July 2016

From the CommitteeWinter raffleThis ran over three markets and tickets were sold at the library by our excellent library staff. It was exceedingly successful and we made $2758.90 so it was definitely worth all the committee's hard work.

Library rallyThis was also very successful. It was the most diabolical weather but there were over 200 people in the library which created a vibrant ambiance. Terry Cooke took some excellent photos of the event and there was a lot of support for a new library. We were able to collect 140 signatures on our petition in a very short time. Onwards and upwards!

Baby packsDuring the rally, the committee members made up over sixty packs which will be delivered to the hospital. It is astonishing to think that each pack we give to new born babies costs over $40...money well spent.

Donation to the libraryOn a suggestion from Ian Greenhalgh, we have donated a large pull-down screen and a projector which will be used for live screening events, eg. The Sydney Writers Festival which was very successful.

Freegal musicThis is now available from the library. It means library members can have free music from thousands of artists available for downloading or streaming. This joins the other online facilities: books, audio books, magazines, selected independent movies and new Newsbank where library members are able to access newspapers from around the world.

Remembrance Day This will be on Thursday 10th November, in the library at 10.30am.

FRIENDS OF ARMIDALE DUMARESQ LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER

Meetings with Doctor Tiley, Council Administrator1. Five members from the Committee met with Dr Tiley on the 28th

July. We found him very interested and supportive of a new library. We asked him questions about the Stronger Communities Funding, community members involved in decision making, eg. Advisory Committees, and the ongoing Development Application. At the end of the meeting he suggested a meeting of all the Committee members of FOADL and the Precinct Committee.

2. That meeting was held on 13th July, with all FOADL Committee members, Precinct Committee members, senior Council staff and a representative from Barnaby Joyce’s Armidale office meeting Dr Tiley at the Council chambers. The spokesperson for each committee gave their ideas on the new library and discussed monies we may be able to have access to, noting that we will have to compete with all organisations in the district. Dr Tiley has stated the need for flexibility. We live in interesting times and will update you of any relevant information.

Book review

The Lion’s Game Nelson DeMille

This 850 page crime novel is set in America, and maintains a fast paced tension throughout. The main protagonist, John Corey, is an ex NYPD homicide detective, working with the FBI in an elite Anti-Terrorist Task Force. He and agent Kate Mayfield pursue a Libyan terrorist who allegedly wants to defect to the West. In the opening chapters, the defector is en route from Paris on Trans-Continental Flight 175 to Kennedy Airport in New York. When radio contact is lost, it becomes apparent that all is not right. The story involves a long hunt with alternating chapters told from the point of view of the defector and the Task Force Officers.

John Corey is a cynical cop and is prone to smart remarks, putting him offside with his FBI colleagues. Kate Mayfield, technically his boss, although younger in years, comes to appreciate his brand of humour. Together they confront the reality of a trail of murders across the country.

I started to read this book while waiting for another novel to become available and expected that I might not finish it. This did not become an option as the author had me riveted to the page. The first section of the book is eerily tense and compelling. Twists and turns in the plot result in a desire to know what happens and the deft use of one-liners lightens the tension. If you like crime novels, this is an exciting read. It would be perfect for any holiday situation or a long train journey.

Marnie French.

New in the Library

Music may warm our souls as we enter mid-winter: jazz from Miles Davis, this time as the soundtrack to Miles ahead, a movie tribute from Don Cheadle (released on DVD in Australia late this September); Rufus Wainwright also reinterprets a master in Take all my loves: 9 Shakespeare sonnets variously sung, spoken, orchestrated, operatically performed and Germanically dramatized; staggeringly enough, Australia’s Paul Kelly has essayed the same source – one tune less, and laconically presented, Seven sonnets and a song is worthwhile listening.

Beyonce’s Lemonade is not meant to be sweet, but powerful, political and personally bracing. Pat Metheny’s Unity sessions are on two jazz discs, featuring Antonio Sanchez (composer of the Birdman movie soundtrack) on drums. Graham Nash takes This path tonight as he continues to create fine songs fifty years into his career.

More music is mentioned in Barney Hoskyns’ Small town talk, re-telling stories of Bob Dylan, the Band, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and friends in the wild years of Woodstock. Laurent Dubois writes of The banjo: America’s African instrument. Rose Tremain’s new novel, The Gustav sonata, plays out a childhood friendship over the testing years of Europe’s twentieth century.

Alfred Brendel crowns his long life of performance with Music, sense and nonsense: collected essays and lectures. The Chamber Orchestra of Europe performs Joseph Haydn works, including Cello concertos, Symphony No. 13 and the Sinfonia concertante. The striking Birmingham resident, Laura Mvula, brings us an award-winning debut of velvety soul on Sing to the moon.

The printed word also addresses culture and flexibility. Felipe Fernando-Armesto puts A foot in the river to explore why our lives change – and the limits of evolution. Jean-Christophe puts one foot in front of the other on The Santiago pilgrimage: walking the immortal way. And Tobias Mews has

more punishing but less spiritual compulsions to express in 50 races to run before you die.