Happy Valentines Day

While I would die of shock if I got roses or chocolates today (unless I bought them for myself of course), I hope that many of you out there are far luckier on this day for lovers. Remember as well as Valentines Day, it is also Library Lovers Day so give your local librarian a friendly smile – we really appreciate it and as the words of the advert go – you never know who you might get it back from.

Something a bit different today - a quick quiz especially for Valentines Day.

1. He was a fifth but favourite son. After his father’s death in 1627 he became Emperor. His favourite wife died giving birth to their 14th son. He satisfied her dying wish to build the world’s most beautiful mausoleum to her. Who are they and what is the building?

2. Her first great love died in a plane crash in 1958. She married her second great love twice and walked down the aisle six other times. She won two Oscars. And her name is…?

3. He was a little known 32 year old poet/playwright. She was an internationally renowned poet, invalid and 39 year old spinster. They secretly married in 1846 before moving to Italy. Their romance lasted 15 years and was the basis for such famous lines as “How do I love thee, Let me count the ways”. Who were they?

4. He met her in 1931 when she was still married to her second husband. He proposed to her in 1936. However after they married they lived in exile in France as he gave up his position in the family firm. Who were they?

5. Name the odd movie out. Casablanca. Gone with the Wind. When Harry met Sally. Shrek. Doctor Zhivago. From Here to Eternity.

If you want to find some answers, or if you just want to find out more about Valentines Day, try The History Channel’s Valentines Day website. If you are still struggling I will have the answers here tomorrow.

ka kite ano

The love of family

Valentines Day isn’t just about romantic love. It’s also about the relationships and love between family. Which is my clumsy way of introducing you to the first of the electronic resources you can access with your Rodney Library card and that’s the fantastic genealogy site Ancestry.com.

This has been called the most comprehensive online source of information for conducting genealogical research available. It contains more than 1.5 billion names from over 4,000 collections. Although it has a strong American focus, the British content is steadily growing. And a special Library Edition of this website is available to all Rodney Library card colders.

As any keen genealogist knows, access to these sites is usually only via registration and payment of a fee. However as a Rodney Library card holder, you have free access to Ancestry from any Rodney Library computer. Simply come into the library and ask the librarians if you can use the computer for Ancestry and we will pop you on to do your research. It’s easy to access. All you need to do is go to the Rodney Library web page and click on the e-resources button (or if you are lazy hit this link and it will take you straight there). Scoll down to the history and genealogy section and clock on Ancestry.com. The computer will then ask you for the barcode off your library card and your pin number (if you don’t have one of these ask the librarian) and you are then logged into Ancestry to begin your search.

Ancestry can only be accessed from the computers in your library, but stay tuned next week for details of some of our other databases that you can access from home, just by using your library card.

Find LOVE at your library

In Rodney we are not just celebrating Valentines Day on the 14th of February. We have declared it LIBRARY LOVER'S DAY. And not only is there plenty to love about your library (the books, magazines, dvd's and the people), there is also plenty about love at the library.

From famous love stories and romance novels to chick lit and books on how to keep the flame alive, there is something here for everyone.

I certainly got lots of different suggestions when I asked what everyone's favourite love story was. Personally I enjoyed The Bridges of Madison County (Robert James Waller) although the book was definitely better than the movie. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) was mentioned by a couple of people. One of my favourite romances is The Bronze Horseman (Paullina Simons). Not only is this a fantastic love story by one of our most popular authors, it is gives a wonderful background to a turbulent time in Russian history. Love in the Present Tense (Catherine Ryan Hyde) is about love and the nature of family which poses the question "How do you go on loving someone who can't be there for you?".

A book that has been recommended to me is The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. One review calls it a book "that calls for a rainy day, a cozy chair and a good, steaming cup of team. Strong and satisfying" while another calls it a "rumbustious yarn - brilliantly told, great fun to read". Sounds like my kind of story.

Let us know what your favourite romance is. We would love to hear from you and are always looking for new books to read.

Become a friend of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival

The success and sustainability of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival depends on financial support from sponsors, patrons and friends who believe that writing, books and ideas should be part of Auckland’s cultural life.
There are lots of perks to becoming a Friend including premium seating, discounted tickets and access to the private Friends Lounge during the festival. Also... sign-up before 29th February 2008 and go in the draw to win a brilliant collection of quality books!

More details on their website - Become a Friend of the Festival

This year the Festival is on from Thursday 15 May - Sunday 18 May.

"Kick her in the guts Trev"

Hands up how many people recognise the words of the famous (or should that be infamous) Fred Dagg aka Mr John Clarke. A quintessential New Zealand phrase which had extra meaning for this ex-farm girl as I have a brother called Trevor and used to use the phrase with abandon along with other agricultural utterings such as "Get away back" or "Get in behind".

These phrases, to me, are examples of the kiwi culture but I am sure you have lots more. Kiwiana abounds in words and phrases which evoke pictures, memories and currently are inspiring the budding authors of the district in the Rodney Writes 2008 writing competition. Whether it is beach umbrellas or chocolate fish, pavlovas or feeding-out, "Ladies a plate" or "She'll be right" there is still time for you to write your masterpice (limited to 2,500 words) based on a well known Kiwi word or phrase.

The story can be factual or fiction and there are three categories covering everyone from already published authors, to novices and young writers. The prizes (sponsored by the Rodney District Council) are also very attractive.

Pick up a brochure from your local Library. The closing date for entries is 14th March 2008 and winners will be announced at a prizegiving on 23 April 2008.

Good luck.