We have moved!

We have now moved. Our new address is http://suffolkreads.onesuffolk.net.

This site will no longer be updated.

New features

Some of the features and content of the site might look familiar if you have used this, the good-old Suffolk Reads or the Suffolk libraries website in the past, but much of this site is entirely new!

Some of the key new features are:

• a global calendar that will list all the unique and vibrant events happening in libraries across the county
• Google maps integration, so you can quickly and easily see where events are happening or where exactly your nearest library is located
• easy access to your library account, featured on every page, through the menu on the right.

Have a look at http://www.suffolkreads.onesuffolk.net.

Plans for the future

We know that the development process does not end here: we have many exciting ideas and want your help to try them out. We already have plans for additions to some of the features we have only just introduced; but we also want to add entirely new functionality, like individual library and community news streams, and ways for you as a library user to add content to the llibrary pages.

For now, please have a look around, play with the site; and if you feel up to it, let us know what you think!

Drink awareness campaigns in Suffolk libraries

The Mental health and information service and Suffolk Libraries will be running information campaigns to highlight two health related issues through the month of December. With the festivities coming up, Suffolk libraries will be informing the public about Drink awareness.

The first campaign will be to highlight the Drink awareness with free resources and information available from www.drinkaware.co.uk, supported also with information from two local projects the under 18 Suffolk project www.matthewproject.org/young-people/ and Live well Suffolk http://www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk/ who will be running their own campaign in December. Books will also be available to highlight this issue. The following libraries are having the information stands: Lowestoft, Glemsford, Felixstowe, Gainsborough, Chantry, Newmarket, Capel, Beccles, Haverhill, Woodbridge, Halesworth and Ipswich County.

The second campaign will highlight FRANK to promote the launch of their new website.

What is FRANK? FRANK is the national drugs information and advice service provided by the Department of Health (DH), the Home Office (HO) and the Department for Education (DfE). FRANK provides a universally accessible service for anyone wanting help, information or advice about any aspect of drugs. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is free, confidential, and operated by fully trained advisers. Free resources and information will be on drugs awareness and is again kindly supported with information by the under 18 Suffolk project www.matthewproject.org/young-people/ The following libraries will be having information stands to support this campaign – Framlingham, Halesworth and Lowestoft.

Further information on what is available to support drug and alcohol dependency can be found on the mental health information service website

World Music Day at Ipswich Library

A very successful World Music Day was held at Ipswich County Library on Saturday 15.10.11. Over 5500 people of all ages visited and enjoyed music and dancing from around the world including Morris dancers, folk singers, Samba, African drumming, Indian music, gypsy dancing, and guitar. There was even a chance to have a go at belly dancing.

Its was so successful that the organisers are planning to make it a two day event next year. A home-grown Latitude in the middle of Ipswich?

Here’s what two people said afterwards.

Dear organiser. Thank you so much for the enjoyable and uplifting World Music Day which must have taken a lot of thought and organisation.
Also thanks to the kind member of staff who appeared by magic with a slice of cake and a cup of coffee.
The whole day was a real treat for me as I am a widowed pensioner living alone.
Once again, heartfelt thanks –

Your day of dance was excellent. All the “acts” were very talented and exuded enthusiasm. I have cancer and for four hours I was transported from a world of care and problems.
Thank You

    

More photos on Flickr

Wellbeing Day at Saxmundham Library

As part of Suffolk Health and Wellbeing month, Saxmundham Library held a special Wellbeing Day on Saturday 8 October. CSV Smoothie Bike Project and Suffolk Libraries Health and Wellbeing Information Service were in attendance throughout the day.

People of all ages had the chance to make a healthy smoothie with the power of their legs and then they left with some helpful information on health and wellbeing.

Many thanks to Councillor Rae Leighton for funding the bike and also to SaxmundhamWaitrose for the generous gift of the smoothie ingredients.

Circus Stars, the summer reading challenge finished on 3 October 2011…

…and it was a massive success!

This year we’ve had over 7,300 participants, more than ever before! Compared to the same period last year, children have also taken out 6% more books this year.

We’ve had over 400 comments on the website and many online participants for the first time ever! We’ve had over 4,100 visits and over 20,300 page views to the Circus Stars website, which is more than 2.5 times as many views than last year!

Thank you all for taking part and making this a wonderful experience for all of us. See you again next year!

World Music Day at Ipswich County Library

Ipswich County Library will be celebrating its third annual World Music Day on Saturday 15 October from 10.00am – 4.30pm. This exciting family event will celebrate diversity with different music styles from around the world.
 
The programme includes Suffolk Folk, Morris dancers, a samba band, African hand drummers, Eastern Gypsies tribal belly dancers and Indian instrumental artists. 

There will be a selection of food stalls selling tasty food on the day so why not bring the family and spend your whole day with at the library?

The library will also be hosting a vintage fair in the library to tie in with the World Music Day event. There will be lots of vintage goods on sale including a large selection of classic LP vinyl records. So make sure you stop by -you may pick up a unique bargain!

Community Champions Awards 2011

Vinaya Kulkarni, who works for Suffolk libraries as Indic Languages Library Officer, has received a prestigious Community Champions Award from Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE).       

ISCRE celebrates people who help the community, individuals and other agencies to make a difference. Vinaya received her award on 15 September in recognition of her work with ethnic communities at Ipswich County Library.

Marion Harvey, Ipswich Library Manager, said that “Vinaya has worked tirelessly to encourage people from different  black and minority ethnic communities to enter the library and find out about the services on offer. She has given library tours and talked to people about what’s happening, thus helping to create a more inclusive service. Many of the communities have also got involved in our very special events such as World Music Day and Multicultural Day, and all of this helps to celebrate diversity and community. Many congratulations to Vinaya!”

 

BBC National Short Story Award

The winner of the sixth BBC National Short Story Award was announced on 26 September 2011. D W Wilson won the award for “The Dead Roads”- and he is the youngest ever recipient of the award at the age of 26.

This year’s shortlist was:

• ‘Rag Love’ by M J Hyland
• ‘The Heart of Denis Noble’ by Alison MacLeod
• ‘Wires’ by Jon McGregor
• ‘The Human Circadian Pacemaker’ by K J Orr
• ‘The Dead Roads’ by D W Wilson

You can hear interviews with all of the  shortlisted authors and download the short stories from the  BBC Radio 4 National Short Story Award website.

One County, Many Voices

Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE) have launched a new literary prize called “One County, Many Voices”. The competition will involve two categories: one for writers aged 11 – 18 and another for adults. Writers are asked to explore themes associated with migration and different cultures.

Entries should be no more than 1500 words for those aged 11-18 and no more than 3000 words for adults. Entries can be submitted in your own language and can be prose fiction, historical research, autobiography, poetry or another literary format.

The closing date is 30 November 2011 and the winner of each category will be awarded a prize of £250 by JIMAS who are sponsoring the competition.

Send your entries directly to:
Sue Raychaudri
Office Manager  (ISCRE)
46A St Matthews Street
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3EP

Email: sue@iscre.org.uk

Good luck and do let us know how you get on!

October is Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month!

Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month will be celebrated with a series of over 30 events which will take place during October 2011. The month will focus on improving the mental wellbeing of the people of Suffolk.

Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Month is being co-ordinated by Suffolk libraries, Mental Health and Wellbeing Information Service, The Mind Sanctuary and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership Trust. Events are being run across the county by Suffolk libraries, and by public, private and voluntary organisations.

Find out about events in your area and learn more about what mental health and wellbeing support you can access in Suffolk.

All events are free and sessions scheduled include zumba, singing, yoga, and even a free film night… so why not have a go at a new activity to improve your body or ease your mind?