Coronavirus may have altered the library landscape but it hasn’t stopped public libraries across the North West celebrating Libraries Week. In 2020, Libraries Week will take place between the 5th and 10th October, celebrating the nation’s much-loved libraries and their vital role in the UK’s book culture. Libraries Week is an annual showcase and celebration of the best that libraries have to offer.
Bolton Libraries and Museum Service are hosting a live online author discussion via Facebook with crime writers, William Shaw and Olivia Kiernan. To watch visit their Facebook page on Tuesday 6 October at 1pm. You can also watch Shasha’s Storytime at 11am on Friday 9 October via Facebook – Shasha will be reading a story that celebrates libraries. Blackburn with Darwen Libraries are keeping busy with a week of competitions on Facebook and Twitter. They’re giving away copies of the AA Dhand book, Darkness Rising, running a children’s book themed treasure trail plus launching a competition about Christina Gabbitas’ latest book – Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre.
Blackpool Libraries start Libraries Week by sharing their favourite poetry about reading – Facebook on Monday 5 October at 2pm. On Tuesday you can join Mara Timons for a live author talk about her debut novel, City of Spies. On Wednesday join The Lancashire Shrink Wrapped Shakespeare Company for a whistle stop tour of some of the bard’s best works. Ayisha Malik will be live on Thursday for an online talk about her new book, This Green and Pleasant Land. Saturday sees a Facebook Live challenge. Do you know your Vogons from your Babelfish? The library will be quizzing you about The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy!
Best-selling author, Jane Corry is the special guest for Cheshire West and Chester’s Libraries Week online celebrations. Jane is the author of five psychological thrillers, all in the top ten in the last five years. Join Jane Corry online on Tuesday 6 October at 7pm. Find out more and book your ticket online.
Over in Halton Libraries you can join a daily library tour from your own front room. Find out more in their latest Events Guide. On Monday 5 October there’s a special online guide to using the library’s free ebook and audiobook download service. On Friday you can join library staff online as they reveal what they’ll be reading for the coming weekend! Manchester Libraries have started a new virtual book group, Hulme Library Book Club. They are reading The Testaments, Margaret Atwood’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Why not join them online next Wednesday 7 October at 5.30pm. Also on Wednesday 7 October at 8pm there is a very special Word Central Open Mic night, live and online, with special guest Attila the Stockbroker.
St Helens Libraries are celebrating Libraries Week across their social media channels and in some of their open libraries. Events for adults include Stay Home and Read with Kate via Facebook on Tuesday 6 October at 6.30. Join Kate as she talks about books that have changed her life. It’s literary quiz time on Wednesday. Put your literary knowledge to the test on Facebook or Twitter at 2pm. Be warned – it’s getting competitive! Find out about more events including stories and archive activities on the St Helen’s Libraries Facebook page.
Stockport Libraries is hosting an author evening with Andrew Graystone. Join them online for stories from his latest book Faith, Hope and Mischief: Tiny Acts of Rebellion on Wednesday, October 7 at 7pm.
Register for your free place. Join Trafford Libraries as they host Ed Glinert, who will take you on a fascinating literary tour of Manchester. Ed will tell the stories of what authors like Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell and George Orwell got up to on the city’s streets, making virtual stop-offs at some of the city’s notable literary landmarks. Friday 9 October at 7.30pm, this is a free event happening on Zoom. Book your place via Eventbrite. Warrington residents are being asked to share their favourite books as part of Libraries Week on a brand new Facebook page.
Digital Words is Tameside Libraries very own virtual readers’ and writers’ festival. You’ll find a packed programme of author talks, writing workshops and kid’s storytimes. The first event, taking place via Zoom, is a Meet the Author with best-seller Milly Johnson. See everything going on, be quick and book your tickets via Eventbrite.