Library Newsletter April 2021

Service updates 12th April is a red letter day in our calendar, as this is when we hope to start welcoming customers back through our doors once more. If all goes according to plan with the Government's roadmap we will be opening four of our libraries from that week onwards. The hours will be as follows:

Blackburn Library Mon - Fri: 10 am - 5 pm Sat: 10 am - 2 pm

Darwen Library Mon: 10 am - 1 pm Wed: 1 - 5 pm Thu: 1 - 5 pm Fri: 10 am - 1 pm Sat: 10 am - 2 pm

Cherry Tree Library Mon: 2 - 4 pm Wed: 10 am - 12.30 pm & 2 - 4 pm Fri: 2 - 4 pm

Roman Road Library Tue & Thu: 9 am - 12 pm

Obviously this plan is dependent on continued progress with the Government's road map out of lockdown, and we will continue to ask our customers to follow appropriate guidelines including hand sanitisation, social distancing and mask wearing as long as these are required. We will also need to enforce limits on the numbers of people in our buildings to begin with, so please be patient and book ahead where possible. We recognise that some customers may still not be ready or able to browse our shelves again from 12th April, so Call and Collect will remain available alongside our other services for the time being.

Before 12th April don't forget that our Call and Collect service is available from Blackburn Library and Darwen Library, limited access for computer use and printing is available from Blackburn Library only, and you can still access many eBook, eAudio and eMagazine* titles online, as well as other digital subscription services. Please also see the article below about Census services available from Blackburn Library and Darwen Library.

For the most up to date information, please phone (01254) 661221, email [email protected] or check our website http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/library.

*The app for accessing eMagazines will be changing very soon - see seperate article below.

Bank holiday closures Please be aware that our current telephone and Call and Collect services will not be available for the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays on Friday 2nd April and Monday 5th April. Call and Collect will be available as usual from Blackburn Library and Darwen Library only on Saturday 3rd April, and then again from Tuesday 6th April onwards.

Story hunt with John Kirk - Storyteller Is it a story? Is it a treasure hunt? Well, it's both (sort of). Professional storyteller John Kirk brings his unique treatment to a traditional tale popping up on our social media pages during the school holidays, so keep your eyes peeled! He'll need lots of help with the actions, and you'll need to find some things around the house too. Suitable for children up to about 8 years (but older people can join in too if they like). The video will be shared on

Good Friday, but don't worry if you can't watch it that day, as it will stay up for the rest of the holidays, allowing you to catch it at a time that suits you. For more information about John, have a look at his website here: https://www.john-kirk.co.uk/.

You can access our social media here: http://www.facebook.com/BlackburnwithDarwenLibraries http://www.twitter.com/BwDLibraries

Your online magazines are moving!

Blackburn with Darwen Library Service will be moving our digital magazines from RBdigital to the Libby app from March 31st. You will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy all the same great magazines from ZINIO you loved in the RBdigital app, now available in Libby from OverDrive. With the new Libby service, as well as the magazines that have always been available, the range of titles will expand reflecting the increase in demand for e-Magazines over the past year. The RBdigital app and browser versions will be still available until April 30th – after that date anyone wishing to access digital magazines will need to visit the BwD Library webpage and follow the link to E-Magazines for instruction on how to access Libby.

Getting Started with Libby The BwD Library Service is proud to continue to offer you a wide selection of digital titles to access anytime and anywhere through the award-winning Libby app. All you need to get started in Libby is your device and your library card number and PIN. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes. If you have questions, you can find in-app support, or visit the Help site or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.

New to digital? In just a few taps, you can start reading instantly on your phone or tablet. The digital library is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free from our library. Download the Libby app to get started.

The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been happening for over 200 years. Households have now been asked to take part in census 2021, the first census that will be run predominantly online. Although census day took place on 21st March 2021, there's still time to get your survey done before the deadline of 4th May.

Your household will have received a letter with a code enabling you to complete your form online. In areas where fewer people have access to the internet, households will receive a paper copy. If you’d prefer a paper copy, you can telephone a free national helpline to request one - details will be in your letter.

Help to complete the census Our advisers can help you to complete your census form over the phone during lockdown by guiding you through the form, or completing it for you. One of our trained advisers will call you at your appointment time. You can also book one of our PCs, or use our WiFi, if

5 you are able to complete the form independently.

Appointments are available until 4th May 2021 at Blackburn Library and will need to be booked in advance by calling (01254) 661221 between the following times (except Bank Holidays):

• Mon - Fri: 9 am – 5 pm • Saturday: 9.30 am – 2 pm

Appointments at Darwen Library are also available by calling (01254) 706021 between the following times (except Bank Holidays):

• Monday: 10 am - 1 pm • Wednesday: 1 - 4 pm • Thursday: 1 - 4 pm • Friday: 10 am - 1 pm • Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm

Face to face appointments Face to face appointments are now available at Blackburn Central Library and Darwen Library. Phone appointments are also still be available, or you could book a computer at either of the libraries listed above to complete the form online.

Our new Reading Friends initiative brings people together to read, chat and share stories. We know that during lockdown restrictions a lot of people haven't had access to the sort of social interactions that they usually have, but many people are isolated even during more 'normal' times. Reading Friends is different to reading groups, in that people can use any sort of reading to get conversations going. It doesn't have to be great works of literature, or even books at all - it could be newspapers, magazines, or doing a crossword to name but a few. Above all, the aim is to have fun and provide people with the opportunity to make new friends.

While we can't welcome groups back into our libraries just yet, we can offer Reading

Friends online (via Microsoft Teams). Don't worry if you haven't got access to a tablet or iPad as we may be able to lend you one for Reading Friends. For those people who aren't so confident using IT, we will also be able to offer Reading Friends over the phone. If you are interested in joining Reading Friends, or you know someone who might be interested, please get in touch with Andrew Orr at Blackburn Library in the first instance, tel: (01254) 661221 or email [email protected].

We also still have vacancies for Reading Befrienders (volunteers who help to deliver Reading Friends). If you are interested in helping with this role please contact Andrew Orr (details as above).

Recent additions to stock New books

Beggars Belief presents Three Loud Knocks from Darwen Library

Summer Term 2021 will see the launch of ‘Three Loud Knocks’ by Darwen theatre company Beggars Belief Collective. A series of three,15 minute films with quirky characters, delightfully animated stories and silly songs, all set in the town’s elegant and beautiful Carnegie library which celebrate the town's rich heritage. Click here to see the trailer: https://youtu.be/s3K7cui8sRw

It’s night time in Darwen’s beautiful library and Suzanne the librarian has gone home for the night. The kindly ghost of Mr Joseph Pomfret emerges from his portrait and begins to tidy up, when the old library book lift mysteriously starts making noises and sending up

11 stories from the town’s past. Carnegie the dog and Klever Kaff the singing hedgehog accompany Mr Pomfret on his charming adventures inside our historic library.

These films have been produced in partnership with Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre and co funded by Arts Council England and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The individual films will be available to watch free of charge across social media channels and websites. Beggars Belief will also put together a free package of activities for schools within the borough and will be contacting schools prior to the launch in May.

These short films are free for everyone. If you’re an individual, an organisation or a school wanting to ensure you can access the films please email [email protected]

Go BIG with your words of inspiration and hope!

Inspire Blackburn and Darwen with your poetry as Of Earth And Sky hits the streets in metre-high letters, on park lawns and town centre billboards.

People from Lancashire, young and old and of any background are called upon to submit their thoughts and feelings in words for the unmissable Of Earth And Sky project in Blackburn and Darwen. Those venturing outdoors will see this poetry sculpture trail popping up across the area this spring. The special trail will see writing on different subjects - making, craft, wellbeing, friendship, the seasons and more - installed across 25

12 sites throughout the area. Whether in metre-tall letters, painted onto grass, posted onto buildings or hosted on digital screens, Of Earth And Sky is a wonderful, one-off opportunity to see your words magnified and be part of a project, to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors, reflect on the past and look to the future.

Getting involved is simple. Just think of your own original short poem, or use one which you have created in the past, and submit it online for it to be considered. The deadline for entries is Midnight Sunday 11th April 2021.

To see the full submission criteria and to submit your poem visit www.festivalofmaking.co.uk

Announcements on the winning entry, all of the other poems included in Of Earth And Sky, the opening dates for the trail and locations will also be posted on the festival’s social media channels at: www.twitter.com/festofmaking www.facebook.com/festofmaking www.instagram.com/thefestivalofmaking

#blackburnpoetry #festivalofmaking #ofearthandsky #lancashire #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #creativewriting

Women's Prize for Fiction longlist announced The Women's Prize for Fiction is the UK's most prestigious annual book award celebrating and honouring fiction by women. The Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world. The 2021 longlist was announced on 10th March. Why not read along with the judges and see if you agree with their verdicts?

The shortlist will be announced on 28th April, and the winner will be announced on 7th July.

Local history mystery photos

A different sort of mystery this month. As April heralds the return of the cricket season, we thought we'd share this photo submitted by Ian Ferris for inclusion on http://www.cottontown.org (together with the photo below). The above photo shows a team from Birtwistle's Inter Mill Cricket Competition. Ian's grandfather, John Mood, is on the left hand side of the front row but can you identify any of the other players? If so, we'd love to hear from you! If the medal and the team photo date from the same year, it was presumably taken in 1947.

Inter mill sporting competitions were a strong feature of working and social life during this period, and the Birtwistle family were responsible for cotton mills in Blackburn, Great Harwood, Lower Darwen and Preston.

News from our partners at Spot On Lancashire The Gramophones - Another Planet An audio adventure for an adult and child (7+) to experience together outdoors. Ever wondered what it would be like to travel through space? When you buy a ticket for Another Planet we’ll mail you a package containing everything you’ll need to create your own interplanetary adventure. We need the bravest galactic explorers for a mission to investigate Another Planet and find out if humans could survive there!

Packs are on sale now for £5 each. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/spot-on-rural-touring/another-planet/e-dvqobb Full details: https://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/another-planet/ ------Stute Theatre - Fables At The Kitchen Table A live digital event for ages 3-8 via Zoom webinar. Pay What You Can (recommended donation £5) From Aesop the friendly Lion, Harriet the boastful Hare and Tim the chilled-out Tortoise, join Soph on an imaginative adventure from the kitchen table, as she brings some of Aesop’s best-loved animal characters to life. With beautiful songs, creative puppetry and a little bit of theatre magic, this live family show features everything except the kitchen sink!

Dates: Wednesday 31st March at 11am Thursday 1st April at 11am & 2pm Friday 2nd April at 11am & 2pm

Book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/spot-on-rural-touring/fables-at-the-kitchen-table-by- stute-theatre/e-dvxjzb Full details: https://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/fables-at-the-kitchen-table/

------Ruth Cockburn - Miss Nobodies A live digital performance hosted via Zoom. Tickets are £5 per device Welcome to a town planning meeting with a twist. Meet Sophie, one of the locals. Hear her story and see how we might all join the crusade to make our home towns and our own stories better. Inspired by Ethel Carnie Holdsworth (the first working class female novelist in the UK) this is a play which celebrates the might of Lancashire’s towns and the people who help them thrive. Friday 16th April at 7pm Book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/spot-on-rural-touring/miss-nobodies-by-ruth- cockburn/e-gjdmmj Full details: https://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/miss-nobodies/

------One Tenth Human - Curious Investigators A LIVE Zoom adventure for 3 to 7 year olds. Tickets are £5 per device Are you Curious? Do you ask a LOT of questions? Meet “Investigator Toni”, who’s stuck at home with nowhere to go – but is still determined to discover something AMAZING. She needs your help to solve a problem with a home-made marble run. But watch out – there may be a surprising discovery when you do…

Saturday 17th April at 11am & 2pm Book: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/spot-on-rural-touring/curious-investigators/e-ejqoay Full details: https://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/curious-investigators/