s invited. The format is simple: BYO vinyl, or choose from a huge selection on stage, share why you love them, or just listen to others’ stories.
Gorman House (ACT Writers Centre), 10:30am (requires booking)
Three poetry workshops facilitated by Lizz Murphy on the themes of Land • Sea • Air: discover new lands, make a sea journey or a sea change, navigate the air. Themes will be explored broadly.
Are you writing professionally or for yourself or just want a group of like-minded typists hanging out with you while you are visited by your muse? then come along and write! Pen and paper also welcome.
Feel the colour and texture of wool at Lanyon Homestead. Explore the homestead set within a working farm and create your own felted necklace with water, soap, soft wool and a little bit of creativity. A simple and enjoyable creative skill, felting has many possibilities.
Aboriginal people in Australia are increasingly being recognised as the first astronomers. When the ancient wisdoms of the universe held by the oldest culture on earth meet modern astrophysics, a new concept is born – cultural astronomy. In Star Stories of the Dreaming, Euahlayi man Ghillar Michael Anderson shares with CSIRO astrophysicist Professor Ray Norris teachings passed to him as the knowledge holder for his people.
Gorman House (ACT Writers Centre), 10:30am (requires booking)
Through enjoyable writing exercises and discussion, this Masterclass explores narrative choices, timing and chronology and the importance of composite characters – essentially, how to write about your billiards-playing aunt without getting disowned.
CMAG (various timeslots, requires booking and small fee)
An afternoon of structured workshops, led by local artist Katy Penman. See the lively landscapes in the exhibition Michael Taylor: A Survey 1963–2016, then scoop, drop, mix and scrape puddles of coloured paint in the Studio to create your own landscape.
“The Days of Abandonment” is Ferrante’s most widely read novel in English, with good reason. It assails bourgeois niceties and domestic proprieties; it rips the skin off the habitual.
Over the past ten years researchers such as Lera Boroditsky (2011) have found that language directly impacts, not only our view of the world, but also our use and understanding of spatial and temporal metaphors. In light of the increasing number of poets writing and performing bilingual and multilingual poetry, this paper will reflect on issues relating to the composition and existence of this sub-genre, focusing on the use of language.
Australian Prints and Drawings curator Sarina Noordhuis-Fairfax explores how artists have experimented with cartographic imagery. These alternative maps can provide external orientation, reveal hidden relationships, or lead us off the beaten path.
A conversation with Víctor del Árbol, award-winning author from Barcelona, followed by a Q&A. A public event in English from the Reading Across Borders public lecture series. Lilit Thwaites (La Trobe Univeristy) will lead the conversation with Víctor, and Consuelo Martínez Reyes (Australian National University) will interpret for the author.
For ACT research data producers and consumers to learn about recent initiatives, prospects for likely developments, and future opportunities in research data.
The symposium asks how people, practice and planning relate to place making, recognising and celebrating our spaces and shared cultural and natural heritage.
The concept of landscape has moved on from its early meaning of open areas of land and planted gardens; based on only aesthetic appeal. How can we extend our understanding of our landscape, the natural, the built and the Indigenous, into better planning of our city, our suburbs and their settings and into a city that understands and draws from its cultural and natural heritage values; from the people, communities, and the environment that inhabit it and exude it?
In his new book, Benjamin Authers examines the unique rights landscape of Canada through the lens of law and literature, taking as his point of departure the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982.
Liz Luchetti, Assistant Secretary, Library Collections and Databases Branch and Sam Spencer, Library Innovation Manager, will talk about past, present and future Library innovation and demonstrate their favourite innovative products that enhance the delivery of library services – the new parliamentary handbook data management system and the news services currently available via the mobile Web@Workapp. In addition they will provide some tips on how to engage staff in the innovation process.
John Turnbull (former CSIRO scientist) will talk about the importance of trees in Australian culture and the impact of tree-planting on the livelihoods of people in developing countries.
Richard Fidler will join Alex Sloan in conversation to discuss his new book, Ghost Empire, his popular ABC radio series, Conversations with Richard Fidler, and the Doug Anthony All Stars.
The National Library is proud to be the custodian of the personal archive of poet Peter Porter. From first drafts to page proofs, from notes to correspondence, the collection reveals the life of an Australian poet in London and is a treasure trove for research.
Join Peter’s family and friends for a day celebrating his legacy in all its diversity, and for a glimpse of the richness the archive offers.
Supported by the Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman Trust.
9:30am-10:30am, Muse (free book signing, but make a reservation for breakfast).
A truffle-filled winter weekend morning! Founder of Tasmania’s Agrarian Kitchen and Australia’s foremost authority on all things truffle, Rodney Dunn will be in the bookshop from 9.30am-10.30am signing copies of his latest collection of recipes and truffle lore, The Truffle Cookbook.
Meanwhile, head chef Steven Sweeney will be celebrating the occasion with a dish inspired by Rodney’s visit: Baked eggs, roast Jerusalem artichoke, smoked cow’s curd, beetroot oil, brioche crumble, mushroom dust & shaved local black truffles.
Book launch, the poetry debut of acclaimed Queensland author, Ellen van Neerven: Comfort Food.
Using food as her inspiration, van Neerven offers a cross-cultural vision of the exotic and the familiar, moving between place and culture to explore identity, sovereignty and the restless quest for love.
In this CCCR seminar Kenneth Kidd from the University of Florida the will discuss the question, “what is a children’s classic?”, outlining his book in progress on the children’s literary classic in American culture. He will address the ongoing broader question, “what is a classic?”, and how any answers might look with respect to children’s titles. Some of his topics include literary prizing, anticensorship work, and adaptation. He’ll give particular attention to the “self-helping” of classics, or the adult appropriation of children’s classics for self-help or pop-psychological purposes.
Join a staff member for a talk about records from the Research Centre’s collections that were used to discover the backstory to Mephisto and the German A7V.
It is the year 26,000. A catfish dips into a pool of acid water, the sky is a single ashen cloud. Terry scans the landscape: a metallic junkyard, concrete, hot and bothered. What has happened?
Science Fiction Futures asks you to consider your own vision of the future. Do you see catastrophe or sustainability? Importantly, how has science fiction shaped collective understanding of the future?
Playwright Alana Valentine discusses the alchemy of turning letters and ledgers into the flesh and bones of drama, transporting our history into the artistry of universal emotional resonance.
In the 70s and 80s, photographer William Yang captured his experience of Sydney’s emerging artistic, literary, theatrical and queer circles, as well as his friendships with artists, filmmakers, writers and fashion designers such as Brett Whiteley, Patrick White, Jim Sharman, Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee. With myriad images and his trademark candid narration, Yang leads us through this beguilingly decadent and creative era.
This practical workshop is aimed at writers with an interest in science fiction or who are already developing their craft in the genre. Covering the key aspects of the genre it includes segments on world-building, creating alien creatures and characters, future and alternate technology, turning science into stories.
Martin Ellis is a curator, lecturer and broadcaster with a wide-ranging expertise in art and design. This lecture is an introduction to the complexity of modern design history through the development of a single art form. We follow the changes of fortune in English silversmithing since 1900. At the turn of the century the English Arts and Crafts metalworking was the most influential force in European avant-garde design. It went through crises of confidence, ravages of war, austerity and industrial decline to the recent re-emergence of silversmithing as one of the most exciting and dynamic forms of contemporary British design.
…last but not least, CLT (Canberra Library Tribe, that’s us!) will plan an event for later in the year. See you for next week’s update!
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members Shannon Sutton, John Morseu and Nicolette Suttor share collection items that have special meaning for them.
Wally Bell, Director, Buru Ngunnawal Aboriginal Corporation, will describe the development and content of the ‘Ngunnawal Plant Use Guide’ in recognition of NAIDOC Week.
The Guide is available for purchase from various bookshops and online.
Join in family fun Constitution-style – try the discovery trail and collect your cupcake, try your hand at calligraphy, or Indigenous face-painting and storytelling, and make your own Constitution Day badge. Learn about the story behind the Larakia petition. Enjoy Indigenous performances and join Queen Victoria with her lady-in-waiting to view the Federation documents including the Constitution and Royal Commission of Assent. A must see!
1pm-4pm, Calthorpes’ House (tours at 1pm, 1:45pm, 2:30pm, 3:15pm)
Visit Calthorpes’ House and experience the warmth and smell of baking in the wood fired stove. Share recipes and cooking tips in the kitchen then sample a scone after your tour.
Join Mr Stan Grant, Journalist, Host of The Point and Member of the Referendum Council and Ms Shireen Morris, Policy adviser and constitutional reform research fellow at Cape York Institute, as they discuss ‘Indigenous recognition and Australia’s identity – Why is it important?’
Just a casual Saturday lunch or coffee to talk about #vala16, for those who went, or those who missed out (represent, #altVALA16!).
You might also like to see this amazing thing, especially for us VALA-watchers: @kylastephanhandcrafted a bespoke #imaginarylibraryconference schedule, it’s very entertaining! (features lots of sparkles and conferencey benefits)* (*in no way represents the benefits of #altVALA16 assemblage)
Coincidentally, Bead Street is only a short walk away from our assemblage, should you wish to take Kyla’s #altVALA16 lead and make your very own “ridiculously sparkling” lanyard!
#altaltVALA16 envy
As an aside for the cataloguers, who knew that facebook is so fussy with event naming conventions (Title main entry?).
“Event names need to use standard capitalization [sic] and can’t make excessive use of special characters.”
