Mecs information outlet

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Mecs information outlet

Lost in space – now found!

June 6th, 2011 · No Comments · News

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/63009926/

Our original library blog has been found! Some months ago the site that hosted our blog changed hands and we lost the lot. Last month they kindly let us connect to it again, and move it to a new address before it was permanently deleted. So, if you had bookmarked it, or made it a favourite in the past, you will have to update the contact details for this new address.

It has been an interesting lesson in how temporary things are on the web, and how much we need to back everything up – just in case.  It wasn’t until it was lost that I realised how much I depended on the links in the blog.   Most of the links have been recovered, though some details didn’t make the transition intact. But we’re back in business – yeh!

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Looking good!

February 9th, 2011 · No Comments · News

IMG_1338Welcome back everyone to a new year in the library.

It’s been a difficult start to the year with our computers being out of action while the upgrade is in progress, but if you’re reading this, the chances are you are connected at last!

Most people seem to like the new look in the library, especially the Word Wall in the study area.  Lots of people are missing the old dragon. Well we still have it and are looking for a new suitable home in the school for it.  One suggestion was to give it to Mrs. Millar as the ‘dress dragon’ and I know she would just love it. However, there may be other good candidates so if you have a suggestion, let me know.

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Heroes of Olympus

October 28th, 2010 · 1 Comment · What's new?

For all you diehard Percy Jackson fans, the wait is over!  Many of you knew that author Rick Riordan (pronounced by the way as rye-ah -den) was writing a second Percy Jackson series.  Well, it’s finally here.  The new series is called “The heroes of Olympus” and the first book in the series is “The Lost hero”  There is a new cast of characters at Camp Half-Blood, but some of the old favourites are still there.  Get in quick and reserve a copy, as I am expecting this book to be highly sought after.

Mrs Haynes

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What's new in the Library

October 15th, 2010 · No Comments · Book reviews, What's new?

It’s been far too long since our last post, so here is a small sample of some of the great new books in the library.0545253063.01._SY190_SCLZZZZZZZ_ The capture is the first book in the Guardians of Ga’hoole series by Kathryn Lasky.  Some of you may have seen the movie over the holidays.  The book is well worth reading – most enjoyable in fact.  We have ordered the rest of the series (I think there are about 10 books so far in the series), but at this stage, we only have the first book.

Another delightful book that I read over the holidays was Trash by Andy Mulligan.  At first I thought this was just going to be an insight into the lives of three young boys who live on the rubbish dumps in the Philippines.  It was that, but so much more.  The boys have to decipher a code in order to find the treasure, all the while being chased by the authorities, who also want to find the treasure.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m sure you will too.  Will be available soon.

Another great holiday read of mine was Operation Ocean Emerald by Ilkka Remes.  This is an action packed book about Luke Baron, who unwittingly gets caught up in the drama of a hijacked luxury ocean liner.  This is one you won’t want to put down until it is finished.  Just needs to be covered and then it will be available.

Finally (although there are so many more good books I could talk about), we have a wonderful new picture book called Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Ask to have a look at this book in the Library.  Even though it is a Picture book, I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face.

Happy reading,

Mrs Haynes

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Little changes make a big difference

July 29th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

IMG_1265Have you been in the library recently?

Judging by the numbers we have each lunchtime, I’d guess that most people will have noticed the new look that’s happening.

We now have lots more display area where we can show off some of our great new (and not so new) books and magazines.  They seem to be attracting attention because the display books are the ones most borrowed and we keep having to fill up the displays again!

Some of you have noticed the new seating area, with comfortable tub chairs, and seem to like the area, although I wonder if it is because those are the seats nearest the heater!

Anyway, the library is busier than ever, which is how we like it!

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I tried and I did it!

June 8th, 2010 · No Comments · Book reviews

Imagine having only enough food for one small meal a day.  William had to leave school and go out to work just to survive the terrible famine that followed the drought in Malawi.  But he had discovered a book, a science book with diagrams, which showed how to use wind power to generate electricity and pump water. So using scrap metal and odds and ends found at the local tip, William ignored the scorn of friends and neighbours and tried to make a windmill himself.

I found this true story really inspiring, partly because I’ve seen some of it first hand during a trip to Malawi a few years ago. The schools are just as William describes it,  with libraries thinly stocked with old cast off books from places like Australia.  And yet it was one of those discarded books that inspired William to build his own water pump, which now allows his family to live without fear of drought and famine.

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Some books from MECS have already made their way to Malawi and are now in the library of some needy schools.  Maybe some other ‘William’ will find inspiration from one of our old books.

If you want to know more about William and his windmill, you can watch his story on YouTube – The boy who harnessed the wind

The message William leaves us with is, “I tried, and I did it!”

Mrs. Bird

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More new fiction

March 25th, 2010 · No Comments · News, What's new?

We have some fantastic new books just catalogued and ready to borrow from the library, and some that I can tell you about but you’ll have to wait till after the holidays to read for yourselves.  Don’t worry, you can still put your name on the Reserve list.

Check out the Library Thing on this site (the scrollbar on the right hand side) to see some of our newest books.  Some of our books are actually too new to be listed on the LibraryThing site, so we can’t show you their covers yet.

The Redwall fans are in for a treat with a NEW, brand NEW Redwall title just published.  We’re hoping that one of you will write a review of it for us all to see.

The 365 Conspiracy series continues with the latest ‘March’ title.  The countdown continues – less than 276 days left till the hero disappears! Catch up with the drama by reading ‘January’ and ‘February’ first.

The Pendragon series – all ten of them – looks very exciting. Thanks to the student who recommended them and begged for us to buy them.  Guess what I’ll be reading these holidays?

Mrs Bird

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New year = new books – how exciting!!!

February 2nd, 2010 · No Comments · Book reviews, What's new?

Welcome back everyone.   As the title suggests, there are so many new books in the Library for you to get your teeth into (on second thoughts, let’s restrict it to your eyes only!). I’ll write some reviews shortly, but here is just a tempter to let you know what’s new and what’s coming soon.

054506046X.01._SX140_SY225_SCLZZZZZZZ_Firstly, new books in existing series are:  Crocodile tears is the latest Alex Rider book from Anthony Horowitz. Percy Jackson and the last Olympian is the latest Percy Jackson offering from Rick Riordan. Thirty nine clues no. 6 is now available. There is a new Geronimo Stilton book out and the missing Camp Confidential books are finally here. Four new Starwars books will be available soon and for the horse lovers, a new “Horse Mad” book is out plus four new Heartland titles.  There is a new Temeraire book plus a new book in the Charlie Bone series. And for all you Redwall fans – Doomwyte is now here.

0399247637.01._SX140_SY225_SCLZZZZZZZ_Phew….and that is just the existing series.  There are also some exciting new books that will be hitting the shelves shortly. Probably my favourite holiday read was “The Youngest templar“.  I’ll write a review on this soon, but it is a new series that I think will be great.  If you enjoyed Ranger’s Apprentice or Blood Red Horse, then try this one.  “Battle Boy” is a another new series that looks promising as does “Girls F.C“  Plus there are many more books that you will just have to come in and check out for yourselves.  Now, some of these books are available now, and Miss Scott is busily covering, so all of these books will be available for you over the next couple of weeks.  Oh, before I forget, as we like to keep our books fresh and current, we have purchased the whole Lemony Snicket series again to replace our slightly worn versions.  Look out for them shortly.  Happy reading everyone.  We would love to hear about any good books that you may have read over the holidays.

Mrs Haynes

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Welcome back!

February 1st, 2010 · No Comments · From the window, News

Welcome to our new students and welcome back to old friends.

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The new gym takes shape-and changes the view from the library!

A new year deserves a new look, and besides, the old blog image didn’t fit any more, with the new gym changing our outlook dramatically.  The photo here was taken on 25th January. Does it still look like that or has one week made much of a difference?

Our new novels began arriving last week, and it looks like we’ll have some great new titles for you. Keep watching the scroll bar for the latest covers.  We hope to have some staff and student reviews of books they’ve read in the holidays, so start thinking about making a contribution yourself.

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Halt's peril – John Flanagan

November 10th, 2009 · No Comments · Book reviews, News, What's new?

The wait is over….it has finally arrived!!!  The eagerly awaited latest instalment of the Ranger’s Apprentice series ‘Halt’s peril’ is here at last.  It doesn’t disappoint either….Book nine finds Will, Horace and Halt in pursuit of the band of Outsiders that we met in Book eight.  But Halt’s life is in danger…does he survive????  Find out by reserving a copy today.  We have three copies of ‘Halt’s peril’ in the Library.

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