Cybils: blogger book award

Let me introduce you to the internet's first literary awards!
Check out the Cybils Widget!

Like all revolutions, this one started small, with a single post on a blog devoted to children's literature. The Newbery Awards seemed too elitist and the Quills, well, not enough so. Was there a middle ground, an annual award that would recognize both a book's merits and popularity?

The Cybils are the middle ground. The public nominates their favorite children's books from 2007 in seven categories: Picture Books; Non-fiction Picture Books; Middle Grade fiction; Poetry; Young Adult fiction; Non-fiction (YA/MG); and Graphic Novels.

Anyone with an e-mail address can nominate one book per category. Then groups of bloggers get to work. First, a nominating committee reads ALL the titles in a given category. After nearly two arduous months, this committee winnows the nominees to five finalists. A second committee of bloggers considers the shortlist and, after much debate, chooses the best of the best for 2007.

The Cybils is a blogger-run, blogger-inspired awards process... make sure you cast your vote!

Workplace Learning aka. Work Experience

In case you didn't know Ashfield Library provides work experience to high school students through the Workplace Learning Program.

Workplace learning programs are part of the NSW secondary school curriculum. The programs encourage young people to gain practical experience of workplaces and learn industry and workplace skills as part of their studies.

This Blog provides information about work experience opportunities that the Ashfield Library offer. Please read through the posts and have a look at the Reflection Blogs as well.

The Library tries to make the workload as varied and interesting as possible. Students will be required to follow as schedule set down by the library which can contain activities such as helping with kids craft activities, Storytime or Tiny tots's sessions, working with the Housebound service, an introduction to the online library, as well as shelving and circulation duties.

Each student will keep a Workplace Learning Reflections Blog, in which a daily reflection on will be added.

Street Fiction / Gangst Fiction

Hot new blog!

Street fiction, also known as urban fiction, street lit, or gangsta fiction, is one of the fastest growing genres, these books expose the reader to drugs, violence, sex and and the gritty realities of street life in urban America.

Street Fiction is a blog dedicated to reviewing this genre. Daniel Marcou, creator of this blog, is a corrections librarian, creative writing instructor, and author.

The latest title under review is Naughty Girls byAlisha Yvonne. "Ivy Lee Jones and Candy Cane are a couple of sexy girls gone wild. Just look up the meaning of fierce in the dictionary, and you’ll find a picture of both Ivy Lee Jones and Candy Cane with sinister smiles on their faces."

Another book that caught me eye was Going Broke by Trista Russell, "Sarai Emery loves her life. Enclosed in the luxurious penthouse-style apartment just minutes from the beach, Sarai drives a tricked-out S.U.V. and sports a Beyonce-worthy hair weave, but what Sarai prizes above all else is Damian Carter, the man who makes this whole overpriced lifestyle possible. Despite all the bling, Sarai is drowning in debt."

Don't forget, if you find a book you want, feel free to leave me the details in a meebo message (with your ashfield library card number), or email me alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au.nospam, when it comes in I will reserve it for you.