The countdown to Christmas continues…

Portobello Library’s Chatterbooks group for younger readers celebrated their last meeting of the year in their unique style. If you are the kind of person who enjoys dressing your pet up in festive attire there’s still time to enter Leith Library’s Festive Furballs competition. Entrants so far include a dead badger and an axolotl. Beat that!

Continue the yuletide pets theme maybe with a viewing of The Christmas Bunny or one of our other seasonal DVD picks.

Get rockin’ around the Christmas tree with the best in festive music from the absolutely enormous selection of Christmas sheet music available from the music library. There are seasonal CDs aplenty as well –  everything from indie hero Sufjan Stevens’ 5 disc box set of Christmas songs to Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band’s Carols and Capers – a very up tempo English folk treatment full of boars heads, mummers and sweet mulled wine. Christmas Star by the Cambridge Singers and Orchestra is a fascinating mix of standards and more unusual songs from all over the world, or there are of course always the old favourites.

Alternatively you can of course retreat from it all and escape with the help of a good book. There’s an avalanche of ‘Best of..’ book lists around this time of year so we’re especially grateful to our chums at the Scottish Book trust who put together this very helpful Best of the ‘best of’ lists.

Finally, another reminder of when libraries are closed and open over the next couple of weeks. Merry Christmas everyone!

A library Christmas

You know the festive season is well and truly here when Shakespeare gets his Christmas on. Optimistic library staff have hung their stockings by the fireplace but I’m not convinced Santa will find a way to squeeze past the radiator.

We’ve had scrumptious looking gingerbread decorating at Moredun….

And at Leith Library little Robbie got all dressed up for the Christmas Bookbug session. Cute enough for you?

Not long to go now. Libraries will close at 5pm on Christmas Eve and revert to the usual opening hours on the 27th. For new year it’s a 5pm close on Hogmanay then back to normal on Thursday 3rd January. Merry Christmas everyone!

Library Advent: nearly there!

So here is your super-special double-door gift for Christmas Eve!

If you go here, and search for A Christmas Carol, you can download it for free – the perfect ending to our calendar, this Christmas Eve!

So all that’s left is to wish you a very merry Christmas from everyone here at Edinburgh City Libraries.  We hope that our advent calendar has brought you a little bit of daily festive cheer!

Libraries are closed for the holidays and will reopen as normal on Wednesday.

Library Advent Calendar: Ghosts of Christmas Past

At the end of the year, as you wade through omnipresent “best of” lists, it’s nigh on impossible not to be retrospective.  Seeing as Christmas is a time for family, why not give in to nostalgia and discover if there are any Scrooges lurking in your family, or if your great-great uncle was a beloved Bob Cratchit character?

If you have some time off this December, please pop in to your favourite library to access Ancestry for free!

Libraries will close today at 5pm and reopen on Wednesday 28th December.

Library Advent Calendar: I’m dreaming of a green Christmas…

But throwing a fabulous Christmas takes a lot of money and effort, and let’s face it, it takes a lot of waste to have that much fun.  Or does it?  Authors like the delightful Ms Harris are offering suggestions of how to manage your home more effectively and efficiently.

Or what about this National Geographic ebook?

Some more suggestions…

-Try to buy the ingredients for your festive feast organically and locally, to reduce that blasted carbon footprint.

-Check out this website for tasty leftover food recipes!

-Take your unwanted gifts to a charity shop (find one here)

-Find out what you can recycle here

If you try to lead a green life, we salute you!  Please add your suggestions for your fellow readers.

Library Advent Calendar: your very good Elf

Today we bring you a very special Elf.

‘Elf’ is a free online service that notifies you by email or rss feed just before your library books are due back – and if you’ve got any reservations (or ‘holds’ as Elf likes to call them) you’ll be informed about these as well.

Perfect for your inner Scrooge, signing up to Elf means never having to pay fines again. So this Elf is for life, not just for Christmas!

Library Advent Calendar: All wrapped up!

Are you finding it hard to keep up your reading habits at this time of year?  We prescribe…audiobooks!  Use them as a calming influence as you navigate the crowded town, or why not download an audiobook and get wrapped up in a good novel while you deal with the presents?  Or if it gets too much for you on the big day, you could always slink away and listen to a sneaky chapter…

On EBSCOHost, (where different listeners can download the same book simultaneously) here’s just a few of the many audiobooks available!

Sebastian Faulks’ A Week in December

Andrew Miller’s Snowdrops

 

And over on Overdrive, how about

Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen

Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver

Library2Go!  Not just for Christmas, it doesn’t cost pounds

Thousand of titles to choose from, all the year round!

Library Advent Calendar: Looks like rein, deer

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Rudolph, Cupid, Vixen, Donner and Blitzen!  Spot the rogue deer?   Here’s a clue… his jolly red nose gives him away.

 Santa’s first team appeared in 1823 dashing away in the classic poem “A visit from St. Nicholas” better known as “The Night before Christmas” attributed to Clement Clark Moore.

 Rudolph wasn’t part of Santa’s team until 1939 and was created by Robert L. May an advertising executive, and famously put to music by Johnny Marks in 1949.  Now, he is, of course, the most famous of all of the antlered helpers!

To find out more even more interesting facts about Christmas, delve into “What is Myrrh Anyway”

Library Advent Calendar: Who put the X in Christmas?

 

Well, it definitely wasn’t Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole or even that Gary Barlow.  Here’s what the comprehensive and reliable Oxford Reference Online has to say on the matter!

“In this abbreviated form of the name Christmas, first recorded in the 18c, the initial X represents a Greek chi (= ch), the first letter of the name Christ. It is a convenient shortening commonly used in newspaper headlines, on cards, and in personal letters, but it is better to pronounce it as ‘Christmas’ than as ‘ex-mass’ which some people consider tasteless.”

Visit Oxford Reference Online on our e-resources page to find out the meaning of Christmas and other words.

Library Advent Calendar: An angel gets its wings

Christmas has been the inspiration for hundreds of themed films – kids’ films, sentimental films, films for Christmas lovers, for sceptics, funny ones, sad ones, inspirational ones…the list goes on.

I am a massive fan of Christmas films so deciding which goodie to go behind this “door” was very difficult!  However, many people would argue that it’s not Christmas without a viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life, which depicts a memorable Christmas Eve in the life of the lovable but unlucky George Bailey (played by the inimitable Jimmy Stewart).  This film really does have it all – it’ll make you laugh and cry, and remind you of the goodness of humanity.

Here’s a 10 minute clip of the phenomenal end of the film – so don’t watch it if you’ve not seen the film; just do yourself a favour and make Christmas even more special by finally watching it! What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Library Advent Calendar: Christmas Wishes, Mistletoe Kisses

Baby, it’s cold outside!  Christmas has so much potential for romance – snow, the twinkling lights, snuggling with someone special by a roaring fire … but if there’s no one warming your cockles right now, it’s also the season for parties and of course, mistletoe!  So today’s goodie is a saucy, festive read from those softies at Mills and Boon.

And as a cheeky bonus, here’s a topical tune from the Amy Winehouse archives.

Xx!

Library Advent Calendar: Toy Stories

It is sometimes said that Christmas is really “for the kids”, and as such, spending it with children can certainly bring back that sense of unbridled joy first thing in the morning – maybe not ideal for those partial to a Christmas Eve night out!  However, when one thinks of Christmas, a word that can’t fail to spring to mind is TOYS!  And I think we all know that toys are in no way just “for the kids”!  Toys hold a special place in all of our hearts – whether you’re dazzled by modern gadgetry, or nostalgic for your childhood playthings, it’s okay to be fascinated by toys!

For more pictures of classic toys, please visit our toys exhibition on Capital Collections – featuring a slightly terrifying Fonzie doll!

And remember, you’re never too old to act like a kid, especially at Christmas!

Library Advent Calendar: The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for all to Hear

Music is such an important part of the festive season.  From the seemingly endless strains of Wizzard harassing you deeper into your last-minute Christmas panic to the stillness of an atmospheric carol service, December is undoubtedly the most obviously soundtracked month.

For the musically talented amongst you, here’s a link to all of our Christmas sheet music, available in the Music library!

If you prefer your Christmas songs with a modern, indie twist, why not pop into Music and borrow this whimsical Sufjan Stevens boxset?  With an astounding FIVE CDs, he’ll see you through the day until the inevitable crash on the sofa!

Library advent calendar: Dashing through the snow…

If you’re planning to get away over the festive season (North Pole, anyone?), or just dreaming of escaping next year, then explore our travel section for guidebooks, to help you with your journey, be it far-flung or local.

But if you’re more of an armchair traveller, then just you stay put and read about the travels of others, over the ages.

Join the irrepressible Dom Jol(l)y as he travels to places where others do not dare…

Or discover the kindness of others, through Fleur’s remarkable tales of couchsurfing!

Have you ever been on a fantastic festive holiday?  Make us jealous!

Library Advent Calendar: Dressing Up for Christmas

Don’t feel you have to stick with Chanel’s Little Black Dress for the office party.  Why not be inspired by a book from the library on Costume Design and put your talents to work?  This unconventional Christmas number could be yours…

But if you’d rather read about fashion, why not check out this brand new book on the fabulous Coco Chanel?

If you’ve got a tricky fashion lover on your wishlist, did you know that you can order prints, such as one of this fashion-forward fellow, from Capital Collections?  Simply select the images you would like and add them to your basket.

Have a stylish Christmas!!

Library Advent Calendar: Bring us some figgy pudding…

…Or perhaps not!

Whatever you’re cooking up for your Christmas table, why not get some inspiration from our wide buffet of food and drink titles?   Whether you’re planning a traditional turkey, gorging on greens, or a glut of global gorgeousness, get inspiration from your favourite chefs!  But it’s not just for savouries, you can also get help with ideas decorating the cake or mixing your favourite cocktails!  (but maybe not at the same time).

These scamps are sure to see you right this Christmas!

Or heed those savvy ladies from the WI:

So loosen your belt and tuck in!  ‘Tis the season…

Library Advent Calendar: Cruel Yule

An alternative look at the festive season, with facts on foul but festive food, curious customs and crule yule disasters.

Read seasonal stories to send shivers down your spine, and meet Santa’s Little Helper.

Library Advent Calendar: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Will it be a white Christmas?  Are you going to need those snowshoes you bought last winter?

Is it even possible to predict the weather (…in Scotland?)

Perhaps you’re interested in both some stories and science behind the weather and its outcomes across the planet.   Do you want to find out more about climate change?  Or maybe you just want to simply lose yourself in the beautiful patterns formed by snowflakes?

Explore fact, and indeed fiction, in this splendid book about weather of all types!

Join Charlie on a frozen journey to discover the world’s deepest snowfall!

Brr!  Reach for the cocoa and enjoy the warmth inside!

Library Advent Calendar: stuck for gift ideas?

Don’t worry … we all are.  But no matter what the state of the publishing climate may be, a book is always a welcome gift.

But don’t just grab whatever’s the number one bestseller for your brother who likes fantasy novels – sneak a peek at their bookshelf and note down their favourite authors.  From there, hightail it to Who Else Writes Like…? for big kids, or the new addition Who Next…, ? for smaller kids!

These amazing websites help you to find new authors and books based on the ones you already love.  All you need is your library barcode, and you’ll be everyone’s favourite for getting them such a thoughtful gift!

Library Advent Calendar: a Christmas gift for you

If, like me, you’re one of those people who haven’t even started Christmas shopping yet, worry not, because really all anyone needs this Christmas is a copy of Edinburgh Old Town by Susan Varga.

This beautiful tome, chock full of pictures of our historic city aken from the collections of Edinburgh City Libraries, is currently available from Central Library’s Edinburgh and Scottish Collection for the crazy knockdown price of £10.

But why stop there? Push the boat out, throw caution to the wind and buy everyone a copy of Edinburgh New Town, the companion volume, as well.

(Also available from Central Library’s Edinburgh and Scottish Collection for the crazy knockdown price of £10)

And that’s it, all your Christmas shopping, done!

(Although just to be on the safe side tomorrow we’ll show you how to find the perfect book for your nearest and dearest)