Library News, September 21st 2011
Circus Stars shine brightly in Kilkenny Library Service.
The Summer Reading Challenge for children, “Circus Stars”, organised by Kilkenny Library Service, came to an end on 16th September with a celebration night in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny.
440 children completed the challenge of reading 6 books each which comes to over 2,500 books read. This is a 70% increase on the 2010 challenge.
All the children and their parents were invited to a night of serious fun with Professor Plunger from Fanzini Productions. The 2 shows were a brilliant hit with both children and adults. As part of the evening, the children were presented with their Certificates as Circus Stars and their CS Reading Medals.
The material for the challenge was supplied by The Reading Agency in the UK. With this scheme, Kilkenny children joined with over 750,000 children in the UK, Ireland and worldwide in reading their way through the summer holidays.
Graiguenamanagh
Exhibitions
Mapping Urban Ireland is the title of an exhibition on display in the library at the moment . This exhibition explores the cartography of Irish cities and towns since the seventeenth century. It was organised jointly by the Royal Irish Academy Library and the Irish Historic Towns Atlas Project.
Discover Lifelines: letters from famous people about their favourite poems
This exhibition celebrates the Lifelines project which began in 1985 when English teacher Niall MacMonagle suggested to his 5th Year class in Wesley College, Dublin that they do something to help those suffering in Africa. They wrote to famous people and asked them to name a favourite poem and give a reason why. The Discover Lifelines exhibition shows letters from this archive from writers, poets, actors, artists, media personalities and politicians.
Scriobh Leabhar Project
This is an exhibition of handmade books made by local children in Graiguenamanagh as part of this project.
Town of Books Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the joint Graig Library & Town of Books bookmark competition.
They are Rachel Fenlon, Jack Moylan, Dylan Cahill, Jade Barron & Holly Brooks. Highly Commended are Megan Kinsella Emma Ryan, Sinead Lanigan, Luke Barrett, Aisling Prendergast, Ruairi Flynn & Philip Byrne.
Well done to the winners & all who took part in this competition.
Visit to Library by poet and presidential candidate
Graiguenamanagh library played host to a possible future President of Ireland during the recent Town of Books Weekend. Michael D. Higgins gave a talk on Citizenship and also read some of his poems from his new collection “New and Selected Poems”.
During his short talk, he reminded the audience of what he wants to see in Ireland – inclusive citizenship and respect for the individual. He spoke about the kind of Irishness we want to have in Ireland in the future.
His reading or that should be, his performance of the poem “Bank manager faints at the mayor’s ball” showed the amusing and comic side of the presidential candidate.
Michael D was introduced by local TD Anne Phelan and he signed copies of his books for many of the audience before he left for other engagements in the area as part of the festival.
All Ireland Poetry Day on 5th October at the City Library , John’s Quay
All Ireland Poetry Day will be celebrated a day ahead of schedule in the library. Visiting poet will be Rita Kelly. Rita was born in Galway but resides in Carlow. She will be in The City Library, John’s Quay at 1pm on Wed. 5th October.
Rita has won a variety of awards for her poetry including the Sean Ớ Riordain Oireachtas Award, an Irish Times Poetry Award and a Maxwell House Award. She has worked with many writers’ groups around the country including Kilkenny. She has been on the Poetry Ireland list of Writers-in-Schools for many years and she has been Writer-in-Residence in Co.Laois and Co. Cavan.
The event is open to all members of the public and there is no entry fee.
Rita will also facilitate a “Fun with Language” event with primary school children earlier on this day.
City Library
Poets on Board
We are currently accepting submissions for our November Display.
Entries should be emailed to citylibrary@kilkennylibrary.ie by 15th October .
Rules:
- Poets must be either living in or from Kilkenny.
- Themes should be of interest to general public.
- No more than 3 well-crafted poems should be sent.
Phone 056 7794174 for further information.
New Knitters Welcome
Anyone wanting to take time out, meet new people, do something for yourself or indulge your crafty side, come along to this Informal knit, chat and cup of tea. The Knitting Group meets in the City Library, John’s Quay (Reference Room) on Tuesday nights 6-8pm
New members are welcome.
Introductory Music Classes for 6 months-4 years in City Library and Loughboy.
Children aged 6 months to 4 years are invited to come to a FREE taster music class in the City and Loughboy libraries. Mini Musos is the name of the class. Mini Musos uses music, percussion instruments and props to aid early childhood development (language, social, emotional, physical & cognitive). The sessions help to stimulate children’s senses and allow them to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.
Classes (of 12 children) in Loughboy will take place on Thurs Sept 29th at the following times: 6mths-2 years at 11.30am and 2-4 years at 12.10 pm. Phone 0567794176 to book .
Classes in the City Library will take place on Friday 30th September at the following times: 6months-2 years at 11am and 2-4 years at 11 40am Phone 0567794174 to book.
Toddler Hour
Storytime, play and crafts will continue each Thursday at 11.30 in Loughboy and Castlecomer Libraries. All are welcome to this free morning.
Castlecomer
Wordaid offers one to one tuition in reading and numeracy skills in the upstairs meeting room of Castlecomer Library. Ring Wordaid for further details
Computer training course - Free
A free 7 week computer training course with a trained tutor is on offer each Wednesday morning or Friday afternoon. Any adult can avail of this free course, all levels are catered for, ring the Library…etc….
A knitting and stitching group meets on Thursday mornings 10am – 12pm, for coffee a chat and crafting, anyone can join and it’s free”
Crafts and stories for Toddlerscontinues every Thursday morning at 11.30am
An exhibition on local Evening Classes is on display at the moment.