Halton Libraries Blog has now moved to a new site, please join us here

Calling all budding young film directors

Would you like to get involved in acting and film production?  Are you aged 11 to 19 years?  If so, come along to our Green Screen workshop which we are running  in association with Mako Education as part of our Reading Activists programme.  It's at Widnes library on Friday 16 August 1-3pm.

Bring along your favourite book or story and become a YouTube star. You’ll need the permission of a parent or guardian if you  appear on social media so please ask for a form from Widnes Library and please have it signed before attending event.

You can see more about the workshop here. 

Follow us on Twitter: @haltonteenzbook,email Allyson on allyson.watt@halton.gov.uk or phone us on 07826893328 

One Direction event at Halton Lea

Halton Libraries Reading Activists present:

ONE DIRECTION - total experience.

Meet the author with inside knowledge of One Direction.  Have your photo taken with life-sized Harry. Quizzes, games and more!

Halton Lea library Wednesday 14 August 2-4pm.  This is a FREE event but booking is essential.  Please call us on 0151 7744.

Our work with TalkTalk

We recently worked with TalkTalk at Halton Lea library to help people get online.

As part of that work they made a video which you can see here.

We're planning to work with them again at at Widnes library and we'll let you know more soon.

Mood busting books coming soon.

Research shows that reading improves mental well-being, and reduces stress levels by 67% and Reading also reduces the risk of dementia by 35%.

Mood-boosting Books is a national promotion of 20 uplifting titles, including novels, poetry and non-fiction. The books are recommended by readers and reading groups around the country.

The new list of 20 Reading Well Mood-boosting Books titles will be available at Widnes and Halton Lea Libraries.

Rugby League Cup reading game comes to Widnes

Join writer Tom Palmer and players from Widnes Vikings to test your knowledge on rugby and your skill at goal kicks.  As part of the build-up to The Rugby League World Cup author Tom Palmer is bringing his Rugby Reading Game to Widnes Library.

The Rugby League World Cup Reading Game is part quiz about great rugby reading (in newspapers, online, magazines and books) and part goal kicking competition.

Teams are challenged to answer easy questions about sport, then to take kicks at Tom's portable rugby posts. The winning team gets a trophy.   So come along for an afternoon of fun and an opportunity to test you goal kicking skills against the Widnes Vikings!  Free Event – Prizes – Meet Widnes Vikings.

Widnes library Wednesday 9 August 2-3pm.

Latest review from our 'Reading Families'

I highly recommend 'Cross Bones Yard' by Kate Rhodes.  What a read!  This book was very difficult to put down.  The main character of Alice Quentin is someone we can all relate to.  I had great empathy for her; being drawn into her world, her life, her fears, her emotions and her terrors.

Her discovery of a body is only the beginning of the twists and turns of this engrossing rollercoaster of a read and you will not be disappointed at the surprising end.  Even I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t want it to be so L  This book is a truly exhilarating thriller that you will not be able to put down.

Tracy Smith

You and Harry Styles

Get your picture taken with Harry Styles at our ONE DIRECTION EXPERIENCE event for young people. Hear all the inside information from the One Direction author @SarahOliverAtoZ at Halton Lea library on Wednesday 14 August from 2 to 4pm.

Harry awaits YOU! Games, quiz and lots of prizes and fun!

Creepy House crafts

Come and join us for loads of fun making creepy stuff you can take home and scare people with.  Our sessions are:

Thursday 1 August 10.30 to 11.30 at RUNCORN

Thursday 1 August 2.00 to 3.00 at DITTON

Tuesday 6 August 10.30 to 11.30 at HALTON LEA

Tuesday 6 August 2.00 to 3.00 at WIDNES

Hope to see you there

Two more summer events for you calendar

Two great events planned for the Summer. Some of the staff are really excited about the One direction day at Halton Lea Library complete with cardboard cutout of Harry oooh! So turn up with your best smile Wed 14th August 2 - 4pm at Halton Lea Library. Meet Sarah Oliver author of Around the World with One Direction: The True Stories as Told by the Fans and Harry Styles / Niall Horan - the Biography. Test your One Direction knowledge and be in with a chance to win some prizes.

But don't think Widnes has been left out ... On Friday 16th 1 – 3pm we have booked Mako education to run some filmmaking workshops. Become a youtube star against an exotic background, promote the library, your favourite book, whatever you want so long as it is reading or writing related. Flyers for this will be out soon which I will put on facebook for you to send out to all your contacts.

Creepy House activities for 5 to 11 year olds

Join us for some spine-tingling fun.  We've got Grandpa Joe coming to our libraries later this months.  He'll be at:

Ditton library on Friday 26 July from 3.30 to 4.30
Halton Lea library on Wednesday 31 July from 10.30 to 11.30
Widnes library on Wednesday 31 July from 2.00 to 3.00

Come along if you dare!

"Broken Time" workshop at Widnes library

A brilliant opportunity for budding young writers and actors to take part in a professionally led workshop, based on Mick Martin's play, Broken Time.

Participants will use scenes from the play to explore writing about character, and how to create tension through the written word.

This FREE event is part of the Try Reading project, a programme of cultural events taking place across the north of England linked to the Rugby League World Cup 2013.  It's at Widnes library on Wednesday 17 July 5.00 to 6.30pm.

See a trailer for the play here.

Reading Rewards challenge

Reading Rewards challenges you to choose from 8 different sorts of reading so that you will almost inevitably read something that you might not have chosen to read previously. Hopefully this way you will discover some new sorts of reading to enjoy again in the future.

You can enter the challenge at any of our libraries or online and have the chance to win one of two £50 prizes.

Spooktacular summer holiday fun at Halton Libraries

Here's a sneak preview at what we've organised so far:

Grandpa Joe’s Spooky stories

Fri 26th July	3.30-4.30	Ditton
Wed 31st July	10.30-11.30	Halton Lea
Wed 31st July	2-3	Widnes

Creepy House crafts

Thurs 1st August	10.30-11.30	Runcorn
Thurs 1st August	2-3	Ditton
Tues 6th August	10.30-11.30	Halton Lea
Tues 6th August	2-3	Widnes

Celebrate Rugby World Cup with Tom Palmer

Fri 9th August

2-4

Widnes

Meet some Creepy Crawly Creatures

Tues 13th August	10.30-11.30	Halton Lea
Tues 13th August	2-3	Widnes

Join our Creepy House Party – come dressed up for fun and games!

Thurs 15th August	10.30-11.30	Runcorn
Thurs 15th August	2-3	Ditton
Tues 20th August	10.30-11.30	Halton  Lea
Tues 20th August	2-3	Widnes

Help us to promote reading

Are you a reading fanatic and would like to inspire others to read too? Are you aged  between 12 and 19?

If so, we'd love you to help us with two promotions that are being launched on 1 July 2013.  The Summer Reading Challenge is for 4 to 12 years-olds and challenges them to read up to six books over the summer holidays, receiving rewards along the way.

The Reading Rewards promotion is for young people and adults challenging them to read something different, offering local and national rewards at the end of the promotion.

If you'd like to get involved and be a volunteer at one of our libraries, please contact Allyson on 0782 689 3328 or email her.

Local & Family History Fair at Norton Priory

Last Saturday we were at the Local & Family History Fair which was an event hosted by Norton Priory.  We were one of a number of Societies and Organisations there, all of whom provide help and resources to people researching their local or family history.  We had a great day and met many new friends from the local community.

Our picture shows part of our display next to the wonderful Norman archway in the undercroft. If you were one of the many people who attended the event, we hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did.

Six Book Challenge at Halton Libraries

Why not get involved with the Six Book Challenge at any one of our libraries?

The Six Book Challenge invites you to pick six reads and record your reading in a diary in order to get a certificate. This year we've got top author and former SAS soldier Andy McNab supporting the scheme. Plus we've got special materials for rugby league fans supported by England International Jamie Jones-Buchanan. There's also the chance to enter a national prize draw to win some great prizes. Best of all, you can read anything you like - in print or online.

Click here to find  out more.

Meet the Rugby World Cup mascots

The official mascots of the Rugby League World Cup will launch the TRY Reading Project in Halton, Grubber and his friend Steed the Rugby ball, will be appearing on the 7th June at Widnes Library for two special events.  Grubber will be attending a special Rhyme time at 11 o'clock for younger children, helping library staff read the book "What's a Bear to Wear". 

"What's a Bear to Wear" is the new picture book for young children written by Tom Palmer based on RLWC2013 official mascots Grubber and Steed.  There will be another opportunity to meet Grubber and Steed in Widnes Library from 3:30 pm until 5pm and everyone is welcome. So come along, have your photograph taken with Grubber and be one of the first to meet the RLWC mascot!   For more information click here.

Connecting the community

Telecommunications group Talk Talk will run workshops at Halton Lea Library in June with experts on hand to help people with email, social networking, accessing multimedia, Word/Excel, understanding the internet, online shopping, PC basics and safety on the internet.

You can bring your own devices to the sessions, which last from 10am to 2pm on Thursdays 13th, 20th and 27th June at Halton Lea Library.  People who are interested in learning about the internet for Universal Credit are also welcome.

For more information call Joanne at Halton Lea Library on 0151 511 7744 or email haltonlea.library@halton.gov.uk

Ladybird Live - coming to Runcorn library

On Thursday 13th June Runcorn Library will be hosting Ladybird Live, a unique storytelling event for children aged 2-5 years.  The events at 10.00am – 11.30am and 2.00pm – 3.30pm will feature a whole host of pre-school delights including storytelling sessions, face painting, colouring-in, book-selling and raffle prizes.

 

On top of the children’s activities, Ladybird experts will be on-hand to speak with parents who may need guidance or advice on reading with children. 

 

The events are being held to celebrate and promote the joys of storytelling - from birth through to confident young readers, Ladybird offers expertly crafted books and apps for every child’s needs.

 

Tickets are free and are available from the library.  For more information, please contact the library on 0151 511 7666.

Love your market event

Why not come and see us at Widnes market during the  'Love your market' event which runs from 15 to 29 May?

Halton library service will have a 'pop-up' library at the market from 9am to 5pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of both weeks.  Why not come along and chat to our staff who can tell you what we can offer?

For more information on Widnes market, visit them on Facebook.

Celebrate reading at your GP’s with World Book Night

Celebrate reading at your GP’s with World Book Night.  On Tuesday 23rd April, patients of the eight Community Wellbeing Practices in Halton can go along to their GP Practice to pick up a free book, sign-up for free membership at their local library and also find out about reading groups and adult literacy courses that are running in the local area.  Patients are also encouraged to bring in any old books that will contribute to the launch of ‘book share schemes’ that will be running from the GP Practices.

'The Hobbit':a review from our Reading Families project

Having read the book many years ago I revisited it in preparation for watching the new film “An Unexpected Journey” directed by Peter Jackson. Now I’ve seen the film, so I read the book again. Of course it is common knowledge now that there are actually going to be three films to cover the whole story of The Hobbit and I immediately thought “how on (middle) earth is he going to manage to stretch the book out over three films?” Well, considering the fact that the first film is about 160 minutes long and only gets us to the end of chapter 6 (of 19) then it’s easy to see how! The film has been tastefully padded with extra material that Tolkien covered in various appendices, so ensuring that the new trilogy will serve as a faithful prequel to Lord of the Rings.

In my humble opinion, ”An Unexpected Journey”  is a promising start as I loved the film for all of the richness and deeper plot threads and, inevitably, the ‘Hollywood’ moments too, but I still love the book for the slightly different path it takes. The tale may be more straight-forward, however there is still time to offer the reader a narrative and extrapolation that is otherwise missing from a Hollywood blockbuster. For example, in early rich character scenes between Bilbo and Gandalf as the reluctant adventurer is actively forced out the door (in the movie the impression is more that he takes the decision himself). Also in the scenes between Gollum and Bilbo (covered in chapter 5, “Riddles in the Dark”) this is a much longer and uncomfortable confrontation in the book and really allows the character of Gollum to come to life in the words and riddles. Even Tolkien himself heavily re-wrote this chapter later to sharpen the despair of Gollum and his sense of loss upon having the ring taken from him by Bilbo.

As I made progress through the book second time around I was reading it on two levels; on one hand enjoying the story and on the other getting so excited to imagine how these scenes will be visualised in the subsequent parts 2 and 3 of the film trilogy. In particular I am looking forward to the numerous scenes with Smaug around Lonely Mountain and in Lake-Town. Tolkien has a highly descriptive approach to his writing that makes it so easy to visualise the characters, the places and the overall landscape and context. Despite Bilbo’s motives and actions at time being questionable, I was with him every step of the way and willing him to come through the journey with success in his quest.

Many other reviews may differ, however I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the book as well as experiencing the film at (almost) the same time and I feel that neither one harms the other. In fact they happily co-exist and I look forward to picking the book up again a few more times around the release of “The Desolation of Smaug” later in 2013.

Mark R.

Bookmark #haltonreads

British horror writer Phil Rickman and author of the bestselling “Spartacus” Ben Kane have joined in discussions about their books with Halton readers online.

Dozens of people have been Tweeting what they have been reading in the area, from Pushkin's Fairy Tales, Irish newspapers, War and Peace and Remember You by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

Halton Libraries asked readers to Tweet what they are reading by using hashtag - #haltonreads to mark National Libraries Day earlier this month (Feb).  If you are taking part please use #haltonreads as a hashtag 

Local history film screenings

We had over 100 people attend our local history film screenings recently.   The North West Film Archive was invited along to Halton Lea library to host a series of film screenings using footage from the local area.  Those who came to the Widnes and Runcorn screenings saw footage of Runcorn Carnival in 1938, film from 1938 of the Manchester Ship Canal, a visit to Widnes by the Queen, Widnes coronation celebrations in 1953, Princess Alexandra opening the new Runcorn-Widnes Bridge in 1961, the last official trip of the transporter bridge and Ken Dodd’s visit to Widnes.

Those who came to the Liverpool screening saw footage of  Liverpool in 1897, Cunard films showing the landing stage and river as well as life on board their ships,  footage from 1929 showing citizens travelling to work and notable buildings including the Anglican Cathedral during construction, rehousing and employment schemes including Speke and Kirkby.  The event finished with ‘Tomorrow’s Merseysiders’ from 1974 during which our vistors joined in a rousing rendition of the famous song ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’.

World Book Day - Widnes libary

World Book Day – Time to Read Together Event - Thursday 7th March 4pm – 5pm Widnes LibraryTime to Read Together – share the joys of reading with your family at your local ‘Time to Read Together’ event. Families with children of all ages are invited to listen to magical tales, share favourite stories and read together at this special event.  Get involved in our Twitter online reading community by tweeting what you are reading, whether it is a book, magazine, newspaper, online blog, religious text, instruction manual or comicJoin the conversation, connect with other readers and discover new books and authors via #haltonreads 

Book review - 'Remarkable reptiles' by Isabel Thomas

“This book was a very colourful book and I liked all the photos. I liked this book because it had loads of amazing facts. I did like the ‘Experts at Escaping’ chapter because it tells you all the fab facts about lizards. I think children age 6 – 12 should have this book. All the animals looked and sounded really weird. Guess what? Did you know when an ‘alligator snapping turtle’ gets hungry it sticks its weird tongue out and fish think the tongue is a wriggly worm! But it’s a trap so when they come to have a nibble, the turtle’s jaws go SNAP! That’s really interesting'

Hannah - aged 7.

National Libraries Day 9 February 2013

We're celebrating National Libraries Day on 9 February by inviting you to Tweet about what you're reading via #haltonreads. It might be a book, magazine, newspaper, online blog, educational text, manual or comic ... in fact, anything you're reading.

And it's not just on National Libraries Day.  You can continue to connect with other readers via #haltonreads on our Twitter page

Halton Libraries 2012 book of the year

Last night Hilary Mantel's Bring up the Bodies was as named Halton Libraries 2012 book of the year.  The book is the second in a planned trilogy about the turbulent life and relationships of King Henry VIII’s advisor Thomas Cromwell. The first book in the trilogy, Wolf Hall, was awarded the Man Booker in 2009, making Miss Mantel, 60, the first UK author to win the Booker Prize twice. Earlier this week the title won the Costa prize book prize.

Halton readers voted online and at an event that took place in Halton lea Library, Bring up the Bodies is available from Halton Libraries in hardcopy and also as an audio book

Bring up the Bodies.

New timeslot for Rhymetime at Halton Lea library

From Thursday 7 March, Bookstart Rhymetime will take place every Thursday between 11am and 11.45am.

We hope you can come and join us for stories, rhymes and craft for the under 5s.

Cartoon workshops with Tim Quinn on 18 February

Writer and comic book editor Tim Quinn will be coming to Runcorn on Monday 18 February.  Tim, who is a former editor of Marvel Comics, will be at HRMZ Grangeway Youth Centre between 12 and 1pm and at Halton Lea library between 2 and 3pm.

His unique cartooning workshop includes figure drawing, emotion, storytelling in pictures, character and story creation, and comic book history. Tim’s visit is one of the events organised as part of Halton Libraries' Young Reading Activists Group. If you love to draw or just want to visit the world of comics/cartoons, and you are aged between 11 and 19, then why not come along to on of these free workshops?

For further information please contact Lorna Hulme on 0151 907 8383 or Maria Hardie on 0151 511 7744.

Halton Libraries on Pinterest

Did you know that Halton Libaries has its own Pinterest board?  Its our virtual pinboard that we're using to let people know about thing that are happening in the libraries and for you to let us know what you think.  Click here to find out more.

Local history film screenings

The North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University presents a series of screenings of films from its collection from Halton and the surrounding areas, showing the industries traditions and cultures of the life of the people of the area over the last 110 years.

Introduced by a member of the archives staff, these sessions will be a must for all lovers of local history of the area.  Screenings are on:

Tuesday 19th February 2013 - Footage of old Runcorn and Widnes

Tuesday 26th February 2013 - Footage of old Runcorn and Widnes

Tuesday 5th March 2013 - Footage of old Liverpool

Places are limited. To book please contact Sally Shaw on

0151 511 7744 or email sally.shaw@halton.gov.uk