The Price Of A Bargain

What does one gain in purchasing goods at a steal of a deal of a price? More importantly, what is the process whereby this trinket or bauble or television or computer arrives into your hands? At what cost? Those who are even just a wee bit curious about the manufacture of goods, logistics of shipping and transit to the shop, your purchase driven home in your automobile and, ultimately, most probably tossed into the rubbish, will benefit from a thorough read of this bright book.

Gordon Laird, who has published in newspapers, appeared on television, spoken on radio and written for magazines, takes us on astounding and astonishing journeys that bring us through ten years of research and interviews. We travel into a Las Vegas convention, Chinese factory cities, Los Angeles shipping yards, up to Alberta’s oil sands and many other places in between. We see what havoc our huge footprint has on the Earth and how ridiculously perilously dangerous it would be if China and India did decide to consume resources at the rate of the average North American.

It is an intriguing book, a bit hefty for bedtime reading, though again, one of those sorts that once you start, you may be tempted to keep on keeping on. In so doing, all the way through to the end of the adventure where Laird weighs in on what the real price of goods are, minus the sundry subsidies that make things so very cheap for us. For those of us hankering for more, there are plenty of sources cited for further reading on the very many subjects touched upon in this jolly good read.

Books Really Do Furnish A Room

Hooray for a book about books! A hefty and aesthetically pleasing coffee table tome at that. And one with plenty of photography from all around the world, through all and sundry gloriously large and some quite cozy living arrangements. Room by room, we sally forth into houses, lofts and flats, so too learning about the varied sorts of libraries – be they formal or informal, designs with books in mind and place and making the most of the space.

I read through the text in one sitting, stopping only to gaze at the admirable arrangements and assortments of collections of architects, artists, authors, designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin, as well as varied individuals and couples. The photos are lovely indications of the very many ways we could possibly store vast volumes of knowledge, entertainment and diversion. Though we might not yet own hundreds upon thousands of custom bound, antique volumes as seen in some of the ancestral homes, it is still great fun to think of how we may arrange, design and re-arrange our own personal empire of edification and education.

It is a wondrous world to look into the lives of others and see how they have incorporated reading material into their lives, using elements of design to create a style distinct to the area; be it a room in an old farm house, a kitchen in Barbados or the bathroom of a book publisher. Weighing in at over two pounds, it does work very well indeed as a tome on a table, perhaps browsed through by family, friends and fellow bibliophiles who can pontificate for long periods on the ideas such lovely words and images do inspire.

Give it up : my year of learning to live better with less

Give It Up!

Though catalogued in the non-fiction section under “simplicity” and “self-denial,” I beg to differ. This would have better fit into personal memoirs because it is less about general and sundry tips for improvement, for which I had hoped, and more about how the author journeyed through her quest and changed her habits, or not. It is broken up into twelve months of the year, each representing a chapter, with an Introduction to kick off the concept of abstention.

“We must be the change we wish in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi. That is the famous inspirational quote at the genesis of the intentional adventure in loss. Alcohol, shopping, elevators, newspapers, cell phones, dining out, television, taxis, coffee, cursing, chocolate and multi-tasking are her chosen monthly subjects. Each month she goes without one of these things, detailing to us, the dear library reader, who sometimes nods periodically in agreement, chuckles from time to time and certainly ponders what such a quest would look like in our own lives.

The book is small in size and length, with a mere 196 pages and short chapters, this makes for a good read in the lead up to the New Year, a cause for pause and evaluation of all things in one’s own life. She comes to some conclusions that certain things cannot be extracted completely from existence, like a mobile telephone, and does sometimes find that one thing, like the lack of use of elevators, leads to a greater overall awareness for the need to exert oneself physically. These are but two of the notable moments that may resonate in your own life as you consider her experiences against your own and decide if, perhaps, such an adventure of your own might be worth constructing.

A graduate; though remembered for a grand disc

Thirteen lucky tracks fall under the creative control of Kanye West, rapper, producer and fashion man extraordinaire. Graduation is one of a select few albums that I can listen to time and time and time again, from start to finish.

Whether he is starting it off in sharp form with "Good Morning" or slightly more mellow with "Champion" - his beats make me move and groove and cause good food for thought with his rhymes. A whole host of guests are featured; from T-Pain to Lil Wayne, the intelligent Mos Def, Dwele and DJ Premiere and, of course, Chris Martin on the melodic and marvellous "Homecoming."

One does have to have a predilection for the distinct personal perspective Kayne West has and enjoy his sharp delivery. And then, when these two basics are satisfied, one can safely count this as a super solid disc to borrow from the expanding collection of Hip Hop at your favourite local library.

Melody Gardot

A reduction in mobility after a motor car mashed her off her bicycle meant Melody Gardot would turn to music more than ever before as a means of travel on the road to recovery. Years later, releasing this first full-length disc, we witness her blend of jazz and blues instrumentation with her soulful, sultry, slightly smoky, super cool vocals. She co-produces this album and all too short at just over thirty minutes it is.

Norah Jones jumps to mind as an immediate comparison upon initial listen. Yet more spins around the stereo and one can pick out elements unique to Gardot, along with clarinet, cello and slide guitar arrangements, to name but a few varied instruments. Periodically, she incorporates a spot of Scat Singing, adopting a sometimes pensive, sometimes playful persona. It is hard to pick just a few choice tracks from the ten fine forms. A couple of the more reflective numbers that captivate me on the theme of love are "Quiet Fire" and "Love Me Like A River Does." And two fun ones being "All That I Need Is Love" and the jolly "Goodnite " with its jazzy double bass, finger snapping music with French lyrical moments thrown in for grand measure.

The wonder of wandering around the music sections in Audio Visual yield such groovy gems. I am well pleased with this lovely little number, new to the collection in our favourite library and I shall endeavor to give it just a few more listens before bringing it back tomorrow so someone else can share the sweet sounds and wait patiently for her new disc due to hit store shelves on 28 April 2009.

Pitbull of Personal Development - indeed!

His style is that of someone who slices and dices and chops and cuts. Though the only thing cooking in the kitchen is you. This fellow, known for his business advice and best sellers in that regard, branches out to break stupid ways, habits and thoughts you may hold about your life, personal universe and just about everything, including airline travel.

As with many books on betterment of the self, there are always quantifiable numbers of lists, exercises, ways and principles that one must hurdle through and over and come out the other side of the book with a good grasp on goals present and future. Where this Larry Winget chap falls off the typical feel-good, lovey-dovey wagon is in his straightforward and often chortle worthy way of mincing words and telling it like it is. He wants his words to be a guide, a means to an end and a possible path. It is recommended to think for oneself and consider what works, what does not and use critical thought processes in order to weed through the walk to a successful life.

It is, at 218 pages, an easy read of an evening (for someone who proceeds at a decent pace, even with stopping at intervals to do all the exercises and making notes on all the laugh out loud funny bits and phrases) and concludes in a very focused manner, suggesting that, through all the sundry thinking and listing and planning and answering why things are wanted, to pick one starting point and just go to it. Organisation of home – here I come!

I am Happier

When one has a book to delve into, life is good. And when there are things to be learned, ideas to consider, notes to take, things to write about, it is even better. Mind, one can simply read this blend of Harvard Positive Psychology and personal development, also known as self-help, and still pick up some gems without having to put too much effort into the process.

Although, if intrigued by the bright yellow cover, the red font on the front and upon reading the dust jacket, you are curious about improvement in your mood, then you may be keen to take pen to a separate piece of paper to ponder and plan, both during reading and review after the fact. Fifteen chapters, exercises at the end of each and "Time-In" moments sprinkled throughout allow for many moments of introspective pondering.

The writing is clear. The grand bit about this book is the reference to many others in the fields of Psychology and the premise of balance between the here and now and the future, near and far. Wit, wisdom, selected quotes at the start of each chapter and the additional notes all add to the solidity of the sundry notions for thought on a more examined and better lived life.

Definitely a Carnival

Here we are with more music for another Monday and further in the spirit of a melange of sounds with Frank London and company. Whooping it up in a classic kind of circus, party, carnival, playful way we have one man and his band, plus a whole host of special guests combining forces for one fierce Klezmer party.

"In Your Garden Twenty Fecund Fruit Trees" is the traditional tune to get things going. It features Marjana Sadowska with such a contagious vibrant joie de vivre, hooting, hollering and singing with such spirit one cannot help but wiggle at least five toes on a foot to the wonderment. Throughout the disc, there is an ebb and flow to the party mood. Lest you think it is all fast or all slow, no, a good blend of varied tempos mix up the new and old songs. "Who Knows One?" is another lovely number of a lady with lilting lyrics.

This one man, Mr. London, has a sense of humour in the liner notes, stating: "Esteemed reader, you have purchased the greatest recording of all time, a CD so powerful that it will cure you of all ailments from impotence to flatulence." Cheeky chap! And a great bunch of fun to listen to and read the booklet to boot. Hurry over to our favourite local library to give this disc a good go around your disc player of choice.

Music Mondays: Marvels from England

Across the ocean we do go, dipping back to 2005 to meet the quintet of quintessential performers who exceed expectations on their debut disc A Certain Trigger. It has been on rotation in my stereo system for years. We have it here. And to say they rock is like taking coals to Newcastle, which, fancy that, is where they are from.

The disc does have a fault. It is just shy of forty minutes. It leaves you wanting more of their post-punk, keyboard infused, rhythmic hooks and poetic portraits in poignant lyrics of love lost, found at inappropriate moments and even a bit of fun braggadocio about romancing skills. One of my absolute, all-time favourite tracks in my personal music history is the up-tempo, punchy, catchy "Apply Some Pressure" - even after hundreds, literally, of listens, I do love it so. Shards of sentences and bars of music resonate in mind of "Going Missing" with its slower, reflective, melodic moments. Then, sharp as a tack these souls, the passage "I am young and I am lost / Every sentence has its cost / I am young and I am lost / You react to my riposte" sticks to me as a clever sort of look at their lot in life from "The Coast Is Always Changing."

And this lot of lovely gents happens to be splendid in a sound recording. Though, upon borrowing the disc from our favourite local library, finding you too love it so dearly as I do, watch for them touring around the town and see a live show. It is an electric spectacle of energy, wild jumping scissor kicks, thrashing about in time to the tunes and romping around, wooing the audience with their captivating forms, witty banter and wondrous accents.

Vacations at home with World Music

Monday! Hooray! And the disc of the week is from Toronto. It inspired in name by Port-of-Spain, in Trinidad, from whence Calypso came. Warmth abounds in this Caribbean music. Lyrical tales touch on serious subjects of politics and domestic violence. Yet it is not all grim. Moments are dedicated in joy, celebrating the wonder of a new land and the beauty of the individual.

The eight players in Kobo Town fuse together in fine form to offer up their varied backgrounds in a special blend of Calypso, laced with loads of other elements from Jazz, Reggae and beyond. This is just the ticket for dancing around the rooms at home, inside for still a spell while we wait for the bright light of day to stay in the sky a little longer. Till this happens, and beyond, I shall be grooving to the ebullient adventures of immigration in "Across the Dark Waters" and "Trinity," with its wistful love. "Beautiful Soul" captures an essence of the importance of the individual over items and possessions.

Whether one listens just for select songs, which stand on their own, or listens to the whole disc time and again, there are lovely music moments to be had. It is a pleasing and pleasant production that, even though the words are sometimes grim in nature, one cannot help but want to move about the place in vigorous manner. Do pop in to our favourite local library to borrow this or many other lovely World Music disc for added heat whilst the winter months carry on.

Jolly Jazz recorded in Paris

Once in every great while there comes a disc suitable for listening to once, twice, thrice and yet many more times in a row. Ten fine folks worked together over two days in May to furnish your ears with sharp tunes. Mind, it was 1976. And Ring dem vibes is as amazing as ever. Praise be for the late Lionel Hampton.

Toes tapping, fingers snapping, hands clapping – goodness gracious mercy me – from the outset, all the way through to the end of the seven swell tracks I could barely hold myself still enough to sit and type these words. "Ring dem bells" sets the great ball of jazz rolling and it does not stop for a good 43 minutes. "On the sunny side of the street" is a sweet favourite of mine. Then this hot record concludes with "Hamp's thing," a composition from the vibraphone man extraordinaire.

There is something so lovely about a solid jazz recording. Sophisticated and complicated. These are but a couple of words that come to mind when listening and re-listening to the wondrous workings of that fine swinging of mallets onto the aluminium bars. In conjunction with all the other players on this recording, there is a heaping helping of magic music made and as soon as I have listened to it another bunch of times, it will be back at our favourite local library for your borrowing enjoyment.

Hot Hot Tunes for the Cold Cold Stretch

Welcome to the first edition of Music Mondays. Be sure to mark this day of the week on your calendar. All manner of music reviews will be appearing on our favourite local library blog. And this week do we have a treat for you! A music disc is with a sweet DVD. On this DVD there is a concert and a documentary. Let's begin!






Nikki Yanofsky. Her name is fast becoming one recognised around the world. You may remember her from an outdoor performance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in 2006 when she wooed audiences. She was 12. Now she shines on a recording of a wondrous live show from 2007 as a top notch young lady with an amazing voice, wild scat singing ability and an impressive style. Whether one listens to the concert recording and hears the three bonus audio tracks, including the catchy as all get out "Vote for Mr. Rhythm" and a swell rendition of "With a Little Help From My Friends" or watches the concert on the DVD, it is a grand romp through sundry joints of Jazz, a bit of Blues and even a modicum of Mambo. After several consecutive listens one is able to pick up on various elements in the arrangements and one of my favourites is "A Tisket, a Tasket," with its swinging style and swell call and response.

If you happen to be hankering for more information about the sundry elements behind the scenes, carry on with the DVD for a 24 minute documentary with interviews and snippets of studio recordings unfolding before your eyes. Combined with the concert for your eyes and the compact disc version for your ears, this really is a triple packet of positively priceless entertainment for listening outright, or as a backdrop for a social soiree, or as a personal soundtrack to accompany one in daily life.

Music: Old Favourites in the New Year

West London. Staines to be specific. Travelling backward near four years in time to enjoy an aural visit with a quartet of handsome young gentlemen called HARD-Fi. Years and years later, I still love this disc, so much so, I suggested it for purchase and it was deemed sharp enough for the vast collection of music compact discs here at our favourite local library.

Periodically, I need to put some pep in my step. And dancing around to a mixture of Brit Rock (it really does have a sound distinct from that of the North American market) is just the ticket. The album Stars Of CCTV blends an assortment of ska and punk influences, with a curious mixture of disco and orchestral arrangements thrown in for good measure. This debut album does rock and roll, all songs melding well into one musical collage of varied tempos. The lyrics are fun, filled with interesting tales and stories, complementing the music in a most meticulous manner.

These few words are just to whet your appetite for the vast supply of groovy views, news and reviews of things favourite and things new coming up in this wonderful year. We, the Staff Bloggers, here at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library look forward to filling up your hearts and minds with many marvellous things. Stop by, say hello and let us know what you think of the Blog.

The Modern Scholar

Do the words The Modern Scholar and The Great Courses sound familiar? For some people, the mere mention has excitement bubbling up in their hearts and their eyes widening with delight with the thought of these fine offerings. For the average individual, it has, hitherto, remained a secret too well kept. It is time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag, or in this case – compact discs and a book out of the box.

Recorded Books and The Teaching Company are the two enterprises, founded in 1999 and 1990 respectively, seeking to bring entire university semesters worth of knowledge into one condensed package, easily portable for listening learning at home, in the car or out and about elsewhere. Various professors from Ivy League universities, Georgetown, Stanford and umpteen other institutions of repute lecture on a vast array of subjects. The best bit of it is, you can learn at your own pace with the recorded courses and accompanying text, free of the stress of tests, exams and papers. Whether it is Science, Religion, Mythology, Music, Literature, Language, History or something in between, there are over forty assorted, condensed morsels of marvelous knowledge just waiting in the Audio Visual Department.

These fertile Spring months of flowers will soon bring the season of sweet Summer outdoor festivals galore, but before those fine moments, remember to pop over to your favourite local library to discover an amazing way to develop your mind. The Audio Courses are an alternative to paying hefty tuition fees, whilst still being able to expand your horizons and learn about an array of jolly things.

Win a DVD and bragging rights

Are you up to snuff and sharp as a tack in your movie viewing? Even if you shake your head no, venture forth to the library for your Oscar form. Try your hand at choosing who will garner the awards and accolades at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Only a dozen days remain till the sweet ceremony on Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 8pm.

This is your chance to win a DVD, of your choosing, from amongst the nominees of the year. Of course, being able to brag to all your family and friends about how you predicted the outcome of the 2nd annual Audio Visual Department competition is also great fun. Everyone can participate and all you need is a pen or pencil to fill in the circles for the sixteen questions.

When you pop over for your entry form, do stop for a moment to talk shop. We are always ready to discuss excellent entertainment and speculate lightly on who some of the possible winners may be. While in your favorite local library, do see what new DVDs are available and what other intriguing items we have on hand.

Hot Picks from Behind the Scenes

Though the recent snow made it look a lot like the holidays were upon us, the Autumn New Music brochure is hot off the press and ready to provide a guide to the wondrous selections to warm your ears and heart. Do visit your favourite local library post haste to pick up a copy before there are none left. When you have your hands on the fine little bright orange number you will see the seven sweet categories with all manner of exciting music over the twenty one pages. There are brand new music discs from Canadian Reggae fusion stars Bedouin Soundclash, with Jay Malinowski and company, and even a fantastic compilation called Reggae 2007. These are a couple of hot topics. Polaris music prize nominees and the winner are to be found within the pages too, along with Classical, Jazz and Popular Music selections like Paul Anka and The Band.

The vast assortment of music is a marvellous delight. Everyone can come in to borrow four CDs for three weeks. I have said it before and I will say it again, there really is something for everyone. The Music Librarian, who you will find out a bit more about in a moment, and I do concur that J.S. Bach's Alles mit Gott, performed by the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner to be an absolute aural treat. And for a new twist on an old favourite, Sting plays a lute and sings Dowland - this is my new discovery for the day and will keep me well pleased over the next while. Enough with the high brow, if you need a good Brit Pop fix like Maximo Park, Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Streets, The Verve, The Charlatans UK or maybe even some more Maximo Park then we have the ticket to the British Isles without ever leaving the neighbourhood. At length I could go on, though a visit to Audio Visual will set you right and if you're not sure what you need then please ask us. Or if we happen not to have it, do write it into the Suggestion Book.

And now, behind the scenes, sometimes on Reference and always diligently minding and enhancing the collection, we have Farah Mohammed, our trusty Music Librarian for the last dozen years and she has a McGill Music education, fifteen years participating as a soprano in The Orpheus Singers and is an accomplished piano accompanist. She has a flair for finding selections in Classical, Jazz, Jewish, Opera, Popular and World Music genres. Periodically she presents musical gems during the Passion for Music series which she hosts and speaks specifically on a certain topic. She is the one to go to with obscure and unusual music questions and is more than happy to share her knowledge about the collection. There are over two thousand five hundred compact discs at the ready and on display so there is no reason to leave the library without at least one or three CDs, even if it is something you have never heard of, you may discover a stylish new favourite form of music.

Word Search Game

This game is for those who are comfortable searching the online catalogue. It is an entertaining romp down the wide and wonderful, lush boulevard of periodicals. You may have seen the wondrous wall in the second lounge in your favourite local library, replete with all manner of journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers. What you may not have realised is the collection is listed online as well. Before even venturing forth to the library you can have a list in hand of all the good things you need to read once here.

Let's begin. Think of a word, any word - art, film, music. The list could go on and on. Amble on over to the main search page of the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library catalogue and choose the fourth option, WORD, from the left menu. Click on it, you are whisked away to the second page, type in your word, tap the "Submit" button and then behold your lovely results.

But it does not end there. Wait. It gets better. At the top of the page you will see "WORD" in the left drop down menu field, your specific word queried in the centre field and then "View Entire Collection" from the right drop down menu field. Instead of seeing all the library has to offer, choose "Periodical Collection" and voila – a narrowed field, focusing on all the fine literature to read whilst taking time out of your hectic day to just delight in the glossy printed pages of magazines from all over the world. And if you happen to need some extra advice or want to practice the game with a pro, wander over to the library and ask your friendly Audio Visual Desk Clerk for assistance with the word search game.

Electric Movie Energy

Only days remain until the third presentation of Passion for Movies on Wednesday, 24 October 2007, at 7pm to be exact. Those in attendance at the last couple of events already know it is a wonderful chance to hear a bit more about film favourites from various Audio Visual staff members.

What is not widely known is the amazing effort put into the one night of cinematic magic. Sarah, Manager of Adult Services, is the talented Master of Ceremonies as the evening unrolls. Dolores, Programs Assistant, works on all the behind the scenes elements like seating, ensuring the handout looks great and finding Fair Trade coffee to correspond with one of her film presentations. Angela, Desk Clerk extraordinaire, works with you to ensure your entertainment needs are met. Deby is the one who makes sure all the Audio Visual material looks so sharp before it hits the shelves. Steven starts the ball rolling by choosing the good things and cataloguing them.

I, your humble scribe and Audio Visual Desk Clerk, Patricia, am looking forward to your presence on Wednesday, the 24th of October at 7 at night. All of the diligent work from our talented team will pay off in spades, as we wait with bated breath to share with you some new movies, a classic, those dear to our hearts, ones that inform, entertain, enlighten and intrigue us.

Worlds Await

The Audio Visual section is the perfect place for adventures around the world without having to stray far from home. Minus the cumbersome tasks of packing, pondering how to fit everything into a suitcase, what is allowed in carry-on baggage, the wait at the airport, the business of clearing customs and finally making it to the hotel. All that before you can even begin to contemplate where to go or what to see.

Time off for an aerial tour Scotland (DVD 914.11 V831) whilst sitting on a sofa is one of my ideas for traveling without moving. After I have had a wonderful, whirlwind view of the country I will wander backward in time to ponder the wonders of the Taj Mahal and the origins of Indian civilization (DVD 954 I39). And then, a dramatic fast forward to present day India while listening to extremely catchy Bhangra tunes, taking which are found in the music drawers under CD 784.76914.

All of these adventures from countries around the world are easily at my disposal at our favourite local library. It is grand and great to see the assortment of nations represented on the shelves and the many opportunities for discovery without going much farther than one's own backyard.

Stay cool on the computer

Summer is a time of fun in the sun, complete with frolicking, being footloose and fancy free, away from habitual cares and worries, even if it’s only for a week or two. Perhaps sitting on a beach, by the lake or at the ocean, walking in the park or going out for ice cream may be a few ways you spend the fine days. Riding a bike, watching the clouds pass by, swimming, having a barbeque, sitting on a terrasse with friends - there are countless possibilities to use the wonderful moments well.

Mind you, during short spells of hot, hot heat and high humidity, outside is not always the place you want to be. At times it is too uncomfortable to partake in any sort of activity out of doors. Or maybe the heavy air just feels oppressive and is hardly conducive to moving about in a vigorous manner. As ever, at your favourite local library, we have the solution for you.

Nine public computers are available, by reservation over the phone or in person, for a booking of one hour per person per day. Whether you need to type a letter in French or search the Internet for some information, it is possible to do so in a cool environment and contemplate life, the universe and everything. If you are in a terrible hurry and just need to verify your e-mail on the go, stop by the Audio Visual Desk to ask for a chance to use the Express Computer. And for those with laptops, PDAs or fancy mobile phones – there is free wireless Internet available in the library from 10 in the morning to 10 at night.

Sweet and stylish brochures - get them while they are cool

It is the hot and humid season of travel, trips and time spent relaxing and what better way to entertain yourself to and fro than with music and audiobooks on Compact Disc. Your favourite local library has brand new brilliant brochures to guide you through the vast array of grand new material.

The previous quarterly brochures served their purpose well, though they could be cumbersome to wield. We have pondered how to make your experience easier and ever more enjoyable, thus deciding on the portable, almost pocket-sized format you will find in stock presently. The guide books are in limited supply so it is imperative you pop over to visit as soon as possible to pick up your map to new classical, jazz and popular music artists. And so too with the audiobooks, worlds of adventure, education, entertainment, intrigue and satisfaction await as talented readers bring books to life for your ears.

Before you go to Boston, New York, the Laurentians, the Townships or points farther flung, do come to the Audio Visual Department for your copy of the guide, some friendly banter and a bundle of goodies to sustain you for three weeks.

Passion for Movies Strikes Back

Thursday the seventh is nearly upon us. At seven at night a few of your favorite library movie mavens bust out from behind the desk to discuss choice cinematic picks. Sarah, Dolores, Steve, Deby and I will highlight vastly different areas of interest and expertise in movies. Film clips will be shown, a brief summary given and words of appreciation for the movie shared.

Library regulars delight in daily opportunities to discuss the world of DVDs with the knowledgeable Audio Visual Staff. The fantastic growing collection at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library is at your disposal from ten in the morning till ten at night every single day of the week.

The forthcoming delicious hour of discussion will offer patrons a bonus amount of time to hear what fine films the Staff are enjoying. For those not familiar with the movie section, it is an excellent chance to explore an enchanting area of the library. The event is free. Biscuits, tea and coffee will be on offer to please your palate whilst we are quenching your thirst for groovy movie recommendations.

Five days away from Baroque bliss

On Tuesday, May 8 at 11am, Passion for Music takes place; it will be
the bee's knees and the cat's pajamas all rolled into one tasty morsel
of goodness. I am rather riveted by Baroque and positively over the
moon about this event. Music aficionados who fancy fine music from
this period will be pleased as punch with this lecture before lunch.
Those who are not familiar with this splendid section of musical
history are more than welcome to venture forth for an hour of
discovery.

Farah, our music librarian par excellence, carefully minds
the music collection, enhancing it with choice titles and is your
grand guide through the world of wondrous tunes in a time when
Shakespeare's plays were quite fresh and new, Elizabeth I was not long
gone and music was rich and resonant.

Pieces from England, France, Germany and Italy are on the menu,
covering a range of forms, styles and genres found in vocal and
instrumental music. This music offers a wonderful, magical and
exciting world. It has the power to make you weep with joy or bring
you to another place in time. At the very least it manages to stir
some emotion, possibly delight and maybe even inspire. This is your
chance to partake in the very first edition of this aural excitement.
We are looking forward to your company on Tuesday morning for the
sweet treat.

What will you do?

With Oscar fever long gone and Passion for Film not due till June, what will you do to pass the time? Visit us at the library but of course, venturing forth to the Audio Visual Department where there are tonnes of entertainment options at hand.

And what fresh excitement to see the music collection blooming for this Passover and Easter season; at long last there are hundreds of compact discs on display and in drawers just waiting for you to take four home for three weeks. Whether it be Bach, Mozart or Schubert who floats your boat or you need a fix of Barry Manilow, Barbara Streisand or Yanni, the collection has an impressive scope and variety. Some of my favourites are Baroque, Choral and Renaissance works but I do so adore present day pop culture. Rocking music groups from the United Kingdom like Bloc Party and Hard-Fi, trip hop superstars like Massive Attack or the eclectic sounds of Gorillaz please me intensely and it is super groovy to find them in our favourite local library.

With such voluminous amounts of marvelous music being released, we are often delighted with what is available and inundated with ideas for the expansion of the collection. If ever there should be an occasion where you know of something fantastic we do not have, do, by all means, use our Suggestion Book in Audio Visual or make a recommendation through our online catalogue and we will certainly take it into consideration the next time we plan a trip to the shops.

Passion for Film - spice and everything nice

February fairly whipped by and for those twenty eight days I deliberated and cogitated with a groovy group of staff members. It was with vim and vigor we prepared to debut a special evening of cinematic entertainment. What choices to make from the ever growing collection? How to organize the hour? What would the scope of the soiree be?

Passion for Film at our favorite local library is less than a week away, on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 7 in the evening. This is the time you will delight in delicious movie talk, clips from films and a whole heaping helping of information. With Sarah as our host, an assortment of staff members will converse on three of their preferred movies. Romance, Drama, documentaries, HBO, Israel, Hollywood, and the whole world of Foreign Films will be waiting for you through the library door, over the threshold and into a condensed night of sweetness. A veritable cornucopia of good times await by the fire.

It is imperative to be out on Wednesday to witness all the wonderful and spicy surprises we have in store. We are still adding the finishing touches for the coolest movie soiree ever. After narrowing things down and changing my mind for what seems like a hundred times, nay a hundred three, I finally settled on a handful of goodness. From the lovely library assortment I will pick a DVD from the Foreign titles, something from the Feature films and a swell Documentary as well. You will not know what the titles are, not just yet but I will say the theme for the selections hinges around the number three, women and feisty characters that will knock your socks off. And what is more you will learn an intriguing fact or three about me, your effervescent Audio Visual lady.

Oscar Fever

Hollywood fails to impress me with its consistent recycling of ideas. To devote several hours of a Sunday night to the Academy Awards seems a frivolous waste of time when I could be watching a swell documentary or movie from another country borrowed from the delightful assortment of DVDs in the Library.

For the 79th Annual Oscars it has changed. Because of the "Pick the Most Winners contest" held in the Audio Visual Department I will finally have my choices recognized. The thrill of the victories of each nominee will catch my attention and hold me fast as I wait to see how many of my selections match up with the official selections of the Academy.

Tomorrow is the last chance to enter to win a DVD. The form is available at the Audio Visual Desk. If you need more information, any of the friendly ladies at the desk will be more than happy to help. Stop by, say hello, see the swell selection of DVDs available for you to reserve and see all we have to offer in our almost endless array of entertainment.