Thursday, May 26, 2011

Information on the Go

Library members can now access selected databases 24/7 at their fingertips by using a new iPhone application. The app searches all of the EBSCO databases in one go. Members can access Australian and international journal and newspaper articles for basic, intermediate and advanced levels of research. It is particularly useful for secondary and tertiary students or for avid readers of specific topics e.g. health, current affairs, literature, science, history and environment. This app is free to download to iPhones and only needs to be set up once using the instructions below. Setup only takes a few minutes and you’ll be searching in no time!

1. Open the App Store, then search “ebsco” and download the application.
2. Open Safari and go to www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au and click on ‘Library’, then ‘e-Resources’ (TIP: Bookmark this page for future use!)
3. Let’s use ANZRC (Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre) found under the topic heading of ‘Newspapers & Journal Articles’. Click the access button.
4. Enter your library barcode number.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the database page and click
6. Enter an email address that you can access on your iPhone, then check your email and click the activation link provided.

Now you can open your EBSCOhost app and get searching!


For assistance call the friendly staff at the Information and Research Centre on 02 4974 5340.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Feathers for Phoebe

Author: Rod Clement

Publication Date: 2010

Category: Picture book

Who'll want to read it? Kids, parents, anyone with a love of colour, style, and poetic justice.

Point of no return: For me, it was the attitude that drew me in, from the first page: "Phoebe was small and grey and she didn't like it. Not one little bit."

Classic line: " 'I like to puff out my chest, fan out my tail, wiggle my rump and sing... Ging gang gooley gooley wash wash...' "

What's it all about? Little, grey Phoebe wants to be noticed, so she turns to Zelda, the beautiful, talented, famous beautician, to help her. Zelda (who I always imagine speaking with a Russian accent, dahlink) fits Phoebe out in a pretty amazing new costume, and the results are not quite what she expects.

Feathers for Phoebe is ALIA's National Simultaneous Storytime book this year. Check to see if your local library is joining in the fun, from 10:30am on Wednesday 25 May 2011.

Publisher: Angus & Robertson - an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.