Little pieces of happy

Last week I got my handbag back.  Retrieved from my library by brave team leaders, it contained a number of important things like my driver’s licence and wallet and cellphone.  But the thing that made me happiest was the unexpected rediscovery of a ring in one of the pockets.  It’s ridiculously huge, shaped like a star, and covered in rainbow diamantes.  Every time I look at it, it makes me smile.  And I figure that’s a pretty good deal right now.

Like standing in a busy library (even if it’s not my regular one), and watching people hang out and spend time with friends and family, borrow books and music and movies, and have coffee together.

Like hearing librarians say they are finally beginning to enjoy reading again, and discussing their books choices (Barbara Trapido’s Sex and Stravinsky – mostly great but with a less-than-average ending; Rachael King’s Magpie Hall – a great read; F G Cottam’s The Waiting Room – beautifully written ghost story).

Like unpacking boxes of shiny new books and sending them off to people who have been waiting for them.

Like reading on a national news website that the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book is being re-released.

Like … well, what’s made you happy recently?

Get ya geek on: Really useful resources for NCEA Chemistry

Ace your NCEA Chemistry assessments by mixing these great resources with your lab work!

• Both the Student Research Center and the Science Reference Center have you sorted with information and resources for everything from biochemistry to electrochemistry and more.
• Borrow a chemistry textbook for NCEA Year 11, 12 or 13 from one of our community libraries now open.
• Get tips from chemistry teachers at Study It.
• Find out everything you need to know and do for NCEA Chemistry from NZQA.
• Learn all about atomic structure, chemical bonding, and reaction kinetics on SparkNotes.
• Have a play with this fantastic online interactive periodic table of elements…or this one.

So where did we find these fantastic tools? On The Pulse – the library website for teens.

The Displaced Reader: relax in the cool building and cafe at Parklands Library

Parklands Library was next on my tour. The guidebook doesn’t really prepare you for what a cool, laid back library this is. Modern design, friendly staff, cute little cafe inside and a some lovely relaxing spaces. The library is one of our smaller ones but as someone famous once said “Small is beautiful” and it makes it really easy to get around the collection and see what is on offer.  There was a good collection of DVDs I noticed and plenty of other inviting titles popping up.

Getting there I used Marshlands Road, QEII Drive, Burwood and Mairehau Roads turning left at Inwoods Road then right onto Queenspark Drive. The library is next to the Parklands shopping centre. It’s bigger than I realised, and there is plenty of parking. As well as the cafe in the library, there is another cafe nearby.

This whole area took a bit of a hit in the earthquake so roads are still bumpy and being repaired in places, but I found it pretty easy to get around. The route I took was only one of several that you could use. Shirley Library customers in particular could find the run to Parklands worthwhile.

Find out which libraries are open and learn m0re about Parklands  Library.

I’ve just learnt the Mobile Library is coming to my neighbourhood. I love buses so that’s where I’m off to next. Find out where the  Displaced Reader has been on her travels.