‘Keep calm and hug a corgi’: Jubilee events at Corby Library

2012 is looking to be an exciting year, with the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee to look forward to this summer. Corby Library decided to hold events to help us celebrate the Jubilee in style – by inviting families to help design a Jubilee Crown, and bunting to decorate the library.  

These were family drop-in activities, and parents didn’t need much encouragement to join in. The ‘make Jubilee bunting’ session was held last weekend, and was a big success.

 Held on Saturday May 19^th the event was supposed to be two drop-in sessions, at 11-12 and 2-3pm, but it was so popular that library staff just couldn’t stop the first session and it went right through from 11 until 3.

 The children put their well-honed craft skills to impressive use, decorating the bunting with a variety of shields, flag designs and coloured glitter. The day was attended by the young and not-so-young, with bunting designed by ages ranging from 2 to 47!

 Corby Library supervisor Sharon McHarg with a small selection of some of the children’s designs.

One female customer even got on her mobile phone and told her friends to come to the library.

 At the end of the session, two young girls very kindly stayed to help tidy up and did a really good job. Then they took some of the leftovers home to make Jubilee postcards for friends and family. One young boy then left us some lovely feedback, saying Corby Library is his favourite library. Thank you very much Michael!

 Last week’s Jubilee Crown – a joint effort!

The library always tries to have activities for children at weekends, and at least one Saturday event per month. Watch this space for upcoming events.

Refugee Week: Event at Northampton Central Library

A one-person drama called The Uninvited – Songs and Voices of Exile –  takes place on Wednesday 20^th June at 2.00pm. The drama is performed by Elizabeth Mansfield. The Uninvited is a performance tour de force telling the extraordinary stories of refugees and exiles from all over the world, past and present. Poems, writings and testimonies flow into songs – Spanish, Filipino, Farsi, Bosnian – sung both in original language and in English translation.

The performance will be followed by a discussion on the themes raised in the drama. It will take place from 2.30pm to 3.00pm, and will be lead by Morcea Walker MBE.

At the end of Refugee Week, on Sunday 24^th June, there will be a celebration event in the Carnegie Room at the central library. A range of community groups that work with asylum seekers and refugees will be represented. The event will begin at 1.15pm, and at 3.00pm there will  be a performance by the spectacular New Ark Gospel Choir. Not to be missed!

 

 

Half Term Children’s Activities

During the school half term your local library will be running children’s events. These will include:

• Horrid Henry activities
• Diamond Jubilee Crafts
• The Elves and the Shoemaker

View a full list of events here.

Job Club Xtra

Learn to Relax with Wollaston Library – Meditation and Relaxation Sessions

The Friends of Wollaston Library invite you to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life with Mindless Meditation. Short, guided meditations, gentle stretching exercises and stress-relief techniques at Wollaston Library.

The sessions are on Tuesday evenings 7-8pm commencing 12th June for 5 weeks. The cost is £3, which will go to supporting Wollaston Library. Places are limited to 12 per session.

To book: contact Margaret on (01933) 665035 or email mdocker@btinternet.com

Young Adult Creative Writing Group at Northamptonshire Central Library during June and July

Jubilee Biscuits at Irthlingborough Library

Come and decorate biscuits for your Jubilee Party at Irthlingborough Library on Sunday 3 June 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

All Welcome!

Corby Library facebook page now live

Corby Library now has a Facebook page! Library staff will post regularly to keep customers informed of events and promotions at the library, as well as useful reminders of a range of services and benefits for library users, via social media. If you use Corby Library, search ‘Corby Library’ and “like” us for updates on what’s happening in your library!”

Social Enterprises workshop at Northampton Central Library

Want to find out more about starting a business with a social or environmental benefit? Then come along to this free workshop at the Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton on Thursday 21 June  10:15 until 12:15 run by Enterprise Solutions Northamptonshire (ESN).

Topics covered will include:

What is social enterprise – what do they do?

Types of social enterprise

Local and national case studies

An introduction to structures

Booking is essential so contact ESN on 01604 259700 or email enquiries@enterprise-solutions.org.uk

or book at http://introductiontosocialenterpriselp.eventbrite.com

 

Charles Dickens Event at Northamptonshire Central Library – cancellation update

Apologies – the performance of “Oliver Twist” on Sunday 20th May at Northamptonshire Central Library in Abington Street has had to be cancelled.

Forthcoming Sales at Daventry Library

Children’s Book sale

There will be a sale of children’s books at Daventry Library, during our opening times. The sale will start on 1 June 2012.

Good Condition book sale

There will be a sale of good quality books at Daventry Library, during our opening times. The sale will start on 10 June 2012. Books will be individually priced.

Large print book sale

There will be a sale of large print books at Daventry Library, during our opening times. The sale will start on 24 June 2012.

Audio book sale

There will be a sale of adult audio books at Daventry Library, during our opening times. The sale will start on 8 July 2012.

Fairies and Goblins at Corby Library

On Saturday 5^th May Corby Library held a Fairies And Goblins activity for children.

 For the 2^nd of Corby Library’s Saturday family fun days, library staff hid 16 fairies and goblins around the library for children to find. Other games on the day included pinning the wings on the fairy as well as colouring-in and other activity sheets. 

 

There are plenty of children’s books about magic available to borrow at the library including Daisy Meadows’ popular Rainbow Magic series, and the day was popular with families looking for things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend. On the day the event was attended by 31 adults with 53 children. 

Watch this space for news of other upcoming family events at the library, or call us on 0300 126 1000 for more details. Please note that children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult

Beginner’s Guide to Family History – Burton Latimer Library Sunday 10th June

Are you interested in finding out about your ancestors, but don’t know where to start? Then come along to Burton Latimer Library on Sunday 10th June at 2.30pm, where Local Studies Librarian, Andrea Pettingale, will take you through the first steps in discovering your family tree.

Tickets costs £3 (£2 for Friends of the Library)

Report on joint libraries and police event at Grosvenor Centre

Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Libraries held a joint event in the Grosvenor Centre on Saturday 5th May.

This event gave children the opportunity to enjoy Rhymetime sessions, face painting and book-sharing as part of our Bookstart scheme. Children met the Bookstart Bear and tried on a police uniform.

At the event, 13 people pledged to share 20 books over the course of the year to help celebrate Bookstart 20. We welcomed several new members to join the library service and over 80 children had their face painted.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the library service and all the volunteers who helped to make the event possible.

What other children’s events do the library service provide?

PCSO Naomi Burkart, and our dedicated town centre PCSO Craig Matthews, run monthly story time sessions in Central library on Saturdays. They are running a drawing competition at these sessions about Stranger Danger. Winners will have a special tour of Campbell Square Police Station with the PCSOs.

The police are working with the Children and Families Librarian to promote libraries and their services whilst also showing children that the police are friendly and approachable.

Check back regularly to see all the activities we offer in libraries for children

Business Showcase at Northampton Central Library

A new initiative which will provide advice and support for anyone thinking of starting their own business will be officially launched at a business support showcase event on 10^th May 2012 from 4pm-6pm at The Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton.

 The Northamptonshire Enterprise Hub, a joint project between Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership and Northamptonshire Libraries, will provide a new service to help create new businesses in the county.

Services will include one-to-one sessions with business advisors and group workshops as well as information and access to online resources on starting a new business.

 The launch event, which is free to attend and open to the public, will showcase The Northamptonshire Enterprise Hub and its services. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak to a range of business organisations about the support they offer.

Design a Jubilee Crown at Corby Library

Come and help the Library decorate a Jubilee Crown to celebrate the Queens visit to Corby in June. Just drop in any time between 1.30 and 3.30 pm on Sunday 13^th May and decorate a diamond to go on our Golden crown. All ages welcome from 5-95. All materials provided.

Upcoming Events at Kettering Library

Language Cafe

 The new Language cafe is launched at Kettering Library on Sunday 6^th May. Why not come along to improve your English and see how the Library can help you. We hope to run on a weekly basis from then on. Any nationality welcome, the session runs from 1.30-3.30pm as is free to attend. For further details please contact Jane Parker Tel. No. 01604 368181 or email japarker@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Charles Dickens Event

Sunday 3^rd June at Kettering Library  in Sheep, Street Kettering,  4.30-6.00pm. Northampton based actor, James Hornsby, will be performing his own adaptation of “Oliver Twist” to mark the bi-centenary of Dickens’s birth.

“Twist” is performed as a one-man show where James skillfully re-creates Dickens’s own legendary public readings of his novels in a faithful, funny, thrilling and hard hitting re-telling of this classic novel.

‘Twist’ is suitable for ages 9 – 99 and over!

Tickets cost £6 (£4.00 for Friends and Volunteers of the Library)  including refreshments. Pop into Kettering Library to book your ticket or ring 0300 126 1000 or email ketlib@northamptonshire.gov.

Book Chat Group

Quizzes, poetry, readings, discussion and reminiscence  for people with dementia and their home carers.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday 22^nd May  2-3pm in the Library.  And the theme will be Royal Visits to the County

 For more information contact Jane Parker Tel No 01604 368181 e-mail japarker@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Wootton Fields Library Consultation

Northamptonshire County Council proposes to relocate Wootton Fields Library in September 2012.

 It’s planned that the library will move to temporary accommodation from September 2012 whilst a more permanent location is identified.  Further details are to be confirmed.

 We want to hear your views on: 

• the best affordable location for the relocated  library
•  the two proposed options for opening hours at the relocated library 
• how you want to be involved

 Please note: On Sat 12 May, Mrs Grace Kempster OBE, Customer and Library Services Manager will hold drop in sessions 10-12am  and 2-4pm at the Library to answer any questions.

 Please tell us what you think by filling in a short survey at www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/wootton

Consultation closes at 5pm on Thurs 24 May 2012.

Charles Dickens Event at Northamptonshire Central Library

 

On Sunday 20th May 2.30pm – 4pm, at Northamptonshire Central Library in Abington Street, Northampton based actor, James Hornsby, will be performing his own adaptation of “Oliver Twist” to mark the bi-centenary of Dickens’s birth.

“Twist” is performed as a one-man show where James skilfully re-creates Dickens’s own legendary public readings of his novels in a faithful, funny, thrilling and hard hitting re-telling of this classic novel.

‘Twist’ is suitable for ages 9 – 99 and over!

Tickets cost £5 including refreshments. Pop into Central library to book your ticket or ring 0300 126 1000 or email centlib@northamptonshire.gov.

Free Digital Tuition at Irthlingborough Library

Free assistance with computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, e-readers, etc, available at Irthlingborough Library. Every Wednesday 15:00 – 18:00 hrs. Help is provided on a one-to-one basis.