The princes in the tower

This half term, solve the true life mystery of Richard 3rd and the Princes in the Tower. This session will examine one of England’s enduring controversies, the mystery of the “disappearance” of the uncrowned 12 year-old Edward 5th and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York. Did Richard 3rd, their “wicked” uncle, have the boys killed so that he could seize the throne for himself? Or was another suspect to blame? Can you solve the mystery and decide what happened to the Princes?
This is an active talk appealing to adults and older children/teens. Tickets cost £2 for adults or £1 for under 18s, places are limited, so book now.
Blaby library at 7pm on Monday 19th October, visit or phone 0116 3053516 for tickets
Or Glenfield library at 7pm on Wednesday 21st October, visit or phone 0116 3053591 for tickets.
These talks are taking place as part of Family learning festival, ask at the libraries about other events to do with family learning or about other upcoming talks.
Libraries in Blaby District are organising a variety of talks on various subjects. For other talks that might interest you visit: http://www.leics.gov.uk/blabyevents

Enigma 2 Go

As part of the Family Learning Festival, Blaby library invites you to learn more about encryption with our informative and entertaining talk on cyphers and code-breaking on Tuesday 27th October at 7:30. This talk by John Alexander includes the chance to see real examples of the machines up close. Genuine cypher systems will be displayed at the library during the talk, including an Enigma machine from World War II. This involving talk is suitable for adults, but will also interest older children, and may aid with World War II projects. Because of the delicate nature of the equipment, this will not be a “hands-on” talk and may be less suitable for younger children.
Blaby library, 7:30pm on Tuesday 27th October. Tickets cost £3 or two for £5, places are limited, so book now by phoning 0116 3053516.
These talks are taking place as part of Family learning festival, ask at the libraries about other events to do with family learning or about other upcoming talks. Or visit: www.leics.gov.uk/blabyevents

Family history for complete beginners

The popularity of television programmes such as the BBC’s Who do You Think You Are? has generated a huge interest in family history and encouraged people to start the detective work themselves.

For anyone who has thought about doing it, but doesn’t know how to start, Leicestershire Library Services can help.
Free events for complete beginners will be held around the county over the coming months.

Whether family roots are local or not, these sessions will give the basic information, useful websites and library resources needed to get started with research.

Places are limited and early booking is recommended. The events will take place at:

* Melton Mowbray Library – Monday, 19th October from 10am – 1pm . 0116 305 3646
* Wigston Library- Tuesday, 20th October , 2pm – 5pm. 0116 305 3689
* Oadby Library – Monday, 26th October, 6pm – 8pm. 0116 305 8763
* Hinckley Library- Tuesday, 3rd November, 2pm – 5pm. 01455 635106
* Mkt Harborough Library – Monday, 9th November, 6pm – 9pm. 0116 305 3627
* Coalville Library – Tuesday, 17th November, 2pm – 5pm. 0116 305 3565
* Loughborough Library – Thursday, 3rd December, 2pm – 5pm. 01509 212985

Ernie White, Cabinet member for Libraries at Leicestershire County Council, said: “These events, which we hold twice a year, are extremely popular and are often over-subscribed.

“People who have taken part have said how pleased they are with all the interesting and helpful information and advice given and say the event has given them the confidence, motivation and encouragement to start researching their family history.”

For those unable to get to an event, libraries can still help.

There are many books and websites giving information on how to do family history – more information is available from library staff or online at www.leics.gov.uk/focusonfamilyhistory

Further information is available from Val Plant, Development Librarian, by calling 0116 305 8320, or by emailing: val.plant@leics.gov.uk

New Online Reference Library

How big is the largest squid in the world?  Where does the shortest man live?  How do you make rubber?  Why is the sky blue?  Who were your ancestors?

Reference Library

You can find the answers along with loads of other information via the Online Reference Library service at home on your computer.

This new online service has been set up by Leicestershire County Council Library Services and provides a wide range of information which can be accessed at home on the internet.

The subject topics vary from art to health and from family history to music – even newspapers and magazines – so there is plenty of information to interest all age groups.

Whatever information you seek, just pop into your local library or use our Online Reference Library in the comfort of your own home by visiting www.leics.gov.uk/reference.

There is normally a subscription fee upon registering for the Online Reference Library service, however Leicestershire libraries are providing the service absolutely free to members of the library service.  All you need is your library card number.

If you are not already a member, you can join by downloading a form and taking it to your nearest library with proof of identification.  Or you can register online by completing the form and a library card and a PIN will be sent to your home.

There are additional services available in libraries themselves which include the Ancestry Library Edition, a great place to research into your family tree.  Or if you’re looking for value for money, our Which? Consumer Reports will help you to decide and compare prices.

For those musicians around, you can find your favourite artist or album by clicking onto the SearchMuze online resource program.

The Ancestry Library Edition, SearchMuze and Which? Online services are only accessible in the library due to a licensing agreement with providers.

For further information, visit www.leics.gov.uk/reference

Using Oral History

Using Oral History The East Midlands Oral History Archive (EMOHA), at the Centre for Urban History in the University of Leicester, is holding a one day event about oral history on 12th June 2009. The event, titled ‘Using Oral History’, is open to anyone with an

East Midlands Oral History Archive

interest in oral history and will be of particular interest to those who own or look after an existing oral history collection, or are thinking about creating new recordings. There are many uses oral history recordings can be put to and this day event will enable you to share ideas with other groups and individuals, and listen to speakers from projects across the East Midlands talk about how they have used oral history. The full agenda is yet to be finalised and will be made public as soon as possible. However, speakers currently confirmed include EMOHA’s Colin Hyde, Jenny Labbon and George Watley from the Northampton Black History Association, Diane Davies and Dr Viv Golding from the University of Leicester. The event is free but places are limited.

If you would like to attend please contact Kate Crispin at the Centre for Urban History by 15th May to book a place: Kate Crispin, Centre for Urban History, University of Leicester, Marc Fitch House, 3-5 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR

Tel: 0116 2522378 – Email: urban.history@le.ac.uk- Website: www.le.ac.uk/emoha

Family tree help for complete beginners

Television is increasing the popularity of researching family history, but for those who find it harder than the programmes make out, help is at hand.  Libraries are running a series of sessions for family history novices to learn how to get started on the research.  The free events will be held across the county during April and May.  Whether people have local family roots or not, these sessions will give basic information, show useful websites and direct people to relevant library resources.  Places on the sessions are limited, and booking is necessary.

Ernie White, Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “These events, which we hold twice a year, are extremely popular and are often over-subscribed.  “People who have taken part have said how pleased they are with all the interesting and helpful information and advice given and say the event has given them the confidence, motivation and encouragement to start studying their family history.”
Sessions will be held on:

22nd April. Glenfield Library (0116 305 3591)
23rd April. Glenhills Library (0116 305 3530
1st May. Kirby Muxloe Library (0116 305 3715)
12th May. Blaby Library (0116 305 3516)

For people who are unable to get to an event, libraries can still help. There are many books and websites giving information on how to research family history.  www.leics.gov.uk/focus_on_family_history