Ros Holland will be visiting Outer West and City Libraries to celebrate the publication of ‘The Black Pencil Woman: A Portrait of My Mother’. Ros will talk about her new memoir, a heart wrenching portrayal of grief, growth and family life in a Northumberland mining community.
Thursday 24 May 2012
Outer West Library – 2pm
City Library – 6:30pm
To reserve your place at this event please call 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.
Archive film footage recording one hundred years of North East sport will be showcased at two venues as part of this year’s Late Shows. The newly digitised footage will feature at both the Discovery Museum and Newcastle City Library on Saturday 19 May from 7pm – 10pm.
The one hour film show reels will run on continuous loop throughout the evening, drop in at any time.
The free film shows will include footage of Newcastle United taking on Sunderland AFC at St James’ Park in 1913, athletics and swimming competitions in Gateshead Stadium and Tynemouth open air pool in the 1960s, and an array of amateur films of sports and gala days across the North East.
Tynemouth Open Air Swimming Pool, 1963
A number of sporting events filmed as part of the centenary of the Blaydon Races in 1962 will also feature. There will also be regional television news stories from the 1970s and 1980s revisiting the more recent sporting past, examining the early careers of local heroes Brendan Foster and Paul Gascoigne.
This important archive film footage has been digitised as part of the Northern Region Film and Television Archive’s Fast Forward: North East Sport on Film project, and is the first in a series of film shows and events taking place across the region this summer.
For more information on the Fast Forward project contact the Northern Region Film and Television Archive at Teesside University on 01642 384022 or email enquires@nrfta.org.uk.
Fast Forward: North East on Film is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI and Creative England.
On 23 April, Newcastle Libraries celebrated World Book Night in style. This was a chance for us to share the joy of reading, both inside and outside of the library. Over one hundred staff and customers applied to be book givers, and we distributed a staggering 2400 FREE books across the city, double what we did last year.
As it was the date of Shakespeare’s birth (and death) we decided to kick start the programme with a book swap at the Theatre Royal while the unveiling of their statue ‘Mercutio’ took place. A total of one hundredbooks were given out within an hour!
Library staff, teenage ‘My Voice’ volunteers, members of our children’s reading group and our local councillor distributed books across the city centre, in coffee shops, bars and the Tyneside Cinema.
The celebration continued with a performance from Silver Linings which got the audience to dancing and singing in the atrium. The atmosphere was already buzzing when we welcomed our fabulous visiting author Adele Parks, who was excited to be involved with World Book Night, and did a fantastic ‘meet the author’ session. The audience were gripped with tales of Adele’s life and the inspiration behind her novels which included her latest title ‘About Last Night’. Our ‘My Voice’ volunteers excitedly interviewed Adele without any hesitation. Listen to this interview below.
We also involved talented local actors ‘Spectrum Arts’ who spent their Sunday mornings rehearsing intensely for ‘Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits’. Customers followed the group around the building enthralled in the scenes and costumes.
We were fortunate to be one of several satellite venues to live stream a World Book Night event from Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s Southbank where top authors helped spread the message of how empowering reading can be.
If you would like to be part of World Book Night 2013 register your details. From personal experience, this is a chance not to be missed!
City Library will come alive in a night of performance on Saturday 19 May to celebrate this year’s Late Shows. From 7pm to 11pm tours of the building will be illustrated through contemporary dance performances by Dance City, including a peak behind the scenes.
Library staff will also be on hand to talk about the different parts of the building and the stories behind its design. There is no need to book for this event but places are limited. The tours start at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.
The Late Shows is an inspiring, after dark programme of events and exhibitions centering on the cultural venues in NewcastleGateshead that are usually closed in the evening. Find out more about the Late Shows.
The Late Shows marks the international event ‘Museums at Night’, which takes place across Europe.
To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Newcastle Libraries are offering a
range of royal themed events.
On Friday 1 June we will launch the ‘Sixty Glorious Years’ exhibition on the level 4 book gallery at City Library and there will also be archive film footage of the Queen’s first visit to the region in the early 1950s. Drop in any time between 12noon and 5pm to watch this.
The focus of our celebrations will be the Canny Jubilee gala event which will be held outdoors in Princess Square on Saturday 2 June from 1pm – 4pm. The outdoor gala, which has been supported by Marks and Spencer, will see vintage hair and make-up demonstrations, live music, Lindy Hop dancing and an interactive ‘you have been crowned’ photo booth! Work created by community groups in the run up to the celebrations will also be on show.
Following the street party there will be an historic royal fashion show by Julia Soares-McCormick from 6.30pm at City Library.
An update from Linda Routledge, Library and Information Assistant…
At the recent arts and crafts club at City Library we had great fun making a 3D spring flower arrangement and Origami jumping frogs. We started the session with some jokes from the book ‘Silly Jokes and Giggles’ by Philip Yates which broke the ice and with the new members of the group. It was great to have a mixture of boys and girls attending, with ages ranging from six to fourteen. We all agreed that the next session cannot come quick enough. The only thing missing was time, which we ran out off, so as the saying goes time flies when you’re having fun!
Ask at your local library to find out about your nearest free craft session, or alternatively phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.
The Jesmond Community Festival 2012 starts with a grand opening concert on Friday 27 April and lasts until Sunday 13 May. There is something for everyone, from toddlers to pensioners, including choral concerts, poetry readings, family activities, walking tours, music, a fair and much more!
As well as a Jesmond photograph exhibition and children’s treasure trail, the events below will be taking place at Jesmond Library.
Tyne Rhyme and Wine
Thursday 10 May, 6:15 – 7:45pm A lively evening of readings by popular local poets Marilyn Longstaff, Sheree Mack and Chris Robinson. Glass of wine and nibbles on arrival. Advance booking is required by phoning 0191 277 4100 or ask at any library.
Lunchtime Recital
Friday 11 May, 12:30 – 1:30pm Jesmond Library, St George’s Terrace
Join us for an entertaining festival of music with local musician Mary Mooney. Refreshments available. No need to book.
Ian Gillard’s Forensic Workshop for Children
Saturday 12 May, 2pm – 3:30pm Jesmond Library, St George’s Terrace
Calling all budding young detectives! Find out how to investigate fingerprints, DNA and so much more at this fascinating workshop suitable for all children of school age. Advance booking is required by phoning 0191 277 4100 or ask at any library.
Local photographer Keith Pattison spent a week at Cruddas Park Library taking photographs of the customers who visited. They either held up the book they borrowed of wrote down the reason for their trip to the library. His innovative project highlights the many different ways people use their library and looks at the role libraries play in the local community. The images have been compiled in his new book, ‘face BOOK – A Week in the Life of a Branch Library’, which will be launched alongside Keith’s exhibition on Tuesday 24 April at 10:30am at Cruddas Park Shopping Centre. You can also take a look at the images online on Keith’s website.
David Almond, celebrated author of the children’s book ‘Skellig’ will be supporting the opening of the new exhibition. Tony Durcan, Director of Culture, Libraries and Lifelong Learning, said: “Libraries continue to play such a valuable role in our communities and this exhibition and book will give people the chance to learn why they continue to be important to those who use them. Keith has done a wonderful job in bringing the community together for this project so I am delighted to be helping support this exhibition.”
face BOOK will remain open at Unit 12, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre until Saturday 5 May 2012.
James Bond is in the news at present – there’s an upcoming film and William Boyd has just been commissioned to write a new James Bond book. Apparently he is reading all the Ian Fleming books to think his way into the project. We’ve got them in stock, so why not read them now? View our books by Ian Fleming.
Could you spare a few hours a week or a month to help people no longer able to visit their library and improve the quality of their life?
If you do have some time to give, Newcastle Libraries and WRVS would like to hear from you to help us with our Home Delivery Service.
We are working in partnership with the WRVS and are looking for friendly, helpful people to assist with our Home Delivery Service. You or a friend will need to have access to a car however we will pay for your expenses. Library staff will continue to select books for customers but volunteers will help to deliver them.
David Fay, Newcastle City Libraries Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with WRVS to help us reach some of our residents who can no longer visit their local library.”
Carol Nevison, WRVS Service Delivery Manager for the North East and Cumbria said: “We need new volunteers to help us to deliver this highly valued service and would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch to find out more. Training and support will be provided and our volunteers tell us that they gain a real sense of achievement by making a real difference to people’s lives.”
If you think you could help out or need more information call WRVS on 0845 601 4670 and ask about the Newcastle Home Delivery Service.
This May is Local History Month at Newcastle Libraries so we’ve got plenty in store at City Library and across our library branches. Find out about Newcastle’s Victorian villians, hook into the past at a talk on proggy mats or dig deeper into the history of Newcastle’s missing Roman wall…plus lots more!
The Local History Month brochure is available to download below. Book your place at an event by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcaste.gov.uk.
Witch-hunters, ghostly figures and body-snatchers who used to roam the streets of Newcastle are brought to life in a new app which has been created using information from the city’s archives and libraries.
The Hidden Newcastle app is free and has been produced by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Newcastle Libraries. It reveals stories about real life historical characters who once lived and worked in the city.
Each story in the app is linked to the location and you can unlock more stories as you move around the city.
People featured in Hidden Newcastle include Cuckoo Jack who in the early to mid 1800s worked as a bargeman on the River Tyne. His knowledge of the river led to a profitable sideline in retrieving dead bodies from the water and selling them to the council.
Not all of the stories are so gruesome, however, including the tale of Geordie Woodford who was credited with helping to save people from the flood of 1771 which swept away part of the old Tyne Bridge.
The app is currently available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with an Android version currently in development.
Monday 23 April 2012 is World Book Night. A million books will be given away across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the USA as part of an evening of events to celebrate books and reading. Twenty-thousand people have been recruited to distribute 24 free copies of their chosen book to members of the public across the world.
Schedule of events on Monday 23 April 2012
11am
The unveiling of the bronze sculpture of Mercutio by Lisa Delarney in the foyer of the Theatre Royal. Mercutio emerged as the region’s favourite Shakespeare character in a campaign led by the Theatre Royal and The Journal.
12noon – 1pm
The World Book Night Book Swap! Join staff from Newcastle Libraries outside the Theatre Royal and recycle a recommended read by passing it on to a complete stranger! Share one of your unwanted books and spread the passion for reading. Let us know what you picked up by tweeting @ToonLibraries on Twitter using the hashtag #worldbooknight.
5pm-7pm
The World Book Night Giveaway! Staff and volunteers will distribute free copies of new books around the city centre at the Tyneside Cinema, Theatre Royal, Eldon Square, coffee shops and restaurants.
5:30pm – 6:30pm
A music performance in the atrium of City Library by Silver Linings.
6:30pm – 8pm
Local actors from Spectrum Arts perform ‘Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits’ in City Library.
6:30pm – 7:15pm
Meet the author Adele Parks at City Library.
To book a free place at the Adele Parks author event please email information@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 2774100.
Live streams directly from events in London will be showing in the Bewick Hall in City Library
7:15pm – 9:15pm
Live footage from the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London of short readings and music by authors and celebrities. 9:30pm – 10:30pm
Live streaming of an open mic session with celebrities in London. 10:30pm – 11:30pm
Live streaming of the candlelight readings of Shakespeare’s sonnets overlooking the Thames.
To book a free place at the live streaming please email information@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 2774100.
Brendan Foster, 1977
Tynemouth Open Air Swimming Pool, 1963
The Hidden Newcastle app is free and has been produced by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Newcastle Libraries. It reveals stories about real life historical characters who once lived and worked in the city.
