Kilkenny Library News!

Kilkenny County Library

A New Year ....and lots to look forward to in your local Library!

Did you know that over 300,000 items were borrowed through Kilkenny Libraries in 2014, with 195,00 people visiting our Libraries last year?

Kilkenny Library Service highlights of 2014

WiFi

WiFi has now been extended to the City Library John's Quay and Loughboy Library. Ferrybank branch also has WiFi since opening in December 2012. Allowing people to access the internet on their own computer systems in these branches brings a wealth of benefits to both library users and tourists. This extended service allows more flexible use of space in branches, where users are not limited to the number of PCs available, they can now access and save files/document/emails to their own devices.

Book Lovers Night

In June, Loughboy Library played host to Tipperary author Donal Ryan, Winner of the Irish Book of the Year 2012 and long-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2013.Over 100 readers came to listen to Donal discuss "The Spinning Heart" and "The Thing About December". Blogger and author Lorna Sixsmith, also spoke, and Liz Walsh from Stonehouse Books provided a pop-up bookshop. This night is organised annually and provides a unique opportunity for all readers - book clubs and individuals - to swap recommendations and discuss all things literary with like-minded people.

Children's Summer Reading Challenge

Up to 600 children from across the County participated in our annual challenge this year. Encouraging children to read during the summer months helps stop the 'summer slide' and keeps their reading ability from decreasing when not in school. Children are asked to read 6 books over a six week period, and receive small incentives along the way, and a medal and Certificate on completion. All those who completed the challenge were treated to a fantastic show called “Circus Stachamoose”  in the Watergate Theatre in early October during Children’s Book Festival.

FREE Digital Skills courses for the Public

The Library Service continued to provide digital skills courses for the public, with computer classes taking place during the year in libraries around the County. These were through partnerships with other agencies e.g. SOLAS, Age Action, Co. Kilkenny LEADER, and the Irish Computer Society/SAN IT. More FREE classes are planned for 2015.

24/7 services and Social Media

There was a further enhancement to the Library Service's suite of online services - available through www.kilkennylibrary.ie - with the addition of Zinio Online magazines. Titles include: The Economist, Newsweek, New Scientist, Hello, Rolling Stone, Ideal Homes etc. Other available online resources include: Britannica Online, Naxos Music Online, Transparent Languages Online and One Click Digital e-audiobook. Adding to our social media presence on Facebook, and Twitter, the Library Blog was introduced this year.

World War commemorations

There was a number of fascinating World War One events in library branches. These included: "Researching your relatives who fought in WW1" by author Neil Richardson,
"Poetry from the War Poets" by Poet Mark Roper and "Castlecomer People who served in WW1" by Dr Maire Downey. There were ongoing book displays in library branches while a WW1 commemorative booklet " Kilkenny on the Eve of War was produced from the Local Studies collection. An international WW2 exhibition took place in the City Library on the "Warsaw Uprising".

RTE and www.Irishtv.ie

The Library Service had a number of television appearances during the year. On RTE the City Library, staff and users featured in " Shakedown the Town". Loughboy Library featured on the "The Family Project", where Yvonne Keating helped the Barry family put together a 'Life Book'.

Castlecomer Library featured on Irish TV for the launch of "The Irish Detective in Yorkshire." with interviews of the author, Gerry O'Shea and library staff.

What's on your "to do" list for 2015?

“To do” lists definitely can be daunting and, if you’re like most people, you might be inclined to procrastinate when it comes to checking off some of the items.

Whatever you decide to do, stop off at your local library first! We have a myriad of books, cd’s and online supports to improve your life! Membership costs €15 for adults in full time employment, and is FREE to everyone else. Regular library visits are something the whole family can do together!

Kid's book club

Castlecomer Library

Donate your unwanted Christmas Gifts!

Drop all your unwanted confectionery, toiletries, clothing and gifts to our box this month. All will be distributed by the local St Vincent De Paul.

Cupla Focail

An Irish Conversation Group will meet in Castlecomer Library on Wednesday 28^th January from 10am-11am. Please contact the library on 056 4440561 for more information.

Kid’s are MAD about Books Book Club

Boys and girls from 8- 12 are invited to join in our junior Book Club, which meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 3.30pm. Next meeting: Tuesday February 3^rd. This is the first time in 30 years that there has been a perceived improvement in children’s reading and numeracy! We wish to support our schools in keeping these levels up by promoting reading through this programme.

Adult Book Club

The next meeting of our Afternoon Book Club will take place at 2.30 in the Library on Tuesday January 27^th. New members welcome to join us for a chat about good reads!

Recommended Reads for 2015! Why not join one of our Book Clubs for your reading enhancement this year?

The Boy that I love by Lynda Bellingham

It's the summer of '82 as Sally Thomas prepares to leave her job at the British Drama League in London and head off to the North of England for her very first season in repertory as an Assistant Stage Manager at the beautiful old theatre in Crewe. Flung into this new world, Sally soon finds her feet, thanks to her own steady, unspoilt nature and to the company of her best friend, Jeremy. One of the first lessons she learns is that the other actors barely need tuition in the art of stage-fighting, since they are quite adept at stabbing each other in the back. When Jeremy falls suddenly and dangerously in love, Sally needs to grow up - fast. A shadow is falling over the theatre, sparing no one, and a tragedy is gathering pace in the darkness behind the stage

Desert God by Wilbur Smith

Taita has risen from nothing to become the most trusted man at the Pharaoh's side. Only he can plot a mission that will return Egypt to its former glory. Only he can muster the force that can break the back of Egypt's greatest enemy.

Fathers come first by RositaSweetman

Rosita Sweetman's first novel describes the sentimental education of a school-leaver abroad in the city, and is as fresh and relevant today as when it first appeared. It's the story of Liz, a girl wanting her father, losing her mother, wishing to be a lady, and learning to be a bitch in the sexual jungle of middle-class Dublin: a world of bedsits and bezzies, modelling and waitressing, flats, cocktail parties, and dreams of men.

Escape by David Baldacci

Military CID investigator John Puller has returned from his latest case in Florida to learn that his brother, Bobby, on death row at Leavenworth Military Prison for national security crimes, has escaped. Now Bobby's on the run and he's the military's number one target. John Puller has a dilemma. Which comes first, loyalty to his country or to his brother?

Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney

For the last thirty years, Angela Gillespie's annual Christmas letter has been full of her family's triumphs. But this year Angela surprises everyone, including herself - she tells the truth. Angela's husband is in the throes of a mid-life crisis. Her grown-up daughters are more out of control than ever. And her youngest child spends all of his time talking to an imaginary friend. With fantasy thoughts of a life before marriage and motherhood becoming more than just an innocent daydream, Angela's real life is slowly slipping out of focus. But, as the repercussions of her ruthlessly honest letter begin to pile up, a shocking event takes Angela from her family, and she realises she should have been more careful of what she wished for.

John’s Quay Library

12 Books of Christmas:

Congratulations to all that participated in our 12 books of Christmas challenge. Sheets were due back last week. Prize winners will be announced early next week.

6 Book Challenge 2015:

Suitable for teenagers and adults, this challenge is aimed at encouraging ‘reluctant’ readers, getting people into reading for the first time, and helping make reading a habit. If you think you can read 6 books between now and the end of April 2015, then call in to the City branch and collect your starter pack!

• Readers choose their books so each person can read at their own individual level. (Those with visual impairment are invited to participated using audio books)
• Record reading in a diary in order to receive incentives, a certificate and the chance to enter a prize draw.
• Certificates will be awarded to those who have completed or participated in the programme towards the end of the challenge.

Challenge finishes Wednesday 22^nd April 2015. For more information, contact Aisling on 056 7794174 for further information.

The Quay Book Club

Next meeting will be held on Wednesday 28^th January from 11.30-12.30pm. New members are always welcome. Title for discussion: Canada by Richard Ford.

Exhibition Space:

Exhibition space is available in City Library, John’s Quay for artists/photographers. Bookings are generally taken for a month. Groups and schools are also welcome. Phone Aisling on 056 779 4174 to book.

Naxos Music Online

Naxos Music Library is an entertaining, educational resource, which offers the best selection of studied music on the web. Through a sophisticated online search engine, users select music by composer, artist, period, year of composition, instrument or genre. Playlists are easily created for educational use or for hours of continuous enjoyment. Composer biographies, CD liner notes, and work analyses are just a few of the text resources available to users while streaming music from the Library on our website.

Ask any Librarian for help on how to access our 24/7 Service through www.kilkennylibrary.ie

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Looking forward to being of service in 2015!