Celebrating Library and Information Week with authors at the City of Stirling Libraries

This year, Stirling Libraries took advantage of the State Literature Centre's 'Writers in Libraries' programme. Six authors were booked during Library and Information Week. Shaun Tan, Mike Lefroy, Liz Byrski, Kim Scott, Estelle Blackburn and John Long entertained and informed each of their audiences. The following reviews were received:

Estelle Blackburn, Scarborough Library - Estelle's book Broken Lives relates the story of John Button's wrongful imprisonment for manslaughter. Estelle was excellent and had everyone fascinated with her accounts of her investigations and the background to the case. A comment from one of the audience: 'could have sat another couple of hours to listen to her - excellent speaker'. I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in investigative journalism at its best.

Liz Byrski, Mirrabooka Library - Liz Byrski is a writer and broadcaster, and the author of many books. She has just published her first fiction novel, Gang of Four. Liz was a wonderful presenter. The small group interacted throughout the session with their own stories and writing ideas. Liz spoke about the differences between fiction and non-fiction. She also spoke about how the characters in her fiction book weaved their own web through the book, rather than the path she thought they were going to take. Liz is such a friendly and relaxed person that everyone that attended thoroughly enjoyed listening and talking to her.

Mike Lefroy, Inglewood Library - Mike Lefroy has written many books for kids using his interest in the maritime history of Western Australia and proved to be an excellent presenter. He gave a fantastic talk about the research and processes that went into uncovering the mystery of the Shipwreck at Madmen's Corner. He also spoke about some of the other shipwrecks that have occurred off the WA coast, and gave a rundown on new books he's working on. A fascinating insight into WA maritime adventures.

John Long, Karrinyup Library - John Long is the Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the WA Museum, and has written fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. John talked about the perils of publishing, and the initial difficulties he faced getting his works published. He talked at length about his love of dinosaurs and fossils, how this passion evolved, and how it came to shape his career and his writing. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, and stayed on to chat 'all things science' with John over a cup of tea.

Kim Scott, Osborne Library - Kim Scott is a descendant of the people who lived along the south-east coast of WA, and his books, True Country and Benang have been critically acclaimed. Those that attended the session were very impressed with Kim and what he had to say. One of the group said 'he had a very nice viewpoint on his ancestral heritage' and 'he was very well-spoken and educated.'

Shaun Tan, Dianella Library - Shaun's picture books, among them The Red Tree, The Rabbits, and The Lost Thing, have won national and international acclaim. Shaun spoke for nearly an hour and a half on his work as both an illustrator and a writer. As many of the audience had an art background he spoke in detail on the varying techniques for different books, right down to the mediums used, the inspiration behind the ideas and why he used a particular style or medium. Another wonderful insight into the mind of a creative genius!

All those that the sessions attended gained new insight into the world of writing and publishing. Readers were able to discover an extra dimension to the books on the shelves at their local library, and that, after all, is what Library and Information Week is all about.

Celebrating much newer writers, the presentation ceremony for the City of Stirling's 2004 Student Literary Award was also held during Library and Information Week. The Slice of LIfe theme invited students to write about their own lives using a variety of topics, such as food, sport and holidays. The entries were then reproduced as a book called Slice of LIfe, comparing children's lives in the past with their lives now. Information about the past was taken from oral history interviews. The book links in with the 175th anniversary of the Swan River settlement, and copies of the book will be available at all the libraries. Every school in the City of Stirling will also receive a copy.

276 entries were received from 18 schools across the City of Stirling. Councillor Sam Popovski was the MC for the presentation, and the certificates and vouchers were presented by Deputy Mayor Troy Pickard to students from Deanmore Primary School, Holy Rosary Primary School, Carmel Primary School, Wembley Downs Primary School, Balga Senior High School, Balcatta Senior High School, St Andrew's Grammar School and Servite College. Every student that entered the Awards received a Certificate of Participation, and all award winners were also presented with their own copy of the Slice of LIfe book.

All in all, Library and Information Week 2004 was a busy and interesting celebration of stories for the six City of Stirling Libraries and their readers.

Joanna Andrew City of Stirling Libraries

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