Although the 15 libraries across North Ayrshire offer free membership and are packed full of books in all tastes and genres, it’s easy to forget that they are about SO much more than just all about books.
Alison McAllister, Library and Information manager explains: “At their heart, North Ayrshire libraries provide a safe and accessible space for social connection, a place where communities can come together, make lasting memories and learn all about the world around them in new and interesting ways.
“See our round-up below of the latest news from our local libraries to learn more about the great things happening near you.”
Arran Library gets first-class approval from residents
During the month of May, Arran Library was the temporary home for Brodick Post Office services.
Lesley Forsyth, Senior Manager in Information and Culture at North Ayrshire Council shares more:
“Libraries have always been a vital resource for our local communities, especially in rural areas where access to key services may be limited. When colleagues at the Post Office reached out looking for support due to their post office undergoing an extensive refurb, we immediately did what we could to help. It’s a true partnership approach to delivering services to the local community.
“Our libraries are certainly not all about books – we have lots of different resources available, information on local community groups and, staff can help to signpost residents to other resources or advise where to go for help with a wide range of things.”
Primary pupils have been getting creative with local artists and poets in our libraries
Pupils from Castlepark Primary school recently visited Irvine Library for an action-packed literacy session with a twist…
One of several creative workshops that have been takin place at Irvine and Dreghorn libraries over the last few months, the recent astrology-themed session with local artist Lynn McNally invited the pupils along for a morning of fun, drawing and block-printing
Their teacher Shannah Morrison commented: “Thank you to North Ayrshire Libraries for the recent Off the Page sessions.
“The children have had a great time and haven’t stopped talking about them since. Having the chance to be learning, making and thinking creatively in the library is something the whole class really enjoyed and several of the pupils have mentioned that they are planning trips back to the library with their friends and family very soon.
“Being part of ‘Off the Page’ has been fantastic to spark our young people’s creative sides and also show them all that their local library has to offer and demonstrate that books are about so much more than just reading…”
Funded by the The Scottish Library & Information Council‘s Public Library Improvement Fund, the ‘Off the Page’ library learning sessions for Castlepark, Loudoun Montgomery and Springside primaries have been well-received by the pupils, poets and artists taking part
Workshops for pupils already involved will be available for them over the summer too. Read more about the project in the news release: https://tinyurl.com/2p8fkmfa
“At their heart, North Ayrshire libraries provide a safe and accessible space for social connection, a place where communities can come together and make lasting memories.”Alison McAllister, Library and Information Manager
Help us to spread the word! Library membership perks include:
- A warm, safe and inviting environment
- Child-friendly with lots of resources for kids
- Being able to access ebooks from authors like Richard Osman and Ann Cleeves and choose from 7,000 newspapers and magazines from around the world. More info here: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/read-online.aspx
- Accessing audiobooks on the go. More info here: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/listen-online.aspx
- Free WIFI at all libraries
- Bookbug storytelling and song sessions for under 5’s
Follow North Ayrshire Libraries on Facebook and North Ayrshire Libraries on Twitter to keep updated on what is happening next near you.
“Libraries have always been a vital resource for our local communities, especially in rural areas where access to key services may be limited.When colleagues at the Post Office reached out looking for support due to their post office undergoing an extensive refurb, we immediately did what we could to help. It’s a true partnership approach to delivering services to the local community.”
Lesley Forsyth, Senior Manager, Information and Culture
COSLA recognise one of our latest videos filmed at Irvine Library
Filmed with the help of Jim Gibb, the Council’s Digital Participation Officer and Mhairi Cook, Literacy & Play Co-ordinator, the video – starring Jen Law from our Communications team, her mum Hilary and toddler daughter Hana, has been used to promote the Scottish Public Library and Information Council’s Every Child is a Library Member campaign on their national social media channels.
Watch the video to find out more about how our libraries are encouraging parents, carers and their children to become library members. Special shout-out too to Natalie Smith who delivered a brilliant Book Bug dance routine of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!
Kids have been having a hoot at Beith library
Children at Beith Library recently had a hoot at the latest Harry Potter themed session, offering ages 3+ the chance to up close and personal with some majestic birds of prey!
Delivered by the lovely Gillian of Hoots Owls alongside owl’s Luna and Ghost, the free session gave everyone the chance to sing and dance together as the children learned memorable spells to cast away baddies and bullies…
Children also had the chance to hone their falconry glove skills (a must of-course for any witches or wizards in training) before getting a chance to meet the owls.
Adults accompanying the children said:
“What a fantastic session, the kids were mesmerised.”
“Gillian was lovely and had such a nice way with the children, teaching them the importance of being kind and quiet around the magical birds of prey.”
“My toddler had a ball, she hasn’t stopped talking about it all afternoon!”
Not only did everyone have fun, the session also offered confidence-boosting tips and encouraged all of the children to not be afraid to try something new.
Find out what is happening in your local library by following North Ayrshire Libraries or visit the webpage: https://tinyurl.com/mtj5ept4
Kilwinning library colleagues undergo training to set up a new dementia hub
During Carers Week, Ayrshire Carers Champion, Councillor Nairn McDonald paid a special visit to Kilwinning Library to learn more about their new dementia information hub.
Delivered in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, a ‘Tea & Blether’ event was held on Thursday (1 June) to provide an opportunity for people to find out about the support available to them through the library including information and books.
The staff at Kilwinning Library have undertaken Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Friends Scotland programme, to help them better understand the day-to-day challenges of living with dementia and support for people with dementia to fully use the library’s resources
Councillor McDonald, said: “Kilwinning Library’s recent ‘Tea and Blether’ event is such a brilliant example of how our local libraries are about so much more than just books. They are a place where people can come together, share experiences, and feel part of a community who cares for them.
“Being a carer for one of my own family member’s means that I understand first-hand just how challenging it can be, so I have no doubt that future sessions like this one are going to have such a positive impact for our residents and library members.
“The staggering statistics from Scotland’s recent census estimated that there are currently approximately 90,000 people currently living with dementia and around 3,000 of these people will be under the age of 65 years. This is why it is so important to partner with organisations such as Alzheimer Scotland and their local dementia advisor Linda Ross to provide information and support.”
A range of activities will continue to run in Kilwinning Library and 119 other libraries across Scotland, including dementia friendly film screenings, Memories Scotland reminiscing and Words for Wellbeing sessions.
For more support visit the Alzheimer Scotland website: https://www.alzscot.org/
