Copy


Libraries Newsletter
July 2022



We're very excited to be able to share details of this year's Summer Reading Challenge from The Reading Agency in partnership with local libraries.  This year it's called 'Gadgeteers', and it runs from 1st July until 30th September, and children age 4 - 12 read 6 library books.  They can also read eBooks on the libraries' free BorrowBox app, or listen to stories on BorrowBox or library CDs.  Along the way they collect stickers and other prizes for each book that they read, and they get a certificate and medal once they've completed the challenge.

Joining 'Gadgeteers' is easy and free of charge - children just have to complete a registration form when they visit the library, and then we'll hand them a membership pack to get them started.  They can start and finish at any time during the next three months, and even do the challenge more than once if they want to.  There are no restrictions on which library books they read - they have a completely free choice, as long as they are books borrowed from the library.

As well as being great fun, the Summer Reading Challenge also plays a major role in keeping children's reading skills sharp during the long summer break.  Schools report that the progress children make in reading during term time can often go into decline during the holidays if children don't read on a regular basis, so don't delay.  Bring your children along to the library and get them signed up.  If they aren't already library members, we can sign them up for this too.  Joining the library is also a quick and easy process, and free of charge.  Library members can borrow up to 20 books or CDs at a time, as well as 6 eBooks and 6 eAudio on the BorrowBox app, use the Internet on our library computers, and get free access to several digital resources including newspaper archives, music streaming, language learning and storytelling.
 
Summer activities and events for children

Key:  Please note that unless otherwise stated, entry to events (including Read, Rhythm & Rhyme at Blackburn Library) is by free ticket.  Tickets will be available from the relevant library up to 2 weeks before each event on a first come, first served basis.

Blackburn Central Library (01254) 661221
  • Mon 25th Jul, 10.30 - 11.30 am, KNex / Meccano, age 4+
  • Wed 27th Jul, 2.30 - 3.20 pm, Mad Science experimental fun, age 5+, tickets £1
  • Thu 28th Jul, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Read, Rhythm & Rhyme, age under 5
  • Mon 1st Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Kite making, age 5+
  • Tue 2nd Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Story character street art competition, all ages
  • Thu 4th Aug, 10.30 am - 12 pm, Creative writing workshop, age 9 - 11
  • Mon 8th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Junk modelling, age 5+
  • Thu 11th Aug, 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Zoolab, come and meet the animals, age 5+, tickets £1
  • Mon 15th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Sewing a puppet, age 5 - 7
  • Thu 18th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Build an aqueduct bridge challenge, age 7+
  • Mon 22nd Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Brilliant Bear Day, age under 5
  • Thu 25th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Read, Rhythm & Rhyme, age under 5
Darwen Library (01254) 706021
  • Tue 26th Jul, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Build an aqueduct bridge challenge, age 7+
  • Wed 27th Jul, 10.30 - 11.20 am, Mad Science experimental fun, age 5+, tickets £1
  • Fri 29th Jul, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time, age under 5, drop in
  • Sat 30th Jul, 11 - 11.30 am, Family story time, drop in
  • Mon 1st Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, KNex / Meccano, age 4+
  • Wed 3rd Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Kite making, age 5+
  • Thu 4th Aug, 1.30 - 3 pm, Creative writing workshop, age 9 - 11
  • Fri 5th Aug, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time, age under 5, drop in
  • Sat 6th Aug, 11 - 11.30 am, Family story time, drop in
  • Wed 10th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Junk modelling, age 5+
  • Thu 11th Aug, 11 am - 12 pm, Zoolab, come and meet the animals, age 5+, tickets £1
  • Fri 12th Aug, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time, age under 5, drop in
  • Sat 13th Aug, 11 - 11.30 am, Family story time, drop in
  • Wed 17th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Sewing a puppet, age 5 - 7
  • Fri 19th Aug, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time, age under 5, drop in
  • Sat 20th Aug, 11 - 11.30 am, Family story time, drop in
  • Mon 22nd Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Build a Mars Rover, age 8 - 12
  • Wed 24th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Brilliant Bear Day, age under 5
  • Fri 26th Aug, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time, age under 5, drop in
  • Sat 27th Aug, 11 - 11.30 am, Family story time, drop in
Cherry Tree Library (01254) 209442
  • Wed 27th Jul, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, KNex / Meccano, age 4+
  • Wed 3rd Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Kite making, age 5+
  • Wed 10th Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Junk modelling, age 5+
  • Mon 15th Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Build a Mars Rover, age 8 - 12
  • Wed 17th Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Sewing a puppet, age 5 - 7
  • Wed 24th Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Brilliant Bear Day, age under 5
Mill Hill Library (01254) 266380
  • Fri 29th Jul, 10.30 - 11.30 am, KNex / Meccano, age 4+
  • Fri 5th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Kite making, age 5+
  • Fri 12th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Junk modelling, age 5+
  • Tue 16th Aug, 2.30 - 3.30 pm, Build a Mars Rover, age 8 - 12
  • Fri 19th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Sewing a puppet, age 5 - 7
  • Fri 26th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Brilliant Bear Day, age under 5
Roman Road Library (01254) 682347
  • Tue 26th Jul, 10.30 - 11.30 am, KNex / Meccano, age 4+
  • Tue 2nd Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Kite making, age 5+
  • Tue 9th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Junk modelling, age 5+
  • Tue 16th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Sewing a puppet, age 5 - 7
  • Thu 18th Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Build a Mars Rover, age 8 - 12
  • Tue 23rd Aug, 10.30 - 11.30 am, Brilliant Bear Day, age under 5
Regular activities and events
in addition to those listed above

 
Blackburn Central Library (01254) 661221
  • Mon, 2 - 4 pm, IT drop-in
  • Tue, 10.15 - 11.45 am, Tuesday Reading Group
  • Wed, 10 am - 12 pm, IT drop-in
  • Wed, 10.30 - 11 am, Read, Rhythm & Rhyme (term time only)
  • Wed, 1.30 - 3 pm, IT course (not 06/07)  See programme below
Darwen Library (01254) 706021
  • Mon, 10 am - 12 pm, Darwen Library Crafters #
  • Mon, 5.45 - 6.45 pm, Reading group (11/07 only)
  • Tue, 1.30 - 3 pm, Darwen Library Larks choir (£5) #
  • Wed, 2 - 2.30 pm, Story time (term time only)
  • Fri, 10.30 - 11 am, Story & rhyme time
  • Fri, 2 - 3.30 pm, IT course (not 08/07)  See programme below
  • Sat, 11 am, Family story time, colouring & puzzles
# Please check with the library to confirm when these groups stop for the summer
 
Cherry Tree Library (01254) 209442
 
NB, there is no reminiscence session at Cherry Tree Library in July.  August's theme will be holidays.
  • Mon, 2 - 3 pm, "Brew Time"
  • Mon, 2 - 4 pm, IT drop-in (04/07 only)
  • Tue, 1.30 - 2.30 pm, Seated Tai Chi (book via Age UK)
  • Wed, 10.30 - 11 am, Story time
  • Wed, 11 am - 12 pm, "Brew Time"
  • Thu, 10 am - 12 pm, Sew & Sow gardening group
  • Fri, 2 - 4 pm, Knit & Natter
Mill Hill Library (01254) 266380
  • Tue, 2 pm, "Brew Time"
  • Wed, 11 am - 12 pm, Reading group (06/07 only)
  • Thu, 10 am - 12 pm, IT drop-in (07/07 only)
  • Thu, 10 am - 12 pm, Sew & Sow craft group
  • Thu, 11 - 11.30 am, Story time
  • Fri, 10.30 am - 12 pm, Craft and chat
Roman Road Library (01254) 682347
  • Mon, 5 - 7 pm, Youth group
  • Wed, 12 - 2 pm, Craft group
IT courses (booking required)
  • Mouse & Keyboard: 13/07 (Blackburn), 15/07 (Darwen)
  • Introducing the Internet: 20/07 (Blackburn), 22/07 (Darwen)
  • GMail basics: 27/07 (Blackburn), 29/07 (Darwen)

FREE digital access to 'The Firebird' by Michael Rosen
from English Touring Opera

 
'The Firebird' is an entirely free educational resource, based on a traditional Russian fable, for children to engage with and enjoy learning about poetry and literature through opera.  With words by popular children's author Michael Rosen, 'The Firebird' brings together singers, instrumentalists and puppeteers in an enthralling children's tale, and is one of a series of new operas for children to experience from home as part of their efforts to bring their work to as many people as they can.

To watch and enjoy 'The Firebird' simply click on the link here: Noah Mosley & Michael Rosen: The Firebird - Noah Mosley & Michael Rosen: The Firebird - ETO at Home (englishtouringopera.org.uk).  You can also browse their website to see some of their other shows.

Updates to the Star Paper Mill collection at the Archive Service in Preston
 

The Archive Service's online catalogue now includes an introduction to the Star Paper Mill collection: LANCAT: Search Results (lancashire.gov.uk), as well as the facility to browse through the catalogue description: Collection browser (lancashire.gov.uk).  Further information about the Archive Service and its collections can be found at: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/archives-and-record-office/.  The image above, 'Star Paper Mill 038', is taken from the Library Image Gallery on www.cottontown.org, and was kindly supplied by the British Association of Paper Historians.  It shows a 'Star' delivery vehicle taking a delivery of paper to a customer.

Mystery History
 

We have a genuine 'mystery' this month, as we really know very little about this image ourselves, so if any readers can enlighten us that would be much appreciated.  The picture was recently acquired for http://www.cottontown.org and came with a 'Darwen News' copyright stamp on the back.  It appears to show a May Procession, with a May/Rose Queen.  Can any newsletter readers identify any of the participants?

Offers from library partners
 

Are you 50+, and wanting to get back into employment?  Join me on the first Thursday of every month between 1 and 4 pm at the Employability Hub on the ground floor of Blackburn Library.  We can help you map out your career journey and plan your route to making it happen.  We offer 1 to 1 CV support, interview techniques and help identify transferable skills, or courses to gain qualifications, to help you realise your potential.  We can provide digital support with online applications and help you get started with registering on job search platforms.

Not ready for work?  We also offer support with mental health and wellbeing, financial advice, our buddy system helps improve motivation and confidence and can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Drop in at the hub, there's no need for an appointment and if you can't make the session or prefer to talk over the phone, give me a call or drop me a text and I will be in touch;

Rebecca Wilkinson
Building Better Opportunities Keyworker
07810 604640

 
Please note: Any opinions expressed in this newsletter are the contributor’s own and are not necessarily endorsed by Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Services.

If you no longer wish to subscribe to this newsletter, please send an email with the subject heading ‘Unsubscribe library newsletter’ to library@blackburn.gov.uk and you will be removed from the distribution list.

For the latest information about what’s happening in Blackburn with Darwen libraries, follow us at www.twitter.com/BwDlibraries or www.facebook.com/blackburnwithdarwenlibraries
Copyright © 2022 Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Services, all rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Blackburn Central Library
Town Hall Street
Blackburn
BB2 1AG
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp