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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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 teenage reading group – George, Katie, Maria, Grace and Laura with member of staff Jane Baldwin (second from left) in Waterstones in Newcastle.)

Newcastle City Library has launched a teenage reading group for young people aged 12 to 16 years old. The group meets once a month on Sunday afternoon to read and discuss a selected book.

Recently the group were welcomed at Waterstones book store in Newcastle where they had the opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping and were inspired to choose some new titles to read in 2012.

In the New Year the group will be reading ‘Emma’ by Jane Austen and the next meeting will be on Sunday 8 January at 2pm. If you’re interested in joining the teenage reading group we’d love to hear from you. Please email Jane Baldwin at information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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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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Professional writer Carina Rodney runs fortnightly sessions at City Library from 11am – 1pm aimed at writers aged 13 to 19. It’s a great opportunity for young people to come together to share work with others and to get feedback from a professional writer. It’s good fun and there’s no pressure to read out your work if you don’t want to, just enjoy the inspiration of others! The group meets every two weeks on a Saturday throughout the year and they next meet on 16 July.

If you are interested in joining or for more information, please get in touch with New Writing North at office@newwritingnorth.com with your name, age and contact details, or call Anna or Liv on 0191 2333850.

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The CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award highlights and rewards good practice in any innovative library and information projects which change lives, bring people together and demonstrate creativity whilst developing staff and services.

We are pleased to announce that two projects we have been involved in have been nominated for the award!

The History Club

Our Tyneside started back in 2009 in partnership with Better Days, a charity working with adults with learning difficulties, the Sage in Gateshead and Newcastle Libraries. Initially lasting 12 weeks the weekly club aimed to educate and engage participants with their local heritage in a safe and friendly environment.

Taking part in a variety of activities (research, photography, creative writing, music and crafts) as well as guided tours and talks, the group grew in confidence, self esteem and enjoyed the sessions so much that they continued to meet every week. Newcastle Libraries launched The History Club in April 2010, open to any adult with learning difficulties. Topics have included ‘The Great Fire of Newcastle’, ‘Newcastle United’ and ‘The Ghosts of Newcastle’. The History Club has become a vital part of participants’ and staff’s lives, with 100% of participants reporting that they find it fun. View The History Club video below.

The NEALIS Project: North East Accessible Library and Information Services

The NEALIS Project has been working since November 2007 to improve library, information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people across North East England. Its focus has been on developing low cost, practical ways to improve library information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people. Training days for staff have been held and a VIP area with a specially adapted PC and screen has been created at Newcastle City Library. Young people on a local Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme have been paired with visually impaired people to act as reading buddies. View the NEALIS Project video below.

The winner will be announced at the CILIP Umbrella conference on 13 July 2011. Find out more about the Libraries Change Lives Award.

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Newcastle Libraries’ are supporting an annual event to inspire and help people to get online – Get Online Week runs from 18 to 24 October 2010.

There are 3000 events planned across the UK, aiming to help 80,000 people get online using the helpful MyGuide website. We are hosting the following free events.

Silver Surfers: A Focus on Digital Photography
6pm – 7:30pm
Thursday 21 October, City Library

Learn the basics of getting the best out of your digital photographs at our Silver Surfers group suitable for the over 55s. It’s a great way to learn more about using computers and the internet in an informal and friendly setting. Meet people with similar experiences to you. The emphasis on learning from each other but library staff are on hand too to help solve problems you may be having with your computer and the internet.

The Silver Surfers group meets every first Thursday of the month in the ICT Suite at City Library. Meetings so far have included subjects such as how to manage folders, how to set up an email account, and how to use the internet. For more information phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

An Introduction to Uploading Digital Photos
2pm – 3:30pm
Thursday 21 October, City Library

If you’ve ever wondered how to transfer your photos from a  camera to a PC effectively this taster class is for you. The class will also go through the basics of simple photo editing and putting photographs online using sites such as Flickr.

Basic Guide to Understanding a Mac
6pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 19 October, City Library

Have you bought a Mac, but still haven’t found your way around it? Or would you like to buy one, but would like to know a little more first? If so, take advantage of City Library’s high quality Macs in the ICT Suite. This class gives you the opportunity to find your way around some of the features and software available, providing you with the skills you need to make the most of your purchase!

Places on all of the sessions are limited so please book by phoning 0191 2774100 or emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Newcastle Libraries worked in partnership with Better Days to facilitate Our Tyneside a government funded 12-week course which aimed to enthuse and inform people with learning disabilities about their local heritage.

Due to the level of interest in local heritage resources shown by the students, it was decided that as a legacy of the course a weekly History Club would be held in the Heritage section at City Library.

Weekly sessions were developed around subjects suggested by the group, including Newcastle United, the Great Fire of Newcastle and Newcastle’s Ghosts. These became the basis of projects by the members, often backed by IT research sessions. The sessions led to a series of related trips – to Beamish Resource Centre, Ouseburn Farm and two guided walks of the Quayside.

The group continues to be popular and meets between 1pm  and 3pm each Wednesday in the City Library. The group is currently full but if you would like to find out more information or be put on a reserve list for the club please phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Friendly new weekly Scrabble club for adults of all abilities (beginners very welcome) on Tuesdays starting on 17 August at 11am – 12:30pm. From September 2010 the club’s meetings will take place on a Tuesday from 1.45pm – 3pm.

Join us for refreshments and Scrabble in the coffee bar at Moorside Library. The sessions include a 15 minute master-class on how to improve your game.

For more information contact Moorside Library on 0191 2774288 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk.

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It was mixed emotions all round when the Little Owls of Outer West had their final storytime and party before the summer break.  Everyone enjoyed the songs, stories, good company and, of course, food! But it was very much the end of an era as several of the children have ‘graduated’ to nursery or playgroup and will not be attending again in the autumn.

Everyone was grateful to Nicola Dickinson who runs the group and has been involved not only with these children but with older and brothers and sisters and so has become almost a ‘friend of the family’ to some.

All the children received ‘graduation’ certificates and know they are welcome to continue to visit the library and choose books, DVDs or use the internet.

Little Owls storytime runs every Monday morning in term time from 10.30am. We look forward to just as much fun with the class of 2010. Phone Outer West library on 0191 2772790 to book a place at the next session.

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There will be a coffee morning every Tuesday at 10:30am at the Community Cafe in Fawdon Community Centre. Meet up with friends and discuss the book you’re reading or catch up on  the local gossip. Coffee and tea are at cafe prices.

There will also be a new reading group for those aged 8-13 years on the first Saturday of each month from 11am – 11:45am.

For more information contact Fawdon Library on 0191 2774255.

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The Ladies of Blakelaw Library Coffee & Conversation Group have taken part in an Art’s Development project to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The Ladies were asked to bring in a photograph of themselves in younger days.

They talked about the photograph and, with help from a creative writer and a visual artist, constructed pieces of writing relating to the scene.

Images from the photographs, together with the description were then etched onto glass by the ladies.

Once sandblasted, these etched pieces of artwork in glass will be part of an exhibition of work by local women from across the city called “Her Story”

The exhibition will be on display in the Grainger Market Events Space on Saturday 24 April 2010, 10am – 4pm.

For more information on joining the Ladies of Blakelaw Library Coffee & Conversation Group contact Blakelaw Library.

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After last year’s successful winter knitting circle we’re delighted to announce our new seasonal craft group for adults. The next session is on Tuesday 9 February from 2pm – 3pm and continues for the following eight weeks.

Bring along any special pieces of fabric to make into a patchwork toy. Tools, materials and refreshments provided.

For more information contact Lynda or Clare at Moorside Library on 0191 2774288 or email moorside.library@newcastle.gov.uk.

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Join the Crafty OWL group this season to knit some winter warmers.

All levels welcomed, from total newbies to experienced knitters.

Starting Wednesday 3 February 2010 at 10.45am (held every fortnight).

Please contact Outer West Library on 0191 2777970 for further details.

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Contact Blakelaw library for more information on future craft sessions.

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Please contact Walker Library for more details.

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