Introducing...

My good friend the library bug!

Inspired by Plynouth's bookstart bear (and maybe me but I wouldn't like to say...), my good friend the library bug has started his own blog. You can read it here

Open for business

All quiet on the blog recently as we have been busy getting the new St Thomas library open for business.

The library opened to the public for the first time on Friday evening for a preview event and it was packed. Loads of local people, tonnes of kids and all the local dignitaries turned up. Balloons were given away, crisps were eaten, and some people even borrowed books!

Staff were resplendant in their purple polo shirts, and the library bug even turned up. The library opened properly on Saturday morning with a jazz band parade - which you can read about here

I will be badgering my colleagues for some photos...

Website of the week!

Has got to be our new library catalogue. It's not quite finished yet, but I couldn't resist putting the link up so you can have a look and play "spot the familiar location". My favourite picture is the one with the bug in - what's yours?

We're having a new library!!!

The new library in St Thomas is opening on Saturday 14th April! It's an exciting time as it's our first library co-located with a school. The building is brand new and will combine the St Thomas community primary school, the library and new community facilities, replacing the old school, Margaret Street nursery, library and community centre.

The old library is well overdue for replacing - and is an eyesore on the main approach to Swansea. However, the work that goes on within the library is fab, particulary the children's activities which are usually packed.

Hopefully our loyal customers will follow us up the hill a bit where they will be able to enjoy a spacious, modern space with loads and loads of new books!

Hope to post some pictures soon.... the bug is preening as we speak

Bug Hunting

The Library Bug was spotted down at Swansea' Winter wonderland (or is it Waterfront Winterland?) last week as part of a promotion for the BBC's RaW campaign. The campaign aims to get families working together to improve their literacy skills (RaW = Reading and Writing), with the emphasis on fun.

Part of this is the "Got Kids - Get Reading" promotion, to encourage people to improve their skills by reading with their children.

Lots of fun was had by all, with storytimes, face painting, circus entertainers and more - some intrepid members of library staff even took to the ice rink to hand out stickers and bugs to children and their parents.

Synchronicity

Arriving today in library land a missive all the way from Bristol (!) regarding the library bug!!

News of the bug has spread it seems. "Is it an actual object that can be held?" they enquire, "If so we would wish to purchase a high number".

They have seen photographs of the bug and wish to know if it is available for personal appearances.

Extraordinary.

Get the Library Bug!

While I'm on the subject of purple, there's a certain character who divides opinion here in library land. So, the library bug, what do you think?