Children had a fantastic time at our school holiday activities weaving and making felt and glue bookmarks (with a bit of sewing too!). The range of bookmarks was just amazing with everything from puppy dogs to mice and Christmas trees being created. It will certainly be fun to see which one pops up in your next book. Pictured are Fletcher and Cooper with their incredible creations  enough for a pile of books, Julia's puppy and mouse and Georgia and Emily with their clever creations. Well done everyone!!!!!

One of the most heavily utilised areas of the Orange City Library's collection is the “true crime” section. As an acknowledgment of the popularity of this genre an eye catching display has been created. The new police station was visited and the police generously donated some crime tape and stickers which state that “Cops are Tops”. For those of you who read true crime, some new titles have been fast tracked through the system and are available for you to borrow direct from the display. You will also note that there is the outline of a body on the floor (reminiscent of The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie). Question of the week has been “Is that the boss ?” Our lips are sealed on the answer!

Catherine Jinks author of The Dark Mountain (and 30 other books) talks about researching family history and writing novels at Orange City Library on Saturday 8 August as part of Frost Fest and National Family History Week. Her novel The Dark Mountain is dedicated to Orange City Library after researching material for her project using the Local Studies Collection. Her book is about the Atkinson/McNeilly family and has links to Orange. Based on the true story of a colonial family, this compelling tale features a memorable cast of characters, including Australia's first female novelist and one of the country's earliest, most notorious serial killers. Meet author Catherine Jinks on Saturday 8 August from 12pm  1.30pm. Please book your place by calling 6393 8132.

We knew it all along it was true but here is a study that proves it. The University of Sussex has found that reading works best to reduce stress and “losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation”. The new research finding says reading is the best way to relax and even six minutes can be enough to reduce stress levels by more than two thirds. I wonder if that includes trashy magazine holiday reading? Anyway, to read the news announcing the research check out the UK Telegraph site for the article called Reading can help reduce stress: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html

Yes it's the Wrap with Love ABC KNIT IN Cowra Library on Wednesday 29th July 2009. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided by the Friends of the Cowra Library. The KNIT IN is a fantastic community event supporting the organisation Wrap With Love, which creates colourful warm wraps for communities in need around the world. We need you to knit squares (25cm x 25cm or 10 by 10 inch) 8 pusing 8-ply yarn and size 8 (4mm) needles (approximately 50-55 stitches). If you have spare 8 ply yarn, are handy with a pair of knitting needles, a crochet hook or you have always wanted to learn how to knit, please join in our efforts to create a record amount of squares and wraps in 2009. Check out the Wrap With Love website http://www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/Wrap.htm.
For more information please contact Marion or Carol at Cowra Library on 6340 2180. You can also drop off your knitted squares and wraps to any Central West Libraries branch.