Poetry for Kate

This year's halton Poet of the Year competition is dedicated to late Runcorn writer, Kate Edwards.

Halton Borough Council has organised a celebration of the life and works of Kate including the presentation of the 'Kate Edwards Memorial Prize' to Halton's Poet of the Year 2011. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over and living in Halton.

Kate Edwards was raised and educated in Runcorn and was a keen writer and published poet. You can read her works here. Kate's husband Peter Edwards said: "Kate would have been overjoyed to know an event to encourage local poets would be taking place in her honour".

The winner will be announced during the National Poetry Day event which takes place on Thursday 6 October between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at Halton Lea library. All are welcome to attend.

Book sale at Halton Lea library

Halton libraries is having its next book sale later this month. It will be at Halton Lea library:

11th and 12th August: 9.30am to 6.30pm
13th August: 9.30am to 12.30pm

There will be adult's and children's books for sale as well as DVDs. Prices start from just 20p so be early.

Have you joined the Summer Reading Challenge yet?

Here are volunteers Loughlin and Helena at Halton Lea library who are signing up Mia, Declan and Lewis to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Britannica Spotlight on Circus Stars

Circus Stars is thye topic of this year's national Summer Reading Challenge in UK libraries.

The children's edition of The Britannica includes an article that covers the history of the circus as well as various circus acts, while the Activity Centre provides a quiz, a word search and some lovely pictures to colour.

To see the article click here. Enjoy!

Win a pair of designer sunglasses from Specsavers

To be in with a chance of winning, just borrow any of the titles from the TV Bookclub's Summer Reads series from any library in Halton between 27 June and 13 August.

Anyone who borrows one of these titles will automatically be entered into the prize draw.

Please note that the prize is sponsored by the Runcorn branch of Specsavers and the prize must be redeemed there.

Circus Stars - Summer Reading Challenge

Roll up! Roll up! Halton Libraries will be joining libraries across the UK to introduce children to a summertime circus spectacle that will keep them reading throughout the summer holidays with the 2011 Summer Reading Challenge ...and it's all free!

Children are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with incentives and rewards plus a certificate or medal for everyone who completes the challenge.

The 2011 challenge is called Circus Stars and there is a special website where children can link to authors and illustrators and talk about their favourite books online.

Bookcrawl for under 4s

Would your chldren like to join us on the Bookstart Bookcrawl? Children aged 0 to 4 who visit any of Halton libraries can collect special stickers. After six visits they can choose a certificate from our collection like the Penny Dale one shown here.

The certificates are a delightful memento of a child's early years as a library member.