Just a reminder that our festive shut down begins today at 1pm. We will reopen on Sunday January 4th at 11 am (until 5) for those students who have exams that week.
We are back to regular hours (9.30am-10pm) on MONDAY 5th January.
Remember that you can still check your account online using your library PIN to renew and reserve books and check due dates. You can also still access all of the library's electronic resources by logging in through the 'search all resources' button.
If however, like us, you plan to take advantage of the holidays to take a well earned break from work and study here are a few suggestions from the library staff of some of our favourite festive films, poems books and stories.
'Its a wonderful Life' (film) Frank Capra (1946)
Frank Capra's film has become a Christmas viewing staple. Everyman George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is brought back from the brink of suicide on Christmas eve by angel-in-training Clarence who shows him what life would have been like for his family and friends had he never been born. Witnessing the terrible fates of his loved ones in a world where he does not exist George comes to realize that his life and choices have influenced the fates of everyone in the little town of Bedford falls.
We'll even forgive this film for the fact that the awful fate which befalls George's wife Mary (Donna Reid) is becoming a spinster librarian - truly a nightmare vision!
The night before Christmas (a visit from st. Nicholas) (Poem) Clement Clarke Moore (1822)
Every child's Christmas bedtime story and introduction to the names of all the reindeer. This poem is also largely responsible for small children's image of Santa (St Nicholas) as a fur trimmed human trifle with a 'little round belly/ that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly'
Scrooged Richard Donner (film) 1988
A retelling of the Dickens classic in which Bill Murray is brilliantly cast as the cynical 1980's scrooge who is shown the error of his ways by the ghosts of Christmas past (played by ex New York Doll David Johansen) present and future.
The Junky's Christmas (short story, animation) William S Burroughs.
This might not seem like the usual jolly festive fare - and its not. That said 'The Junky's Christmas', Burroughs' short story which originally appeared in his collection Interzone has all the makings of an alternative festive heart warmer. Junky Danny trawls the mean streets in search of a fix. Through an act of kindness he is redeemed and granted the immaculate fix. This short story appears, as narrated by the gravel voiced Burroughs himself on Spare Ass Annie and other tales (1993) accompanied by some funky drum and bass courtesy of the Disposable heros of Hipopracy and was also made into a claymation animation produced by Francis Ford Coppola.
Some of our other festive favourites...
'Fanny & Alexander' (film) Ingmar Bergman (1982) Emilie's favourite movie featuring Christmas. Available in DBS library DVD 105
'The Nightmare before Christmas' (film) Tim Burton (1993) Marie O' Dwyer's pick. Tim Burton brings his own unique vision this christmas tale and it has some great songs too.
Gremlins (film) Joe Dante (1984) little green monsters invade a small town at Christmas - whats not to like!
-We hope all the students and staff of DBS have a peaceful and relaxing festive season and wish you a very Happy New Year!
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