From next week we will be carrying out some work to improve the performance of the libraries’ Peoples’ Network computers. This means there may be no internet access in some libraries for up to two weeks.
There will be no internet access in any location from 14th – 16th  November. Internet access will be restored to libraries on a rolling basis thereafter. Wifi will also be affected.
We need to carry out this work in order to increase bandwidth and speed up the performance of these machines. This will improve response times for logging in and internet page loading.

We’re really looking forward (or do we mean backward?) to the fast-approaching Previously…Scotland’s Festival of History!

October holidays? Not for us! There are lots of spooky goings-on in libraries during the break – so don’t sit about the house all week;  get out, get down to your local library and get active!
Here’s a selection of what’s going on – contact your nearest library to find out what activities and events they’ve got planned.
Blackhall Library
If you’re aged 6 – 11, come and make your own bat on 21st Oct from 2.30 – 3.30

To mark 10 years since the re-opening of the Union Canal through Wester Hailes, we’ve put together an exhibition documenting the Union Canal and its environs from Fountainbridge to Ratho.
The photographs span the waterway from its city centre basin at Fountainbridge, travelling through the changing landscape of Wester Hailes to the tranquil setting of rural Ratho. The pictures also bridge time, telling the story of how the canal has developed with images dating from the early 1900s to the present day.

Libraries4U, a two year project funded by European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund, finishes with a lifeskills summer school at Granton, Muirhouse and Wester Hailes Libraries.

Denmark’s Odense Motetkor and its conductor Christian Dyrst are busy preparing for the choir’s forthcoming concert trip to Scotland.

‘Circus Stars’ is our theme for this year’s reading challenge – so there will be lots of clowning about in libraries this summer! Scroll down to see what’s happening at your local library (if it’s  not listed give them a call to find out what’s happening, or ask the next time you’re in).
To find out more about the summer reading challenge take a look at this video or head over to the Circus Stars site.

Just a quick reminder that libraries will be closed on Good Friday (22nd April) and Easter Monday (25th April).  However, during the Easter weekend, libraries will be open on Saturday 23 April and Sunday 24 April if they are usually open on a Sunday.

In keeping with today’s arty theme, CollArt is a newly formed group of Polish artists who’s goal is to promote Polish art and culture across Scotland. The group are holding an exhibition of sketches and paintings from several different artists in Wester Hailes Library running to 9th April 2011.

Tiger Tales is a brand new initiative running once a month at Sighthill, Wester Hailes and Ratho libraries, where parents with children aged 4 – 8 can sit down together and hear a story told by our Tiger Tale Tellers.
This is a great opportunity to interact with other parents and children in safe and friendly environment.
To celebrate the start of Tiger Tales, this Friday (1st April) we’ll be holding our very first session in the exciting surroundings of Edinburgh Zoo! We’ll have stories, a jungle quiz, face painting and lots of other fun activities.