Roses are red, violets are blue...

...Today is World Poetry Day, so why not borrow an anthology from SMU?

We’ve got poetry to suit all tastes, from Romantics such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge to the more recent musings of Roger McGough. Do you have a favourite poem or poet? Let us know! If you’re feeling creative, we’d love to read your poems on libraries, SMU, or poetry in general in our comments section.

For the record, I’m a fan of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven (though it does always remind me of The Simpsons episode that featured it!).

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

The 17th March is St Patrick’s Day, when the patron saint of Ireland is celebrated all over the world. These celebrations often involve a trip to the local alehouse(s), and quite often a novelty hat too! This week though, before you head to Wind Street to raise a glass to the man, why not find some time to pop into your SMU Library and find out a bit more about Ireland and the Irish? We’re an alcohol free zone of course, but we’ve got plenty of books on the country’s literature and history, as well as a range of travel guides if you fancy a trip to the Emerald Isle (I can recommend Cork!). There’s a lovely Irish-themed display in Townhill Library that might inspire you.

It’s rumoured that St Patrick might have been Welsh (or possibly Scottish). If you’d like to find out more about his life and his day, you’ll find lots of information on our database, Oxford Reference Online, which is accessible from the library website (www.smu.ac.uk/library). Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

New books on display

At Dynevor Library, we have a 'new books' section on level 1 (next to the current journals) where you can browse and borrow recently acquired Art & Design library items.

Currently on there you can find a nice selection of art exhibition catalogues from the UK, and further afield!

So next time you visit the library come and take a look, you may discover something new and exciting...

Google Art Project

For all you art enthusiasts, we now have a link to the 'Google Art Project' website via our library webpages www.smu.ac.uk/library (from there click on the Art & Design subject link, and then 'websites', where you will see it listed).

'Explore museums from around the world, discover and view hundreds of artworks at incredible zoom levels, and even create and share your own collection of masterpieces' ...Google Art Project.

An interesting statistic for today...

During academic year 2009/10, our three SMU Libraries received a total of 231, 241 visits!

World Book Day 2011

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thursday March 3rd 2011 is World Book Day, intended to bring together publishers, booksellers, libraries and readers alike in a worldwide celebration of books and reading. To mark this occasion the SMU library staff thought they would share some of their current/favourite reads with you, our library users!

Alison (Assistant librarian) - I am currently reading Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkein - both for myself and for my LOR obsessed son! Having watched the films, we're now delving deeper into the history of Middle Earth and the story of the Ring of Power. Exciting chases, myth, lore, romance, great deeds, goodies, baddies, big battles, beasts and magic! I've also got to get together a hobbit outfit for my son to wear to school on World Book Day - now, the big question, do hobbits have pointy ears or not??!

Amanda (Library Assistant) - One of my favourite books is Bliss by Peter Carey. He is my favourite author and this is the first book of his that I read. I like it because it is funny and sweet and meticulously crafted. I have lovely memories of reading it in a harbour in Australia, when the themes were fresh and current...and I had dolphins swimming around my feet - so that helps too!

Alison (Deputy Head of Library & Learning Resources) - I'm currently half way through reading The Long Song by Andrea Levy. Shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize, the narrator tells us her story of slavery in early nineteenth century Jamaica. I'm enjoying reading it as it's engaging, beautifully descriptive and transports me to a different time and place!

Caroline (Clerical Assistant) - I'm reading two books at the moment. The Rough Guide to California (researching my latest holiday!) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson... a bit weird, not quite sure why I'm reading it, probably because it had Vegas in the title, but I've started so I'll finish!

Linda (Library Assistant) - One of my favourite books is Notes On a Scandal by Zoe Heller. A compelling read...don't watch the film, the book is far better.

Maggie (Library Assistant) - An all time favourite read of mine is Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach. An inspirational short story that leaves a lasting impression.

Natalie (Library Assistant) - I've just finished reading Think Dog by John Fisher. A friend lent me this after we had our puppy and I enjoyed reading it because it gives an insight into why dogs behave the way they do, with lots of advice on how to deal with common dog problems!

Philippa (Assistant Librarian) - My favourite book is The Princess Bride by William Goldman. What's not to like about this book? It's got action, adventure, true love, satire, pirates, a giant... to quote the tag line of the 1987 film (also a favourite of mine), it's "not just your basic, average, everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairytale" and I love it!

Sue (Library Assistant) - I am currently reading Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia by Chris Stewart. It has been described as "the best good life abroad book in years" by the Sunday Telegraph. It's a bit slow to start with but gets better as you read on.

Wendy (Library Assistant) - I'm reading Room by Emma Donoghue at the moment (shortlisted for the Man Booker prize 2010). Hard to put down - unlike any book I've read before. Makes you look at the world in a completely different way.

As for myself...I love reading biographies (because I'm nosey!) and I'm currently reading Always Looking Up by Michael J Fox. It's the follow-on from his first autobiography Lucky Man. Despite dealing with some difficult issues, namely his well publicised struggle with early-onset Parkinson's disease, both books are light hearted and very funny, choosing to highlight his personal triumph over adversity.

So there you have it, a pretty varied selection of reading material! Hopefully we've inspired you to try something new this World Book Day. Why not drop us a line and let us know what you're reading? Leave your comments below...we look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Saint David's Day! / Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant!

Image: Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As we celebrate all things Welsh on Saint David's Day this Tuesday why not call in at one of your SMU libraries and learn a little bit more about the culture and history of this fantastic country!

We have Wales: The Rough Guide (shelfmark 914.29 WAL) if you fancy doing some travelling and seeing the sights. Maybe you're feeling adventurous and fancy learning the language too... why not borrow our multimedia course for beginners Cwrs Mynediad (491.6682421 MEE). If it's history that interests you take a look at History of Wales by John Davies (942.9 DAV), or if you're an aspiring poet why not immerse yourself in the Selected Poems of Dylan Thomas (821.912 THO). Finally, for those of you who prefer to surf the net, you could check out the fabulous website for welsh heritage and culture Gathering the Jewels ( http://www.gtj.org.uk/ ).

If that little lot doesn't get you feeling all patriotic on March 1st then call into the Owen Library on Mount Pleasant Campus and pick up a pin-on daffodil in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Wear your daffodil with pride!