For the Love of Books

Authors Galore

Our podcast is back with a round-up of some exciting opportunities for our library members to get involved in.

Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, chats through a host of chances to see some top authors in our libraries in the next few weeks and he catches up with our Librarian at Coatbridge Library, Thomas Clark, to find out a little more about great activities happening there.

Listen to the end as well to find out a little bit about our exciting Memory Room which is launching soon at Airdrie Library. 

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Letters To Santa

In our finale of season 6, we get in the Christmas spirit with our For the Love of Books podcast and find out how our libraries are getting in the Christmas mood.

Chris, our E-Services Librarian also challenged some of our staff to write their letter to Santa and him decide if they have been naughty or nice. Susan, Alison, Hilary, Jean and Thomas took up the challenge. So listen to find out what they want for Christmas and why they think they make the nice list.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Find a Scottish Read

With yesterday being St. Andrew's Day, we decided to make our latest episode of our For the Love of Books podcast all about Scottish writers.

Our E-Services Librarian Chris Wilson has collated a list of favourite Scottish authors from fellow library staff Alison, Hilary, Phyllis, Thomas and Letty to help you find your next Scottish read.

We also reveal our Book of the Year shortlist containing another 8 fantastic Scottish authors. Our library members vote for the winner, so don't forget to head along to our website to cast your vote for your favourite.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Folk Tales of Lanarkshire

It's Book Week Scotland, which this year has the theme of Scotland's Stories. Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, had the chance to chat with Storyteller and Author, Allison Galbraith, about her book Lanarkshire Folk Tales which is full of great stories from the local area.

We also get the chance to find out more about her Folk Tales of Lanarkshire project that she's been involved in with Airdrie Library.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Scotland’s Stories for Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland is almost upon us with a national celebration of books and reading happening from November 14-20. We have lots of great special events happening in our libraries - and in person too for what seems like the first time in a long time. 

Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, managed to catch up with Drew Feeney, our Librarian from Airdrie Library, and Thomas Clark, our Librarian at Coatbridge Library, to talk through some of the events in detail and we also reveal more about the rest of the programme too.

Listen in to find out if there are events that you want to come along to, and get a chance to read the books before the visits.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Libraries Week Round-up

It was Libraries Week recently and we had loads of great events. Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, managed to track down some of the staff involved to get a little overview of what happened and how, in some cases, these events lead to future plans.

Hilary Petrie gives us an insight into the Philosophy Cafe event at Motherwell Library which focussed on VR and AR technologies and how they could impact our lives in the future. Phyllis Canavan tells us about the growing interest in family history groups in our libraries including a session we had at Viewpark Library. We had a couple of very special guests during the week too and we hear about them from Drew Feeney and Thomas Clark. TikTok star Len Pennie visited Airdrie Library to talk poetry, writing and the Scots language - listen on for an exclusive reading of one of her works. Finally, we hear about Anne Donovan's visit to Coatbridge Library and the added value that author visits provide for our library members.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Stories: A Poetry Collection

In the lead-up to National Poetry Day 2022, North Lanarkshire Libraries held a poetry competition. The prize for the winning poems was to have them published in a collection on BorrowBox - the library eBook service.

We decided to go one step further and create this special podcast episode featuring readings of all of the poems selected for the eBook. Join us and listen in on a great way to celebrate National Poetry Day.

The poems included are:

The Baldernock Churchyard Faeries by James DG Beattie | Read by Judy McGuire

It's Only a Hedgehog by Craig Blades | Read by Susan Wilson

Tragedy by LJ Bryant | Read by Peter Benassi

Montague Masked by Erin Caullay | Read by Craig Tobin

Lockdown by Elizabeth Clarke | Read by Hilary Petrie

The Lonely Shore by Steven Gallagher | Read by Kathryn Epps

The River by David Harper | Read by Russell Brown

Scottish Sunshine by Harry Jack | Read by Jean Ewart

The Castlecary Horseman by Albert MacBeath | Read by Andrew Davidson

My Class by Ann McGonnell | Read by Gillian Harley

Morgan Glen by Rose Macgregor | Read by Alison Walsh

The Isle O' Skye by Stuart McLean | Read by Thomas Clark

The Falling Man by Mick O'Neill | Read by Ekaterine Tsurtsumia

Hagg-is by Cameron Tonner | Read by Phyllis Canavan

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast by using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings we'd always appreciate a rating too.

It’s Time For That Coffee

September ends with our partner organisation Macmillan Cancer Support celebrating the World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

Our libraries have always enjoyed getting involved and raising money for such a great cause. In our new podcast episode, Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian is joined by Craig Tobin - our Macmillan Project Manager. Hear firsthand some of Craig's experiences, why he thinks it's an important occasion and of course what book he'll be reading with his coffee this year.

Some of our libraries are taking part this year and you can find out more details at www.culturenl.co.uk/coffeemornings.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Conker and the Monkey Trap with Hannah Peckham

In today's podcast, our E-Services Librarian is joined by children's author Hannah Peckham. Hannah is the award-winning author of the Conker series - featuring a loveable chameleon discovering how to deal with emotions and friendships.

Find out more about Hannah's inspiration, hear about her own captive audience for her stories and why stories on children's mental health and well-being are important to her.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Digital Summer

Our summer activities programme this year had a big digital element. Our LogintoLearn team toured our libraries with various coding activities and digital experiences for kids to get involved in.

With digital technology playing a bigger part in everyone's life, Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian, is joined by Hilary Petrie and Phyllis Canavan to find out what experiences the kids had during the summer and what they can look forward to in the near future.

There's also some advice for anyone looking to take some baby steps into the world of coding.

Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.