Now That’s What I Call Reading

Time To Read wants people to try making a reading choice in the same way they choose what music to listen to. So, working on the theory that people who generally like cheery pop music such as Girls Aloud, Take That, and Sugababes, might be people who are interested in fashion, fun, romance and keeping fit. This might lead them naturally to enjoying books such as Chick Lit, celebrity biographies, romance titles and cheerful bestsellers.

Similarly people who like more moody music such as Radiohead, Coldplay , The Smiths or Elbow might be people who like books which express a dark, sexy, cinematic or bleak mood. We think books such as Love on the Dole by Walter Greenwood or The Road by Cormac McCarthy might suit them, along with titles by writers such as Raymond Chandler, Walter Mosley, Haruki Murakami or Neil Gaiman

Obviously people like different music and different reading experiences at different times, sometimes even on the same day. We really don’t want to categorise people or limit choices in anyway. We just think its interesting to think about the tone that many books have and try to match that to music, which people often seem to find easier to be decided about.

Time To Read has put together some shortlists of titles matched against groups of bands and musicians. These can be found on the Facebook page Now That’s What I Call Reading

Bad Guy Gum bags big kids’ book prize

Andy Stanton bags the prize

Being a bad guy can be great. Especially if you are fictional bad guy Mr Gum, recently picked by Leicestershire’s children as their top read of the year.

You’re a Bad Man Mr Gum by Andy Stanton is the winner of Leicestershire Library Services’ first ever children’s book prize

Andy Stanton received his prize at Borders Books near Fosse Park last week. The event was attended by children from Weavers Close Church of England Primary School in Earl Shilton.

Weavers Close was the winner from a prize draw of schools that had actively supported the Children’s Book Prize and has won £200 pounds worth of books from the prize sponsor, Borders.

Also attending were review winners, Harry Wallace, Adam Toms and Megan Randnamahavorisoa

Over 1,300 children from across Leicestershire voted online, in libraries and in Borders bookshops for their favourite book from a shortlist of titles selected by children aged 10 -13.

The Leicestershire Children’s Book Prize was launched in 2008 as part of the National Year of Reading. Its main aim was to promote great books and to encourage reading for pleasure for children in school years 6 and 7.

To see the winning reviews or find out more about more visit www.leics.gov.uk/childrensbookprize

Author Sam Miller to visit Loughborough Library

Author and former BBC India correspondent, Sam Miller is coming to Loughborough Library on Wednesday 22nd July from 7 – 8 pm to give an illustrated talk about his wonderful new book, Delhi, Adventures in a Megacity.

The evening promises to be extremely interesting, with the opportunity to listen to Sam’s entertaining and perceptive reflections on one of the world’s most fascinating cities, as well as to ask him questions about his book and his work.

Sam’s book is a travel book with a difference and is an extraordinary portrait of one of the world’s most interesting cities. Sam was BBC correspondent in Delhi in the early 1990s, returning to Delhi in 2002 and having lived there ever since, has a real knowledge of the city, its people and their lives.

June Taylor, Customer Service Librarian said: “ We are very lucky that Sam is able to visit Loughborough Library on his short visit to the U.K. to talk about his new book and the city which he knows extremely well. This is a travelogue with a difference and the evening will be extremely interesting.

Entrance to the event is free and to guarantee a place for what will be a fascinating evening, contact the library to book your place.

www.leics.gov.uk/loughborough_library

Quest Seekers library reading challenge

Children in Leicestershire are challenged to go on a mysterious quest for golden books at their library this summer.

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is called Quest Seekers. Children aged 4 – 12 years can pick up a free membership card and fold-out poster from their local library or mobile library from 4^th July.

They will be challenged to find a golden book and by reading throughout the summer, they will collect stickers and other goodies. When they complete the challenge, they will be rewarded with a certificate.

Margaret Bellamy, Head of Leicestershire Library Services, said: “Quest Seekers is a great way to keep children entertained over the holidays – and it helps them read widely and get ready to learn when they return to school. Teachers say they can see the difference it makes.”

Children under four can join in their own version of Quest Seekers by visiting their local library and collecting stickers for a special Bookcrawl Quest Seekers certificate.

Libraries across the county will be running free Quest Seekers activities throughout the summer and there will be a special Quest Seekers website linking children with top authors and illustrators, and giving them space to talk about their favourite books and to share reading ideas.

For more information about Quest Seekers call in at your local library or visit the website at www.leics.gov.uk/questseekers.

Children’s Summer Activities Fair at Syston Library

Parents will have an opportunity to find out how to keep their children occupied during the long summer holidays at this year’s Summer Activities Fair, to be held at Syston Library on Saturday 11^th July between 10am and 12pm.

In partnership with Extended Schools and Charnwood Borough Council, the library has invited providers of summer activities who will be available to talk about what’s on offer and will be able to book places for children on the day. The library will also have information about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Quest Seekers which launches on 4^th July.

Between them, the exhibitors will be offering a wide range of activities, ranging from sports through to drama, reading and craft workshops.

The idea for the Fair came about following research done by the Extended Schools Project co-ordinator, Rachel Hughes.

“We found that parents were happy with the range of activities provided, but found it frustrating to have to contact lots of different organisations in order to book places for their children.  Having the fair at the library means that parents can book activities more easily in one central location.”

There will also be a number of Summer Activities Fairs in other libraries around Charnwood.  Please contact your local library for details.

Spy Dog author visits Loughborough Library

Local best selling author Andrew Cope will be coming to Loughborough Library on Thursday 18th June between 3.45 and 4.45pm.

Previously a lecturer at Loughborough College, Andrew has found great international success with his award winning series of children’s books inspired by his family’s pet dog, Lara.  The ‘Spy Dog’ series features five books which follow the hilarious adventures of Lara, a dog who is really a secret agent, highly trained to catch criminal masterminds.
The author’s visit is aimed at 8 – 12 year olds and is his second visit to the library.  Liz Evans, Library Development Worker at the library said:

‘We’re really looking forward to Andrew’s visit.  We had over 40 children come to see him and Lara last year, and he’s likely to be even more popular now because he was on the Leicestershire Children’s Book Prize shortlist.  I would urge anyone wanting to come to book their place as soon as possible.’

Bookings can be made by contacting the library on 01509 212985.  The event is free of charge, but Andrew will be bringing copies of his books to buy and will be signing books on the day.

Computer Support for Job Seekers

Looking for work?  Libraries have a number of useful resources to help with your job hunt.

Visit your Local Library to read the newspaper classifieds or use the computer suites to look for job opportunities on the internet.

If you use the Library computers to write or update your CV/resume, you will be entitled to print the CV off free of charge.

Contact your Local Library for more details.

How has the Library helped you?

Did you use our books for some research?

Got your head down to get some work done in one of our study spaces?

Did you log onto one of our computers to plan your summer holiday?

Learn something new in a course?

Met some great new people through our readers groups?

Please comment below and tell us how the Library has helped you!