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.

New Youtube Lit Links

There are some really cool clips on Youtube and I bumbled across this one ( read procrastination), The potter puppet pals in 'the mysterious ticking noise'. I thought you might like it, so it's posted down on the left above the book sites.

Tadah! the birth of Lit Links, once a month I will post a new clip that features some literary expression. If you come across a great clip, post a link here in a comment and share it! It doesn't have to be a book, it could be a piece of poetry, a song or a twisted tale, etc.

By the way, if you have an idea for a Lit Link Clip of your own, email it into me (alexanderm@ashfield.nsw.gov.au.nospam) and we'll see if we can make it and post it to Youtube, and of course feature as a Lit Link!

Check out my new Widget!

I'm off to see the Widget, the wonderful Widget of Oz!
(your supposed to sing that or it's not funny)

Well, you don't have to come into the library to talk to a librarian. The widget is a tool you can use to contact me any time. I'm not always online, but you can leave messages for me. Make suggestions for library items I need to buy, ideas for what you would like to see in the library, things you think the library could do for teens.

Or just say hello!

There are also two new sites listed for Online Homework help.

Ask Now is IM chat with a reference librarian, available from Monday to Friday 9.00am - 7.00pm AEST. AskNow is staffed by librarians across Australia. Depending on the time you try the service, you may be chatting to a librarian in any of the States and Territories. You can ask them any questions you need help with, for example if you want to know how the state government works, or if penguins fly?

Your Tutor is available for students from Year 4 to Year 12. All the tutors are qualified experts in their subject areas and specially trained in online tutoring for young people. Students can access one on one support in the areas of Mathematics, Science, English, Essay writing, Assignment Research or about Study Skills. Log on between 4pm to 8pm on weekdays for free.

Carnival of Cultures 07

Sunburn, Sparkles and Sausage Sizzles
Thousands of people turned out for the Ashfield Carnival of Cultures last Sunday (14 October). We had a small library stall (next to Mr Whippy - yummy) and we displayed our wares. Story telling, homework help, craft, all knowingness and books of course.

The Library sold 2 truck loads of old books at our book sale for 50c each (its not for profit, believe me). We had people looking for all sorts of treasures! We managed to sort and shuffle box's of books around our little tent searching for the pony books or NSYNC Cd's and even old encyclopedia sets in Chinese.

Staff helped aspiring young artist design 600 bookmarks and 400 door hangers at the craft table. The glorious sun shone, the cool breeze carried the smell of the scouts sausage sizzle to our nostrils and there was not a blow fly or bull ant to be seen, a wonderful day, I can't wait till next years carnival.