For the Love of Books

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.

You Know What We Read This Summer pt 2

We decided for our episode back with the new season to let you guys know what we have been reading in the summer months. 

Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, searched out a few friends from across our libraries to give you the details and hopefully inspire you to find a new read that you've not heard of yet. 

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.

Get To Know Your Librarian

It's always an exciting time when we get new Librarians joining our team, and we're excited to give you the chance to find out more about them too.

Chris Wilson, our E-Services Librarian, is joined on this episode by Thomas Clark and Joanne McKeown, our latest Librarians to become part of North Lanarkshire Libraries. Thomas is our Librarian at Coatbridge Library and Joanne is based in Motherwell Library.

Listen in to find out why they decided to get into the profession, some of their own reading recommendations and much more. This is the finale to our season 5 of the podcast. But we'll be back again soon with more great episodes.

Don't forget to 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.

Summer Fun Is Here

Summertime is always an exciting time in libraries and for the first time in a few years, we can do events in person.

So listen up, find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge, Let's Go Summer and get a little look at what we're reading this summer.

Chris Wilson, our E-Services Librarian, talks you through some of the Let's Go Summer events that stood out to him. We get a highlight of some great children's titles for summer from our Community Librarian, Gillian Hunt. Chris is also joined by Hilary Petrie and Phyllis Canavan, our Digital Learning Officers to find out more about our digital events for Let's Go Summer.

A few other staff members round off the podcast with what's on their summer reading list this summer.

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.

Newmains 60

Newmains Library is turning the grand old age of 60 this year. To celebrate, our staff at the library have been hard at work putting together a fantastic fun day which will be on Saturday 18 June.

To give us a hint at what to expect, and to share a few memories of Newmains Library, Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian is joined in this episode by Susan Wilson and Christine Ramage - Library Assistants from Newmains Library.

There are also a few book recommendations too.

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.