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.

View details of the book on the Book Guild Publishing website.

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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.

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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!

Sharon Reeve
Reading and Learning Service Manager

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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.

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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.

There are also Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at our community libraries. View a full listing of Diamond Jubilee events at Newcastle Libraries.

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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.

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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.

For more information visit the Jesmond Community Festival webpage.

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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.

View the face BOOK images

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.

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Newcastle Bridges, 1920s – Newcastle Libraries on Flickr

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.

Download the Local History Month 2012 brochure (PDF, 1.6MB)

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Julia Donaldson, Children’s Laureate and author of ‘The Gruffalo’, is visiting City Library to meet her young fans.

3pm – 3.45pm
Friday 13 April 2012
City Library

This is a free event and there is no need to book in advance.

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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.

Find out more about World Book Night 2012.

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This year celebrates 200 years since the birth of Charles Dickens and the events below are part of our celebration of his life and work. To book a place at any of these events phone 0191 2774100 or ask a member of staff at City Library.

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Children, parents and even library assistants had fun at Newburn Library last Saturday morning when they did some colouring in and made Easter baskets and crowns! One imaginative girl even made a bracelet and brought her own jewel to decorate her basket.

All who attended had fun and made new friends.  And the baskets will make great Easter decorations filled with small eggs or jelly beans. The best thing of all is we’re going to do it all again this Saturday, so you haven’t missed out!  Why not come along and join us?

Free Easter crafts
Saturday 7 April, 2:30pm
Newburn Library

Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.

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Crime and punishment in the North East
Tuesday 1 May
2pm
Fenham Library

Author Lorna Windham will visit Fenham Library to recall the days of Border Reivers, press gangs and public executions. A vivid account of villains of yesteryear and times of tough punishments and rough jails. A free event, but places are limited.

Book your free place at any library or phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Following the success of last year’s Mini-Comics at the  Canny Comic Con,  we are running another Mini-Comics making workshop on Saturday 21 April at Newcastle City Library. It’s free and open to all, regardless of age or prior comic making experience. Come along any time between 1pm and 5pm to give it a try.

Forget the superheroes! Mini-Comics can be about any subject you like…an illustrated diary, reviews of local events, poems, jokes, adventure stories or just your collected thoughts. They are small, easy, quick and fun to make!

Between 11:45am and 1pm, before the workshop starts, there will be some Comic Wisdom presentations from local comic creators Paul Thompson and Ingi Jensson. These will be about comics, visual story telling and styles. The talks are titled ‘Comics: Words + Pictures where Space = Time’ and ‘Embracing our own originality, the dangers involved’. Presentations are free, but pre-booking with the library is essential as spaces are limited. Book your place by phoning 0191 2774100 or by emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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We recently held the first session of the new Sunday arts and crafts club started in City Library.  This was the first time we had had the crafts on a Sunday.  At 2:30pm prompt the doors opened and to my surprise there were nine children already eagerly waiting to join the club!

After some quick introductions to each other, we enjoyed the story of the owl who was afraid of the dark. We then made an owl using lambs wool, which came all the way from Sky in Scotland (kindly donated by a member of staff) some twigs, leaves and a lot of imagination.

After some wonderful creations of barn owls and tawny owls, we had time left over to make a pot-pourri cup, decorated with ribbon and diamantes, for each of the children’s mums as a Mother’s Day gift. A lovely afternoon was had by all!

The FREE children’s arts and crafts club is the last Sunday of every month at 2:30pm, following the regular children’s story time, and is suitable for ages 8 and above (under 8s can be accompanied by an adult). The next session is on 25 March 2012.

Written by Linda, Library and Information Assistant at City Library.

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The Swiss writer Robert Walser (1878-1956) has had a huge influence on a long list of literary, artistic and philosophical figures from Franz Kafka, W.G. Sebald, J.M. Coetzee to Heinz Holliger and the Brothers Quay.

Festival Robert Walser takes place at venues across Newcastle from 19 – 23 March 2012. We are hosting the event below at City Library.

The Job Application
Monday 19 March 2012
6pm, City Library
Short stories by Robert Walser to be read by Tim Bennett, Gabriele Heller and Claire Webster-Saaremets.

“Walser’s fictions are charged with compassion: awareness of the creatureliness of life, of the fellowship of sadness. He is a truly wonderful, heartbreaking writer.” – Susan Sontag

The Festival Robert Walser will bring together local and international writers, artists and academics to celebrate the work of Robert Walser through exhibitions, performances, book lauches and discussions.

Free, no need to book. For more information about the festival visit the Institute Robert Walser website.

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Comic book publishers and workshop facilitators, Art Heroes, will launch their superhero comic, Halcyon and Tenderfoot, at City Library on Saturday 31 March. Be one of the first readers to buy a copy of the new comic!

10:30am – 12:30pm: Quick Comics workshop
A fun workshop for young people who like comics, drawing, writing or just want something to do on a Saturday morning. No previous experience is needed. The workshop is aimed at 8 to 16 year olds and free to attend, but with places limited to just 30 young people, booking early is advised. Followed by the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the comic. Book by phoning 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

1:30pm – 3:00pm: signing and sketching
The main opportunity of the day to pick up a signed copy of Halcyon and Tenderfoot, meet the creators and buy a unique sketch by the artist of the comic book.

3:00pm – 4:00pm: talk – ‘How to Make Comics the Art Heroes Way‘
The Art Heroes team behind Halcyon and Tenderfoot reveal their process for creating the comic book – from initial idea, to drawing techniques, to printing and promotion – and everything in between! Perfect for people wanting to make their own comics, or anyone with an interest in comic books or artistic processes.

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Signing and sketching
The last chance to get your hands on a signed copy of Halcyon and Tenderfoot or a unique sketch.

Visit the Art Heroes website.

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On Thursday 8 March 2012, International Women’s Day will be celebrated around the world. Thousands of events will occur not just on this day but throughout the month to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

This year’s theme is ‘Connecting girls, inspiring futures’ and we are holding the events below.

‘Sthree’
5 – 9 March, City Library (free)
Local artist Jayamini De Silva, will be exhibiting her work called ‘Sthree’ which replicates agony and ecstasy in life of women through her Asian style paintings (above).

Writing workshop with Helen Limon
8 March
10am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm, City Library (free)
Local author Helen Limon will be visiting the library as our writer in residence to discuss your creative writing.  Helen has a PhD in creative Writing from Newcastle University where she teaches on the undergraduate program. Please bring along an example of prose of no more than 1000 words.

Coffee morning
8 March
10:30am – 12noon, Fenham Library
Pop along to Fenham Library to enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat.

Cake sale
8 March
11:30am – 2:30pm, West End Library
A cake sale has been organised by the Millin Centre who provide advice and encouragement to women who wish to start their own business. Visit the Millin Centre website.

Fenham, Gosforth, Moorside, Fawdon and East End Libraries will also host displays celebrating the acheivements of inspirational women from around the world. Find out more about International Women’s Day.

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Delve into the world of sleep science, optical illusions and taste tests at Newcastle ScienceFest in events across the city. At City Library we will be hosting two exhibitions and a day of fascinating talks covering subjects such as photoactive materials, science for the masses and the science behind language. All of our events are free. Visit the ScienceFest website.

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Saturday 4 February 2012 is National Libraries Day – a nationwide celebration of libraries, library users, staff and supporters which aims to showcase all that libraries have to offer and to encourage non-members to join.

On National Libraries Day we will welcome award-winning author Matt Haig, there will be prizes on offer for children in the Great National Libraries Day Treasure Hunt and a storytime with songs for Little Lions (under 5s). Plus digital experts will be on hand to answer you questions on topics such as ebooks and online shopping.

An exhibition of photographs will chart the history of City Library from 1880 to the present day will be on display between 28 January – 27 February. Several community libraries will also be sharing photographic displays of their past.

View more details of our events on National Libraries Day.

Spread the word to make sure everyone knows what a great place libraries are to meet, learn and be inspired!

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Newcastle Libraries can accommodate approximately 100 book givers to hand out books across the city, which is much more than last year.  Help to make this year’s event even more successful!

To apply to be a book giver visit the World Book Night website. The closing date is 31 January 2012 and successful applicants will be notified by February 2012.

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20 January – 23 March 2012

The Designer Bookbinders UK exhibition opens on Friday 20 January in the Newcastle Collection showcase on level 6 of City Library. The exhibition highlights the skill of the hand-bound book with some outstanding examples of the bookbinder’s art.

The exhibition has been organised by Designer Bookbinders UK, a society devoted to the art and craft of the hand-bound book, and will show how the cover of a book can tell its own story. This inspiring show aims to represent the best of British bookbinding and includes bindings by some of the most respected practitioners working today.

Some of the works on show feature leather-bound volumes, those made using silk as well as items which have been created with precious metals and semi-precious stones.

This is the first major British exhibition the Society has mounted for some time and has been shown at venues across the country including the Bodleian Library in Oxford, The Schneideman Gallery in London and the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

More information about Designer Bookbinders UK.

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Newcastle Libraries are hosting a number of special events to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day including:

Anne Frank Exhibition
Friday 27 January – Thursday 2 February 2012
Gosforth Library
Exhibition provided by the Anne Frank Trust and will be available for customers to view as part of our commemorative programme for Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Artefacts Exhibition
Monday 9 January – Wednesday 29 February 2012
Level 2, City Library
Come and see this  fascinating exhibition of wartime artefacts compiled by Professor John Sadler.

Photograph Exhibition
Monday 9 January – Wednesday 29 February 2012
Level 1, City Library
A series of images by local photographer Reed Ingram Weir.

Film Screening
Monday 23 January – Friday 27 January
City Library
A DVD of past Holocaust Memorial Day events held in Newcastle. Free and open to all.

Srebrenica – A Drama
Saturday 28 January
3:30pm – 5pm
City Library
A drama-documentary tracing the attempted Serbian genocide of Bosnian Moslems within the nominally UN held ‘enclave’ of Srebrenica. This dramatised account uses  the words of those who were present and is factually accurate, dramatically intense and compelling. Phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk to book or find out more.

Living Library
Tuesday 31 January
10am – 12noon
City Library
People in the human library become ‘books’ and can be borrowed for a short time for one to one informal conversation regarding personal life experiences. Sessions are in blocks of 20 minutes and must be booked in advance. Phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk to book or find out more.

Polish Music Performances
Listen to a live performance of  music by Polish musicians Ania Wrona and Malgorzata Danilowska-Starzak.
Saturday 28 January, 11am – 12noon
Level 1, City Library
No need to book. Just come along and enjoy.

Tuesday 31 January, 6pm – 7pm
Level 2, City Library
A repeat performance in the Bewick Hall at City Library. Free tickets must be booked in advance by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at your local library.

‘The Tin Ring’ Book Discussion Group
Tuesday 2 February
6pm – 8pm
City Library
Come along and join in an informal discussion about Zdenka Fantlova’s powerful and moving novel ‘The Tin Ring’. No need to book.

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The Science of Innovation
Tuesday 24 January 2012
6:30pm – 9:30pm
City Library

Trevor Baylis, who shot to fame when he created the Clockwork Radio, will crank up the volume on innovation when he joins Professor James Hayton at the fourth inspirational event in the  ‘Science of…’ series.

The events which merge science, business and personal development have proved a real winner with the region’s business community and this one promises to be a real highlight.

Trevor whose career is built on a lifetime interest in invention and innovation is well-known for his inspirational style encouraging people to ‘think outside of the square’. Working tirelessly to promote the cause of the lone inventor, he has been concerned about the neglect of invention, inventors, and intellectual property in the UK for many years.

Trevor will be joined on the evening by Professor James Hayton, the David Goldman Professor of Innovation & Enterprise at Newcastle University, who will focus on how the influences of intangible assets such as culture, human capital, and human resource management practices impact on the innovation process.

Book your FREE place online.

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If you’ve always wanted to research your family tree, but didn’t know where to begin, then this session is the place to start.  An absolute beginner’s guide to help you start piecing together your family history.

2:30pm – 4pm
Thursday 26 January 2012
City Library

To book your free place phone 0191 2774100, email information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at your local library.

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Join in the Wii Olympics challenge at Gosforth Library in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. Find out who can run the fastest, jump the highest and swim the furthest! No matter what age you are, everyone can join in the fun.

No booking necessary. Drop in to Gosforth Library from:
2:30pm – 3:30pm on Saturday 21 January
12:30pm – 1:30pm on Sunday 22 January

Find out more about Newcastle City Council as host council for the 2012 Olympics

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Author Hazel Osmond will be here to talk about writing fan fiction for the internet – her route into becoming a published author.  Fan fiction or ‘fanfic’ is when fans of a television programme, book or film write backstories, alternative endings or new storylines for their favourite characters. Tickets for this event are free.

‘…while there are some weird stories getting written out there in fanfic land there are also plenty of great ones. Fanfic is a nice gentle way to try your hand at writing, whether it’s a short story or a many chaptered piece.” Visit Hazel Osmond’s website.

6:30pm
Thursday 19 January
Level 6, City Library

To book your place phone 0191 2774100, email information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at your local Newcastle library.

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Discover the social heritage of the Lower Ouseburn at five illustrated talks and workshops delivered by local historian Mike Greatbatch, entitled ‘Life, Leisure and Community in the Lower Ouseburn 1800 to 1940′.

All talks are from 2pm – 4pm on the days below.

Friday 20 January
1. ‘Roads, Streets, Quays and Yards; the Urbanisation of the Lower Ouseburn’

Friday 3 February
2. ‘Housing & Home Life’

Friday 17 February
3. ‘Pubs, Clubs & Leisure Activities’

Friday 2 March
4. ‘Churches, Missions & Burial Grounds’

Friday 16 March
5. ‘Documenting an Industrial Community’

Tickets are £4 per individual event (£15.00 if you book all five). To book a place phone 0191 2774100.

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On Saturday 10 December City Library hosted the hugely successful Canny Comic Con – a convention to celebrate comics, sequential art and graphic novels. We had over 500 visitors of which 161 people attended the talks and nearly 100 children took part in workshops.

Some of the best creative talent from the region hosted talks and panels, including Simon Donald (Viz), Brian Talbot (Alice in Sunderland) and Doug Braithwaite (Marvel, 2000AD) but there were many, many more!. Judge Stewart was also on hand to distribute free copies of 2000AD and remind children of the importance of getting their books back on time!

Then there were the wonderfully creative workshops hosted by Art Heroes, TeesToons and Cuttlefish.

Press and online coverage has been fantastic! There has been a full page feature in the Evening Chronicle, a review on the Forbidden Planet International website, several blog posts by the artists/writers who attended and too many positive Twitter comments to mention! If you use Twitter you can search for the hashtag #cannycc or follow @CannyComicCon.

We were very pleased to raise £123 for the NSPCC which is one of the Lord Mayor’s charities this year. Speakers and guests kindly donated prizes for the raffle including Viz memorabilia, vouchers from the local shops Travelling Man and Forbidden Planet, signed books, CDs, artwork and more!

Don’t worry if you missed it. Get involved by joining the graphic novel reading group ‘Readers of the Lost Art’ which is held at City Library every two weeks on a Tuesday. And watch this space for more exciting comic creating workshops in the future!

We had a bit of time during the jam packed day to interview Dr. Mel Gibson, Bryan Talbot, Mary Talbot and Alex and Stace (the brains behind Canny Comic Con!). Listen to the interviews below or access them via iTunes.

Canny Comic Con 2011 was such an enjoyable day. Feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive and we would like to thank everyone who was involved in the organisation and promotion of the event for making the day so brilliant!

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Page Turner is a guide to the latest news and events occurring at Newcastle Libraries.

View the latest edition of our Page Turner newsletter. (PDF, 1.1MB)

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Steven Butler visited City Library to talk about ‘The Wrong Pong’, the book chosen as this year’s Big Juice Read. Stephen chatted about all things smelly to one of our young volunteers at City Library before he went to meet his audience of eager young trolls. You can listen to their conversation below.

Visit Steven Butler’s website

View Steven Butler’s books on the online catalogue

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Anne Fine writes books that stick with you. Both ‘Bill’s New Frock’ and ‘The Flour Babies’ are written from a boys perspective, but boys who have been thrust into femanine realms. One boy lives a day in a dress and another has to look after a baby, albeit one made of flour. This gender mix alongside witty storytelling make Fine’s books unforgettable and often cringeworthy, but in a good way, a really good way!

View Anne Fine’s books on the library catalogue

Visit Anne Fine’s website

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The Newcastle Winter Book Festival brings together venues across the city to celebrate arts and literature. Exciting and entertaining speakers at this year’s festival include: David Almond, MC Beaton, Liz Lochhead, Ann Cleeves, Hugh Cornwell and Tam Dalyell.

Explore the golden age of detection at a talk on Agatha Christie or hear about the influence of painter John Martin on the work of Romantic poets. There are also helpful sessions for aspiring authors and playwrights.

The Winter Book Festival takes place from 24 – 27 November at venues across Newcastle.

Visit the Newcastle Winter Book Festival website.

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To celebrate National Pro Bono Week, solicitors and students from Northumbria University’s award winning Student Law Office will be providing free legal advice at Newcastle City Library.  Members of the public can drop in to receive free advice on a range of legal issues including consumer disputes, housing, employment, family, criminal injuries and business matters.

Monday 7 November 2011
Drop in between 9am – 5pm

If you require more information about the event, please do not hesitate to contact Paul McKeown on 0191 243 7527.

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The Gala Weekend festival finale will be held over two days for the first time ever! Children can get creative in the many arts and crafts sessions taking place and storytellers and other performers will be dropping in throughout the weekend.

This year’s Northern Children’s Book Festival is based around the theme ‘Dream a Little Dream’ which captures the creativity and imagination involved in reading. Everyone likes to read before bed and the dreams we have are heavily influenced by the stories we read in our favourite books. ‘Dream a Little Dream’ sums up the unicorns, magic carpets, castles and witches we’ve all discovered in the land of nod.

Gala Weekend
10am – 4pm
19 – 20 November
Benfield School, Newcastle upon Tyne

Find out more about the Gala Weekend.

The Northern Children’s Book Festival brings together 12 local authorities in the North East and is also partnership between all the library services in the region.

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Imagine a library where the books are people. You enter, you browse, you choose a book, you borrow a person, and you have a conversation. This is a Human Library…

The books in the Human Library come from all walks of life, including people whose life experiences have been misunderstood or misinterpreted in popular media and culture. The Human Library aims to challenge these stereotypes and to confront stigma, prejudice and discrimination in all forms.

Newcastle City Library
Tuesday 1 November, 11am – 3pm
Thursday 3 November, 3pm – 7pm

Gateshead Central Library
Friday 4 November, 11am – 3pm

Sage Gateshead
Saturday 5 November, 11am – 3pm

The Human Library will be mobile, travelling between venues across Newcastle and Gateshead. Anyone can join in, just come along and pick up your library card, chose a book and strike up a conversation…

Part of Wunderbar Festival 31 Oct – 6 Nov. More information on Wunderbar Festival.

Human Library is a co-presentation between Wunderbar and New Writing North. Presented in association with Newcastle City Library, Gateshead Central Library and BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking at The Sage Gateshead.

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Follow @ToonLibraries and use the hashtag #talklibraries to join in the conversation about Newcastle Libraries. There are still some places left at the Let’s Talk Libraries consultation event on Saturday 29 October. Come along and take part in discussions to generate new ideas for making savings which are informed by local people and help develop a more informed Newcastle City Council budget. More information on Let’s Talk Libraries.

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Would you like to:
•    Stay in touch with family and friends using email?
•    Book tickets online?
•    Learn about digital cameras, Kindles, smartphones?

Come to a unique event at City Library where young volunteers will be showing older people how to get online. We will be demonstrating a variety of gadgets, from laptops and smartphones to kindles and more…

This event is in partnership with the Elders Council and Newcastle Youth Council.  It is aimed at encouraging older people (aged 50 years and upwards) to get online. Come along for what promises to be a fun day!

10am – 4pm
Thursday 27 October
City Library

The event is a drop-in from 10am until 4pm however, if you prefer to book an hour in, then please do phone 0191 2774100.

Visit the Elders Council website

Visit the Newcastle Youth Council website

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It’s the Olympics next year (in case you hadn’t realised!) so there’s no better time to start getting fit and active. Drop in to City Library to try out something a bit different – there’s something for the whole family including dance mats, Zumba, inflatable football (weather dependant), Wii sports and rowing challenges. Plus use your pedal power to make a rewarding and delicious smoothie!

The Active Newcastle Roadshow
10am – 3pm
Friday 14 – Saturday 15 October 2011
City Library

No booking is necessary. Simply turn up on the day and get active!

Find out about regular activities such as archery, skateboarding, step aerobics and gymnastics. Visit the Active Newcastle website.

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The past month has been a particularly busy one for the Information and Digital team as we’ve all been hard at work establishing a new Business and Intellectual Property Centre on level 1 of the City Library. The centre is designed to offer support and advice to the North East’s entrepreneurial and business talent. It was officially launched on 5 September with an event headlined by successful Dragon’s Den contestant Solvej Biddle (photo below). Since then, the area has been buzzing with people eager to take advantage of the business advice we have on offer.

Throughout September the team has been in a frenzy of activity, including getting up at the crack of dawn to attend business networking breakfast sessions! We are pleased to be able to offer 1-2-1 sessions which include business coaching, intellectual property and business finance, as well as legal advice from a patents attorney and solicitor in residence. You can even book an appointment with a local entrepreneur to get the low-down on what it’s really like to go it alone – and all of this is free!

Visitors to the Business and Intellectual Property Centre can access business information databases such as Corporate Researcher, Cobra and British Standards. In partnership with the British Library, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities and Newcastle Science City, we are proud to be leading the way in supporting the local business community by providing resources and advice to guide entrepreneurs and businesses on their journey to success. With new sessions and events being organised all the time, and an exciting new programme planned for early 2012, we don’t expect our hectic schedules to let up any time soon!

For more information on any of the above please contact the team on 0191 2774100, email newcastlebipc@newcastle.gov.uk. Visit the BIPC website.

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Arts and crafts at City Library

Halloween themed crafts for the over 8s will take place at City Library at 2:30pm – 3:30pm on Saturday 15 October. No need to book, just come along.

Denton Dene glowing lantern walk

Join us for a bright and glowing lantern walk through Denton Dene on Friday 28 October 2011. Remember to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes! We’ll begin the walk at 5:30pm at Denton Burn Library and get back at around 6:15pm for refreshments and fun activities in the library until 7:30pm. Suitable for all the family but children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book.

Lantern making crafts

Make your very own lantern for the walk above at one of our workshops:

West End Library
2pm – 5pm, Tuesday 25 October

Denton Burn Library
2pm – 5pm, Thursday 27 October

Booking details below.

Martin’s Halloween Magic Show

Don’t fancy a walk?  There will be scares and thrills galore courtesy of the magic spells of Martin the wizard. For children aged 7 to 12 years.

Newbiggin Hall Library
2:30pm, Tuesday 25 October

West End Library
2:30pm, Thursday 27 October

Children’s Halloween party

Get spooked at Fenham Library’s Halloween part on Monday 31 October from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Events will include a story time and Halloween games. There’s a prize for the best Halloween costume. Suitable for children aged 5 to 11.

To book your place at any of the events phone 0191 2774100, email information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at any library. Events are suitable for all the family but children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

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This year’s Big Juice Read is ‘The Wrong Pong’ by Steven Butler. The story follows Neville who goes down the toilet to the land of Under where he meets a family of trolls. Fans of Horrid Henry or Roald Dahl will love this stinky story! Author Steven Butler will be visiting City Library to talk all things trolls and smells – including crafts and prizes. Come dressed as a troll too!

Meet Steven Butler
2pm – 4pm
Sunday 23 October 2011
City Library

Book your place by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at any library.

Watch a trailer for the book below.

There will also be activities at all our branch libraries over half term – ask in your local library for details or phone 0191 2774100.

There are loads of other fantastic events for children as part of this years Juice Festival such as the Big Monster Day at the Laing Art Gallery and Big Bugs at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Find out more about Juice Festival 2011.

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Local author Myra Robinson will visit Jesmond Library to talk about her book ‘Fried Flowers and Fango’. The book is set in an Italian village once famed for having the best healing mud in the country. Fango is Italian for mud but you can ask Myra about the fried flowers!

6:30pm – 7:30pm
Monday 17 October
Jesmond Library

To book your free place phone 0191 2774100, email information@newcastle.gov.uk or ask at your local library.

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Award winning poet, Marilyn Longstaff, will be at City Library to read from her latest anthology which is called ‘Raiment’. This collection of poems explores how we clothe ourselves both physically and spiritually.

Find out more about ‘Raiment’.

6:30pm – 7:45pm
Thursday 6 October
City Library

Free tickets for this event are available from any library in Newcastle, by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Banned Books Week is held from 24 September – 1 October 2011.

Have you read any of these books?

Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carol
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

All have been either banned or censored in one or more countries. View a list of censored titles.

Banned Books Week is library led reader promotion aimed at raising awareness of censorship in literature. Librarians across the country have chosen 100 controversial titles from the past and present which have caused a stir both at home and abroad. A selection of these titles will be on available on display at City Library during Banned Books Week. Visit the Banned Books Facebook page.

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Join in the conversation to have your say about Newcastle Libraries’ priorities, how we spend our money and the future of our library service. Help us take your views and those of the wider community into account by participating in our public consultation event on Saturday 29 October from 10:30am – 12:30pm.

If you would like to be involved in the consultation event at City Library please email information@newcastle.gov.uk or phone 0191 2774100 to book your place.

Find out how you can be involved in the wider Let’s Talk Newcastle public consultations. Visit Let’s Talk Newcastle.

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The Man Booker Prize shortlist has been announced! You can reserve a copy of any of the six books at your local library or click on a title below to reserve online.

Julian Barnes: The Sense of an Ending
Carol Birch: Jamrach’s Menagerie
Patrick deWitt: The Sisters Brothers
Esi Edugyan: Half Blood Blues
Stephen Kelman: Pigeon English
A.D. Miller: Snowdrops

Celebrate the announcement of the shortlist for this year’s Man Booker Prize by being involved in our very own Toon Man Booker! The Newcastle Libraries Toon Man Booker Prize, supported by Waterstones, aims to promote a lifelong love of reading. Vote for your favourite book on the shortlist either online or at your local library.

Vote for your favourite.

The votes will be counted and the result announced at a gala evening at the City Library on Tuesday 18 October from 6pm, the same night the winner of the main Man Booker Prize is announced.

Tickets for the Toon Man Booker Prize evening are £3 for library members and £5 for non-members including refreshments. You can book your place for this event by calling 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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This year’s Heritage Open Days take place from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 September 2011. There are events planned across Tyne and Wear, giving you the opportunity to step into the past and find out more about 2000 years of North East history – free of charge! Newcastle Libraries are hosting the events below.

Charles Freer Andrews Lecture
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Thursday 8 September
City Library
The Anglican missionary and contemporary of Gandhi, Rev. C.F. Andrews, described as the ‘Conscience of the British Raj’, witnessed some of the most significant defining moments of India’s campaign for independence. This lecture illustrates the life of a remarkable man who recognised and acclaimed the true nature of the Sikhs and their role in that epic struggle.

Miners and Memorials
2pm – 3pm
Friday 9 September
City Library
From Pit Wheels to Winding Engines. Take a fascinating tour of the memorials that you can see in the North East, in a talk by Ken Smith.  Bringing our mining heritage to life. Places limited to 35.

Sport on Film
Friday 9 September
City Library
1pm – 4:30pm, turn up any time, no need to book.
A chance to view archive footage of sporting activity in the region. Including a W. I. Sports Day in the 1930’s and recreational activities at Saltwell Park in 1944. This is a drop in session at the City Library, all are welcome. Films kindly provided by the Northern Region Film and Television Archive (NRFTA).

Uppies and Downies
10:30am – 12:30pm
10 September 2011
City Library
Come along to this fascinating talk with Hugh Hornby to explore the history of ball games. In conjunction with Played in Tyne and Wear. Places limited to 50.

Book your free place at any event by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk or asking at your local library.

Find out about other Tyne and Wear Heritage Open Day events

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Enjoy an afternoon of playing fantastic board and card games with the local group Newcastle Gamers and staff from The Travelling Man store on Grainger Street. There’s no need to book, just drop in and play. All ages are welcome.

12noon – 4pm
Sunday 11 September
Level 2, City Library

Newcastle Gamers regularly meet to play everything from wargames to whist – all abilities are welcome. Find out more about Newcastle Gamers.

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