Michael Jackson

Not surprisingly Michael Jackson’s death has dominated the news in the last few days. Already his albums and print works are in hot demand. Currently we don’t have any, but I am sure that will be rectified. Below is a report about Macmillan reprinting their currently out of stock biography. I am surprised that they are only printing 85,000 and expect more reprints to follow.

Macmillan orders 85k reprint of Jackson biography From thebookseller.com 29.06.09 Philip Jones

Macmillan is rushing through a reprint of 85,000 copies of J Randy Taraborrelli’s Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness in anticipation of a surge in demand for Jackson products following the pop star’s death last week.

The book, published in paperback 2004, is currently 28th in Amazon.co.uk’s bestseller chart, despite being listed as ‘out of stock’. The publisher, which said late Friday that it was still waiting orders and assessing quantities, is expecting delivery of the £8.99 paperback on Tuesday.

There have been numerous reports that sales of Jackson’s albums, and DVDs, have gone through the roof since news of his sudden death emerged last Thursday (25th June). However, no new book on Jackson appears to have been commissioned since Taraborrelli’s book, and this is the only title on the singer in Amazon.co.uk’s top 100 list.

The Bookseller reported on Friday (26th June) that independent publisher John Blake has commissioned a new biography of Jackson. Michael Jackson – King of Pop: 1958-2009 is being written by Emily Herbert, a long-time fan of Jackson, who has interviewed him “on several occasions” in the past. It is scheduled for release on 24th August and will be a B-format paperback, priced £7.99.

Omnibus Press is also looking into the possibility of creating a special ‘memorial’ edition of its Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary of Jackson. Richard Hudson, sales director, said the publisher was “in discussions” with the author, Adrian Grant, about updating the book. The fourth edition of the title was published in 2005. Hudson added Omnibus was considering reissuing “two or three” other books on the singer.

 

Author of the Week: June 29 – July 5

Jeffery Deaver

“Teeth-chattering suspense” – Daily Mail.

Jeffery Deaver (born May 6, 1950, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois) is an American mystery/crime writer. He originally started working as a journalist, but trained as a lawyer and later practiced law.

Many of his books tend to promote lateral thinking, particularly his short story collection Twisted. One of his books, The Blue Nowhere, features criminal hackers (one using social engineering to commit murder), as well as a law enforcement computer crime unit. His most popular series features his regular character Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic detective, and Amelia Sachs. (According to a 2006 interview on the Early Show, Deaver stated that he would rotate between his new series and Lincoln Rhyme each year.) Virtually all of his works feature a trick ending, or sometimes multiple trick endings.

Four cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) confirmed in MDHB region: Pahiatua

MidCentral District Health Board region now has its first four confirmed cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 09.

The cases involve a child and adult in Horowhenua, a Pahiatua teenager, and another adult from Palmerston North.

Earlier, another case was confirmed in Marton, which comes under MidCentral Health’s public health services area, but is in the Whanganui District Health Board region.

As a result of these increased cases locally, MDHB has decided to move from the “contain it” phase in its pandemic response to a “manage it” phase from next week, recognising the increase in numbers and moderate severity of the disease.

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 453, up 36 from 417 yesterday.

Most other District Health Boards have already moved, or are considering moving to, the “manage it” phase.

What happens in the “Manage it” phase and what does that mean?

It is expected about a third of  New Zealanders will become ill with this virus over the coming months and for the vast majority it will feel, and be treated, like seasonal influenza.

The difference between Influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza isn’t what it feels like for individual New Zealanders who get sick, but the numbers of people getting sick. This is because it is new and people have not developed any immunity to it.

The high number of cases will stretch and challenge our health system. High infection rates will also mean that a lot of people will be off work sick or looking after sick family members.

Preventing, delaying and minimising the arrival of further cases of infection into New Zealand and the community spread of infection remain the current objectives.

Border management is still a part of the Government’s response and will remain so. Activities at the border will continue, principally providing health information to people arriving in New Zealand and advice as necessary.

The Ministry of Health, and MDHB, will be providing advice and information for the majority of people through:

•  
  • Healthline phone 0800 611 116
  • primary care (ie. professional care received in the community, usually from your GP or practice nurse)
  • the internet http://www.moh.govt.nz or www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz
  • the media
  • in some areas, flu centres or Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs) will be set up to manage high numbers.

Anyone who is sick should stay in home isolation in order not to spread the virus, but those who are well are not expected to put themselves into quarantine.

But as more cases are confirmed in the community, the focus will need to shift to boosting the way care is provided in the community. The decision on where best to direct the efforts of health professionals is reviewed daily.

What about serious or severe cases?

During the ‘Manage it’ phase, people who become unwell with any type of influenza will need to stay home and look after themselves instead of being assessed by the public health services. Most will not need medical help. For those who feel they need medical help, please continue to phone your General Practice.

Just like seasonal influenza, a small proportion of cases will develop more serious complications, and health services will need to prioritise these cases.

People should ring their General Practice if they develop more serious illness or if they have serious chronic conditions (eg. heart failure, severe lung disease, severe asthma) which put them at risk of a more serious illness.

Treatment with antivirals – Tamiflu and Relenza – may be prescribed for people with more severe influenza or those at higher risk of complications.

The aim is to make sure hospitals can look after those who develop a more severe illness, get complications or have other medical needs.

Being prepared for self care

An important part of the “manage it” phase includes individuals being prepared to look after themselves at home in the same way they would with seasonal flu.

The Ministry of Health is not advising people to cancel social gatherings, sports events and travel. However, there are practical steps that individuals and communities can take to reduce the community spread of the virus. These steps include practising good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes. If you are sick, stay home until you have fully recovered as you can easily spread the germs to others.

Regular updates on Influenza A (H1N1) are available from the Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz/. Healthline is available for general queries about this new strain of influenza on 0800 611 116.

Updated FAQ: Charges

I have updated dated our FAQ to include this page detailing library charges.

Please note that from July 1st we will be moving from charging over-dues at $1.00 per week for adults, and 0.50 cents per week for juniors, to 0.20 per day for adults and 0.10 per day for juniors.

Does a Cover Make a Book?

One oft use phrase used not just for literature but also in philosophy and other well meaning contexts is “judge not a book by its cover” or some variant off. It’s a good phrase and a good philosophy.

But can a cover make a book? The answer is yes, because despite all the repetition of the above saying, people DO judge a book by a cover. Indeed librarians will do so when purchasing, as we know that poor covers will led to poor issues.

As an example look at the four covers below. They are for the same book [Three for the America/British/Austalia market, one for the Danish] in a fantastic series by Tamora Pierce who I highlighted as an Author of the Week in April. Which do you like? Which would you want to read? I know which one I like the best! [Covers for all her works can be seen here]

 

 

 

Maybe my point is “judge not a book by its cover”, but I wish the publishing industry would make it so that you didn’t have too!

Make it Digital

DigitalNZ have launched their new site Make it Digital.  

Make It Digital is a place for people who are interested in making content digital. New Zealand is a small place with big ideas, and we need to be creating and digitising more content – be it our pictures, our stories, our 3D creations, or our knowledge and culture. Need some advice, got a digitisation project, got some expertise to contribute? This is the place for you.

Both sites are well worth a look.

Tararua Library on Facebook

We now have a Facebook page! Come look. Become a fan

Felicity Logan

The author Felicity Logan will be at Dannevirke Library Friday 26th June @ 6.30p.m.

Felicty will be discussing her latest publications, and there will be a fun quiz during the evening.

 * Free refreshments * All welcome *

THE LAST SPIKE: is a pictorial celebration of the  centenary of the North Island Main Trunk Line, produced by Feilding Historical Society last October. One member provided the hundreds of photos and Felicity the text.  This publication has sold out but there is a copy available at the library. Of great interest for train buffs.

A SILENT SIN: is a fictionalised biography about her great-great-grandmother’s travels from London to Sydney to Onehunga. Of interest to genealogists.

Te Papa: Capture Matariki – Ka hao a Matariki

How do you celebrate the Maori New Year? Grab a camera and show the nation!

During Matariki, Te Papa, in partnership with TelstraClear and New Zealand Post, is creating an interactive display of images that capture the mood of this special time of year. And your photos can be part of it!

The theme for Matariki 2009 is whakawhanaungatanga (bringing people together). So get snapping, and capture how your friends and whänau live, work, and play during the festive season.

You can view the photos online, or come and see them larger than life in OurSpace. Then, in July, a panel of selectors will choose a range of the most impressive images to be shown on a giant screen outside Te Papa.

To participate, simply upload your images and tag them ‘Matariki 09′.

Author of the Week: June 22 – June 28

Daisy Meadows

Daisy Meadows is a pseudonym for the four writers of the incredibly popular Rainbow Magic books for younger children. The four authors are Narinder Dhami, Sue Bentley, Linda Chapman, and Sue Mongredien.

If you like Daisy meadows, try reading the authors works released under their own names.