What the Summer Olympics taught us - knitting is cool!

 

With the summer holidays coming to an end we have been inspired to write this blog by two things:

1.  That image of Tom Daley knitting by the swimming pool - waiting to step up and win gold.

2. The kids returning to school! 

Hopefully the kids out of the house means an opportunity for some you time and a little mindfulness. With that in mind we have gathered together a selection of resources for you. Even if your Olympic years are behind you, never give up on creating something as wonderful as Tom’s cosy cardi!

If, unlike Tom Daley, you are new to this knitting lark then look no further than Debbie Tomkies’ “How to knit: the only technique book you will ever need”. It is perfect for the beginner with a wide range of techniques, including lace, cables, textured patterns, colour work, beaded knitting and embellishment. It doesn’t alienate the experienced amongst you as there is plenty for those already knitting. Our favourite part are the gorgeous pictures and step by step instructions.

We are so in love with this next one we were tempted to keep it in library HQ. “Knitting the galaxy: the official Star Wars knitting pattern book” from Tanis Gray is currently available to reserve in branch.  Big and little kids alike are going to love the knitted toys but there are replica clothes patterns too! If you get started now you could cosy yourself in front of the TV on Autumn nights wrapped in Padme’s battle wrap and Luke's Flight Vest while the kids are playing with the knitted toys. All we ask is that you please send us pictures!

Families visiting the Library often fall into two camps. Star Wars or Harry Potter. Well we are not about to disappoint the fans of the wizarding world. “Harry Potter knitting magic: the official Harry Potter knitting pattern book” is another great book from Tanis Gray. There is a great variety of toys and clothing you could knit an entire set for the kids Christmas stocking! Whilst we are always here for a knitted set of the three best pals we are quite taken by Mrs Weasley's Christmas sweater for the team Christmas video this year. 

Our Pressreader and Libby apps have magazines in abundance and once you have logged in you will find a whole variety of crafting type publications to enjoy with your library card. Publications include knitting, crochet, info for beginners and the more experienced crafter. There is a whole crafting world to discover online. Download to your device and off you go. Details are available on the web. 

Tom Daley took up knitting to help with mindfulness and if two Olympic gold medals are anything to go by then it has definitely worked! Like all the adult Ladybird books ‘Mindfulness’ from Jason Hazeley, and Joel Morris is very tongue in cheek and lots of fun. Fortunately we have a fantastic range of publications to help you explore the topic further and help you to put aside some time for you and your family.

Have you met Libby?

Have you met Libby yet? Earlier this year one of our key providers RBdigital moved to a new company called Overdrive. Overdrive has a great app called Libby where you can access a range of content, or, if you have a kindle fire you can access their Overdrive app.

Through Libby you can access:

• eBooks
• eAudiobooks,

• Magazines,

• Universal Class (Training Courses)

• The Great Courses (Training Courses)

• Music concerts by Qello

Read on to find out more: 

Books!

You can now Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, to read on your phone or tablet using the Libby app by OverDrive. Libby is the one-tap reading app where you can borrow eBooks and digital audiobooks for free. You can stream books with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime. 

Do you remember the days when listening to an audio book in the car involved choosing the right disk for you car journey? or the frustration of being stuck in traffic only for your CD to finish right at that really big cliffhanger? With Libby you can listen in the car on Apple car Play and Android Auto!

Magazines

Libby has hundreds of magazines to choose from. Whether your interest is baking or diet, crafting or exercise, fashion or gossip there will be something to catch your eye. Once on the app just scroll down until you see the magazine section, download the magazine of your choice and then if you allow notifications the app will let you know when the magazine is due to return. 

Extras

Once you have downloaded your books scroll down the screen to find the extras page – here you will find access to thousands of music concerts and training courses from Universal Class and The Great Courses. Yes! All this available free with your library course. 

Concerts by Qello

With Libby you can stream the world's largest collection of on-demand full-length music performances, concert films, and music documentaries. Qello has been a great option for people who have missed their live music concerts over the past 18 months. Be sure to give it a try and look for your favourite artists and headline acts!

- 1000s of concert films and documentaries.

- new concerts added every week.

- streamed live concerts with major partners.

- available on all your streaming devices.

Universal Class 

Is there something you have always wanted to learn but not had the time, can’t find the right course, want a taster before you commit to a bigger programme? Universal class is a brilliant learning resources for a huge range of subjects. Did you know you can access all of this free with your library card? just log in via Libby or Overdrive and you can access: 

- 500+ online courses on just about anything ranging from cake decorating to accounting & bookkeeping

- Accredited CEUs for professional development.

- Self-paced, easy-to-use, 24/7 access – learn anything, anytime and anywhere.

- assessments for the serious student or a view only version for the casual learner.

- Supported languages: English.

The Great Courses 

Yes even more training and learning opportunities for you! This collection includes more than 250 courses, covering a broad range of subjects, such as science, mathematics, philosophy, history, literature, fine arts and music, travel, business, and personal development.

- Over 250 unique courses to capture your curiosity or help you to improve in areas you are passionate about.

- 3,000+ hours of carefully curated and commercial-free, entertaining and engaging content.

- Courses taught by brilliant, award-winning, and trusted experts in their fields.

- Twelve categories for all types of patrons with new content monthly.

- Guidebooks for each course to supplement course material.

Key points 

Remember, Libby is free with your Library card and easy to get started. Download the app and Learn more

Alternatively, Kindle Fire users can access Overdrive here

Got questions about Libby? Get your common, or not-so-common questions answered or get help with specific features to make the most of your in-app experience by visiting the Libby help section.

Your Local History Centre

 

Local History Centre:

The Local History Service of East Lothian Libraries is your essential and useful source of providing information and help with research into the history of the county and its people. Located in the John Gray Centre, Haddington, the Service provides many opportunities for research. The public can utilise resources to find out about family history, house or building history, community matters, and various other topics on the history of East Lothian.

The family history research area and Reading Room is a comfortable and spacious study space, with free Wi-Fi. Visitors can get access to Old Parish Registers, Censuses, Monumental Inscriptions, Valuation Rolls, historic newspapers and local studies reference books. The Local History Service also works closely with the Archive Service and the Museum Service so that the public can gain access to historical records of the county such as old manuscripts, maps and plans, and a large photograph collection, as well as relevant objects and paintings.

Our historic county newspaper collection on microfilm comprises the Haddingtonshire Courier (now East Lothian Courier), the Musselburgh News and Portobello Advertiser, East Lothian News, the Haddingtonshire Advertiser, and a few other short-lived local newspapers.

We also hold a vast amount of other resources to help you dig deeper into your East Lothian family history:

·                 Old Parish Registers of East Lothian baptisms, marriages and deaths on microfilm.

·                 East Lothian census returns 1841-1901 on microfilm.

·                 Microfiche indexes to East Lothian baptisms and marriages.

·                 Microfiche indexes to International Genealogical Index 1992 edition for Scotland arranged by counties.

·                 Valuation rolls for East Lothian from 1855 onwards on microfilm and microfiche.

·                 Monumental inscription booklets and burial/mortcloth registers for East Lothian graveyards

·                 Annual county directories/registers

You can consult the above items in the Local History Library or request for information via email with as many details as possible.

 

John Gray Centre Film Appreciation Club

If you enjoy watching and discussing all kinds of films, why not join our vibrant film appreciation group. It is a safe and relaxing space to chat about or even just to listen to a variety of opinions about a range of films and genres.

The Club has been on its annual summer hiatus but will be resuming in autumn 2021. During lockdown Our Club has been holding informal video chats over Google Meet. Our online meetings have been occurring bi-weekly, on Thursday evenings between 6.30 to 7.30 pm.

For easy access, we have been discussing selected films available on BBC iPlayer, All4 (Channel 4) player, and Netflix. Our group members even recommend TV shows and books! Our meetings and film choices are advertised on the John Gray Centre website What’s On page, as well as on our social media platforms. You can also check out our SCREENING ARCHIVE online

To find out how to join our FREE-OF-CHARGE online video chat, please do get in touch via email

We are looking into when and how the physical meet-up screenings and discussions at the John Gray can resume and will let you know as soon as possible.

 

Haddingtonshire Histories Podcast:

The Local History Centre of East Lothian Libraries produces a heritage and history podcast called Haddingtonshire Histories which features conversations on a variety of East Lothian history topics. Expert guests include Museum officers, Archivists, and Archaeologists in East Lothian Council’s heritage services as well as local historians and researchers.

Haddingtonshire Histories aims to keep things as light and cheerful as possible and hopes that listeners will enjoy finding out a little more about East Lothian’s rich past.

To date Haddingtonshire Histories has published four episodes.

Episode 1: ‘Who Is John Gray?’ about the founding father of Scotland’s public libraries and the namesake of the John Gray Centre itself

Episode 2: ‘The Inns and Oots of Dunbar’ about the historical inns and ale-houses in Dunbar

Episode 3: ‘Family History – Fascinating Finds’ features an interesting chat between the host and former East Lothian Local History Officers reminiscing about some of the more fascinating cases and enquiries they have dealt with.

Episode 4: ‘Night at the Museum – Claire’s Favourites’ features Museums Collection Officer Dr Claire Pannell highlighting some of her favourite items in the Museum store and speaks about how items are stored and looked after.

Episode 5: ‘Powerful Prestongrange’ highlights the history behind some of the items/objects displayed at the Prestongrange Museum.

Coming soon: Witches of East Lothian.

You can listen to Haddingtonshire Histories on Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts or on Anchor FM