In view of the continuing winter weather conditions and the general warnings we have received from the emergency services all libraries will close at 3pm today (24 December) – we’ll reopen as normal on Tuesday 29th December, then close at 5pm on Hogmanay and reopen on Tuesday 5th January.
Remember though, you can use our online services 24/7 – Merry Christmas!
The winner of this year’s Booktrust Teenage Prize is the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which tells the story of a boy who is raised and educated by ghosts after the murder of his family.
Visit the Booktrust site to find out more about the prize and read an interview with the winner, or take a look at what Neil is up to at the moment.
We’ve got loads of copies of the Graveyard book for you to borrow, and if find yourself enjoying it there’s loads more to explore by one of the most original and exciting storytellers around.
If you’re thinking about going to see the new Sherlock Holmes film over the holidays you may be interested in a documentary showing on STV on 28 December called “The Search for Sherlock Holmes”.
Actor David Hayman (of ITVs long running Trial & Retribution drama series) investigates the roots of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous character.
As part of his research David visits the Central Library to find out more about Edinburgh in the mid-Victorian period and is shown a selection of maps, images and printed resources held by the Edinburgh Room.
The show will be broadcast on Monday 28 December from 9pm – 10pm - tune in to find out what David discovered!
Win £50 of books or a i-Pod shuffle from the Oxford University Press (you’ll need your library card for this one)
‘Genius… Kennedy’s skill as a writer continues to be astonishing. Every metaphor, every image hits like a painfully well-aimed arrow.’
Independent on Sunday
City Reads, Edinburgh Central Library’s events series, kicks off its 2010 programme with one of the most interesting and innovative contemporary writers around. A L Kennedy’s remarkable collection of short stories, What Becomes, shows exactly what becomes of the broken-hearted – and she does so with the enormous human compassion, wild leaps of humour, and the brilliantly original linguistic skill that distinguishes her as one of Britain’s finest writers. Come along to see a virtuoso close-up – Kennedy will be reading and discussing her work, in detail, and answering questions from the audience. Chaired by writer and critic Lesley McDowell.
Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG
6:30pm Thursday 14 January 2010
The event is FREE and complimentary drinks will be served. Booking is essential, please email readerdevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk
Alan Taylor, journalist, writer and broadcaster drew out a very lively performance from Iain Banks in the Reference department of Edinburgh’s Central Library on Wednesday night. After reading the prologue to his new book Transition Iain spoke about his enthusiasm for the multiverse and his lack of enthusiasm for novels that run out of steam.
Alan probed him about the authorial voices he used and his writing schedule but this provoked more jokes than serious analysis.
Questions from the audience were answered gleefully, lots of books were sold and signed and all in all it was marvellously jolly evening.
Set the festive mood with some suggestions and recommendations from the Music Library:
If it’s traditional collections you’re looking for here’s a good starter. Or how about a perennial favourite?
If you’re in the mood for something a little more unusual: Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band’s Carols and Capers is a very up tempo English folk treatment full of boars heads, mummers and sweet mulled wine; La Bela Naissenca is a collection of traditional Provencal folk songs celebrating the nativity, and Christmas Star by the Cambridge Singers and Orchestra is a fascinating mix of standards and more unusual songs from all over the world.
If Johnny Cash or maybe Val Doonican are more your scene we can cater for that, plus we’ve got blues, country and jazz treatments… there’s something for everyone in our Christmas music collection – and we do mean everyone!
For both children and adults alike, one of the highlights of the Christmas holiday period is going to the pantomime. Both the King’s and the Royal Lyceum Theatres have long traditions of producing pantos for our delight. For this year the Royal Lyceum Theatre has chosen one of the most magical: Peter Pan – from the work by J.M. Barrie, which has astounded audiences for many years by the force of its technical brilliance.
On the staircase at Central Library you will see a display based on the model of this year’s stage design by Francis O’Connor, stage plans and costume drawings. Beware Captain Hook though – and the crocodile lurking in the sand! Peter is making an appearance and Tinkerbell is there to scatter some fairy dust…..
9th May, 2010 is the 150th anniversary of J.M. Barrie’s birth in Kirriemuir, Angus. Find out more about his life and enduring influence (from the Wendy complex to Quality Street chocolates) in the Dictionary of National Biography or Literature Resource Center. Or visit the Scottish Library, where we have many of his works in stock, some beautifully illustrated.
The Fine Art Library can offer examples of both classic illustrations (Arthur Rackham) and of modern (Paula Rego). There is other material there too if you are interested in stage or costume design. If you want to know more about the history of Edinburgh theatres, the Edinburgh Room can help you there with original playbills and other fascinating information and ephemera. Or the Music Library can help with music for a production.
Remember, whatever you find of interest in our library panto scene, it is all ‘an awfully big adventure’. The display runs until January 9.
Christmas kitchen inspiration: recipes from Delia, Nigella and Gordon as well as Catherine Atkinson, Mary Berry and Sue Maggs. Budding mixologists will appreciate Allan Gage’s New classic cocktails, while the Complete illustrated book of appetizers, buffets, finger food and party food is full of great ideas.
If you’re looking for something a little simpler this year, Sheherazade Goldsmith’s Christmas book contains craft, food and gardening projects aimed at helping people escape the modern day commercial Christmas and enjoy a simpler, more home-spun way of celebrating.
It’s still easy to overindulge though, isn’t it? Work some of it off with Family party games: 100 fun games for all occasions.
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