Welcome to our regular newsletter with bits & pieces of news about Blythe library-centre
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World event
One of the happiest days at the centre in the last few weeks was the World Book Day event. Traditionally, this is the day when everyone dresses up as a favourite character from a book; and also when libraries are full of story-telling sessions. And Blythe was no different.
Our volunteers dressed up (see above), and the children came in to the centre also in all sorts of costumes. Tina did a great job as Chief Storyteller!
A marvellous day.
Festival
Talking of book events, here’s a bit of forward notice for the Moorlands’ festival for children’s literature. Called The Brilliant Festival, it is planned to take place at Biddulph Old Hall on 12th & 13th July. The 12th is reserved to schools, but on Saturday 13th the whole thing is thrown open to the public.
The festival will feature readings, talks, workshops, performances, installations – and activities “to feed the imagination”.
It’s all the brainchild of the ‘Outside Arts’ group, which is a Moorlands-based community arts organisation. It is the group that was behind the ‘Cheadle Moon’ extravaganza and which is currently setting up the forthcoming Moorlands Polish Heritage Event and the Leek Textile Week, so we know the quality of the book festival will be good.
Come along and watch film… for free
One of the great things about Staffordshire Libraries’ managers is that they set up some excellent opportunities for library-users. They can negotiate contracts so that major institutions & businesses, who usually charge for access to their online sites, will allow it for free in libraries.
The condition is that: free access is only possible on computers that are actually physically in libraries. At Blythe we have a computer room where this free access is possible.
Ask the volunteers at the desk about what platforms are available for free, or check the ‘Staffordshire Free-Access’ page.
The latest institution to permit its wares to be seen on library computers is the British Film Institute. The BFI is now allowing free access to its ‘Replay’ collection – archive footage going back almost sixty years. These historic videos include news footage, such as that from the 1984-1985 Miner’s Strike, right through to classic TV programmes such as The Book Tower – and it’s all easily searchable.
So… come on down to Blythe and enjoy an hour checking out the past…
Wednesdays
Finally, don’t forget to check out our Events page for what’s coming up on Wellness Wednesdays, when we put on talks about health. The next ones concern osteo-arthritis, diabetes and arthritis in general.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be you that has the condition – you could be a carer or concerned relative or even just worried that you might develop the condition. All are welcome!
Please give us your thoughts on any of the news in this article – write something in the Comments Box, which is further down this page.
Blythe Bridge Library & Community Centre 