Celebrate your library this National Libraries Day
This news article was published more than a year ago. Some of the information may no longer be accurate.
Published: 30/01/2014
Use it, love it, join it! That’s the message this February when anyone who uses their library or simply loves reading is invited to join in the celebrations.
Libraries throughout South Gloucestershire have events and activities taking place on National Libraries Day, including author visits, craft sessions, ancestry workshops and rhymetimes for young children (full listings follow below). Additionally, everyone who visits their local library on the day can reserve any book from a catalogue of over two million items free of charge or hire a DVD for half price, and anyone who borrows three items or more will be entered into a free LibrariesWest prize draw with the chance to win a tablet computer and DVDs.
BBC Radio Bristol will be joining the celebrations by spending a day at Emersons Green Library in the week leading up to National Libraries Day. Radio Bristol are touring the five LibrariesWest authorities with the Laura Rawlings show, and will be visiting Emersons Green Library on Tuesday 4 February between 2pm and 4pm, where Laura will be broadcasting her show live.
There will be lots of fun things going on for library visitors of all ages during the broadcast, starting with storytime and singing for young children at 2pm. Adult library users are invited to join a ‘pop-up’ community book discussion that takes place at 3pm, where visitors will talk about Susan Hill’s ‘The Beacon’ (copies are available from the library, or download an ebook version). Well-known author of both children’s and adult’s books Bel Mooney will also be in the library during the afternoon, chatting with Laura Rawlings. You can also learn how to get to grips with your smartphone, tablet or PC by making an appointment for some one-to-one assistance at the library between 2pm and 4pm.
There are also special events taking place throughout the month of February at Thornbury Library, including an exhibition of photos from the library’s archive and surprise book loans with ‘Desert island reads’.
Friday 7 February:
Hooked on books
Downend Library, 10.30am to 11.30am
Fun quiz at the library’s regular coffee morning.
Saturday 8 February:
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Bradley Stoke Library, all day
Try something different with a surprise read as you borrow a book in a bag.
There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo
Chipping Sodbury Library, 10am
Meet the Gruffalo at story time.
Chatterbooks open session
Downend Library, 11am to 12pm
Recycle an old book and transform it into a work of art.
Trace your family tree
Downend Library, all day
Free Ancestry taster sessions at Downend Library throughout the day. Contact the library to book.
From the store
Downend Library, all day
An opportunity to check out a range of specialist local history books, maps and other material not usually available on the open shelves.
There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo
Emersons Green Library, 3pm
Meet the Gruffalo at story time.
Wartime memories of Filton and the local area
Filton Library, 10.30am to 12pm
John O’Neill, author of ‘Mum is in Charge’, talks about his life in Filton and the local area during the wartime years including a close encounter with death during a daytime blitz. He will also talk about the adventure and joy of writing and reading and the important role that libraries play in our society. This is a free event with refreshments however places must be booked through www.southglosevents.eventbrite.co.uk
Workshop with author Katy Krump
Filton Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Katy Krump, author of the epic ‘Blue Dust’ series, will be running a workshop with the Chatterbooks group. Anyone aged 9-11 and interested in finding out more about Chatterbooks is welcome to attend.
A Dahlicious day
Staple Hill Library, all day
Drop in activities celebrating all your Roald Dahl favourites.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Staple Hill Library, all day
Try something different with a surprise read as you borrow a book in a bag.
Ten Bench Poetry Trail Challenge
Staple Hill Library
Ideal family fun starting at Staple Hill Library, the Ten Bench Poetry Trail Challenge has been designed to help people discover the Staple Hill area by finding public benches and enjoying poetry that has been created with input from the local community. The trail is available from 8 February, and includes a chance to win a book token, with a prize draw taking place on 15 February.
Discover a bigger life online
Thornbury Library, 10am to 12pm
Information about online resources including free access to Which? online consumer reports and the Ancestry website from any library computer. Find out about free digital services that are accessible from any internet enabled device, plus information about eBooks, eAudio books and Zinio eMagazines.
Book chat
Thornbury Library, 10am to 12pm
Strike up conversation with readers who will be waiting to share their favourite book.
Trace your roots
Thornbury Library, 10am to 12pm
A specialist family history volunteer and IT volunteer will be on hand to help answer family research queries.
Panache Steel Band
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
The Castle School’s Panache Steel Band will be performing outside the library.
Wriggle & rhyme rhymetime
Thornbury Library 2.30pm to 3pm
Songs and action rhymes for children age 0-5 and their families to enjoy together.
Storytelling for grown-ups’
Winterbourne Library, from 10.30am
Join local authors Pauline Masurel and Ali Bacon to enjoy their unique and engaging style at this free event. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Winterbourne Library, all day
Try something different with a surprise read as you borrow a book in a bag.
Coffee and chat
Yate Library, 10am to 12pm
Visit the library for a coffee morning and a chat.
An afternoon with Maria McCann
Yate Library, 2.30pm
Maria McCann, author of ‘The Wilding’ which was long-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction, will talk about her work. This is a free event however places must be booked through www.southglosevents.eventbrite.co.uk
Wriggle & rhyme rhymetime
Yate Library 3pm to 3.30pm
Songs and action rhymes for children age 0-5 and their families to enjoy together.
Events running all month:
Thornbury Library past and present
Thornbury Library, showing on the plasma screen from 3 February until the end of the month
A slideshow of photos of Thornbury Library from the archives since it opened in 1970 to present day.
Desert island reads
Thornbury Library, available from 3 February until the end of the month
Choose a surprise book from Thornbury Library’s special display, where each title has been chosen by a guest on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’. All books will be gift-wrapped (to keep the contents a surprise) and labelled with the name of the guest who chose it.
Is there anything wrong with this page?
Website feedback
This form is for feedback about our website, not questions or comments about our services.
Follow this link to make a compliment or complaint. For anything else you can contact us here.