News from Essex Library Services

The latest update from Essex Library Services is here, and this issue contains:

• Reading Ideas
• The Way We Contact You is Changing
• Volunteer Open Day Braintree Library
• Family History
• Festive Activities and Events
• Winter Mini Challenge
• Updates to the Public Computers in Libraries
• Interest in Community-Run Libraries

 

Reading Ideas

Book of the Month

Can a ruthless spy ring change the course of war? Set around the beginning of World War 2 as Britain declares war on Germany, this dramatic thriller takes the reader on a treacherous journey from England to the Franco-Spanish border. As the various strands of an international conspiracy begin to unwind, Tom Wilde finds himself in great personal danger. Who can he trust and where do their loyalties lie?

Nemesis is the third book in the Tom Wilde series by Rory Clements. Reserve your copy now or try an e-book version – we have unlimited copies of this title available this month.

As seen on screen

It’s the old age question, which is better, the book or the on-screen adaptation? With this selection of books that have been recently adapted for the screen you can judge for yourself!

 

Nursery Rhymes

From Humpty Dumpty to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star discover the selection of classic nursery rhymes we’ve put together for you and your little one. You’ll be singing all the classics and maybe some new ones too with our latest children’s booklist.

 

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The Way We Contact You is Changing

Later this month we’re changing the way we tell you about reservations and overdue items. We’re moving towards contacting more customers via email and text message. This will provide speedier communications, reduce paper and will be a more efficient use of resources. You can find more details of this change on our website.

 

Volunteer Open Day Braintree Library

Have you or someone you know ever wanted to volunteer for the Library Service?  We are hosting a Volunteer Open Day at Braintree Library on the 19 November.  Volunteering is incredibly rewarding, the contribution to the community is invaluable and it makes such a difference to people’s lives.

There’s a whole range of roles you can volunteer for including delivering for the Home Library Service, helping with Code Clubs or running Computer Taster sessions or Baby and Toddler Rhymetime sessions.  To avoid disappointment please register your interest and book your time slot here.

 

Family History

On Remembrance Day we think about family members who lost their lives in conflict. You can learn more about your ancestors who served in the military, from a wealth of information available with Find My Past and Ancestry. From ordinary men and women to war heroes, you can search the service records for all ranks in the Army, Navy or Air Force and those in support roles, including military nurses. Your old family photographs, scrapbook clippings and service medals may hold clues and give you a starting point for your research.

Find My Past and Ancestry are available in the library, free of charge with your library card. A bit stuck on how to get started? Why not join one of our Ancestry taster sessions or local family history groups.

 

Festive Activities and Events

With Christmas looming there are lots of fun activities to look forward to during the build-up to the festive season. Have you seen what’s on offer at your local library? There’s something to tempt all ages, from Letters to Santa to Christmas Craft Fayres. Don’t miss out – visit our events page now and start adding some dates to your diary so you don’t forget!

 

Winter Mini Challenge

There’s plenty of fun to be had with this year’s Reading Agency Winter Mini Challenge, which encourages children to keep reading through the winter holidays. To get involved, your child only needs to read three books of their choice and add each title with a review to their Winter Reading Challenge profile. The Winter Challenge starts Monday 2 December and finishes Monday 13 January 2020. Take a look at our reading recommendations for children and young people to start planning which books they’d like to read!

 

Updates to the Public Computers in Libraries

The People’s Network public computers in Essex libraries will begin to be upgraded to Windows 10 this month.  This will improve the performance and security of the machines.  We’re also investing in new mice, keyboards and bigger screens.

The rollout across all 74 libraries will run into the new year and will initially be concentrated on the locations with greatest use. We’ll be working to minimise any possible disruption and some locations will be upgraded outside of normal opening hours.  Where possible we’ll be posting alerts on the library locations pages of our website to keep you up to date of any disruption.  Please also keep an eye on our Twitter feed for latest updates on the rollout.

 

Interest in Community-Run Libraries

We’ve been in touch with all organisations who completed an Expression of Interest (EOI) in a community-run library in response to the Council’s new strategy for library services.  We’re pleased to have many of them still interested and looking to work with us on the next steps. Within the next few weeks we are aiming to give these groups a detailed information pack on running a community library, what will be expected from them and the support that the Council will be providing.  We’ll be encouraging groups to involve local residents when they develop proposals.

Watch out for news in your area over the coming months or visit our community library services web page.

 

 

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