Top 5 for Friday - Death and Bereavement

I'm off to a funeral this afternoon for one of my old primary school teachers who I have kept in touch with. He admitted a couple of years ago that he had hoped I would become a teacher, but conceded that librarian was the next best thing. So I am off to celebrate his life and it has got me looking for just the right words, something that we often help people do in the library on just such occasions.

1. Beyond Absence - collected by Edward Searl. This "treasury of poems, quotations and readings on death and remembrance" is just one of the books that is held by the library with words for the service, a personal note or for comfort.
2. Sometimes it's not a poem about death, remembrance or grief that you are looking for but that favourite poem of your loved one. One of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had as a librarian is managing to help a gentleman find his mother's favourite poem for her service (and he had a last little giggle as she had got the poet wrong). Often we find the words in books like Best-Loved Poems (Neil Philip - Editor) but we have volumes of poetry as well as all our on line resources which we can utilise in our detective work to find what you are looking for.
3. Earth, Sea, Sky by Patricia and Waiariki Grace with photos by Craig Potton is just one volume of Images and Maori Proverbs which have been published by Huia. The Maori proverb is accompanied by the English translation as well as a short explanation. It is simple but inspiring.
4. It's not something we really like to talk about but there are things we can do to prepare for death. That starts with making a Will and can also include creating a Family Trust, a subject that we often get inquiries about here at the Library. A lot of lawyers recommend Martin Hawes book Family Trusts so we try to have several copies of this on the shelves, but it is not the only book on the subject so have a look around or do a Subject Search Trusts - New Zealand.
5. Everyone deals with loss differently and we have a selection of books in the library to help you work your way through the process. 101 ways you can help (Liz Aleshire) and After life, after you : true stories of love, grief and hope (S.K. Reid) are two quite new books that give different perspectives on bereavement.

An honourable mention today comes from a title that I came across writing today's blog. The Book of Death: Kicking the Bucket in Style (Sarah McKenzie, Liz Poole and Amanda McKenzie) has such an in-your-face title that I am pretty sure it would be worth a read.

In the meantime, here is a proverb from Earth, Sea, Sky (mentioned above)

Rarangi maunga, tu tonu, tu tonu. Rarangi tangata, ngaro noa, ngaro noa.

You have gone. But your mountain is everlasting.

RIP Val.

Make Music

Are you a singer or musician? Then our transition into Auckland Libraries brings you not just more music to listen to, but the resources to make your own.

You can now access the growing collection of Sheet Music that is held at the Auckland Central Library. The collection covers a broad range of styles. In addition to classical, jazz and rock, the collection also contains:
- song anthologies
- vocal scores and librettos for opera and musicals
- miniature scores and full scores
- instrumental tutors
- a strong New Zealand music collection, both print and manuscript
- choral and orchestral sets

There is a wealth of other types of sheet music in the basement of the Central City Library, all available for loan. Most is available at no charge, although there is a fee for the Orchestral sets.

Check out some of the links on this Printed Music Catalogue Search to find out more.

Row Row Row your boat..

... faster than the rest

Kiwis at Karapiro

Simply were the best

Okay - so poetry isn't my forte! But weren't the Kiwis fantastic at the World Rowing Champs at Lake Karapiro over the last week and a half. Congratulations to everyone involved, from the competitors to the organisers.

If the sight of the skiffs (or boats or whatever the technical term is) skimming through the waves has inspired you, check out what's available from more than 4,000 resources at your local library. There's everything here from the How to manuals for beginners to the How to Go Faster tips for those already involved in the sport. Crew: The Power's Handbook (2007) sounds like it might have everything you need from the history (slaves and galley ships), equipment, training and racing.

Or check out the stories of famous rowers (or scullers) and some of the incredible trips that they have undertaken. The story of Rob Hamill and Phil Stubbs in The Naked Rower is an interesting and inspiring read, while the title Five months in a leaky boat : rowing through Mongolia and Siberia to the Arctic Ocean, is intriguing to say the least.

And to find out more about rowing in New Zealand go to the Rowing New Zealand website.

What makes a good picture book?

The Best Picture Books are the ones that make the children giggle and which make the parents (usually the reader) laugh. Which is exactly what happened yesterday morning at Storytime in Warkworth with the last book of the session (when the audience is starting to get a little distracted and at it's toughest).

The Pig's Knickers (Jonathan Emmett - Writer. Vanessa Cabban - Illustrator) is the story of a pig who thinks he is quite dull and boring. What does it take to transform a gloomy pig into a break-dancing, tango-tastic super pig? A pair of polka-dot knickers! Pig's new polka-dot knickers make him feel so special that he can't stop showing off in them. 'What do you think of me in my new knickers?' he asks, as he parades proudly past his friends. But is it really Pig's knickers that are so extraordinary, or is it something else?

A cheeky picture book that's fun to read, right through to the last page.

Information 24/7 - Library Resources from Home or Work

If you were a member of any of the previous library networks: Auckland, Manukau, North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney, Franklin and Papakura – you now have access to the Digital Library.

The Digital Library is ideal for those who cannot physically get to the library for books and information due to time constraints or other reasons. It is great for researchers, teachers, students, and parents helping their kids with homework. You can use your current library barcode and PIN to access the Digital Library, which holds 100+ specialist eResources encompassing some of the world’s most sought after information including:

1. Renowned encyclopaedias, e.g. World Book Online and Encyclopaedia Britannica Online
2. Top business statistics and information, e.g. Kompass, MarketLine
3. Top arts eResources: Oxford Art Online and William Blake’s America
4. Fun interactive children’s sites: TumbleBooks and TumbleReadables
5. World-class online exhibitions e.g. Shades of Grey, Shakespeare, and, Is It Real Gold?
6. Downloadable Media (eAudio books)
7. Auckland and specialist family history databases, e.g. passenger lists and cemetery records
8. Digitised heritage material e.g. Manuscripts Online

Visit the all-new Digital Library now: www.aucklandcitylibraries.com/digitallibrary. Over the next few weeks I will be having a look at some of these resources. While most of them do need a library card for access, some are open sites. Have a look around and if you have any questions, let me know.