Canterbury Public Library has organised a series of events with a difference for this year's Books & Beyond Festival. Running from Wednesday 31 May - Monday 5 June, the library's 'Beyond' programme captures the spirit of
the festival and focuses on some slightly offbeat topics.
* The latest in E-books will be on display at the Central Library. Customers can experience a Soft Book and Rocket
Book first hand, as well as novels downloaded onto a Palm Pilot, laptop and PC. All tastes are catered for ranging from
the Wizard of Oz to Stephen King's Internet novel, Riding the Bullet.
* Beyond the Stars is a series of astrology sessions with Judy Johnstone, tutor at the Christchurch School of
Astrology, who will reveal what the planets have in store.
* British Science writer Colin Tudge will present Beyond Dolly at the Central Library on Thursday 1 June 7-8pm.
Tudge will talk about his latest book, The second creation: Dolly and the age of biological control, which explains the
possibilities, good and bad, that have been opened up by the techniques used in creating Dolly the sheep.
* Beyond the Veil - Tua atu I te arai takes a look at traditional Maori culture and its continuation through new
media. Contemporary Maori music, a series of short films and a theatrical production will be presented at the Central
Library on Saturday 3 June 1-2.30pm.
"There is something for everyone," says Sasha Bowers the library's Promotions & Publications Co-ordinator. "We like to encourage people to take a different look at books and libraries - they're more
than words on a page and books on shelves."
Other highlights include author Marlene Bennetts talking about self-publishing at New Brighton Library, bedtime stories
with a dream theme, an illustrating workshop with children's illustrator Jenny Cooper, and the chance to chat online
with internet novelist Ged Maybury about publishing on the world wide web. Event details are available from all
libraries and in the Books & Beyond programme.
-Ends-
Further information: Sasha Bowers, Promotions & Publications Co-ordinator, Canterbury Public Library, 379 6914