Weblog Archive

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

The 2008 year of reading may be almost over but there's still plenty more to come in 2009 - don't forget books are for life... not just for Christmas! 

We hope that you've enjoyed all that we've offered you this year and that we'll see you again soon.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you?  Not suffering with any of the bugs that are going around I hope?  If you are then why not make the most of being laid low by catching up on some reading.  There's loads of good books around at the minute.  Nigella's Christmas cookbook, biographies of everyone from Dawn French to Barack Obama, and new paperbacks from Andy McNab and Sophie Kinsella.

If you do get any good books for Christmas then please remember to tell us all about them in the New Year - we'll still be here and keen to read your reviews.

And if you haven't done all your present shopping yet there's still time to get a last minute stocking filler in the form of tickets to see Colin Dexter in the New Year.  Tickets are still available from the Plowright Theatre.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

Have you decorated your Christmas tree yet?  Children who came to our weekly story time in the Central Library last week have got some sparkly decorations to put on their trees - that's because we made glittery stockings between the stories.  If your children want to make some decorations they still have the chance to do so by coming to our Christmas craft session on Monday 22 December between 10am and 12 noon.

I'd go myself, but I'm too old... and I have to be at work!

Suzanne

Hello

I know that everyone is very busy at the moment with Christmas approaching, but wouldn't it be nice to have something to look forward to in January as well?  Well now you can!  Colin Dexter, creator of the Inspector Morse books, is coming to visit us on 10th January 2009.  To make sure that there is room for everyone who wants to come (hopefully!), we are hosting the evening in the Plowright Theatre.  Tickets to spend an evening with this high-profile author cost £14 and are available from the Plowright Theatre.

We'd love to see you there.  And even if it's not your cup of tea why not buy tickets for someone for Christmas, it would be an ideal present and beats spending hours trawling the High Street for something that they might not want anyway!

Until next time, happy reading

 Suzanne

Hello

Forgive me for getting excited now that it's December, but Christmas is coming and I do think that it's such a magical time of year.  However there is still business to attend to and will still have one final month of the National Year of Reading left.  The final theme for the year is Write the Future.  In slight contrast to the the rest of the year it's all about writing - and producing things for future generations to read.  More about that through December, but for now you have a new poll - I want to know if you've ever thought of writing a book yourself.  I know I have, and have written quite a few first chapters but never got any further - maybe one day...

In the meantime it's back to the Christmas shopping.  And don't forget to call into the library after your shopping to pick up a nice relaxing read for after the chaos.

Happy reading

Suzanne

Hello

Now that the nights are drawing in and it's getting colder it's time to start thinking about the perfect book to curl up by the fire with.  At the start of the year we asked the library staff about their favourite places to read and one of the most popular involved sofas and cosy firesides.  Do you agree?  And if so, what book would you suggest cosying up with? 

Let us know and you can see if other people share your views.

I've been reading some quite deep and dark stuff recently, so I spent yesterday relaxing with something that involved a lot less thinking.  But I don't think that that makes the book any less worthwhile.  It did mean though that I read almost the entire thing in an afternoon.  That's something that may or may not be a good thing!

Anyhow, if you have read something good do post a review and tell us all about it.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you today?

We've been very busy this morning, rebuilding the library after last night's evening with performance poet and comedian John Hegley.

John kept the audience thoroughly entertained, reading poems from his books (and from other people's that he'd collected up off the library shelves). During the interval the audience was made to sing (or rather compose) for their supper (or rather wine and nibbles) as they were set the task of writing some North Lincolnshire themed poetry, that John then read out - and judged - during the second-half.

The evening concluded with some mandolin-accompanied songs, the final one of which included a rousing chorus of Ging Gang Goolie by the audience.

It was an evening that appeared to be enjoyed by all.  And if you want to see some photos of last night then visit our photo album (link on the left).

Don't forget that tickets are still available for our evening with thriller-writer Peter Grimsdale, in Brigg on 28th November.  As well as talking about his debut novel you can also find out about his career in television, working on shows such as Big Brother.  Contact either the Central Library or Brigg Library to get your tickets.

Until next time, have a great weekend.

Suzanne

Hello

How are you today?  Visited the library recently?

For some people, visiting the library is impossible - not because they don't want to, but because they are housebound.  This is where the Home Library Service can help.  Volunteers take library books directly in to the homes of people who are unable to get out to choose their own.  It's a much-valued service by the recipients, and a wonderful experience for the volunteers as you can read below.

Come along and enjoy being a Volunteer!

"As a retired teacher, I joined the Home Library Service to become involved with an age-range outside my former experience - and I have never regretted it!

The satisfaction of clients' gratitude is a real pleasure and in time, you build up wonderful relationships with people and their experiences - in my ten years, I've met ex-merchant seamen, a postmistress, an accounts clerk, a tax officer, a teacher and a wartime ambulance driver, as well as many others with family anecdotes and topical discussion!  You certainly will find that taking library materials opens up a whole new worthwhile experience!"

Geoffrey Lamert - Home Library Service Volunteer

"I have always been a reader. Never without a book on the go and a pile of books waiting to be read. It would be expensive to buy enough books to keep me going so I use the library regularly.  I would dread the prospect of having nothing to read and no way to get books, so when I heard about the Home Library Service I thought it was a wonderful idea. I volunteered to help and I now borrow books for two elderly clients who are housebound. It only takes me a few hours a month but I feel it is a much appreciated service."

Sylvia Burns - Home Library Service Volunteer 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or receiving the Home Library Service for yourself or a friend, find out more on our Home Library Service pages

Until next time

Suzanne

PS - Don't forget the John Hegley event on Friday and the Peter Grimsdale one in a couple of weeks - tickets are still available, see our events lists for details.

Hello

You know how it works by now... new month, new theme. And the theme for November is "Screen Reads". It's all about exploring the diversity of reading, including scripts, television and films.

The question of the month is all about televised and filmed books. Do you like to read something when you've already seen the film? Does watching a film after you've read the book enhance the experience or does it disappoint you? I have to say that if I've read a book and loved it, the film can disappoint, as the characters are never like I've imagined them. And I'm a bit wary about the film of The Time Traveller's Wife that's due out soon as I really loved the book. But I'll reserve judgement until I see it!

On the other hand if I've seen a film it's nice to read the book to get a fuller picture and see the bits that were missed out. Although you do tend to end up visualising the actors in your head, rather than imagining the characters based purely on the author's description.

Anyhow, that's enough of my ramblings... what do you think? Vote in the Question of the Month poll and send me your thoughts.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

Just to let you know tht photos from last Saturday's Readers' Festival are now on the website (go to the Photo Album link on the left).

And if you missed that event be sure not to miss the John Hegley comedy night on 14 November at the Central Library.  Some tickets are still available but they are selling fast.  Check out our events calendar for more details or go to our main website.

Bye for now

Suzanne

Hello

I'm pleased to report that the Readers' Festival on Saturday was a huge success.  Everyone who was there, attendees, authors and staff all had a fantastic time and we've had some really great feedback from you.

We had a couple of photographers taking pictures on the day, so I'll post them in the photo album as soon as I get hold of them.

In the meantime feel free to share your thoughts on the day with everyone on the discussion boards.

Suzanne

Hi

Sorry for being quiet lately but things are very busy around here.  We're in the final stages of preparation for the Readers' Festival on Saturday and also planning the upcoming events with John Hegley and Peter Grimsdale, and so reading time is at a premium.  I have read a couple of interesting books over the last few weeks though and so I thought I'd share them with you.  They weren't chosen by me, and so aren't my usual type at all.  One I enjoyed, the other I wasn't too keen on ... I'll let you try to work out which.  Both are available from North Lincolnshire Libraries.  If you fancy reading one or both, do let me know what you think!

A Girl made of Dust - Nathalie Abi-Ezzi

Whilst a story set in the middle of a war-ravaged country may not be everyone's cup of tea, ten-year-old Ruba's narration turns the book on its head.  Instead of focusing on the battles that are raging all around, you are instead faced with a child's perspective of the world and the crises that are taking place under her own roof.  Bombing raids and punishment beatings fade into the background as Ruba deals with the problems within her own family.  This book will make you smile and cry in equal measure whilst perfectly capturing a world in which a little girl is clinging to her childhood innocence against all the odds.  If you enjoyed To Kill a Mocking Bird, you might like this too, as it struck me as having some startling similarities.

An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England - Brock Clarke

Reading some books can be like a motorway journey taking you straight from A to B at a constant speed, whereas this one is more like a journey in a rally car driven by Mr Bean, changing speed and direction on a sixpence.  Sam Pulsifer accidentally burned down the Emily Dickinson House in Amhurst, Massachusetts, and in the process killed two people.  This is his memoir.  Sam's narration seems to inject both humour and poignancy into virtually every bizarre situation that he somehow manages to land himself in.  This is one of the stranger books that I've read and whilst I initially didn't want to like it, it somehow managed to keep me hooked from beginning to end.

Until next time...

Suzanne

Hello

I have a new website for you today (well ok, the website isn't new, but me telling you about it is).

It's  http://www.bartleby.com/ and it contains full text of historic reference books, fiction and verse, free-of-charge and online. For example you can read a 1917 edition of Pride and Prejudice, alongside the works of Darwin and Cicero, and dictionaries of quotations and sayings.

It's brilliant and well worth a visit, (although that's not to say that you shouldn't still visit your library).

Suzanne 

Hello

It's a new month and a new theme again. October is the month of "Word of mouth" celebrating storytelling, reading out loud and live literature - which is why we're holding our readers festival this month.  Tickets are selling fast but there are some still available if you want a chance to meet and talk with Sophie Hannah, RJ Ellory, Anne Zouroudi, Denise Mina, Karen Maitland and Lionel Shriver. (Full details here).

There are also storytelling events going on in schools and playgroups and you could join in by doing some live storytelling of your own. Why not get together with family and friends to read aloud passages for your favourite books, or short stories. You might feel a bit daft at first, but trust me it's great fun (especially if you are reading to children and do all the voices!)

Let me know how you get on!

Suzanne

Hello

We've had a really good week here in North Lincolnshire Libraries. We've been playing host to an amazing guy called Alasdair Daniel who has been travelling around the libraries doing storytelling sessions for children.  He really gets the audience involved and all of the children who came have been sat totally absorbed in his stories (as have the adults who came too, me included!!!) If you ever get the chance to see him I really would recomend it - he has the most wonderful puppets that he uses in the stories (if you can get over any spider phobia you have!) and you really are left wanting more. We were so wrapped up in the stories that we kept forgetting to take any photos (oops) but you can find one or two pictures of him and the sessions in our photo album.

He's definitely given me something to aspire to for my next storytelling session!

Until next time

Suzanne 

Hello

I just wanted to give you yet more exciting, advance news.

Colin Dexter, the writer who created Inspector Morse is coming to Scunthorpe on 10 January 2009. I know that after Christmas seems a long way off, but here in the library we wanted to give you something to look forward to for the new year (after all, reading is for life, not just for Christmas! - sorry couldn't resist!).

We're hosting the event at the Plowright Theatre, so there's plenty of room for all of you and tickets cost just £14. Full details are on our main website as usual.

Don't forget all the events we have coming up this autumn as well, tickets are still available for the Readers' Festival, John Hegley and Peter Grimsdale.

Suzanne

Hello

We've been very busy over the last couple of days with the family history weekend and some photos (those that we had time to take!) are in the photo album (link on the left).

We're busy now finalising the booking procedure and the last minute plans for the October and November author events, so keep watching this space for more details.

Have a good week

Suzanne

Hello

Just to remind you that it's the family hsitory weekend this coming Friday and Saturday.  If you're interested in delving into your family history or have ground to a halt unearthing your family tree then come along the the Central Library and staff will be on hand to give you some pointers.

And don't forget that you are what you read - we have some new books in stock, ideal for family historians, where genealogy meets murder-mystery - a must read!

I hope to see you there.

Suzanne

Just to let you know some hot-off-the-press news.  We have the final line-up for our Readers' Festival which includes some previously unannounced names.

• G.S. Beard
• R.J. Ellory
• Sophie Hannah
• Karen Maitland
• Denise Mina
• Lionel Shriver
• Anne Zouroudi

You can register your interest so that we let you know when tickets go on sale by calling us on 01724 860161.

I hope to see you there.

Suzanne

Hello

It's that time again... it's 1st September and time for a new monthly theme.  And for September the theme is "You are what you read".  It's all about cultural, personal and local identities.  That's why we are hosting our annual family history weekend this month where you can find out all you need to know about researching your family tree.  Come along to the Central Library on 12 and 13 September to find out more.  Even if you can't make it on that day your local library will have lots of books about family history and about the history of your town or village that will get you started.

Don't forget that we have a new poll this month as well.  Go to the Question of the Month page to find out more and cast your vote.

Have a good week

Suzanne 

Hello

Just a quick update on some of the authors that will be visiting us over the coming months.  We now have some more celebrity reading habits added to our Celebrity Readers page, including some of those writers that are heading this way.

• G.S. Beard 
• Jonathan Davidson 
• Peter Grimsdale
• Sophie Hannah
• Karen Maitland

Check out their favourite reads and favourite words and let us know if you agree or disagree.  And don't forget that if you want to meet them in person you can pre-register for tickets for any of the coming events by ringing the Central Library on 01724 860161.

Have a good weekend.

Suzanne

Remember I told you about the "Evening with Peter Grimsdale" that we are hosting on 28th November?  Well his new book is BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime this week.  It started on Monday, but don't worry, you can listen again for up to 7 days via their website and catch up on what you've missed.  I'd strongly recommend it as it sounds like a cracking read.

And then you can come along to Brigg and meet him later this year (just call 01724 860161 to reserve your tickets).

Enjoy!

Suzanne 

Hello again

Have you had a good weekend?  As there's a bit of the nip in the air it's starting to feel a bit autumnal, which reminded me to tell you about some of the events we have coming up in the last part of the year (it's very scary to think that we are almost 2/3 of the way through 2008, but that's another story!)

We have the Readers' Festival on 25th October, where we are playing host to authors Sophie Hannah, G.S. Beard and Karen Maitland, and there are also stalls, quizzes, prizes and workshops. 

We also have an evening 'Starring John Hegley' on 14 November at the Central Library in Scunthorpe.  Don't miss the chance to see the renowned performance poet, famous for being brought up in Luton and wearing glasses!

Then on 28 November it's 'From Crimewatch and Yahoo to a Perfect Night: An evening with Peter Grimsdale'.  With his debut novel chosen as Radio 4's Book at Bedtime earlier this month he will be telling us all about this psychological thriller as well as his previous career as producer of Big Brother and Crimewatch, and editorial director of Yahoo Europe.  (And as proof that we can't be too scary here in North Lincolnshire he's married to author Stephanie Calman, who we played host to a couple of years ago!)

Full details of how to get tickets will be coming soon on our website www.northlincs.gov.uk/libraries.

Please come along and join us at one of these events, I'm really looking forward to them, so they're bound to be great!

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

Since it's the school holidays, and it's raining there will be a lot of parents trying to amuse their children.  Why not take them to the library?  It's a wonderful way to pass an afternoon (see I can always find a reason for you to visit the library).  If you are stuck for children's books to read I have a website for you.  http://www.wordpool.co.uk/

There are resources for parents, including listings of books for all events and issues, e.g. from Christmas to hospital visits, from death to divorce.  There is also a fab listing of children's author and illustrator websites http://www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk/ that can amuse you for hours (well it did me).

Visit and let me know what you think!

Suzanne

Hello

Today's website of choice comes from the British Library.  It is their "Turning the pages" project where they have scanned some very early and precious books and manuscripts so you can view them online and even turn the virtual pages.  There's extracts from jane Austen, William Blake, the Lindisfarne Gospels and even Leonardo, but my favourite (no surprise!) is the original hand-written copy of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, complete with his original illustrations - it's fantastic, one of my favourite childhood stories.

It's well worth a visit.

Have a good weekend

Suzanne

Hello

It's free download week this week.  Go to the national NYR website and each day you can download a different audio book free of charge.  Each book is only available for 24 hours.  Tuesday's book is Stormbreaker, and is availbale until 12 noon today.  Then it's Kidnapped from 12 o'clock and The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes from 12 noon tomorrow.  Why not give them a try.

If you get to like listening to audio books you can then borrow them on CD or MP3 player from North Lincolnshire Libraries (well you didn't expect me to go a whole blog entry without promoting the library, did you?)

Enjoy.

Suzanne

Hello

Did you have a good weekend?

A while ago I told you that I was reading the new Marian Keyes book, and promised you a review when it was finished.  Well I finished reading it a while ago, but forgot about the review - sorry!  Anyhow, I've now written it and posted it on our Book Review page, along with a review of another book that I didn't enjoy as much.  Keyes' "This Charming Man" was great, as you'll tell from the review, however the other book that I've just read "The Accidental Time-Traveller" was disappointing.  It wasn't so much that it was a poor book, it was just that it didn't live up to my expectations - but feel free to read it yourself and contradict me!

If you want to post a review yourself - about any book - you don't have to pre-register with the site, just go to our Review page and click on the green bit of text that says "Submit your review online" and fill in the form. 

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

It's that time again... the start of a new month when I reveal to you what the new theme is.  The National Year of Reading theme for August is "Read the Game".  It's all about sport.  The Summer Reading Challenge for this year is based on sport (Team Read) and the Bejing Olympics are coming up soon.  When it comes to reading about sport there is so much to choose from, be it a biography or autobiography of your favourite sporting hero, a guide to the rules of your favourite sport or simply a match programme from your team's last fixture.

When we were asking local celebrities about their reading habits we contacted some local sports legends - Meet your Local celebs to find out more.

And if you want to comment on their choices then please register with the site and tell us what you think.

Or simply cast your vote in this month's poll (you don't need to register with the site to vote).  Would you rather watch the Olympics or read a book - I know which I'd choose!

Have a good weekend

Suzanne

Hello

I've been revisiting my childhood this morning (yes, I know, those of you who know me will be saying "What's new there then?!?).  Anyway I've discovered a fabulous website that has been keeping me and my colleagues amused this morning.  It's the website of the Enid Blyton Society and obviously includes full details of her life, writing styles and her work - interesting stuff for those of you who remember her books from childhood.

One of the best bits though is the full listing of everything she ever wrote - including, in most cases, a plot summary and images of all the different covers that it was produced in.  It's amazing how you can recognize a cover of a book that you've not seen for 20 years or more.  But what is even more fascinating is realizing how many books she actually wrote - and just how many of them I remember reading (were there really that many Famous Five books, and have I really read them all?).

If you want a laugh then try the Character Quiz, where you answer questions to find out which Blyton character you are most like.  Slightly worryingly I came out as Mr Twiddle - so I want a recount, or at the very least I'm going to have to do the quiz again to get a better answer!

Let me know which character you are likened to.

Enjoy the sunshine

Suzanne

Hello

It's Thursday so it must be storytime in the Central Library.  It's my turn again and the theme (in keeping with the National Year of Reading theme for July) is "Rhymes".  I've got a few stories planned that are written nicely in rhyme, such as "This is the bear", "Monster bed" and "Mister Magnolia" and then I have to grit my teeth and start with the singing - The wheels on the bus, Old MacDonald, Incy Wincy Spider etc (the last one not being good for someone who's terrified of spiders!).  So if you're passing the library this morning and wonder what the terrible noise is - that will be me and my singing!

MUCH LATER... 

We had 3 gorgeous babies come along today - proof that you're never to young to come to the library.  Babies love books - in fact one little girl took great delight in emptying the books out of one of the kinderboxes - and the earlier they are introduced to them, the better.

Don't forget that our storytimes at the Central Library are running all summer - so do come along next week and join in the fun!

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you?  Have you had a good week?

Having not really read anything much for a while I've had a really good week where I've been buried deep in some good books. I've finished Marian Keyes' new one "This Charming Man". It took me a little while to get into - I think because I was only reading it in 10 minute chunks - but once I got going it really lived up to the author's usual standard. I like Marian Keyes' books, mainly because the characters are well- rounded and easy to identify with, and whilst being very funny they also contain a lot of quite serious and emotional issues. I'd thoroughly recommend it to you.

I've also just read Kate Morton's "The Forgotten Garden" (it won Richard and Judy's Summer Read in 2007).  In a similar way to the Marian Keyes book which flitted between the stories of the 4 key characters, this switches between three eras and the three characters, Eliza, Nell and Cassandra.  Although I have to confess to having partially guessed the twist at the end there were still other bits that I didn't see coming and it was fairly un-put-downable!

Anyhow, I've now moved on to "The Accidental Time-Traveller" by Sharon Griffiths. It's billed as appealing to fans of Life on Mars etc and whilst I'm not totally convinced of that so far (the characters seem a little flat - although maybe I've just not got into it yet) it does seem to be quite an interesting concept.  I'll let you know what I think when I finish it.

In the meantime, don't forget to keep telling us about what you're reading - either on the discussion boards or by sending a review.

Happy reading - until next time

Suzanne 

Hello

I'm going to give you another great website to visit today.

It's the Children's Poetry Archive.  It's a unique website where you can hear poets (some still very much alive and kicking and others who are distinctly dead!) reading their own poems - and if anyone knows how a poem is meant to be read it's the poet themselves!

You can hear Spike Milligan reciting "One the Ning Nang Nong" (ok, so I'm biased - I've already told you how much I love that poem).  Roald Dahl reads his version of "Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" in his own unique style.  There's even a recording of William Butler Yeats reading "The Lake Isle of Innisfree".  More new recordings are being made all the time (of the living poets, obviously) so you might like to bookmark the site for the future.

I hope you enjoy it

Happy listening

Suzanne

Hello

It's me again.

Do you remember me telling you that July was all about rhymes and poetry?  Well today I'm going to give you a website that you might want to check out.  It's the Poetry Library in London.  As well as everything you would expect from a poetry library you can also write a virtual poem on their website (by dragging the virtual fridge magnets, which contain some pretty random words).  I won't inflict my poem on you though, as you can probably write a much better one than I can!

They also have a "Poetry queries" section where you can ask them about that poem you can only remember one line of!  You can also go to their "Frequently asked for poems" section and ask other site visitors for help in the "lost quotations" section.  This is the part of the site I used when I wanted to see if anyone else knew "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm going into the garden to eat worms!"  Despite my mum being convinced that I'd imagined this poem, quite a few people got back to me who knew it and told me the full version, so it does work!

Visit it and let me know what you think - and don't forget to write yourself a poem.

Have fun

Suzanne

Hello

I just wanted to tell you about a fantastic event that we have coming up in the autumn - don't forget that you heard it here first.

On 25th October we'll be holding a Readers' Festival with lots of fab visiting authors.  So far we have Sophie Hannah, G.S. Beard and Karen Maitland lined up, and we'll be announcing more shortly.

I can't tell you much yet, but put the date in your diary and watch this space for more details including how to get your tickets.  It should be a fantastic day and I'm looking forward to it already!

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

It's July and so we have a new theme for the month... and it is Rhythm and Rhyme.  It's all about reading poetry and lyrics, be it Shakespeare or Snoop Dog.  Some people say that they don't like poetry but most people can find something that they like.  I've never been a big poetry fan but Spike Milligan is just about my level.  And I always find it fascinating to actually read song lyrics to see what they really say.

Our new poll asks what you think about reading poetry, so vote and let us know what you think.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you?  Did you have a good weekend?

So here we are at the end of June.  It's the last day in June's question of the month today, so if you haven't voted already please do so.  Don't forget that anyone can vote, you don't need to be a member of the site (although we would love you to join us if you haven't done so already - hint!).  You can find out the results, and discover what the July poll will be, tomorrow.

Hopefully your "reading escapes" month has been good and you've had time to start thinking about what you're going to read this summer - even if you haven't had your holidays yet.  I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to read, and as a result the pile of must-reads is growing.  In fact I think I need to set aside a reading-day to catch up - who knows, it might catch on and we could have a national reading day where everyone gets to just spend the day reading - now I like the sound of that!

Until tomorrow...

Suzanne

Hi

The winners of the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals were announced today.  You may remember reading a blog entry from our Children's Librarian, Rosie Scotting, who was one of the judges.

Winner of the Carnegie medal is "Here Lies Arthur" by Philip Reeve and Emily Gravett won the Kate Greenway medal for "Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears". 

I have to confes to not having read either of them, (but I will do soon) and so if anyone has read them already and wants to tell us about them, please do - otherwise you'll just all have to read them for yourself!

Suzanne

Hello

Have you seen that the new Richard and Judy summer reads book list is out (see the link above).  The books on the list aren't always to everyone's tastes but there have been some really good ones over the years so it is at least worth a look just to see what's on there, and what you might have missed reading.  You might even find that you end up reading something that you wouldn't have entertained before (which may or may not be a good thing!)

Enjoy!

Suzanne

Hi

All the stories from Saturday are now here on the site, so do check them out and let us know what you think.  The stories were written in a very simple way - a bit like when you used to play Consequences as a child - but I think there are some brilliant ones.

Story writing can be very relaxing and a good game to play when you're bored.  Writing an entire book may well take a while, but coming up with the outline for a short story can be fun.

Hopefully you're reading something good right now, if so tell us about it on the discussion boards (they've been a bit quiet recently and I'm starting to think that they might not be working!)

Suzanne 

Hi

What did you do on Saturday?

I was out in Church Square at the storytelling event with some of my colleagues from the library.  We had a fabulous time with the children and families who came to see us and were building stories with us.  I'm putting all the stories that were created onto the website as fast as I can, under "BBC RaW stories", but it might take me until the end of the week so if you did come and see us and build a story keep coming back soon to see if it has appeared yet.

If you didn't come to see us, why not?  You missed a fantastic day!

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you today?  Are you enjoying the nice weather? (Yes, I know I've jinxed it again haven't I?)  Now that summer's coming it's reminded me of summer holidays as a child and how many books I used to read whilst just laid on the beach or by the side of a swimming-pool.  As a teenager, two weeks in the sun was the perfect excuse to just laze around and read.  Sun-worshiping holidays aren't really my thing now, but I still relish the chance to spend some uninterrupted quality time with a good book.  At the moment I'm reading Marian Keyes' new one, "This Charming Man", I've only just started it but I'll post you a review when I've finished (unless anyone beats me to it!).  I've read all of her stuff and really like her style - combining humour with really believable characters and some real emotional stuff - although I know that she's not to everyone's tastes!

The discussion boards have been a bit quiet lately so why don't you log in, and tell us about what you're reading right now - just to prove that you are still out there!

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

How are you today?

I'm having a very busy day preparing for the activity that the library is running at the BBC RaW storytelling festival in Church Square next Saturday.  The BBC event runs on both days over the weekend (14 and 15 June) and the library create-a-story activity is just one of the activities that you can take part in on the Saturday.  The whole event is aimed at families and, to quote the BBC is  "offering families and friends a feast of free, magical storytelling activities" with performers, hands-on activities and lots of freebies.

Our activity shows you how easy it is for the whole family to create a story together and we'll be posting some of your stories on the website as you write them (fingers crossed) so make sure you visit us next Saturday to see what's been happening.

See you soon

Suzanne

Hello

How was your weekend?  Did you read anything good (or anything particularly bad)?

I watched Doctor Who.  I have to say that while essentially "The Library" was very similar to a lot of libraries (it was filmed in an old library in Swansea apparently) there were one or two elements that you are unlikely to find in your local North Lincolnshire library.  I'm not sure that we will be going down the route of having the faces of dead customers giving out information, and I'm fairly sure that the shadows around here are harmless, but it was good to see a library on TV and I look forward to next week's episode.

On a totally different note it's June, which means a new monthly theme and this time it's "Reading escapes".  It's all about how we read on holiday to relax, or to take us into another world.  To keep with that topic we have a new poll this month so that you can tell us about the type of book that you enjoy reading when you're on holiday.  And later in the week I'll set up a new discussion thread so that you can tell us about your desert-island books - so watch this space.

In the meantime, happy reading.  Now where did that shadow come from...

Suzanne

Hello

How are you today?  Have you ever noticed that there are very few, if any, TV programmes that are set in libraries or involve characters visiting libraries?  I can't think why this is!  Well ok I can really, it's because some people mistakenly think libraries that are dull and boring places, when in reality they are anything but.  Anyone who visits libraries knows that they are actually very lively and vibrant places that are filled with a total cross-section of society, from people picking out something to read, to families using a computer to book their holiday.  From tourists looking for information on local attractions, to job-seekers typing up their CV.  From music-lovers browsing CDs, to Time-Lords defeating aliens and saving the world from impending doom.  That got your attention didn't it?  Anyhow, that brings me nicely onto the fact that Saturday night's Doctor Who is set in a library.  The episode is called "Silence in the Library" and I, for one, am curious to see if the Doctor's library bears any relation to any I've ever visited - I'll let you know my reaction on Monday!

Have a good weekend.

Suzanne

Hello

It's Health Choices Day in the Central Library today (Wednesday 28 May), so if you're passing by feel free to call in and see what's happening.  You can find out how to book your hospital appointments online - with the aid of the NHS Choices website, and staff will be on hand to show you how it works.  For parents we have people to tell you about the benefits of breast-feeding your baby.  We have the Stepping Stones teams to talk about stroke prevention, and support for carers from the Council's Adult Social Care team.  If you're keen to stop smoking then advice will be available, along with information on the Read-yourself-well initiative.  You can also find out more about the Home Library Service and all of the resources on offer from the library to help keep you fit and healthy. 

There's so much going on that I'm bound to have forgotten something (sorry!) so you'll just have to come along and see for yourself.  And if you can't come along today, don't worry, call in any time and we'll still be able to help direct you to the people you need to talk to, that's what we're here for.

See, there's more to libraries than just books!

Suzanne

Hello

It's Bank Holiday weekend again, it hardly seems any time since the last one!  Are you planning to do anything exciting?  May is always a good time for doing DIY and tidying up the garden, so why not call into your local library and pick up a book to help you along.  If you've done all the hard work already and are planning on having a relaxing few days you can always settle down for a nice afternoon reading.  If you're starting to think about summer holidays then we have loads of travel guides to help you plan where to go and what to see - just don't forget to send us a postcard!

Have a good weekend!

Suzanne

Hello

Today, you'll be pleased to hear that I'm not going to nag you about reading... I'm going to nag you about writing instead!  Hands-up if you keep a diary.  I've already said about how reading can be great for your mental well-being, well writing can be too.  You don't have to write everyday, but just getting the contents of your head down onto paper can be very cathartic and re-reading it at a later date can also really get things back into perspective.  If you like reading about other people's lives and experiences there are lots of books available, from celebrity biographies and travelogues to individual's experiences of overcoming tragedies in their lives - all of which you can find at your local library (sorry, I sneaked the reading plug in at the end!).

Suzanne

Hi

Yesterday I received a fantastic collection of book reviews from a class in one of the local schools (you can read them on our Children's pages).  A couple of the children had reviewed Roald Dahl's The Twits, one of my all-time favourite children's books, and it got me thinking about how I really should read it again.  I've already told you about how one of my guaranteed happy-things is to read Mr Men and Little Miss books because I really believe that re-living fun things from childhood is good for your mental wellbeing - things like building sandcastles, jumping in puddles, going on picnics and reading children's books.  There are so many fantastic children's books out there that really deserve to be read again and again, and some new ones that you might not have come across.  Your challenge for this week - find a children's book that you loved and read it again, or else find a new one that you've not met before and give it a go.  Let us know how you get on.

Until next time

Suzanne

Hello

I hope that you're enjoying the good weather (sorry if I've jinxed it by saying that and it's now pouring with rain, or snowing or something totally unseasonal!)

Nice weather is just the opportunity you need to read something really good.  Yes, I know that you've probably seen the pattern developing here where I use any opportunity to tell you how great reading is - but what do you expect, it's in the job description!  Anyway, back to the point, reading can be a great mood enhancer and, depending on your choice of reading material obviously, make you feel really good.  So I just thought I'd share with you some of my favourite feel-good reads and get you to start thinking about some of your own.

1. Mr Men and Little Miss Books - take me back to my childhood and just make me smile every time I read one.
2. 1001 ways to relax - is full of (1001 obviously) little gems to calm you down and make you feel good about yourself - even if its something as simple as singing along to the radio, or collecting pebbles on the beach.
3. Spike Milligan's Silly verse for kids - I defy anyone not to smile whilst trying to recite "On the Ning Nang Nong" from memory.
4. A card that my best-friend sent to me when I was going through a really bad time - I re-read it when things are getting to me and it always makes me start to feel more positive.
5. My recipe for Gingerbread cookies - baking always cheers me up (maybe it's the fact that whilst I'm beating the mixture I can take out all my frustrations on it!)

There, that's some of my happy-reads, now it's time for you to think about yours...

Have a good weekend.

Suzanne

Today I'm going to recommend a website to you.  If you're ever stuck for something to read it is the site to visit.  www.whichbook.net lets you choose from a list of criteria and then it recommends titles to you - it's as simple as that.  If you're like me (and are quite picky!) you can select the type of characters, plot and settings that you prefer.  Sliding scales let you select how happy or sad you want the book to be, how safe or disturbing, how easy or demanding ... the list goes on.  And if you really want to test how good the site is, try picking out the wildest combinations on the scales and see what titles it suggests for you to read!!!!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Suzanne

Hello

Do you remember me telling you about how each month during the National Year of Reading was to have a theme?  Well, the theme for May is "Mind and Body" the aim being to celebrate the links between reading and health.  Reading does have the capacity to make you feel better if you are feeling a bit down (assuming that you're reading something uplifting and not something really depressing like an electricity bill or a computer manual!).  And if you are ill, feeling better mentally can have an impact on how you feel physically.  There are also the more obvious links between reading and health as well, such as reading books or websites about how to keep healthy (with the obvious proviso of making sure that the website is an authoritative one such as the NHS website or one belonging to a well known health organisation or charity).

As part of Mind and Body month the Central Library in Scunthorpe is hosting a Health Choices Day on 28^th May.  There will be lots of representatives from various local organisations here to help you keep healthy including information on breast feeding, stopping smoking, Read Yourself Well, Patient Choice, Carers, National Health Trainers, Stepping Stones (stroke prevention / rehabilitation) and the Home Library Service.  So why not come along and join us.

And as it's a long weekend coming up, make sure that you make some time for yourself to relax with a good book (or even a good book and some chocolate - see our Question of the Month).  And if you're enjoying what you're reading please feel free to write a review or tell everyone else about it on the discussion boards.

Anyway, until next time...

Suzanne

Hello

Did you join the library on Saturday, or are you already a member?  If you haven't yet joined, you still can you know, either visit your local library, or if you live/work/study in North Lincolnshire you can use our new online joining facility.

Anyway, what I wanted to talk to you about today was some of the more unusual things people come into libraries looking for. 

• We've seen matchboxes with insects in that needed to be identified.
• We've been asked to find a hotel, without knowing its names, address or postcode.
• We've been asked to find out "Who was beaten to death with their own wooden leg?" *
• We've been asked to find the average weight of a Karki Campbell duck.
• We've been asked to diagnose what was wrong with someone's printer.
• We've been asked for a book with a green cover that someone had borrowed months previously.

So don't feel embarrassed about the strange questions that you need to come into the library to ask us, we'll do our best to find the answer for you (and if we can't find it we can usually direct you to someone else to ask).

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Suzanne

*It's Sir Arthur Aston just in case you were wondering - North Lincolnshire library members can read all about him by going to the North Lincolnshire Libraries website and visiting the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography in the online reading room.

Hello

As a child my mum used to regularly take me to my local library.  I have several early memories of the place.  I remember the kinderboxes full of picture books, I remember being given pictures of Mr Men to colour in by the library staff and being so proud when I could spot my ones on the wall and I remember reading the Princess and the Pea (and subsequently finding a lump in my bed and being convinced that I was actually a real princess).

Libraries genuinely do have the ability to change lives, ok so I may be slightly biased but I do passionately believe that public libraries make a huge difference.  Your library card is a passport to a whole new world and everyone has the right to join their local library.

Tomorrow (26^th April 2008) is Join Your Library Day.  It marks the start of a national campaign to encourage more people to join their local library.  Your local library will welcome you as a member, whether you live, study, or simply just work nearby.  Join as part of the campaign and you will get a joiner's pack and a free book of recommended reads (whilst stocks last).  Even if you can't get into the library straight away, we are launching a brand new fantastic feature where you can join North Lincolnshire Libraries online.  Visit our website for more details.

And you can tell us about your early memories of going to the library, or how the library has made a difference to your life by posting a message on our discussion boards.

Have a good weekend and hope you'll be visiting your local library very soon.

Suzanne

Hello again

Have you ever tried reading a book whilst doing the ironing?  (Bear with me on this one... there is a point, honestly!)  It's OK until you get to a really interesting bit and find yourself concentrating so much on the words in front of you that you forget that you have an iron in your hand and... you can see where I'm going with this, can't you?    Anyway, wouldn't it be much easier if someone could read the book aloud to you - that way you could still listen to the story and concentrate on what you were doing, like the ironing, cooking, driving the car etc.  But there isn't always someone there who's willing to read to you is there?  In fact it would be much easier if the book could be recorded somehow onto a CD or MP3 so you could just listen to it when and where you want.  And then you could borrow different recordings from your local library, a bit like you do with printed books. 

And do you know what...?  You can!

Yes, I know, that was a very complicated way of saying that you can borrow talking books from your local library.  You can listen to them while you're cleaning the house, on a long journey, doing the gardening, in fact wherever you want.  They are available on CD from your local library right now and very soon we will even have some on individual MP3 players (I'll update you more on those when we get them).

Why not give one a try?

Suzanne

Hi

Isn't it annoying when you want to know a quick fact, but the library is closed?  Or you need to do some research, but you know that you are stuck at work all day and so won't be able to get to the library?  Well have you ever thought of letting the library come to you - well OK, it's not exactly a home-visit, but we do have lots of resources that are just a mouseclick away, and all you need is an Internet connection and your library card.

Oxford English Dictionary

• the most authoritative dictionary of English in the world
• contains over 600,000 words and uses 2.5 million quotations from a wide range of sources - from classic literature to pop

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

• explores the lives of over 55,000 people who have shaped the British past over the last 2,400 years and contains over 10,000 portrait illustrations
• entries range from Julius Caesar and Boudicca - to Princess Diana and Sid Vicious

Oxford Music Online

• the ultimate authority on all aspects of music worldwide
• covers classical to hip hop and from baroque to blues
• over 45,000 specially commissioned articles by 6,000 contributors on people and places, instruments and techniques, genres and styles

Oxford Art Online

• the ultimate authority on all aspects of the visual arts worldwide - from pre-history to the present day with over 2,500 illustrations
• more than 21,000 biographies of artists, architects, sculptors, patrons, , theorists etc

Oxford Reference Online

• fast access to top-quality information on every subject - from art to zoology
• in-depth content offered by titles from the Oxford Companions series
• contains English, French, German, Spanish and Italian dictionaries

All of these resources are available to all North Lincolnshire Library members using any computer, anywhere, at any time of the day or night  (and just in case you're reading this while being a member of another library, most public library authorities offer the same access, but you'll have to follow the links from their webpages).

Trust me, the resources are fab, especially when you have a sudden burning desire to know the proper meaning of a really random work - like gorm!

Why not check them out and see what you can find!

Online Reading Room

Until next time

Suzanne           

It is flattering but scary to accept the responsibility of this task. What an honour, to be taking part in the process which decides the medal winners for such respected awards. When I look at the experience & knowledge of previous judges, it makes me feel quite humble, but so many have said, " you can do it, and you'll enjoy it " there is no option but to get on with it!

Opening the boxes containing the long listed titles was like Christmas coming early. After sniffing at them & stroking them, I unpacked them properly & tried to decide which would be first. I have had to buy a new bookshelf because my shelves are already full of craft things (which won't get much use until after short listing, that's for sure)

Having to read 80 titles in a few weeks, digest them, write notes & highlight quotes, is indeed quite a pressure. I have been surprised how many of the ones I did not know gave me a good read, gems I would otherwise have missed. Even the ones with over 500 pages were a delight to journey through - how delicious to be able to submerge myself so totally & call it work - and the illustrations, fabulous!

Explaining to non-book-world friends the implications of it all makes you choose your words carefully, and I am sure a few just don't grasp the pleasure to be had from such a diverse and brilliant collection. The guidelines set down by criteria for consideration gave me plenty of help, and I soon found myself looking at the books with a different eye. I cannot imagine how 12 of us, all with different viewpoints and preferences, are going to reduce such an excellent long list to a shortlist without coming to blows. It will be a strain keeping emotions under control, but I very much look forward to sharing my thoughts with the other judges.  Being involved in the whole process is exciting and rewarding, not to mention the thought of thousands of young people who will be reading what we have recommended.

I challenge you to read at least five from each full list, just to experience the variety and skill of the authors and illustrators - reach for your library ticket right now!

BREAKING NEWS

***Shortlists announced 18^th April***

Kate Greenaway Medal                                        

• Anthony Browne - Silly Billy                       
• Polly Dunbar - Penguin                                               
• Emily Gravett - Monkey & Me                        
• Emily Gravett - Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears     
• C.A.Duffy/ Jane Ray - Lost Happy Endings                      
• Chris Riddell - Ottoline and the Yellow Cat    
• Ed Vere - Banana!                                          

 Carnegie Medal

• Kevin Crossley-Holland - Gatty's Tale
• Linzi Glass - Ruby Red
• Elizabeth Laird - Crusade
• Tanya Landman - Apache
• Philip Reeve - Here Lies Arthur
• Meg Rosoff - What I Was   
• Jenny Valentine - Finding Violet Park

Rosie Scotting B.Lib MCLIP     

Librarian: Children & Young People         

North Lincolnshire Libraries

Hi

Today I'm going to tell you all about a great website that our Children's Librarian has just shown me.

The ReadingZone

You can choose whether to enter the Children's Zone, Young Adult Zone, or Family Zone.  Within each you can access book reviews, enter competitions, and find out the latest reading news.  The Children's Zone has a "What's next" section so that if you've finished reading all the books in a particular series you can see what else you might like to read. Whilst in the Family Zone there is advice on how to share books with children, as well as a forum for you to discuss your child's reading.

All in all there is something for all the family, you really should visit and check it out.

And if you do find a good book on there, don't forget to tell us all about it on ReadNorthLincs.

Suzanne

Hi

I just thought I'd tell you about a couple of things that we have coming up over the next few weeks.  Have I mentioned that 2008 is the National Year of Reading?!?!  We're planning all sorts of events to appeal to cross-sections of the community.  You might have already come across our under-fives story times that are running at Barton Library on a Monday afternoon and the Central Library on a Thursday morning.  They are proving to be hugely successful and children, parents and the staff all seem to be really enjoying them (and as one of the storytellers I should know!)

We also have Join Your Library Day on 26^th April - so if you're not already a library member you should go along to your nearest library and join (I'll tell you a bit more about it nearer the time).

On 23^rd May we have a Silver Surfer session at the Central Library for those who don't know what this Internet and email lark is all about and want a little taster.  So if your parents or grandparents fit the bill then let them know about it.  You can find out more by contacting the library on 01724 860161.

And then the big event for May is our Health Choices Day on 28^th May in the Central Library.  Various health practitioners will be with us all day to help you with some of the health choices that you have to make, from choosing a hospital to keeping yourself healthy.  Again, I'll tell you more about it when plans have been firmed up.

In the meantime if you want to keep up-to-date with all of our coming events then check out our events calendar.

Hope to see you in the library soon!

Suzanne

Hi

How are you today - good I hope?

Have you ever thought about all the different things that you read in a day - most of them without even realising?

From the moment that you get out of bed you're reading - cereal packets, coffee jars, newspapers, text messages, medicine instructions, TV guides, road signs, bus timetables..... the list goes on and on!  Try listing all the things that you've read today, or even just the last thing you read before this, and you may find that you surprise yourself - see it's not all about books!

Anyway, have a good weekend and don't forget to keep telling us about what you've been reading.

Suzanne

Good Morning

After the excitement of the manga event that took over the last few entries, it's time to get on with the next stage in the National Year of Reading. 

Each month throughout 2008 (starting in April) there is a theme, and this month's theme is "Read all about it" - the aim being to read anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere.  So I'm setting you all a challenge ... your mission for April is to read.  I don't mind what you read, or where you read, the choice is yours - but if you do find something really good, or somewhere really good, then please tell us all about it.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Suzanne

PS: Don't forget to register on the site if you want to be able to add comments to the blog or the discussion boards.  Find out how by clicking on the "How to post a message" link on the left of the page.

Hi

Today I just want to tell you about how fab the manga event that we held on Thursday night was.  We had over 160 people attend which was brilliant.  Thank you to Nick and Andy from Tokyopop for all their hard work, thank you to all the library staff who put so much into arranging it all and for all that they did on the night, but the hugest thank you goes to all of you who came and were so enthusiastic and joined in with all the activities.

Here in North Lincolnshire we now hold the record for the highest score on the manga quiz.  Apparently our winner on the night got more questions correct than anyone else had at any of the other events that Tokyopop have run - so well done!

The art work that the manga and anime fans brought in on the night was fantastic (you can see photos of some of it in our photo album from later today) and, although there could only be one winner, many of the pictures were of such good quality that they would have easily won at any other event.

The cosplayers were brilliant as well - there were some fabulous and very brave costumes - again photos will be in our album.

The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone had a ball - including the staff.

Anyway, that's all for now, but do look at the photos in our album and if you did attend the event do give us your views on our discussion boards.

Until next time - Happy Reading!!!!

Suzanne

Hi

As you might have heard (especially if you read our last blog entry), tonight the Central Library is hosting the ReCon event, for local manga and anime fans.  As someone who knows the terms, but has never read a manga book, I'm very grateful to Kitty for writing the last blog for me - if I'd written it you'd probably be non-the-wiser as to what manga is!

Anyway, library staff have been very busy preparing for the event for the last few weeks, and we are delighted to be able to say that as of yesterday (Wednesday) morning, it is totally sold out - so apologies to anyone who hasn't been able to get a ticket.  We just have to put the final arrangements in place this afternoon, so if you are in the Central Library after about 4pm you might notice us moving some of the furniture around - hopefully there won't be too much disruption.

We've got a fab evening planned, with cosplay, art competitions, quizzes, and the most recent Nintendo games, all sitting alongside some of the latest manga titles for you to borrow.  Then on Monday I'll be bringing you a full review of the evening, along with photos of some of the things that we got up to.  So if you want to see some of the artwork that participants created, and some of the cosplay costumes that they were wearing then you know where to come.  And if you have got a ticket, then I'll see you tonight!

Have fun!

Suzanne

Hello - My name is Kitty and I'm a manga fanatic!

I'm here to tell u just a little about the manga event and what exactly manga and anime is all about!

So, what is manga?

Manga is Japanese art form, which started shortly after world war 2. In the 1950's manga became a major part of the Japanese publishing industry and is still one of the most popular forms of comic books today, since it has a range of action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, for all ages.

What is anime?

Anime is basically short for animation, which is the form of manga.  It started because there were not enough western actors or fantasy landscapes in Japan, so animation started.  In 1970 anime popularity started to expand as Osamu Tezuka created the first "mecha" or "giant robot" anime.  Now there are a few varied types of anime from Bishojo (pretty girl characters) to Maho shonen (magical boy characters or Maho shojo for magical girl) or Sentai (fighting or combat anime).

The manga convention

The Scunthorpe Central Library is holding a manga convention on Thursday 3^rd April 6.00-8.00, tickets are £1, the convention includes promotions, cosplay (dress up as your favourite anime, manga character) drawing competition (bring your drawings with you!) and of course the no. 1 Japanese snack Pocky!

Kitty

Hello again

Have you found any new good places to read yet?  Reading doesn't just have to be something that's kept for special occasions, like holidays and weekends; it can be something that you can do anywhere and everywhere. 

We tend not to notice but we are surrounded by people who are reading, all day everyday.  We just get so used to it that we no longer really see them.  So, out of idle curiosity, I spent a day actively looking out for people reading as I went about m