A very enthusiastic crowd attended our Writers @ Stanton event with author Sharyn Munro today. Sharyn, who lives in the Upper Hunter Valley, has just released her new book Rich land, wasteland: How coal is killing Australia, dealing with the impacts of coal mining developments on rural communities and towns throughout Australia. Sharyn’s book tells the personal stories of those affected by the mining industry, based on an extensive trip of visits and interviews she conducted throughout 2010.

You can download the podcast of the talk here, and find a copy of the book here.

Did you know that Stanton is now on Twitter?

Follow @Stanton_Library and keep up to date with news and events at your Library.

Our Writers @ Stanton audience were treated to a great talk this afternoon by journalist and writer Graham Bauer, author of Australian Story: stories of courage, determination and love, a collection of some of the most talked about stories from the ABC television series over the last four years. Graham gave us some interesting insights into the way the stories are chosen and produced, and the process of writing the book from the mountain of interview transcripts he was presented with.

Our audience were fascinated by the process of making the show, and subsequently the writing of the book. Special guest audience member, ABC presenter Caroline Jones was also on hand to help answer the many questions posed.

A podcast of the talk will be available soon, and you can find a copy of the book here.

Flats were an innovation that transformed Sydney throughout the 20th century. North Sydney led the way in their development. Often located near the foreshores, early dwellings offered commuters modern homes close to the city. This exhibition features just some of the drawings and plans from the Heritage Centre’s collection of original inter-war architectural documention and photographs, some never publicly exhibited before now.

The exhibition is free and open during regular library hours of operation and is located on Level One , Heritage Centre, Stanton Library, 234 Miller Street, North Sydney. For details check our website.

Since writing his acclaimed biography of Patrick White nearly twenty years ago, David Marr has become somewhat of an expert on the life and work of the late author.  The Hanging Garden is a previously unpublished work by White, who passed away in 1990. David Marr visited Stanton Library to speak about the writer, introduce the book and share some readings with our very appreciative audience.

You can download the podcast of the talk here, and find a copy of the book here.

Hannah Richell dropped by the library today to talk about her debut novel The secrets of the Tides. The novel tells the story of two sisters, and a family that is torn about by secrets and betrayal. Hannah spoke about her background in publishing in the UK, and how her move to Australia and the birth of her children inspired her to start writing.

You can download the podcast of Hannah’s talk here, and find a copy of the book here.

Travel writer Ben Stubbs visited the library to talk about his book Ticket to paradise: a journey to find the Australian colony in Paraguay among Nazis, mennonites, and Japanese beekeepers. Ben spoke about his experiences in trying to locate the remnants of the colony, and learn more about the descendants of the 283 Australians who travelled there in 1893, following the dream of journalist William Lane. Far from the socialist utopia they were hoping to create, the colony struggled to succeed in this harsh and unfamiliar environment.

You can download the podcast of Ben’s talk here.

This weekend, comic lovers around the world will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day , where participating comic book stores across the world give away comic books… FREE!
Of course, everyday here at Stanton library is free comic book day! From the Smurfs, to Tintin to the Adventures of Batman, there is something for everyone. You can borrow as many comics/graphic novels as you like with a loan period of three weeks.
Do a “subject” search on the Stanton Library catalogue using “graphic novels” as the search term to see which comics/graphic novels we have available. Feel free to ask at the Information desk if you need any assistance.
Looking for more? Kinokuniya  bookshop and Kings Comics  are both participating in Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, 5th May.

As part of the National Trust Heritage Festival 2012, we were thrilled to have two very interesting women talk about the history and development of flats both in Australia and overseas. Dr Caroline Butler-Bowden, author of Homes in the sky: apartment living in Australia discussed the history of Australian flats with particular reference to North Sydney and the Northern  shores of Sydney Harbour, where some of the earliest apartment buildings in Sydney still stand. Sheridan Burke, an expert in urban history and heritage, spoke about efforts around the world to give heritage status to modern apartment buildings, and drew special attention to unique and well maintained developments in Berlin.

Currently on display in the Heritage Centre at Stanton Library is This modern life: an exhibition exploring the history of flats in North Sydney. The exhibition is available to view during library opening hours.

1. The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
2. The light between oceans by M.L. Steadman
3. Waiting for sunrise by William Boyd
4. Beastly things by Donna Leon
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
6. The happiest refugee by Anh Do
7. The sense of an ending by Julian Barnes
8. The cove by Ron Rash
9. The mothers group by Fiona Higgins
10. The hare with amber eyes by Edmund de Wal

To place a hold, contact the information desk on 9936 8400 or library@northsydney.nsw.gov.au ($2 hold fee applies).