Self Service at Birstall Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Birstall library on Monday, 14th December, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

Therefore, Birstall will remain closed from week beginning 7th December to make the relevant changes.

Features at Birstall library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities will resume as normal on the 14th.

Oadby Library Temporary Closure

Oadby Library, 10 The Parade, will be closed all day on Thursday 10th December 2009 for essential maintenance.

The library apologies for any inconvenience and customers wishing to use library facilities can go to their nearest Leicestershire County libraries which are Great Glen Library or Wigston Library.

Customers with a PIN may also renew their books by visiting: www.leics.gov.uk/libraries or calling 0845 6022815, which is a 24/7 renewal service.

Oadby Library will reopen on Friday, 11th December at 9am.

Earl Shilton Library first to launch self service

A self-service system is being launched at major Leicestershire libraries, to speed-up transactions and release more staff to help users.

The easy-to-use kiosks will be installed at 16 libraries, with Earl Shilton being the first to be installed in October and which will be officially launched by Roger Wilson, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council on Thursday 3rd December at 10am.

Ernie White, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “This is all about making the service quicker and easier for users and enabling staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library kiosks are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the kiosk
“Several other councils, including Northamptonshire and Norfolk, already use self service and public feedback has been very positive.”

The machines enable people to:

• Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
• Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
• Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

A total of 28 kiosks will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010.

Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance. Other staff will be able to “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries. Removing the main desks will also free up more space for displays or browsing areas.

The move will save around £350,000. A total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover.

Background notes:

Libraries due to receive the machines, between October this year and March next year, are: Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times – for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.
Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment.

www.leics.gov.uk/Libraries

Your Stories

Run by the BBC, My Story is a competition for ordinary people with EXTRAordinary true stories.

Everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours?

Enter your story to the competition to be in with the chance of winning a fantastic prize and see your story retold on BBC One.

The closing date is 16^th December, so get writing!

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/mystory/

Festive Charity Coffee Morning and Quiz

Syston Library and St Peter & St Paul’s School are getting together to provide seasonal cheer and raise money for charity with carols, coffee, tea and mince pies.

A festive coffee morning is being held at Syston Library on Tuesday 15^th December to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign and to provide an opportunity for people to meet, catch up on local news, and relax in a festive environment. Children from St Peter & St Paul’s School will be singing carols at around 11am and the library will be offering refreshments between 10am and 1pm. The festive coffee morning will also be an ideal opportunity to test your knowledge in the library’s book quiz. Anyone wishing to join in the festive fun is welcome to go along.

Syston, Thurmaston and East Goscote Libraries are testing people’s knowledge of children’s books with a quiz. There will be three categories for entrants: children, families and adults. People wishing to take part can collect a question sheet from their library on or after Monday 14^th December and all entries must be return to the library before Monday 4^th January.

Breast Cancer Campaign’s mission is to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. It aims to be the leading specialist in breast cancer research across the UK and Ireland, making a significant impact on breast cancer for the benefit of patients.

If you would like more information about this event contact Syston Library on 0116 3053500. To find out about other library events visit www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Pick up a permit

More libraries across Leicestershire are offering people the chance to pop in and pick up a short term waste permit.

The collection service, already available at Loughborough and Ashby libraries, has been extended to include Hinckley, Market Harborough and Wigston.

Rather than waiting for it in the post, residents can call the County Council to request a permit and arrange to pick it up from one of the participating libraries.

The County Council has 14 recycling and household waste sites across Leicestershire where residents are able to recycle a range of materials, including batteries and cardboard, Tetra Paks and yoghurt pots.

To make sure that trade waste is not brought to the sites, anyone using a van or a trailer over 4’ 6’’ needs a short term waste permit. As well as allowing volumes and types of waste to be monitored, this also prevents council tax-payers picking up the cost of trade waste disposal.

Ernie White, County Council Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: “This is a very convenient and simple to use service and I’m pleased we are making it available to more people.

“It is a great addition to our libraries which, on top of books and dvds, already offer free internet use and information on health and careers, plus much more.”

To apply for a short term permit and make arrangements about collection, please call the County Council on 0116 305 0001.

Residents are reminded that from 1st November to 31st March, all 14 recycling and household waste sites will be open from 8am to 6pm, seven-days-a-week.

More information is available at: www.leics.gov.uk/waste

Self Service at Blaby Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Blaby library on Monday 7^th December, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

In order for the machines to be installed, Blaby library will be closed the week beginning Monday 30^th November. So there will be no Wriggly Readers on Thursday 3^rd or Saturday 5^th of December.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.

“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Blaby library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Regular activities include:

• Wriggly Readers on the first Thursday of the month and alternate Saturdays
• Children/family activities in the holidays

 

Background:

Self-service machines enable people to:

• Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
• Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
• Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available

Key facts about self-service:

• A total of 28 machines will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010
• Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance
• Other staff will “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries
• Removing the main desks will free up more space for displays or browsing areas
• The move will save around £350,000 – a total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover
• Libraries due to receive the machines are (insert dates): Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.

Christmas Capers at your Library

Christmas is coming and to help to celebrate the festive season your local library is running a festive children’s competition.

Christmas Capers runs throughout December for children aged 0 – 12 and consists of two competitions.

Competition 1, for all budding artists :

Illustrate the poem “When Santa got stuck up the Chimney” in any way you wish.

Competition 2 , for all artisic comedians:

Write out and illustrate you favourite Christmas joke.

All of the entries will be displayed in your library for all to admire and there are great prizes to be won.

Closing date for entries Thurday 31st December 2009.

These activities are available at all libraries in the Earl Shilton Group.

For further information contact your local library:

• Earl Shilton Library 0116 305 8392
• Barwell Library 0116 305 35813547
• Newbold Verdon Library 0116 305 3661
• Ratby Library 0116 305 3668
• Market Bosworth Library 0116 305 3624
• Groby Library 0116 305 3601
• Desford Library 0116 305 3581

www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

New Lutterworth library set to open

Self-service machines are among the features at Lutterworth’s new library, which opens at 10am on Monday (November 16th 2009), after a £90,000 investment.

Lutterworth’s new library is opening in a former car showroom in George Street and is larger than the town’s previous library in Coventry Road.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “This new-look library offers a wide range of features, that should appeal to existing users and people who pop in for the first time.
“The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access
• Regular activities include:
• Special sessions for teenagers and young children
• Family history research

Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Loughborough library to reopen!

Self-service machines are among the features at Loughborough’s library, which reopens at 10.00am on Monday (November 16th 2009), following window replacement work.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: “The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
“I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish.”

Features at Loughborough library include:

• Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
• An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
• Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
• Free use of computers and internet access

Activities in December include:

• A family history for beginners session, from 2.00 – 5.00pm on December 3rd – places can be booked by ringing 01509 212 985
• 15 minute health checks – sessions take place from 1.30 – 5.30pm on December 2nd. Please contact Jo Grant on 01509 634 836 to book
• Special sessions for teenagers and young children

http://www.leics.gov.uk/loughborough_library