It's all About the Books!

In Library Services we spend an awful lot of time Tweeting, Facebooking and generally loudly declaring in public “We do more than just books,” That said, we do really love books so we thought you might like to know the most favoured library loans from the last 18 months. We hope this inspires some new reading for you. Books available via click and collect or our eLibrary

Adult Fiction: East Lothian Readers love a good Crime or Thriller novel. Scotland has some of the best in the world with Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Peter May and so many more. We have a fantastic range of adult fiction in all genres. The top five adult fiction books are:

-          Ian Rankin - In a house of lies

-          Ann Cleeves  - The long call

-          Stuart MacBride - All that's dead

-          Ann Cleeves  - Wild fire

-          Peter May - The man with no face

Adult Non-Fiction: During Lockdown 2020 we all headed to the garden, tried our hand at a new hobby and did a lot of baking. So we were surprised when none of these topics appeared in the list of most borrowed non-fiction books! Our top tip for 2021 is non-fiction focusing on the Great Staycation. We will check back in a year and let you know if our prediction was correct. In the meantime, Michelle Obama tops the list of our most read.

-          Michelle Obama - Becoming   

-          Adam Kay - This is going to hurt : secret diaries of a junior doctor  

-          Deborah Orr - Motherwell : a girlhood

-          Raynor Winn - The salt path

-          Sue M Black - All that remains : a life in death

Young Adult (YA) & Teen Fiction: This is the most exciting genre of fiction in recent years. This genre is happier to move out of its comfort zones, explore new worlds, new ways of writing and break down barriers. If you choose just one thing to read from this week’s Take Five do take the opportunity to try YA or Teen fiction. The top five are:

-          Jenny Han - To all the boys I've loved before

-          Philip Pullman - La belle sauvage

-          Robert Muchamore  - Mad dogs

-          Thomas, Angie - On the come up

-          Malorie Blackman - Noughts + Crosses

Children’s: Our local branch staff miss seeing the enthusiasm East Lothian kids have for their reading; whether it is primary school visits, story time in the kid’s library or chatting about their latest AR scores. So it is great to see that kids are still reading and loving it. The top five junior fiction books borrowed are:

-          David Walliams - Awful auntie

-          Pamela Butchart - To wee or not to wee!

-          Roald Dahl - Charlie and the chocolate factory

-          Lynne Rickards - Harris the hero

-          Rowling, J. K. - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Board books: Who can relate to a toddler approaching with a board book in hand requesting it be read for the tenth time in one day?  They say that a child can read a board book again and again and find something new every time.  The top five books are :

-          Mara Alperin - Fireman Sam's animal rescues!

-          Rescue heroes! : a lift-and-look flap book

-          Julia Donaldson - There's an owl in my towel

-          David Walliams - The bear who went boo!

-          Nick Sharratt,  - Octopus socktopus

Creative Writing Competition: Hopes and Dreams

 

We are excited to announce East Lothian Libraries Creative Competition! We are inviting submissions now for the theme of ‘Hopes and Dreams’ 

The competition asks for writing of up to 1000 words and can include fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose. We know that East Lothian has a wealth of writers from all walks of life, published and unpublished, those writing in regular groups and those scribbling away at home who haven’t shared their work before. We would love to hear from you.

Ideas & Prompts

• Your hopes for the future in a post Covid world

• What would a world without hopes and dreams be like?

• Someone who inspired you to reach for the stars and live your dreams

• A story based on a completely weird dream you have had

• If you could grant yourself one wish what would it be?

 

Prizes

First prize: A huge pile of books and published on East Lothian Libraries Blog

Second prize: A slightly smaller pile of books and published on East Lothian Libraries Blog

Third prize: Yep you guessed it – a smaller pile books and published on East Lothian        Libraries Blog

 

Deadline for Submissions: Friday 28 May (midnight) via email

 

Submission Guidelines

Unfortunately we can only accept submissions from East Lothian based writers.

• Word limit: 1,000 (maximum).

• Entry fee: Free

• Please put your name, email address and telephone number at the footer of each page.

• Email your story as a word document or pdf  

• Font size: Arial 12 point

• Submissions by email only. No hard copies, please.

• Only one submission allowed per person. Simultaneous submissions will not be accepted. 

• This competition is only open to people over the age of 18.

• All submissions must be original and unpublished

By submitting your work to East Lothian Libraries you agree in the first instance to allow East Lothian Libraries to publish the story on our blog or social media pages.

Submissions from East Lothian Libraries Staff cannot be accepted. We will however accept submissions from East Lothian Council employees not employed by Libraries and Customer Services.

 

Happy writing everyone, we cannot wait to see what you come up with!

Welcome back to the East Lothian Libraries blog!

 

Hello! - We know it’s been a while. We’ve had a lot of big changes within the service, oh, and a global pandemic to deal with! All twelve of our branches closed in March 2020 for an undetermined length of time and it meant that many of our staff were redeployed to help out in other council areas. Several of us were asked to help call those that had been asked to shield by the government. We were tasked with making sure these people were accessing all of the help and support they needed and sometimes we were just being someone to talk to each week. It was an incredibly rewarding role and we are very proud of our team for being there for our most vulnerable people.

 

Over the past year, we have said goodbye to several staff members who are now enjoying retirement, although they left without the send-off that we would have liked! We’ve also welcomed some new members to the library family with a couple of babies being born during these bizarre times. We’re still to meet them properly but can’t wait until we can all get together again!

 

We began reopening branches in August. Starting with the four main libraries of Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh and North Berwick we allowed a limited number of people in to choose their books. Due to new guidelines, we would schedule them a 30 minute visit and although it was a very different way of working, it was nice to have our readers back! Over time, we had started to reopen more of our branches.

 

After Christmas we had to reduce our service again. With the new lockdown brought into force, we could no longer allow people in to the buildings. Once again we had to adjust to a new way of working. Adapting to new guidelines may have meant closing some libraries again but we are proud that we could still offer click and collect from four of our branches and maintain the home delivery service. Click and collect has proven to be very popular with our readers. They have the option of choosing particular books or we can choose something that we think they will enjoy. Many readers have commented that they’ve discovered new authors via this service and are just happy that we are able to offer something during this lockdown.

library volunteer delivering books -
wearing a mask to keep our customers safe. 

As we move forward through this year there will no doubt be more changes to come. We do hope we can start welcoming people back into our buildings soon, we really are looking forward to seeing our customers again. We will keep you updated via all the usual channels: Twitter, Facebook, Webpages and here on the blog!

 

We plan to post  here more regularly. We’ll bring you news from the libraries, any changes that we might have to make in the coming months and perhaps some entertainment along the way!

Frequently Asked Questions

Libraries FAQ

Please check our FAQ’s below for information and updates on our services.

What services do you currently provide?

Due to current lockdown restrictions many of our branches are closed. However, Click & Collect and a Home Delivery service are available from the following libraries: Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh and North Berwick.

Revised opening hours are in operation and an appointment system will be in place.

To order items via Click and Collect or to discuss Home Delivery please click here or telephone the library on 01620 827827 (ask for relevant branch)

 

We have lots of eResources available as well as an online Children’s programme. We are active on social media so follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and news.

 

I'm not library member but would like to access eResources. Can I do this? 

Yes. You can join as an online member and use your online membership number to register with our eResources. Click here to join. Once the libraries re-open you can upgrade to a full membership which would give you access to physical resources within the library.

How do I access the Library’s eResouces?

We have an extensive range of resources such as 

eAudiobooks and eBooks, 

eNewspapers and eMagazines, 

eComics, 

Music concerts, 

SCRAN, 

Ancestry, 

Theory Test Pro,

The Great Courses, 

Universal Class 

Transparent Language learning. 

 

Please click the links above for more information on accessing each resource.

Ancestry Library Edition has also been made available to access at home until the end of March.

I am having problems logging in to the eResources?

Check out our web page for further help or information. If you are still having difficulties accessing our eResources please email libraries@eastlothian.gov.uk with your name, library membership number, contact email address and a description of the issue. A member of our team will then contact you to help.

 

Why is there a queue for the eBook / eAudiobook I want?

Due to licensing restrictions many titles are limited to one user per copy.  We do buy titles on a regular basis to provide borrowers with a range of choice.

We’ve also bought some simultaneous access titles as part of our Digital Blether on Borrowbox which means there are no waiting times on these titles.

 

Is there anything available for children while we are in lockdown?

We have lots of children’s activities on the dedicated Children’s and Young Persons Facebook page. This includes a weekly timetable of events, including Bookbug, bedtime stories with some of your library favourites, lego build ideas, craft ideas and book recommendations.

Of course we have plenty of eBooks and eAudio books for children available.  

 

If I am shielding how can I get library books?

We are operating a home delivery service. Contact your local library - Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh or  North Berwick - and they will arrange books to be delivered to you. To discuss this further, phone 01620 827 827 (then ask for your library)

 

My books are due for return soon, how can I return them?

If you currently have outstanding loans these can be returned to libraries that are open for Click and Collect.

An appointment is not necessary to return items just place them in the return box which will be situated near the front entrance. 

 If you are unable to return your items please keep hold of them until your local library re-opens. All overdue fines are currently suspended.

 

Why can’t I reserve the book I want?

Some reservations have been placed on hold whilst our libraries are closed. Our teams will be happy to help you choose another. You can use the click and collect form or telephone an open branch on 01620 827827 and ask for the relevant branch.

 

I have received an email to say my book is ready – can I collect it?

We will contact customers who have reservations awaiting collection at each operational Click and Collect library to offer them a collection day and time.

 

When are Book Groups re-starting?

Private Book Groups can now arrange collection of new book group boxes. There are new procedures in place for collecting and returning book group boxes. Please read the guidelines by clicking the link below:

Book Group Collection Procedures for borrowers

 Please note that library based book groups are still currently suspended until further notice.

 

How do I get hearing aid batteries?

Hearing aid batteries are now available from Haddington Library, John Muir House, Brunton Hall, Musselburgh Library, Dunbar Library and North Berwick Library. No appointment is necessary but restricted access and opening times will be in operation. You may wish to phone ahead on 01620 827827 and ask for the relevant library.

Alternatively you can telephone Audiology on 0131 536 1637 between 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm or email on audiology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk and they will post batteries to you. Alternatively you can email libraries@eastlothian.gov.uk.

If you need Domes or tubes please contact the Audiology department directly. 

 

What about registration appointments?

Please click here for information on registration.

Are the Customer Service desks open?

Brunton Hall is open 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm and John Muir House 9am – 1 pm. 

Only those customers who have been given appointments by staff, or are in need of urgent assistance, should attend during these hours.  If attending these facilities for an appointment, you must wear face a covering.

Wherever possible, customers should look on the Council website, request services online or phone the appropriate number.

 

 

How do I apply for a blue badge?

If you can, the quickest method to apply for a blue badge is via the online form. Click here.

You can ask a family member, friend, support group or carer to assist you or apply on your behalf.

If you are unable to apply online, an application form can be collected from John Muir House, Brunton Hall or one of our libraries that is currently open (see above). Completed application forms and supporting documentation can be returned to your local library which staff will forward to the Blue Badge Team for processing.

 

Can I apply for a bus pass?

Bus Pass applications can now be applied for online. If you go to the National Entitlement Card Webpage you will find all the information you need. 

Alternatively please phone or email your local library where staff will assist you.

 

If we have not answered your query please contact us on email libraries@eastlothian.gov.uk or contact the Switchboard on 01620 827827.  Please note that individual library telephone numbers and emails are currently offline. 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and news.