CL print - Newcastle City Council

All change
for our
libraries
Newcastle Libraries have an exciting
programme of new library developments,
Gosforth Library is now open, High
Heaton and Benwell Library will be
completed before the end of the year and
the new City Library opens next summer.
Libraries are also being transformed in many other
ways. New technology means that you don’t always
have to go to a reference library to consult reference
books when you want information, we can make them
available on PCs, some you can even access from
home, all you need is your library membership number.
Self-service machines are being introduced in all of
our new libraries but don’t worry, your friendly
library assistants are still there to help you choose
books or find information.
The way people access music and film has changed
and fewer people are borrowing CDs from libraries.
You can now download music using the computers in
some of our libraries and we hope to extend this to
all of our libraries. We want to find out if you would
like to borrow computer games or films on high
definition blu-ray DVDs as well.
Because we want our service to be responsive to
your needs we are asking Citylife readers to help us
by completing our questionnaire, so please cut this
out and hand it in at any library or council customer
service centre in Newcastle.
What’s your
favourite book?
Our former Lord Mayor Councillor Peter
Arnold, shared his views about reading with
Tianna Burns, aged 9 and poet Craig
Bradley who took part in the celebrations
to mark 100 years of Benwell Library.
She asked the Lord Mayor about the types of
stories he likes and how often he reads. He
revealed that he loves to read for pleasure
every day and that he enjoys all types of books
from mysteries to Russian poetry. However, the
book he would take to his desert island would
be ‘Kim’ by Rudyard Kipling. Tianna on the
other hand, likes fairy books and the Tracy
Beaker stories by Jacqueline Wilson.
Opening times and Access
Would you use a library
• in a building shared with other community services. Yes No
• with longer opening times using self service at some times of the day. Yes No
New City Library (please tick the times you prefer)
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm 8am-8pm 8.30am-8.30pm
Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm 8am-5pm 8.30am-5.30pm
Sunday 10am-4pm 11am-5pm
Do you have any other suggestions for opening times? ..............................................................
Using computers to find information
What do we need to do to make this information more accessible to you?
• Show us how to use computers Yes No
• Make the information simple to access and use Yes No
• Publicise the information Yes No
Any other ideas? .....................................................................................................................
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How you can help us
Would you be interested in helping Newcastle’s Library Service by becoming a friend or working
as a volunteer?
• Become a community champion Yes No
• Sharing your specialist knowledge (of local history for example) Yes No
• Helping at library events Yes No
• Help choose new books Yes No
Audio visual services
• Are you ready to download music? Yes No
• Would you borrow computer games? Yes No
• Should we provide Blu Ray high definition DVDs? Yes No
Please use the space below if you have any other comments and questions
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You do not have to give your name, address or phone number but if you want more information or
would like to get involved in any way, please tell us how to contact you
Your name ................................................................................................................................
Your address .............................................................................................................................
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.................................................... Your phone number .............................................................
Your email address .....................................................................................................................
Please send to Freepost CITYLIFE or hand in at any of Newcastle’s Libraries.
Thank you for your help
Tony Durcan, Head of Culture, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning
✁
This year’s National Summer Reading Challenge is all about
sport, so if you’re aged 4-11 why not join in with this free
‘Team Read’ at your local library?
• Lots of new books to read
• Games and sports
• Competitions
• Science workshops
• Wii Fit ‘experience’
You can win a certificate, as well as your very own
Olympic bronze, silver or gold medal!
So what are you waiting for? Come along to the
special ‘Team Read’ events, workshops and activities,
which will run from 21 July to 6 September and on
the following days have lots of fun along the way in
this National Year of Reading!
Day Library Time
For more information about any library activities:
Phone: 0845 002 0336 Click on www.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries
Monday Newbiggin Hall 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday Benwell 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Fenham 2pm – 3pm
Outer West 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Thursday Blakelaw 2pm – 3pm
Cruddas Park 2pm – 3pm
Denton Burn 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Jesmond 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Kenton 10.45am – 11.30am
Newburn 2pm – 3pm
Walker 2pm – 3pm
Friday East End 10.30am – 11.30am
Fawdon 11am – 12noon
Gosforth 10am – 11am
Moorside 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Saturday Blakelaw 10.30am – 12noon
All events are free. Some events may have a limited
number of spaces. Remember all children under the age
of eight must be accompanied by a parent or carer.
Newcastle
Mela 2008
24 and 25 August.
12 noon – 7pm
The Mela is a free event, based around
Punjabi, Pakistani, Bengali and Hindi
cultures. It is open to anyone who wants to
learn more, be entertained and meet new
people, as well as enjoy different music, art
and food.
This year’s line up includes the hottest
contemporary Asian acts, as well as
traditional displays of music and dance.
Taking place in Exhibition Park, the Mela
promises to be a weekend packed full of
fun. There will be music, games, stalls and
exhibitions to help everyone have a bank
holiday to remember.
For more information go to
www.newcastlemela.co.uk or phone
0191 277 2067.
Voucher
Bring this voucher along to the Mela
information tent to be included in a free
prize draw to win prizes such as a meal
for two and Leisure Plus passes.
Name ........................................................
Address ....................................................
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Have you visited the Newcastle Mela
before?
Yes No
Please do not send to Citylife.
✁
18 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: July/August 2008
Citylife: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 19