It's a (W)rap!
Rochdale Libraries invited people to 'Taste' the poetry on National Poetry Day when host Suki Mitchell invited local poets young and old to step up to the mic and read a poem, rap or just sit and listen.
168 children attended the event from 5 local primary schools and youth rapping group 'The S.Q.U.A.D' were on stage to turn the children's poetry into rap and perform it back to them. Rochdale writing group 'The Wheatsheaf Word Weavers' read poems on the theme of 'Food' written by members of the group. Littleborough poet Norma Tweddle entertained listeners with her poetry with a local flavour.
More than 100 shoppers stopped to listen and many more were handed poems to read on their way by library staff.
The day was a great success, the children had lots of fun expressing themselves in rhyme and hearing their own words performed to them in a fun way by such a talented group who were a hit with all. Shoppers were entertained, poetry was celebrated and staff were able to raise awareness of library services.
Testing the Waters
We have established 20 themed collections, some of adult fiction such as 'Mirror Mirror' which is a collection of gay and lesbian literature, some non-fiction such as 'Take Yourself on a Journey' and 'Birds of a Feather'. Other themes are a mix of fiction and non-fiction such as 'The Great Green Read' and 'The People's War'.
'The Great Green Read' is a joint promotion with the Arts and Heritage Centre 'Into the Garden' - a spring/summer exhibition programme celebrating the International Year of the Garden.
These collections are circulated bimonthly to enhance reader choice, particularly in smaller community libraries, and to expand borrowers reading horizons.
We have purchased feature shelving and display units to promote these collections attractively.
We have a tracking system in place to monitor their use and results have been extremely encouraging so far.
Dr Seuss Party
Smithybridge Library celebrated the day to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dr Seuss and won the HarperCollins competition.
