Archive for December, 2010

27
Dec
2010

Author event with Robin Pilcher

Monday 24 January, 6:30pm to 7:45pm, City Library

Robin Pilcher, the son of the popular author Rosamunde Pilcher, will be here to read extracts from his delightful new novel ‘A Matter of Trust’.

Before he became a writer, Robin worked as a cowboy, a farmer and a tennis coach. He will be talking about these and other interesting career choices as well as revealing the inspiration behind his latest book. This promises to be a fascinating evening with one of the country’s most intelligent and talented authors.

Find out more about Robin Pilcher.

Reserve a copy of ‘A Matter of Trust’ online.

To book your free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Posted in Author Events, Events | Comments Off

24
Dec
2010

Meet our volunteer – Jenni

Who am I?
”My name is Jenni and I am a mature English Literature student from Newcastle University.”

Last book that I read?
”Beloved by Toni Morrison. A truly harrowing tale of a mother that will do anything to avoid her children going back to the slave past from which she has escaped.”

What am I doing?
”I am volunteering at Newcastle City library as part of my degree. I am looking through the collections of award winning books that we have here in the City Library and also in the branch libraries to try and create a full collection of Caldecott, Greenaway, Carnegie and Newberry award winning books. Once this is complete I am looking forward to helping promote these collections to readers. I think it would be really exciting to see the reactions to some of the older books from modern children.

I am also working in the City Library activity room, collating equipment, colouring sheets, activity and reading packs into easily accessible collections.

The most exciting aspect of this task is the unearthing of the ‘growing together’ collections which have been squirreled away since the library refurbishment. This collection is made up of packs of books which will help families support children through difficult time through books, an example of this is the ‘Feelings and Emotions’ pack that contains books such as – ‘I Like It When’ by Mary Murphy, ‘I Feel Angry’, ‘I Feel Jealous’, ‘I Feel Lonely’, ‘I Feel Frightened’ by Brian Moses and ‘Some Things are Scary’ by Florence Heide.

Other growing together packs include ‘How It Feels to Get Lost’, ‘How It Feels to be Bullied’, ‘New Baby’, ‘Divorce and Separation’ and ‘Going to Hospital and Feeling Unwell’. Hopefully these packs will be updated and available to use by the end of my time at the library.”

For more information about volunteering at Newcastle Libraries phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Posted in Children and Young people, News, Staff blogs | Comments Off

23
Dec
2010

Christmas crafts at Gosforth Library

Even the icy Arctic conditions couldn’t deter the local children from attending the annual Christmas Craft extravaganza held in Gosforth Library.
With snowmen, Santas, Christmas crackers and doves on offer the children were spoilt for choice!

Pam and Liz did a marvellous job delivering the session to a usual full house. The children thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and succeeded in making some wonderful crafts!

Future craft sessions are advertised on the events calendar or alternatively check with staff at your local library.

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23
Dec
2010

Free BBC First Click internet sessions

Internet taster sessions, which are free one-to-ones with a member of library staff, now include learning computer skills using the BBC First Click service.

This website is a bright and clear introduction to computer basics such as using a mouse or keyboard as well as more advanced matters such as knowing more about using the internet safety and security. If you would like to find out more about using BBC First Click simply phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk to arrange a booking.

Posted in Computing, Events | Comments Off

22
Dec
2010

ID on Tyne Press poetry readings

Wednesday 12 January, 6:30pm – 7:45pm at City Library

This event showcases the creative talents of local poets including Maggie Tate, Degna Stone, Catherine Graham and Sheree Mack. They will be reading extracts from their new collections and encouraging others to express their own ideas and creativity.

ID on Tyne supports new writing and literature in the North East and they aim to create a platform and audience for literature from diverse cultures.

To book you free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Posted in Events, Poetry | Comments Off

22
Dec
2010

New CDs added to stock in November


The following CD titles have been added to stock this month. Click on the titles to log in to your library account and reserve online. CDs cost 50p for two weeks rental (payable on collection).

The Annual:15 Years
Happy Songs 2010
Scott Mills Presents : Big Ones
Songs That Won The War
Street Nation 2010
Bay City Rollers:  Greatest Hits
Isobel Campbell:  Hawk
Miles Davis: Bitches Brew
Eels: Tomorrow Morning
Iron Maiden: Final Frontier
Klaxons:  Surfing The Void
Katy Perry: Teenage Dream
Darren Styles: Feel The Pressure
The Hoosiers: Illusion of Safety
The Pretty Wreckless: Light Me Up
The Saturdays: Headlines
Richard Thompson: Dream Attic

Posted in New audio-visual stock | Comments Off

21
Dec
2010

Young volunteers help out at book festival

Two young volunteers helped us out at the Northern Children’s Book Festival at South Shields. This is what they said about the experience:

”We both really enjoyed participating in the NCBF gala day and thought that the activities were very well planned out and enjoyable. We also think we gained patience and confidence by helping and talking to the children and also by manning the stall independently at times. The day went really well and we believe it was a great success. We also heard many great comments from parents and teachers about the Newcastle City Library and saying how useful it is. Overall, we had a good day and really enjoyed it and would happily volunteer again.”
Lindsey and Jenny

If you would like to find out about opportunities to volunteer with us at Newcastle Libraries phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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20
Dec
2010

Author event – The Elephant Tree

Meet RD Ronald on Thursday 20 January at City Library from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

‘The Elephant Tree’ is RD Ronald’s debut novel and was largely written while he was in prison. ‘Being locked up 23 hours a day focuses the mind. I’d always loved reading and got to hear some crazy stories while in jail. In the end writing was an outlet, a way for me to keep my mind occupied.’

‘The Elephant Tree’ has been compared to Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’. The book follows Detective Mark Fallon as he investigates a spate of attacks at a string of high profile city centre nightclubs.

Find out more about ‘The Elephant Tree’.

To book your free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Posted in Author Events, Events | Comments Off

17
Dec
2010

Newcastle Libraries win Enquire award

Newcastle and Wigan Libraries have jointly won ‘best transcript’ awards presented by the Enquire 24/7 chat service. Enquire is staffed by a number of libraries across the world and provides a real-time chat enquiry service; over 30,000 questions were answered last year. A library and information assistant at Newcastle Libraries, Helen McGowan, won a joint award for providing the best answer to a question received via the chat service.

Helen answered  a geneaology enquiry from a customer in America. Enquire say, ”Helen’s response was noted as providing an astonishing amount of research and follow-up in order to give the fullest answer possible.”

Access Enquire to chat with a librarian 24/7.

Posted in News | Comments Off

17
Dec
2010

Homework help with Patrick at City Library

”Hi, I’m Patrick and I run Grid Club. It’s on Tuesday evenings from 5pm until 6pm at City Library. It’s a club for those of you that might want a bit of homework help. The Grid Club website has been designed to take you through the curriculum in a fun and engaging way, learning without realising it! Children and teachers both agree – it’s a 10 out of 10 for Grid Club!”

Play games
Get creative
Facts for the curious

Grid Club is based on an award winning website with more than 500 fun learning activities for children aged 5 to 12. The website is available via  subscription but can be accessed for free in any Newcastle library. Alternatively visit  Patrick at City Library at 5pm every Tuesday for some homework help.

Posted in Children's Events, News | Comments Off

14
Dec
2010

An update from the Adult Reading and Learning team

Christmas is coming – the decorations are up and the 15ft tree is ordered! It has been difficult to get to work this month due to the snow, but we have managed thanks to our wellingtons.

We have a new edition to the team Kim Dryden, as Library & Information Officer. The author of the month was chosen by Kim and is P.G. Wodehouse.  Kim’s favourite title is ‘Carry On, Jeeves’.  According to Kim, ”’Carry on, Jeeves’ is the perfect introduction to the bumbling English aristocrat Bertie Wooster and his astute valet, Reginald Jeeves.  All of the stories in this collection are humorous, well written and hugely entertaining. I would recommend this and all the books in the series to those who have a love of the English language and enjoy nothing more than a good read and a hearty laugh.”  Reserve a copy online.

We are currently planning a meeting with students working towards the Duke of Edinburgh award to discuss the idea of ‘Reading Buddies’.  The aim of this role will be to guide customers with visual impairment around the library, assist with the choosing of items and may include IT support.   There is still a lot of work and training to take place before this service will be launched, and more information will be published in a later blog.

A couple of unusual characters stumbled through the city and barged their way into the City Library up to level 3…

We were very fortunate to have our display of pantomime costumes at City Library officially opened by Chris Hayward (dressed as Nurse Rita) and Steve Arnott (as the Sheriff of Nottingham). The BBC and Journal were also present to record interviews for TV, newspaper and radio. You can watch them perform in Robin Hood at The Theatre Royal.

World Book Night will take place on Saturday 5 March 2011. A million books will be given away across the UK and Ireland as part of an evening of events and a chance to celebrate reading nationwide.  To enable this to happen, 20,000 people will be recruited to hand out free copies of their chosen book from the 25 selected titles.

To be a book giver, members of the public or individuals representing organisations are encouraged to describe in 100 words which book they would like to give away from the 25 titles, why, how and where they propose to do this. View the chosen titles and apply to be a book giver on the World Book Night website or call in to your local library and we can assist you with this process.  The closing date is 4 January 2011.

Sharon Reeve
Adult Reading and Learning Team Manager
sharon.reeve@newcastle.gov.uk

Posted in Adult Reading and Learning, News, Staff blogs | Comments Off

11
Dec
2010

Free mince pies at Moorside

If you’re looking for some books to read over the Christmas period then why not make an afternoon of it at Moorside Library? Join us from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday 21 December for delicious mince pies and hot drinks. Free for all those borrowing books!

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9
Dec
2010

Temporary closure of Fenham and Newbiggin Hall

Fenham Library is closed until further notice as repairs are being made due to structural damage caused by the recent bad weather. The Home Delivery Service which normally operates out of Fenham can be contacted on 0191 2774146.

Newbiggin Hall Library will also remain closed until further notice to allow work to be carried out by roofing contractors. The ceiling and skylights have been damaged by the weight of the snow on the flat roof.

The Mobile Library is temporarily not making visits due to the hazardous driving conditions.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Items can be returned to any library in Newcastle or alternatively phone 0191 2774100 to renew items.

Posted in News | Comments Off

8
Dec
2010

New! Read aloud reading group

In January we are going to a launch a reading group with a difference. We’ll meet each week to read aloud and talk about short stories, poems and novels. You only read aloud if you want to and you don’t have to take anything away to read in your own time. Just turn up, sit back and enjoy!

If you are interested in joining the group, please send your name, contact details and whether you would prefer a Tuesday morning, afternoon or evening to Anne Archer or Jan Dumbell by emailing  information@newcastle.gov.uk or phoning 0191 2774100.

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6
Dec
2010

A visit from local author Danielle Ramsay

Danielle Ramsay is a proud Scot living in a small seaside town in the North-East of England. She was short-listed for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2009 and 2010. Broken Silence is her first novel and she is one of Harper Collins’ newest writers.

Danielle visits City Library on Thursday 16 December from 6:30pm to 7:45pm. To book your free place phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

Posted in Author Events, Events | Comments Off