My Open Library is an unstaffed, self-service library, available at Raheny Library every day of the year! During My Open Library Hours you can borrow and return items, print, photocopy, use the Internet, access Free Wifi and use our study space.
The section’s main aim is to go out into the community and let people know about all the amazing things available in their library, both in branch and online.
Christmas is a good time to take out DVDs from the library, as you get some extra time to watch them instead of the usual week. So you can stock up on films to keep the kids occupied. Ideally, you want a film that you can watch as well without going crazy – so that rules out Barney. There are plenty to choose from, though, with great animation and top-notch humour, besides the obvious ones like Toy Story and Shrek. Here’s a few suggestions that appeal to both children and adults alike. Despicable MeCartoon villain supreme Gru faces competition from newcomer Vector, and needs to get rid of this upstart. Aided and abetted by his sidekicks Dr Nefario and the minions (there’s a band name waiting to happen!), he hatches a plan to steal the moon, picking up three orphans along the way. Great fun. Kung Fu PandaThe Karate Kid meets Hong Kong Phooey in this tale of Po, an overweight panda who works in his dad’s restaurant - he suspects he may be adopted! – and spends his days dreaming of becoming a kung fu warrior like his heroes, the Furious Five. Out of the blue he’s chosen as the Dragon Warrior, with a mission to defeat the baddie Tai Long. Can he do it? Of course he can! Free BirdsThis is a bit of a strange one, and it might be an idea to watch it after Christmas dinner, rather than before. Reggie is a turkey who joins the Turkey Freedom Front, and goes back in time to the first Thanksgiving with the aim of getting turkey off the menu. The kind of plot you just have to run with, really. It covers a couple of big issues, but with plenty of humour. Fantastic Mr FoxFree Birds from the fox’s point of view. Stop motion animation, hillbilly music, and a fairly dark sense of humour combine in Wes Anderson’s tale of Mr Fox, trying to stay true to his nature in the face of family responsibilities, accountants, and feral farmers. The eating scenes are hilariously accurate, and the show is pretty much stolen by Kylie the opossum. The IncrediblesSuperheroes struggle to stay valid in the modern world in this very funny story of the Incredible family who, along with other superheroes, are banned from using their powers. An offer of a secret mission lures them back into crime fighting, and the adventures begin. Lots of sendups of other films, and great supporting characters Iceman and the fashion designer Edna Mode being especially funny. UPThis is a really lovely film – quirky and adorable without being twee. Carl, a retired balloon salesman, takes off in an airborne house for one last great adventure, in the company of a small Wilderness Scout called Russell, a giant bird named Kevin, and Dug the talking dog. He runs into his childhood hero, the renowned explorer Muntz, but let’s just say the meeting doesn’t go well. An uplifting homage to the spirit of adventure.
Lest we should forget our younger borrowers this Christmas (Joking! However could we!!), here are just some of the new books and DVDs we have in our branch libraries in readiness for Christmas. Or anytime in fact!Browse the list of DVD and book titles below, each of which links to its respective catalogue record where you can get further details and check on availability.BooksThe powers, the not-so-super superheroes, Kevin Stevens, illustrated by Sheena Dempsey. (9-12 year olds)Eva and the Hidden Diary, Curtin Judi (9-12 year olds)Russian roulette, Anthony Horowitz.The Boy on the Porch, Sharon Creech.When did you see her last?, Lemony Snicket, art by Seth.Demon Dentist, David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross.Diamond, Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt.The River Singers, Tom Moorhouse, illustrated by Simon Mendez. DVDsArthur ChristmasBeethoven's Christmas Adventure.Christmas Night.Christmas with the Kranks.The Elf that Rescued Christmas.Father Christmas.Horrid Henry: Horrid Henry's Christmas Underpants.Mr Men: The Christmas Special - the Christmas Letter.Peppa Pig: A Christmas Compilation.Spongebob Squarepants Christmas.
Children's Feature Films Based on Books - Recent Arrivals!
We have recently added some 60 children's feature films based on books to our existing DVD collection, so be sure to bring your child to your local Dublin City library and let them choose from the wonderful collection now available. You can also check the online catalogue (enter title and select DVD in the 'Media' field) before you visit to check availability, but no doubt there will be a title to please readily available and your child will be certain to head home with a smile on their face and a DVD in hand!A little PrincessAdventures of Huck FinnAdventures of Tom SawyerAlice in WonderlandBallet ShoesBambiBearBFGThe BorrowersCall of the WildCat in the HatCharlottes WebChitty Chitty Bang BangChronicles of NarniaCirque du Freak: The Vampires AssistantConfessions of a Teenage Drama QueenCoralineCurious GeorgeThe Dark is RisingDiary of a Wimpy KidThe Diary of Anne FrankDr SeussDumboFinding NeverlandFlickaThe Golden CompassHerbieLemonade MouthLemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate EventsLittle PrinceLittle womenLoraxMars needs MomsMary PoppinsMatildaMeet the RobinsonsMillionsMr Poppers penguinsMrs DoubtfireMy Dog SkipNancy DrewNanny McPheeNeverending StoryNight at the MuseumPercy Jackson and the Lightning ThiefPolar ExpressPollyannaPrincess DiariesRadio RebelRailway ChildrenRamonaSecret of MoonacreShrek 1 - 4Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 1 & 2SkelligStormbreakerThree Three MusketeersTin ManThe Wind in the WillowsThe Wizard of OzZathura
During Culture Night 2012 the Goethe-Institut Irland gave Dubliners the opportunity to see new film versions of Grimms' Fairy Tales - shot on location in Germany in old castles, monasteries and forts and starring well known German film and television actors. Now, both Rathmines Library and Cabra Library can offer the same opportunity to their patrons with screenings of three of the most well-known titles during the mid-term break, between Tuesday 30th October and Friday 2nd November.The films follow the original stories as collected by the Brothers Grimm and retain many elements that have been lost in up-dated or shortened versions - for example, the Wicked Queen in Schneewitchen (or Snow White as it is known in English) tries to kill Snow White three times, first with a belt that tightens around her waist, next with a poisoned comb for her hair, before hitting on the (almost) successful plan of tempting her with a poisoned apple. The real castle setting in Dornroschen (Sleeping Beauty) lends an authenticity to the tale - which turns it into a charming love story. In Rapunzel, there is plenty of background on how the young girl with the fabulously long hair came to be shut up in the tower - though the film doesn't quite go into how she notices her dress getting tighter after the secret visits from the Prince, as told in the original story. Perhaps he was bringing her chocolates?The full list of screenings is available on our website.All films will be shown in German with English subtitles and are almost one hour long. These films are being screened as part of the 200 year anniversary of the first publication of Grimms' Fairy Tales and are presented in co-operation with the Goethe-Institut Irland.These particular films are not currently available to borrow from Dublin City Public Libraries, however several other film versions of Grimms' stories are available on our catalogue. Here are some examples; Snow White and the Huntsman, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Disney), Sleeping Beauty (Disney), Thumbelina (20th Century Fox), A Cinderella Story and Ella Enchanted.See also, an earlier blog about Grimms 200 - 'Once Upon A Time'
With the release of the final Harry Potter movie this summer (on July 15 for those who are counting the days like me!!), and the release of the latest Harry Potter movie on DVD, it’s never too late to become a Harry Potter fan, (or like me read all the stories again in preparation for the film!)All seven Harry Potter novels and DVDs are available to borrow in Dublin City Public Libraries or you can reserve them online using your borrower number and pin number. Your borrower number is on your library card and if you do not have a pin number you can get it at your local Dublin City Public Library. Harry Potter novels and DVD's in order from first to last:Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone / Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone DVDHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets / Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVDHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban / Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVDHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire DVDHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix / Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix DVDHarry Potter and the Half Blood Prince / Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince DVDHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows / Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – PART 1 DVDSome of these titles are also available in large print copy and some are available in talking book format on CD.
