Library reopening May 2021

In line with government guidelines we are delighted to share with you news about the phased reopening of our libraries. The information below includes details of reopening up until 10th May 2021. Please note this is a phased reopening and we will post regular updates on social media, our web pages and blog regarding further opening up of our branches. 

  

Welcome back! We are looking forward to seeing you.

 

Week Beginning 3 May 2021

 

Haddington Library and Musselburgh Library to reopen for browsing, click and collect and PC sessions.  All services provided by appointment.

 

Haddington Library: Tel: 01620 827 827 and ask for Haddington Library

 

Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm  and  2 pm – 4.30 pm

 

Haddington will offer face to face  Blue Badge support from 17th May

 

Musselburgh Library: Tel: 01620 827 827 and ask for Musselburgh Library

 

Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm  and   2 pm – 4.30 pm

     

Brunton Hall: Mon – Fri 10 am - 12 pm  and  1 pm  - 4 pm 

(Providing face to face blue badge support from 17th May)     

      

John Muir House to reopen Mon -Thurs 9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4.30 pm

                               and Fri  9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4.pm 

     

John Gray Centre Museum and John Muir Birthplace to reopen from 3 May 2021 at the following times:

 

John Gray Centre Museum:

Wednesday to Friday open to the public 10 am, closed for lunch 1 - 2 pm, last appointment 4 pm. Closed to the public at 4:30 pm (Staff finish at 5 pm)

 

John Muir’s Birthplace Museum:

Wednesday to Saturday open to the public 10 am, last appointment 4:15 pm. Close at 5 pm

     

Local History Service:

To commence on an appointment basis on the same hours as the John Gray Centre with the exception of no public access on a Wednesday.  

   

   

   

Week beginning 10 May 2021

 

Dunbar Library and Prestonpans Library to reopen for browsing, click and collect and PC sessions.  All services provided by appointment.

 

Dunbar Library: Tel: 01620 827 827 and ask for Dunbar Library

 

Mon – Fri             10 am – 1 pm  and  2 pm – 4.30 pm

 

Dunbar will offer face to face Blue Badge support from 17th May

 

 

Prestonpans Library: Tel: 01620 827 827 and ask for Prestonpans Library

 

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri            10 am – 1 pm 2 pm – 4.30 pm

Guidance on visiting our libraries and the Click and Collect service can be found on our webpage.

Librarian recommends

Now that the kids have all gone back to school we wondered if you might have an extra five minutes in your day to relax with a good book and a cup of tea. Even better, the sun might keep shining and we you can catch some time outside with your book. We asked some of our local librarians what they have been reading recently and they came back with some of their top reads. There is a good mix in here some old favourites and some exciting new reads. Enjoy and do let us know what you think or if you have something different to recommend. 

Lorraine recommends: ‘Toffee’ by Sarah Crossan, I read this in one sitting, now catching up with all Sarah’s books. ‘This is going to Hurt’ by Adam Kay, I read this in lockdown and it gave me some much needed laughs, but also showed how hard working our NHS staff are, tears of joy and sadness. The Island by Victoria Hislop, wonderful story and inspired me to visit Spinalonga the Leper Island around which the book is set. Lorraine is waiting patiently to read the heavily anticipated latest Victoria Hislop novel 'One August Night' recently in stock and available to reserve now.

Janette recommends: Janette was horrified when we asked her to name just three of her top reads. She picked three of her current favourites but said if we asked her again next week she would most likely say three entirely different books! Jeanette recommends: ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama, ‘A Keeper’ by Graham Norton and ‘The Auschwitz violin’ by Anglada, Maria Angels. 

Louise recommends: Like so many of our branch staff Louise is missing face to face interaction with customers so was delighted to be able to share her top reads. “Into the darkest corner" by Elizabeth Haynes, "I let you go" by Clare Mackintosh and "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak. Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Markus Zusakt, 

Nicky recommends: Nicky is one of those readers who returns to her favourite reads every now and then. So it’s no surprise that she has included traditional and modern classics in her list. ‘The Blind Assassin’ by Margaret Atwood, and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. Her most recent read was Holly Bourne’s first foray in to adult fiction ‘Pretending’. This is a new release in our catalogue and can be ordered via click and collect  “This book is going to break your heart then ... well you have to read and see.”

Anna recommends: ‘Red, white and royal blue’ by Casy Mcquiston. “The best romance I have read this year, possibly this decade! It didn't hit the cheesy stereotypes I expected and is beautifully written”. ‘Daisy Jones and the six’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid “A book about a fictional 1970 rock band, so entertaining and I had to Google them about 6 times to make sure they didn't exist. Make sure you have some Fleetwood mac to listen to once you finished reading, you'll need it!” Anna also recommends ‘Pretending’ by Holly Bourne “This is a book I believe every women should read, changed the way I thought about myself and was funny and witty at the same time. 

Five Recommendations for Garden Inspiration

 

Easter Monday is upon us and as a nation we are focused and single minded when it comes to a Monday preceded by the words ‘Bank Holiday.’ The weather forecast might not be conducive to a good day in the garden but this is still an opportunity to stand and ponder; Patio or decking, decorative planting or minimal care. Whatever your plans we have plenty of resources to help you create your own little paradise this summer with our Garden Collections. Read on to find out more.

1.    Alan Titchmarsh. No post about gardening could be done without a nod in the direction of Mr Titchmarsh. On our screens for years transforming thinned out grass enclosed with broken fencing into a suburban paradise. We know where are with this TV favourite, once you could collect Alan magazines and gardening cards week by week at the local newsagents. Nowadays you just need to search our catalogue and hey presto a whole array of Alan books.

2.    For some, getting the garden done is about how to style a hanging egg chair and outdoor rugs on the decking. However, there are plenty of keen beans (pun intended) out there who are all about home grown produce and seasonal veg. Look no further, we have a huge selection of stock to help you plan from Spring planting to Autumn harvest. We love this book from Holly Farrell “Grow your own cake: 50 recipes from plot to plate.

 
3.    We know the weather is about to take a turn for the worst but we have ideas for all occasions.  we have something for all occasions- we are the library service after all! Hang around indoors and check out our gardening courses on Universal Class and The Great Courses.  Work through your chosen course then you are good to go when the sun comes out again. There is even a flower arranging course for after all the hard work of growing is done!

4.    For those of you lucky enough to have your own garden room then we have a fantastic collection of books dedicated to the topic of sheds. For those of us who are not so blessed with a shed, summer house or pergola this collection is still worth a look. Perfect books to peruse with a cup of tea, a biscuit and garden day dreaming. We love Sally Coulthard: Shed decor: how to decorate & furnish your favourite garden room. Special mention also goes to the Ladybird book of garden sheds. Very funny

5.    At the end of all your hard work there has got to be time for a little R&R. This one is a little bit of a cheat but getting out in the garden these days is synonymous with firing up the barbecue. So once you have got the beds weeded, the roses pruned and the tatties planted why not try out some new ideas for the barbecue ready to host some family and friends as soon as garden entertaining is allowed. Psst we also have books on how to make Cocktails too!