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Sorry about the pun!

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.

And for James Bond wannabes we’ve got books on fast cars, exotic locations and sophisticated cocktails! Or perhaps you’d prefer the book ’101 Things To Do To Become a Superhero (or Evil Genius)’?

We’ve also got other books by William Boyd if you haven’t read any of his work. View our books by William Boyd.

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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.

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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.

Find out more about the Hidden Newcastle app.

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(Staff selecting books for Home Delivery Service customers)

If so and you live in Newcastle, you can apply to use the Home Delivery Service free of charge.

We deliver to anyone living in Newcastle:

• Who is unable to visit their local library due to either permanent or temporary ill health;
• Who has caring responsibilities;
• Who has a permanent disability.

We have a selection of large print books and books on tape or CD and can visit you in your home every four weeks.

For more details visit the Home Delivery Service webpage, phone 0191  277 4100 or email  information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Newcastle Business and Intellectual Property Centre is located on level 1 of City Library and is dedicated to helping businesses grow by providing them with the information, skills and resources crucial to success.

Opening in September 2011, the Centre is supported by the British Library and is the only dedicated Business and Intellectual Property Centre outside London. It serves as a resource hub for small to medium businesses, business start-ups and entrepreneurs throughout the region, offering everything from guest speakers, workshops and one-to-one advice sessions to high quality hardcopy and electronic resources, all free of charge. It can help you research your business ideas, protect your intellectual property, develop your business and improve your skills.

For more information, including the chance to book tickets for upcoming events, please consult the BIPC website.

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Westerhope Primary School were very keen for us to help them celebrate their Book Week and the international World Book Day. Staff from Fenham Library arranged to visit the school to tell stories to the nursery and reception classes. The children were very excited to receive visits from ‘the library lady’ and eager to participate in stories!

‘Walking Through the Jungle’ was very well received with the children joining in with very loud animal noises and a song about a crocodile doing its washing at the bottom of the river. Story number two was ‘Lullabyhullaballoo’ which the children again embraced with great enthusiasm, especially those from each group who were given the job of banging two pan lids together!

A visit by the mobile library was also very hectic. Staff were kept very busy with 159 children coming onto the mobile library to listen to stories and select books.

The children, school staff and library staff all enjoyed the celebrations and we look forward to doing it again. Thanks you to everyone who helped make the event such a success. Above is one of the many thank you cards we received from the children.

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