Autumn

Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Keats had a nice turn of phrase didn't he? He seems to love the season of Autumn, but then he probably hadn't just had the wettest Summer since the year dot.

But let's look forward to the new season with all its special qualities:

Cold, dark and wet?

No. 

Colourful, cosy and romantic

It is a beautiful time of year with plenty to do before Winter sets in. We can collect conkers and blackberries, run through the leaves in the park and watch the incredible sunsets. (The kids might like to join in too!)

Then it's off home to make a nice cuppa and snuggle in front of the fire with our favourite book.

If you're thinking of taking up a hobby, this is the perfect time of year. Watercolour painting, photography, quilt making, ballroom dancing. We have books on all these and many more.

We also have copies of the new prospectus for Adult Education classes in the library. There are courses available in lots of subjects from Cake decorating to GCSE maths.

Join your library today. Join the library online or call in to your nearest branch Opening hours and contact details 

See you in the library soon...

They think it's all over...

The London Olympic Games - Have they inspired a Generation?

The London Olympics 2012

Watching the extremely fit and talented athletes this summer has made me think I should probably be doing more than watch them on television.

I feel inspired to get fitter and be braver. I'm not sure how long this feeling will last, but while it is here I am taking advantage of it.

But which sport should I take up?

Tennis?

You Cannot Be Serious!

ok, what about swimming?

Topsy and Tim Learn to Swim

My armbands are too small for me...

I've got a bike! 

Mud Sweat and Gears

But, I'm not too keen on mud.

Running. I only need my trainers for this one.

You Can Do It!

But I don't look great in shorts...

I've found it! I won't need to get wet, hot or cold and it is closely linked to the Olympic Games...

Knitlympics

For more information about which sport is right for you, browse our Library Catalogue or check out our Ebooks catalogue

Summer - don't be too disappointed with the weather

7 positive things to say about the rain this summer:

• We won't get sunburn
• We won't need to shave our legs (mainly women and cyclists)
• We won't need to tone up for our beachwear
• We don't need to wash the car
• The garden can grow wild and our neighbours won't judge us
• We can use our hosepipes with mad abandon
• We can curl up with a good book

From the comfort and dryness of your own home you can browse the library catalogue, reserve a book and wait for a pause in the deluge so you can pop out to collect it. Library Catalogue

Alternatively, choose an ebook from our great selection of titles and download a copy. Follow links to ebooks page

Your library service, always looking on the bright side :)

Libraries in cyber-space

How much of your library service can you use from home?

Torfaen Library service is increasingly offering resources and services on the internet. These include joining the library; reserving and renewing books; booking time on a computer; access to Britannica Online, Oxford Biography, Books to Help and many more. For some of these you would need to visit the library to collect your items or use those resources restricted to the library computers e.g. Ancestry.com and Driving Theory Pro.


We are not trying to discourage customers from using our library buildings, far from it. We are hoping to attract new customers who may not be using the library service regularly, if at all. In fact, with the introduction of ebooks, we have already noticed an increase in people calling in to enquire and either choosing a pin for their library card or joining the library so they can make use of the service.


Below you will find the complete list of our online resources and a brief description. You can follow the link and most will take you to the free site, a few will need you to log in with your library card and pin. As mentioned above, Ancestry and Driving Theory Pro will only give you free access from a library computer.


If you would like to ask a question or comment on any of our resources, please leave a message on this page or contact your nearest library.

Ancestry| - Discover your family history and build a family tree with the world’s largest genealogy website. Search birth records, census data, obituaries and more! Includes the 1911 census. (Accessible via library PC's only).

Books to Help| gives information about this local scheme, which helps people access self-help books that provide information about a wide range of family issues, including bullying, divorce, anger, parenting, potty training, sleep, worry and many others.

CANS Advice Notes| gives you access to authoritative quality information on 450 areas of current law. Examples of coverage are: consumer protection, employment, family law, housing and social security.

eBooks for Wales| - Browse, borrow and reserve a selection of FREE downloadable eBooks. The collection includes popular fiction, biographies, travel and leisure titles as well as books for children and teenagers.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online enables you to access the entire text of the renowned printed encyclopaedia. Also, you can have your own workspace within the interface for storing and editing your work. There are three versions available Encyclopaedia Britannica Online for ages 18+|, Student Edition for ages 12 - 18| and Junior Edition for ages 5 - 11|.

European Sources Online| - Information about the institutions and activities of the European Union; the countries of Europe and their regions; international organisations in Europe; and issues of importance to European citizens and stakeholders. (Accessible via library pc only).

Grove Art Online| - Everything imaginable about visual art worldwide. Pictures and paintings, ceramics and sculpture, fashion and furniture, graphic design and photography. With over 5,000 images.

Grove Music Online| - From Mozart to Madonna, Punk to polka, panpipes to bagpipes. All styles of music from all periods of history. Hundreds of illustrations, sound files, and information on composers, conductors, lyricists, and performers.

Life in Great Britain| - This online course contains all the text from 'Life in the United Kingdom: a journey into citizenship'. It will enable you to prepare in an enjoyable way for the 'Life in the United Kingdom Test'.

National Library of Wales| - The National Library of Wales offers a wide range of subscribed electronic resources, ranging from scholarly journals to encyclopaedias and newspapers.

Newsbank| gives you access to thousands of full-text articles from more than 20 Welsh and 350 UK daily and weekly newspapers. All are updated daily for current news, and are also archived to enable you to trace news subjects historically.

Oxford Reference Online| - A vast reference library of scholarly resources also containing much illustrative material. (If you are accessing this service from anywhere other than your library, you will be asked to key in your library card number prefixed by TORF). 

Screen Online| - The British Film Institute's resource 'Screenonline' is where you will find stills, video and audio clips, posters, biographies and analyses from the National Film and Television Archive, giving an account of British film and television from the early days to the present.

The Oxford English Dictionary Online| - The monumental and definitive dictionary of the English Language for the English-speaking world. (If you are accessing this service from anywhere other than your library, you will be asked to key in your library card number prefixed by TORF).

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online| - The authoritative biographical source for all those people who have shaped British history. (If you are accessing this service from anywhere other than your library, you will be asked to key in your library card number prefixed by TORF).

Theory Test Pro| - Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation of the UK's driving theory tests for all vehicle categories. It contains all the official test questions licensed from the DSA, the people who set the tests. 

Ebooks: what can they offer me? A Guide for blind and partially sighted people

 

Torfaen libraries will be supporting Make a Noise in Libraries (MANIL) Fortnight 2012. This is an annual campaign to bring public libraries and blind and partially sighted people together to improve access to books and information.

Books are a great way to share experiences, explore ideas and link up with other people who share a passion for reading. For many blind and partially sighted people, reading also helps to reduce isolation and plays an essential role in their health and well-being.

If you have a visual impairment then why not join us for "Afternoon Tea and Tales". Companions are welcome also. Enjoy refreshments while listening to stories being read aloud. These will be relaxed and informal events providing an opportunity to chat and socialise. The sessions are free of charge and will be held in Blaenavon Library on Monday 11^th June at 4.00pm and in Pontypool Library on Tuesday 12^th and Tuesday 19^th June at 4.00pm.
There will also be a free demonstration at Cwmbran Library at 10.00 am on Tuesday 12^th June of eBooks for the blind and partially-sighted. This will be presented by a representative of the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Summer's here - where are you going?

Did you know that Torfaen Libraries has a fantastic range of Travel Guides, from the UK to around the world, from Australia to Zanzibar. Come have a look to see where in the World you want to go, or read up on you holiday destination before you go.

  

Torfaen Learning Festival

12th-19th May

In celebration of Adult Learners' Week 2012

 

'Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest annual festival of learning; inspiring thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives'

During the week of Torfaen Learning Festival you will have the opportunity to find out what opportunities are available to you in Torfaen.

Come along to any of the events being held at Blaenavon, Cwmbran and Pontypool libraries. They are all FREE and may help get you started on a new hobby, improve your skills or just give you a chance to get out and meet new people.

Take a look at the library events.

If you would like to reserve a place or find out more information about any of the events listed please use the contact information on the table below.

When?	Where?	What?
Sat 12th May
10.00-12.00	Cwmbran Library	*Sharing books with under 5s – a fun practical session for parents and carers Contact: jill.newton@torfaen.gov.uk
Mon 14th May
10.00-12.00	Blaenavon Library	*Social networking made simple – What’s a blog? Is Facebook safe? Contact:
13.00-17.00	Cwmbran Library	Employment & Training Fair – lots of information and help available to improve your skills
Tues 15th May
10.00-12.00	Cwmbran Library	*Drawing and Sketching Workshop for beginners – please bring own materials Contact: julian.merriman@torfaen.gov.uk
10.00-12.00	Pontypool Library	*Ebooks workshop – how to get the best from the library ebook service
Wed 16th May
10.00-13.00	Pontypool Library	*Family History morning. A presentation & information to help you start your research
Thurs 17th May
10.00-13.00	Blaenavon Library	*Family Tree Workshop – put your research in order and create a family tree
10.00-12.00	Pontypool Library	*Drawing & Sketching Workshop for beginners – please bring own materials Contact: julian.merriman@torfaen.gov.uk
14.30-16.30	Cwmbran Library	*Ebooks workshop – how to get the best from the library ebook service
Fri 18th May
10.00-16.00	Cwmbran Library	Healthy, Wealthy, Wise – a day full of information and ideas to help you in all aspects of your life Contact: norah.williams@torfaen.gov.uk
Sat 19th May
12.30-14.00	Pontypool Library	*Sharing books with under 5s – a fun practical session for parents and carers Contact: bettina.robinson@torfaen.gov.uk

*Limited places available.   It is recommended that you book a place for this activity to avoid disappointment.

Please contact rosie.bradley@torfaen.gov.uk for further information (unless otherwise stated above)

Pontypool 01495 766160      Blaenavon 01495 791637           Cwmbran 01633 647676

Please now have a look at the Adult Learners' Week Wales website and find other events around Wales

The Adult Learners' Week Wales website

CLOCH comes to Torfaen

Do you have an interesting story, photograph or information about the development of
Cwmbran New Town?

Read on to find out how your memories and memorabilia can become part of an important local research project...

Conserving Local Communities Heritage Project

The CLOCH project will be operating in South Wales for the next 3 years. It will establish partnerships with libraries, museums and archives and will offer 10 traineeships to unemployed young men in the South Wales area. The trainees will gain experience working in libraries, museums and archives and will hopefully gain employment in these sectors at the end of the project.

The training will cover 4 main areas:

• Digitisation
• Research and Local History
• Conservation and Collection Management
• Community Engagement

The first 3 trainees have been chosen and have now almost completed the first stage of their training at the Glamorgan Archives. They are ready to start phase 2 which will take place in Library services in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Swansea.

Ben Bartlett, from Blaenavon, will be continuing his traineeship in Torfaen in April and will be based at Cwmbran Library. Ben will be gathering together an archive of stories, photographs and oral memories relating to the development of Cwmbran New Town. He would love to hear from anyone with information, photos or memories about the area. You can either send him details via post or email or arrange to come in and speak to him in person.

Please contact stephanie.morgan@torfaen.gov.uk and she will pass on your information to Ben when he joins us next month.

The CLOCH project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the 'Skills for the Future' programme. visit the website 

Family History Day



On Wed 1st February Pontypool Library and Blaenavon Museum will be joining forces to host a Family History Day. It will be held in the new Community Room in Pontypool Library between 10.00am and 1.00pm.

If you would like help with your family tree please come along to this free event. Staff from the museum will be there to offer expert advice and tell you about the great success stories they've had in tracing the relatives of local people. There will be a display of some of the interesting discoveries they have made.

There will be plenty of information and advice from staff and FREE access to Find My Past while you are in the library. Find My Past has detailed census records from 1841 to 1911 plus Birth, Marriage and Death indexes and many local records from around the UK.

If you join the library you will be able to come in any time to use the free version of Find My Past - it is always a good idea to book a computer in advance as we do get quite busy.

We also hold a regular Family History session every Thurs at Blaenavon Library 10.30 - 1.00.
You are welcome to come along to this too!

New Year - new start

From 24th Jan Cwmbran Library will be offering Learndirect courses.

Every Tuesday between 10.00 and 12.00 there will be a tutor available to help you enrol and progress through your chosen course.

There are courses on many subjects including: Computers & IT, Maths, Languages and business related subjects.
You can start at a low level and work up to NVQ (equivalent to 2 A levels)

Have a look at the Learndirect website...

In many cases your course will be free of charge.

To find out more please come along to our

Training Skills and Information Day

Cwmbran Library

12th January

1.00 - 6.00pm

This event will be also be very useful if you are looking for work, a change of career, training opportunities or a volunteer placement.

If you can't make this event please contact the library for further details regarding Learndirect.