August 19, 2008 at 4:54 pm · Filed under Book reviews for adults
Fed up of all that packing and unpacking, hanging about in airports, insect bites and the like? Why not take a ‘book safari’ instead? For all you book-lovers out there, check out this great website that I’ve discovered, Shelfari.com.
It’s a kind of virtual book group and social networking site rolled into one. You can use it many ways: build your own virtual bookshelf showing front covers of books you’ve read, are currently reading and would like to read. You can also post reviews (and see other people’s), search the huge database by title, author or ‘tag’, join themed groups (there are hundreds!) or start your own group. You can ask the community questions such as “should I read this?” and you also get regular updates via email when anyone posts a reply or question on your page. It’s a great way of broadening your reading as it’s so fascinating to look at the bookshelf of someone who’s read and enjoyed the same book as you. I started off by building my own bookshelf, or at least a tiny selection of it, plus one of the piles of books ‘to be read’, you know what I mean… I’ve yet to get into the whole online friendship thing, but you can use the site at many levels and just get from it what you want.
I hope you enjoy the ride!
Sue M
August 19, 2008 at 4:00 pm · Filed under News and events, Photos, Team Read
On Thurs 24th July I was lucky enough to take part in Tom Palmer’s Football Fun session in Fulford Library. For those doubters out there, yes we did actually play football in the library – well, penalty shootouts at any rate! Tom was really good at putting all of us (children and adults) at our ease and everyone joined in, even those of us who felt a little nervous at being left by our mums to begin with. We started with a general discussion about the different sorts of things that we read (even those who felt they didn’t read books might read comics, magazines, websites etc). We also got Tom to tell us a bit about how he got into writing stories based on football. Then we looked at the sort of books you could borrow from the library about football, other sports, or stories with a football theme. Check out Tom’s marvelous stories in your library. Have a look for his books on the library catalogue, including his latest, Foul Play
You could even reserve one now if you have your library card handy.
After a bit of chat we grouped into teams and played Tom’s sports quiz. Then, after a quick drink to refresh us, we lined up to take our penalty shots at Tom’s inflatable goal posts. The idea was that correct answers to the quiz equaled penalty shots. A brave member of library staff volunteered to be in goal while Tom ‘refereed’ the goal shooting, This was great fun and no, we didn’t manage to break anything (the ball was soft!).
At the end Tom was so pleased with how things had gone, and how much everyone had ‘risen to the challenge’ that he went outside and fetched a copy of the latest ‘Match’ annual for each one of us. Here’s the proof:
It’s amazing what you can do in a library these days!
Sue M
August 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm · Filed under News and events
… which isn’t as unwise as it sounds.
There is now a PC in the library which driving test students can use to swot up for their theory tests. It includes loads of practice exam questions, and can analyse performance to identify which topics people need more help with.
So, there’s no need to buy your own copy of this software when you can share the facility in the library - after all, you won’t need it again once you’ve passed first time now will you?!
Helen W
August 15, 2008 at 10:31 am · Filed under Photos
Armed with a suitcase full of travel guides from their library, this intrepid pair checked out the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Well, Julia did. Robin read about it….
“Let’s stay here for ever and ever!”
“Well, until the books are due back.”
Want to find out more about Rome? Look up these titles in the online library catalogue!
Rotten Romans by Terry Deary
The Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence
Clottus And The Ghostly Gladiator by Ann Jungman
Asterix And The Roman Agent by Goscinny and Uderzo
Dress, Eat, Write And Play Just Like The Romans by Fiona McDonald
Alison M
August 12, 2008 at 1:13 pm · Filed under Team Read
Team Read hit Asda on Friday 8th August. We set up our stall in the foyer and went for it with cries of “Get your York Card here” and “Register onto the Team Read today”
Surprisingly, this did not put Asda customers off and no profits were lost . We did get a lot of customers interested in what we were doing on out little table and soon the morning went by in a flash.
We also tried to sell our famous jute bags but Asda customers were having none of it.
We were , however , more successful with new members and joined up 37 customers to libraries and also registered 32 children onto the Team Read.
Our adult learning partner , Lynne , also had a successful day speaking to many parents about flexi learning courses.
By 1pm I was flagging, so I went off for an hours retail therapy and food!
We had a lot of enthusiastic staff to help sell the library , so many thanks to Andrew, Julia,Lorraine,Lynda, Lynne and Janice who , as they say, I could not have done without.
On Wednesday you can catch the Team Read team at Yearsley Pool between 4 and 6pm , so come along for a swim and also join up to the Summer Reading Challenge. There is still time to start and be in with the chance to win lots of great prizes.
Marion B
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