Return to the stars at Hinckley’s libraries

There will be plenty to keep families and older people entertained and informed at libraries in the Hinckley area this February.
For fathers, grandfathers, uncles and carers there will be Dads Day, a free event for men and their pre-school children featuring stories and songs. This takes place at 10:30am at Newbold Verdon Library on Saturday February 5th 2011.

Following the huge success of Stargazing Live last month, at which nearly 150 people attended, Newbold Verdon Library will also be opening its doors from 6:30pm on Tuesday 8th February for the first Stargazing Club, which is free to visitors.

Other events at Newbold Verdon Library include afternoon tea on Wednesday 9th February and a local history group which will convene for the first time on the following Wednesday, 16th February. Both of these events are free and all are welcome.

Those looking for a real challenge over half term should consider the Top Gear activity morning, in which families can drop in to Hinckley Library for fun activities with a motoring theme. This free event is for children aged between seven and eleven years old and takes place between 10:30 and 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd February.

And for fans of Music Hall and Variety performances there will be a special coffee morning in which a guest speaker will be reminiscing on this era of entertainment. This free event starts at 10am on Thursday 24th February at Barwell Library in the George Ward Centre, and there will also be the opportunity to get online throughout the day.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council Lead Member for Adults & Communities, said, “Events like these across libraries in the Hinckley area keep visitors of all ages stimulated and entertained, and for little or no cost.”

For further details of these and other events, please contact Tracey Beighton on 0116 3052501, visit www.leics.gov.uk/hinkley_libraries, or visit your local library.

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

New library reward scheme!

Free DVD hire is one of the great rewards available in libraries’ new money-saving loyalty scheme. Library members can join the free scheme and collect points each time they visit a County library or mobile and borrow six or more items.

Rewards Card

Library members will be issued with their own rewards card and can collect up to 12 stamps which can be cashed in for any of these fantastic library rewards:

• Set of headphones (12 stamps)
• Jute bag (12 stamps)
• Free week loan of DVD/CD or talking book (6 stamps)
• Children’s poster/activity book (6 stamps)
• Free book request (3 stamps)
• Free UK fax up to the value of £1.50 (3 stamps)
• 3 free print outs/photocopies (2 stamps).

The new scheme starts on 1^st June, is free to join and available to all ages.  More details about are available in libraries and online at www.leics.gov.uk/libraryrewards

FREE films and music

Fancy watching a great movie or listening to your favourite sounds for free this spring? Well just pop into your nearest County library and ask about the latest credit-crunching offer!

Just borrow 6 books on your ticket and save money with a free loan of any CD, DVD or talking book. This seasonal special offer is available in all Leicestershire libraries and mobiles that stock these items from 23 February until 6 March.
The library service has a great range of DVDs and CDs to keep everyone entertained, including new titles, available at the majority of Leicestershire libraries. The collections include children’s films, blockbusters, Bollywood, television series, drama and classics, plus a huge range of music to choose from, including …

• pop and rock
• jazz
• classical
• easy listening
• films and shows
• asian music
• music DVDs.

Head of Leicestershire County Council’s Library Service, Margaret Bellamy, said: “We have a great range of CDs, DVDs and talking books to suit all interests and ages. I’m delighted that we can offer this fantastic deal to all our users, including new library members. It’s easy and it’s free to join the library – just call into any county library and ask about joining or join online at www.leics.gov.uk/libraries