Oh I do like to be beside the seaside!

Beat the February blues by getting into the holiday spirit early with this history of the seaside holiday over the past two hundred years.

Rediscover the fun and delights of the pier, the prom and Mr. Punch with this relaxed, fun talk by speaker Felicity Austin. It will contain a mix of history and nostalgia, with some songs thrown in and is delivered in costume.

Join us at Blaby Library on Monday 22nd February 2010, 7-8pm. Tickets cost £3 or two for £5. Buy yours from the library now in person, or by phoning 0116 3053516

Libraries in Blaby District organise a variety of talks on different topics, to find out about others than might interest you visit http://www.leics.gov.uk/blabyevents

Dog in Enderby Library!

We all know libraries have books, DVDs and computers, but dogs? Well, not normally, but Enderby Library is playing host to one well-behaved dog and his owner, a representative from the Blue Cross. They’ll be talking about the work of the charity as well as giving tips on pet care.  So if you want to know more about the charity, or how to ensure you have a happy, healthy pet at home, get your free tickets now. This talk is unsuitable for children under 5.

Enderby Library, Monday 1st February, 5-6pm, 0116 3053523

Libraries in Blaby District organise a variety of talks on different topics, to find out about others than might interest you visit http://www.leics.gov.uk/blabyevents

Data visualisation workshop planned

 A workshop highlighting how innovative “data visualistion” techniques can be used by employers and communities is being held.

Leicestershire County Council’s Library Service has organised the workshop at Loughborough University on Wednesday,  3 March.

 The council had teamed up with experts from City University London to undertake a pioneering project to analyse how people use libraries,  so it could improve services.

Rather than poring over tables of figures, data visualisation presents complex information through a series of graphics, making analysis easier and helping uncover previously unnoticed trends.

 The initial research project – known as “vizLib” – made use of the technique to interpret 450,000 individual records of weekly library use in the county recorded over a two-year period, presenting them in a variety of novel maps and graphics.

 ”vizLib” determined how factors such as borrower location, library size, transport links and geography affect user habits and take-up.

 This has led Leicestershire Library Services (LLS) to rethink its provision, in order to better address the needs of its users.

The workshop will present the case study with an opportunity for delegates to view some of the data that uses methods that challenge traditional viewpoints of community profiling – and to learn new techniques that can be put to use in their day to day work. 

City University London and the County Council are now  working on a further data visualisation scheme thanks to £32,000 from the Government as part of its “Timely Information to Citizens Pilot” project.

 The aim is to use data visualization to better inform the public about the local authority’s work.

 The two parties will now develop four online applications to clearly present in-depth information about a number of the council’s services to the public, the first two of which are the results of a satisfaction survey.

 For further details about the workshop, including booking a place, email: rita.nathwani@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 7354.

Rumble in the Jungle!

This half term, keep your little monkeys busy by swinging in to a Rumble in the Jungle down at the library. 

 Blaby District libraries will be having stories and activities with a jungle theme. This is likely to be a very popular event, so be sure to arrive on time as places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Monday, 15 February:  10.30am – 12.00noon,  Braunstone Town Library
Monday, 15 February:  2.30pm – 4.00pm,  Glenfield Library
Tuesday, 16 February:  2.30pm – 4.00pm,  Cosby Library
Tuesday, 16 February:  3.00pm – 4.30pm, Glenhills Library
Wednesday, 17 February:  10.30am – 12.00noon,  Countesthorpe Library
Wednesday, 17 February:  2.30pm – 4.00pm,  Enderby Library
Thursday, 18 February:  2.30pm – 4.00pm,  Blaby Library
Friday, 19 February:  10:30am – 12.00noon, Kirby Muxloe Library

Stop and Tell – Hate Incidents reporting campaign

From the 25 to 29 January 2010, the Stop and Tell campaign will encourage people to report hate incidents and tell victims how and where they can do so. 

 A hate incident can be physical, verbal or written abuse.  Incidents take many forms, where you or someone else has been targeted because they or you are seen as being different.  Anyone can be a victim of hate because of their age, disability, gender, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation. 

 Hate incidents can be reported by a victim, witness or third party.

 The County Council and its District partners will be running activities and events throughout the week.  A number of key activities will be running across the county. These include:

•  Hinckley library will be hosting information sessions on Tuesday 26 January from 10am to 12noon for the public, to inform people how and where to report a hate incident. 
•  Publicising and promoting the Stop and Tell Video – which highlights a victim perspective. The video can be accessed via the County Council YouTube link and by visiting: www.leics.gov.uk/reporthate  this video will also been shown at reception areas across all local authorities in the county
•  Exhibitions are being hosted across the County and Districts.  Display material will include information in easy read format, publicity material about the Hate Incident Monitoring Project (HIMP), including myth busting on hate crime affecting the travelling and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community
•  Promoting the Stop and Tell campaign easy read leaflet
•  Promote the new support service available for hate incident cases within the Leicestershire County Council area, with Victim Support providing the support and advocacy.  This service can be accessed by calling 0116 305 8263.

 Each District Council will be running their own individual programme of activities involving local agencies within their area and offering information and advice throughout the week.  Actions will centre on raising awareness for local people who live, work and visit the area, of where and how they can report a hate incident. 

Byron Rhodes, Deputy Leader, Leicestershire County Council said:
”Hate crime is a serious issue which can have a detrimental impact on people’s lives, their families’ lives and the community at large.  I welcome this campaign and its partnership approach across the county, bringing together key agencies.  It will provide opportunities through different activities run at County and District level with local partners to encourage people to stop and report hate incidents.”    

You can report a hate incident online at www.leices.gov.uk/reporthate or at centres across the county,  including any district or borough council, or call 0116 305 8263 for more details. 

For an easy to use form/guidance notes for people with learning disabilities, visit: www.betterlives.org.uk

The latest Events Guide flies in!

Get your hands on the latest spring issue of the Leicestershire Events Guide, now available at outlets across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The free family entertainment guide, put together by Leicestershire County Council, is packed with 100s of fun and fascinating activities in county museums, country parks and libraries – and many of the events are free. It’s ideal for planning what to do throughout the year.

In February, why not visit the Auster light aircraft exhibition at Snibston? You can marvel at this iconic plane, which was made in Leicestershire, and see a showcase of photographs and objects from the archives which will be on display. Plus there will be a chance to ‘Meet the Experts’ in talks during National Science Week.

See and experience Hawkwise Falconry and Birds at Bosworth Battlefield and Country Park along with a weekend full of Medieval Mayhem on Sunday, 30 and Monday, 31 May.

There are more fantastic exhibitions to see, including:

• The celebration of 125 years of Leicester City Football Club at Snibston – a wonderful display that shows iconic memorabilia, photographs and objects, plus an exciting programme of events.
• Medieval Mayhem over the May Bank Holiday weekend at Bosworth Battlefield – join the visiting army for a day of medieval fun and games.
• The Record Office’s fascinating new exhibition celebrating 100 years of Girl Guiding.

There are evening and weekend openings at some libraries, and they will be celebrating World Book Day in March with many exciting events that the whole family can join in with.

Children can have heaps of half-term fun, Easter and spring Bank Holiday activities to choose from include:

• Puzzlemania, storytelling and craft activities in county libraries
• Easter Egg hunts at Watermead Country Park or fruit tree grafting at Donington le Heath Manor House
• Artzone creative workshops at Charnwood Museum

The Guide’s back page competition is looking for creative children who are secret garden designers. In partnership with Palmers Garden Centre, £150 worth of garden vouchers could be won.

The guide offers lots of reasons to visit the countryside and get involved in outdoor pursuits like walking, fishing, countryside crafts or even joining in a volunteer day! Plus you could win fantastic health equipment found in the library competition.

To find out about any of these events and lots more great days out, pick up your free comprehensive guide from any county library, museum, Service Shop or local Tourist Information Centre. Order your copy by calling 0116 305 6988, email eventsguide@leics.gov.uk or download a copy from www.leics.gov.uk/events

New Spring Bestsellers in Your Library

Grab a good read this spring with these new bestsellers, available in your library now.

See what we think about these great books on our website.

When you’ve read them come back here and tell us what you think about them

• Simon Kernick – The Last 10 Seconds
• Clive Cussler – Spartan Gold
• Lee Child – 61 Hours
• Rebecca Shaw – Village Newcomers
• Diana Gabaldon – An Echo in the Bone
• Anne Bennett – The Child Left Behind

Spring Reads in Leicestershire Libraries

Social Media becomes more engaging!

Social media websites like Twitter, Facebook and online blogs are allowing people to engage more with Leicestershire libraries and museums. People are increasingly using social media to keep up to date about news and events happening in libraries and museums across the county. The trend is definitely growing for two way communication!

Fans, followers and ‘virtual visits’ have grown in numbers over the last year with some Facebook pages being more popular than official website pages. Holiday times and special events are notably peak periods for visits and activity, but statistics show that accessing easy to find, fast, reliable and up to date news and information, along with the ability to comment and receive a response, are proving to be very popular.

Collectively, during December, there were over 10,000 visits to Leicestershire libraries’ and museums’ Facebook pages. During 2009 their blogs were read by over 16,000 ‘virtual visitors’.

Launches, book sales, special events and activities, or changes in opening times are just some of the things that social media sites enable people to find out about and comment on if they wish. They also provide an opportunity for people to connect with like-minded people.

People can follow Leicestershire libraries on www.twitter.com/leicslibraries read the blog on www.leicestershirebooks.wordpress.com or become a fan on www.facebook.com/yourlibrary

The museum’s blog can be found at www.leicestershiremuseums.wordpress.com; the Twitter address is www.twitter.com/leicsmuseum. Each museum has its own Facebook page where people can become fans:
www.facebook.com/bosworthbattlefield
www.facebook.com/snibston
www.facebook.com/harboroughmuseum
www.facebook.com/charnwoodmuseum
www.facebook.com/doningtonleheath
www.facebook.com/meltonmuseum

Links to all the above social media sites are available online at www.leics.gov.uk/libraries and www.leics.gov.uk/museums

Self-service at Melton Library

Self-service machines are being launched at Melton Mowbray Library on Tuesday 9 February, to allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs quickly and easily.

 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 Melton Mowbray library include:

• 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:

• Twice weekly Wriggly Reader sessions for under 5s
• Monthly family history surgery
• Readers and writers group 

 Melton Mowbray library will be closed Monday 1 February until Tuesday 9 February while the self-service kiosks are installed

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

Gordon Griffin to visit Newbold Verdon Library!

The actor and voice –over specialist Gordon Griffin will be visiting Newbold Verdon Library on Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at 7.30pm to talk about his life and work and to read some book extracts.

Gordon, whom you may remember as a presenter of Playschool and whose voice tells you to “Mind the gap” on the London Underground has had an extremely rich and varied career.

He’s recorded almost 500 talking books and has won awards for his work.

Among his audio recordings are the entire Wycliffe series, nine titles by Catherine Cookson, novels by Patrick ’O Brian and Melvyn Bragg, as well as biographies of Tolkien, Trevor Baylis, Richard Madeley and Bruce Forsyth.

He’s appeared in numerous TV series including Byker Grove, Doomwatch, Westminster on Trial, Kavanagh QC, When the Boat Comes in, to name but a few.

Gordon’s also done an immense amount of commercial voice- overs, narration and radio work.

One colleague who has previously seen Gordon tells me his talk is both fascinating and enthralling.
Other accolades include:

Sometimes, rarely, you finish an audio book and wonder if you will ever hear such a perfect combination of voice, text, and mood again. Gordon Griffin won an award for his reading of Oxygen; I’m not surprised………” Sue Arnold, The Guardian.

“Griffin is not just a narrator but an artist of the spoken word.” Audiofile Magazine

This promises to be a fabulous evening and we consider ourselves to be very lucky to have secured his visit to the library. This event is free but we anticipate an high response, therefore please book your seat by calling into the library or phoning 0116 305 3661.

Please come along and join us!

For any more information Contact Newbold Verdon Library on 0116 305 3661 and ask for Hannah Boot or Gill Harris.

www.leics.gov.uk/libraries