A month-long literary feast at Our Library this October

*** Download the Books and Writing Program fold-out poster! ***

Celebrate the written and spoken word at Our Library! Over 20 FREE talks, readings and workshops with popular and award-winning authors and poets – all month long – just for you!  

Throughout October, Our Library will present a celebration of the written and spoken word as part of the Shire’s Festival of Arts & Ideas: arts alive 2011.

The jam-packed Books and Writing Program includes over 20 free talks, readings and workshops with popular and award-winning authors and poets along with the chance for local writers to read and perform their work.

Special guests include Peter Bakowski, Steph Bowe, Cath Crowley, Joel Deane, Garry Disher, Mark Evans, Peggy Frew, Rosalie Ham, Joan Kilby, Lisa Lang, June Loves, Tim Pegler, Sally Rippin Candice Lemon-Scott and Michael Wagner – to name just a few.

Books will be available to purchase and have signed by the guest authors at each event, courtesy of Farrell’s Bookshop – the Official Bookseller for the Peninsula Festival of Arts & Ideas: arts alive 2011.

 Significant highlights include:
‘Wordfest! for Kids and Teens
There’ll also be the opportunity for children and teens to meet their favourite authors and hear them read from their latest books, including:

Meet Cath Crowley, the recipient of the 2011 PM's Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction for her novel, 'Graffiti Moon'!

• Cath Crowley will be in town to discuss her highly acclaimed young adult novel, Graffiti Moon: Friday 7 October (11am-12pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.
• Sally Rippin will talk about her new novel, Angel Creek: Thursday 6 October (2pm-3pm) at Rosebud Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1230.
• Tim Pegler will discuss his latest teen novel, Five Parts Dead: Wednesday 5 October (2pm-3pm) at Hastings Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1710.
• Michael Wagner will discuss his delightfully silly, magical adventure for young readers, Ted Goes Wild: Tuesday 4 October (11am-12pm) at Somerville Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5978 0834.
• Seventeen year old author Steph Bowe will also talk about her quirky debut novel, Girl Saves Boy: Saturday 8 October (2pm-3pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.

 ‘Peninsula Page-turners’
Hear leading local authors discuss their latest books and how the peninsula inspires them, including:

Find out how the Mornington Peninsula inspires award-winning crime writer, Garry Disher.

• Garry Disher who will discuss his latest whodunit, Whispering Death: Saturday 22 October (11am-12pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.
  • Internationally-successful romance author Joan Kilby who will discuss the Summerside Trilogy, published by Harlequin Mills and Boon: Tuesday 25 October (7pm-8pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.
  • ‘Hen Lit’ author June Loves who will discuss her bestselling novel, The Shelly Beach Writers’ Group: Friday 28 October (11am-12pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.

  
  ‘Between the Covers’
  Popular author Rosalie Ham will be in town to discuss her latest novel, There Should Be Dancing: Wednesday 12 October (2pm-3pm) at Rosebud Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1230.

  Musician and award-winning scribe Peggy Frew will talk about her debut novel, House of Sticks: Saturday 15 October (11am-12pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.

  

  'Dirty Deeds' is the first book about AC/DC written from the inside, by an insider - Mark Evans, the bass player who was part of the original line-up that featured legendary vocalist Bon Scott. Hear Mark Evans share his stories in this honest, gripping, sometimes laugh-out-loud account of a band that lived fast, played hard and broke every one of the rules.

  Mark Evans, the original bass player from AC/DC, will share his revealing and frank memoir, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside and Outside of AC/DC: Saturday 22 October (2pm-3pm) at Mornington Library. Free, but bookings essential: 5950 1820.

  ‘Tools of the Trade’
  Throughout October a series of practical and hands-on talks and writing and editing workshops will be on offer at Hastings, Mornington and Rosebud libraries, which will be presented by Goldie Alexander, Joel Deane, Candice Lemon-Scott, Ed Marshall, Cathy Alexander and The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award winner, Lisa Lang.

  ‘Australian Poetry Omnibus’
  The Australian Poetry Omnibus will also be in town between 27-29 October, which is a touring library developed by Australian Poetry Ltd – the peak industry body that promotes and supports Australian poets and poetry locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The Omnibus will also present a series of events that include a poetry reading, panel discussion and workshop that involve Melbourne poets Peter Bakowski and Joel Deane along with Andrea Louise Thomas who is the Café Poet at Our Café @ Mornington Library.

  Download the Books and Writing Program fold-out poster!

Find out what our Cafe Poet is up to

Our Cafe Poet, Andrea Louise Thomas, has started her residency at Mornington Library.

Why not subscribe to Andrea’s blog to find out what inspires her as she shares her experiences with us during her residency.

Andrea Louise Thomas will be Cafe Poet in residence at Mornington Library until August. The Cafe Poet program is an initiative of Australian Poetry.

Introducing our Cafe Poet

It is with great pleasure that we officially announce our inaugural Café Poet is performance poet Andrea Louise Thomas.

Mornington Peninsula Library Service has partnered with Australian Poetry to offer a local poet the opportunity of a six-month residency at Mornington Library. This unique program provides space to write on a regular basis, complimentary drinks and the chance to collaborate with Our Library on a special event.

Our new Cafe Poet, Andrea Louise Thomas, who will be our poet-in-residence at Mornington Library from February to August 2011.

Andrea has competed at the state finals of the Australian Poetry Slam, the Overload Poetry Slam and Poetry Idol at the Melbourne Writers Festival. She also participated as the only woman on Team Australia versus Scotland in the first International Poetry Slam via Skype.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley where she specialised in poetry and Shakespeare. Andrea also holds primary school and secondary school teaching credentials and taught English as a second language in Japan for two years.

Andrea plans to develop a collection of poetry and publish a chapbook during her residency at Mornington Library. She will also work with Our Library to present a special event later in the year. Stay tuned for more details!

The Café Poet program was established by Australian Poetry in 2009 and aims to promote poetry while strengthening community relationships. To date, this nation-wide program has provided more than 30 poets with the opportunity to develop their writing in a supportive environment.

Cafe Poet announcement

Next week Our Library will officially announce who has been selected as our inaugural Cafe Poet in residence at Mornington Library!

We will share this exciting news at our special evening event with Australia’s favourite poet, Les Murray, on Tuesday 8 February. (Please note this event has been booked out!)

The Australian Poetry's Cafe Poet program aims to promote poetry while strengthening community relationships.

We will also publish more details on this blog on Wednesday 9 February so stay tuned!

What is the Cafe Poet program?
Our Library has partnered with Australian Poetry to offer a local poet the opportunity for a six-month residency at Mornington Library. This special program provides space to write on a regular basis, complimentary drinks and the chance to collaborate with Our Library on a special event.

The Cafe Poet program was extablished by Australian Poetry in 2009 and aims to promote poetry while strengthening community relationships. To date, this nation-wide program has provided more than 30 poets with the opportunity to develop their writing in a supportive environment.

Les Murray event sold out!

Our special evening event with Les Murray has sold out and we are not able to take further bookings.

AN EVENING WITH LES MURRAY
Tuesday 8 February, 6pm-8pm
The Studio @ Peninsula Community Theatre
91 Wilsons Road, Mornington
Tickets: SOLD OUT!

An evening with Les Murray

Presented by Mornington Peninsula Library Service, Paradise Anthology Productions and Farrell’s Bookshop:

Join Australia's leading poet, Les Murray for a special evening event at The Studio @ PCT on Tuesday 8 February.

 Les Murray, Australia’s leading poet and one of the greatest contemporary poets writing in English, will visit Mornington on Tuesday 8 February to read from his new collection of poetry, Taller When Prone and speak about his writing practice. 

 With characteristic grace and dexterity, the poems in Taller When Prone combine a mastery of form with a matchless ear for the Australian vernacular. Many evoke rural life here and abroad – its rhythms and rituals, the natural world, the landscape and the people who have shaped it. There are traveller’s tales, elegies, meditative fragments and satirical sketches.

BOOK TODAY!
AN EVENING WITH LES MURRAY
Tuesday 8 February, 6pm-8pm
The Studio @ Peninsula Community Theatre
91 Wilsons Road, Mornington
Tickets: $6 adults, $4 concession
Bookings and pre-payment essential: Mornington Library – 5950 1820 or email us 

Copies of Taller When Prone will be available to purchase and have signed by Les Murray.

We also plan to officially announce who has been selected as our 2011 Cafe Poet at Mornington Library. We hope you can join us for this special occasion!

ABOUT LES MURRAY
Les Murray lives in Bunyah, near Taree in New South Wales. He has published over 30 books. His work is studied in schools and universities around Australia and has been translated into several foreign languages. In 1996 he was awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry, in 1998 the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry, and in 2004 the Mondello Prize.

Father’s Day competition

Enter our competition here!
Entries close: Saturday 21 August 2010

You could win this book and make your dad's day! Competition closes Saturday 21 August.

Tell your dad how much you care with Dear Dad: Poems by Australians about Fathers.

We have one copy of this very special book to give away to a lucky member of Our Library. 

Your dad will love this book, which contains a selection of poetry that explores what fatherhood means to Australians. It includes contributions from esteemed poet, Chris Wallace-Crabbe as well as TV and radio personalities, Alan Brough and John Clarke, and the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. John Brumby.

Dear Dad has been produced by Relationships Australia, the Australian Poetry Centre and designers/publishers, Gracia and Louise.

Hurry! Get your entry in for this special prize.
Entries close: Saturday 21 August 2010

Are you a local poet?
Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to be a Café Poet in residence at Mornington Library. Applications close: Friday 27 August.

Want to be a Cafe Poet at Mornington Library?

Then we would love to hear from you! 

Our Library has partnered with the Australian Poetry Centre (APC) to offer a local poet the opportunity of a six month residency at Mornington Library.

We are delighted to partner with the Australian Poetry Centre to provide a local poet with the opportunity of a six month residency at Mornington Library

This special program will provide a local poet with space to write on a regular basis, complimentary tea or coffee and the chance to collaborate with Our Library on an event.

Local poets are invited to submit hard copy applications with the following information for consideration. Applications close Friday 27 August:

• All contact details.
• A statement outlining why you would like to be the Cafe Poet.
• A statement regarding a personal objective or what you would like to achieve during the six month residency.
• A statement regarding a public objective to benefit others, such as presenting a reading or workshop, etc. at the end of the residency.
• Five sample poems.

The hard copy applications should be posted to:
Cafe Poet Residency
c/- Library Marketing and Development Coordinator
Mornington Peninsula Library Service
Private Bag 1000
Rosebud Victoria 3939

A selection panel will review the applications and the successful candidate will be contacted in September. Correspondence will be sent to all applicants in late September to notify them of the decision. 

What is the Cafe Poet Program?
The Australian Poetry Centre’s Cafe Poet Program was established in 2009 and aims to promote poetry while strengthening community relationships.

To date, this nation-wide program has provided over 30 poets with the opportunity to develop their writing in a supportive environment. The Australian Poetry Centre is based in The Wheelers Centre in Melbourne.

The Cafe Poet will be required to visit and work at the Mornington Library at least two times each week throughout the six month residency. It should also be noted that no remuneration will be provided.

However, Our Library will be able to assist with a tea or coffee voucher for each visit. We will also be able to provide the Cafe Poet with unlimited free reservations for items in Our Library’s collection throughout the residency.

The Cafe Poet will also be expected to collaborate with Our Library on a special event at the end of the residency. Our Library will negotiate other opportunities with the selected poet in regard to promoting their writing. This may involve being available for interviews or photo shoots with the local media.

Who can apply?
Applicants must be:

• At least 18 years of age.
• A member (or willing to be a member) of Our Library and the Australian Poetry Centre.
• A local resident (i.e. a resident of one of the towns governed by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council).

When is the residency expected to take place?
Between October 2010 and April 2011. However, this will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Other opportunities for local writers
The Cafe Poet Program is the third initiative for local writers to be announced in recent months. In May Our Library introduced regular Live’n’Local readings at Mornington and Rosebud libraries and The Mornpens List, which invites published writers to submit their details online.

Don’t forget! Applications close Friday 27 August
We look forward to receiving your Cafe Poet application in the post!