It’s official, visiting libraries makes you happy!

It’s official, visiting libraries makes you happy!
A study commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport found that visiting libraries regularly makes us as happy as a £1,359 pay rise. While taking part in sport is valued at £1,127 a year and being engaged with the arts at £1,084 a year.

This may sound a bit flippant to the many people out there who won’t be receiving a pay rise this year or only a tiny one, but it does show what we all know, libraries are great value for money!

http://www.theguardian.com/books/shortcuts/2014/apr/23/visiting-libraries-makes-us-happy

Talking of high value services
“Use it or Lose it” is an event for interested organisations to raise awareness of and promote the sustainability of “Torfaen Libraries Health and Wellbeing Information and Support Service”. It will be held at Cwmbran Library 15 May 9.45am – 12 noon.

Add to your Life is a free NHS Wales online health check to help you live longer, feel better, and stay healthy and active into the future. It can help you discover more about your health, learn the simple steps you can take to stay fit and discover local services to help you make a positive change in your life. 

The official launch was held at Cwmbran Library on 28 April 2014. Why not give it a go?

http://addtoyourlife.wales.nhs.uk/

Love Magazines? - Get FREE E-Zines from Welsh Libraries

• Easy to access, you just need a library card
• Download 24/7 -  direct to your e-reader, tablet, smartphone, laptop or PC/MAC
• Find magazines covering all interests, from sport to fashion; nature to business; tattoos to baking and download as many as you like.
• No need to return, you can build up your own back catalogue

To try this great new service follow the link - welshlibraries.org

Here's a taste of what's been happening recently in Torfaen Libraries

World Book Day, 6 March 2014
Invited classes were welcomed into Pontypool Library on World Book Day by a variety of story book characters. Here's Winnie the Witch sharing a story with children from Padre Pio RC Primary School.

Teen Quest Challenge
Pictured above is Abigail Lewis, the lucky winner of the Teen Quest Challenge. Abigail is a member of Pontypool Library's Teen Reading Group and is seen here being presented with her prize, £100 to spend at Amazon.

Bluesy Susie and the Hot 3
A small but enthusiastic audience enjoyed a great evening of music in Cwmbran Library's recently refurbished community room. Look out for details of more great events to come.

Finally.. looking for inspiration on what to read next?
Sometimes the best way to read a novel is with the perfect soundtrack. Check out this  fun link  
http://mashable.com/2014/03/26/book-suggestions-90s-albums/
These essential 90s albums could lead you to your new favourite book! 

World Book Day 2014

World book day
Thursday 6 March 2014 is World Book Day. If you visit Pontypool Library on that day don’t be surprised to see Winnie the Witch serving behind the counter or Where’s Wally hiding behind the bookshelves as library staff dress up as their favourite book characters.


Cwmbran Library News
Cwmbran Library’s Community Room is looking amazing following a recent face lift. Facilities include smart TVs and a digital projector.

The room is available for hire by community groups and commercial organisations at very reasonable rates. Contact the library to make a booking.

One of the first events to be held in the room was a talk by author, Gareth W Williams about his book Y Teyrn, a detective novel written in Welsh.

Do you want to get a job or improve your skills and knowledge? Cwmbran Library has a lot to offer:
Bridges into Work - Fridays 9.15 - 11.30 am
Learn Direct (free Courses at your library) – Fridays 3.30 - 5.30 pm

Read to Me Service
Torfaen Libraries’ latest initiative, the “Read to Me Service” is progressing well. Volunteer Reading Companions, who will visit older or disabled people to read aloud to them one to one, have been recruited and met up for the first time at a training workshop delivered by the Reader Organisation. 

The inspirational and practical session covered the therapeutic benefits of reading aloud and best practice for delivering one to one sessions.

New Year resolutions flagging already?

New Year resolutions flagging already?

Why not call into Torfaen Libraries for inspiration? If you want to  improve your health, expand your skills and knowledge or just relax with a good book we can help.

Torfaen Libraries Health & Wellbeing Information & Support Service

We provide lots of free information about anything to do with health and wellbeing. 
• Leaflets and other resources that can be taken away for free
• Books, DVDs and CDs that can be borrowed
• Free internet access
• Shared reading sessions

We aim to provide support, by helping with all the things people want and need to feel the best that they can. 
Whether you have a query about local health facilities (local NHS Services, patient groups), or health matters (conditions, treatments, local help & support) or if you just want to eat more healthily or give up smoking, this service is for you and those you care for.

We will support and listen to people‘s health and wellbeing queries and concerns by offering confidential one-to-one sessions to provide:
• Someone to talk to
• Help with finding and understanding health-related information
• Benefits awareness
• Sign-posting to other organisations 
• Awareness of local support groups
• Guided access to IT resources and internet sites

These sessions are available on a drop-in basis as follows:
Cwmbran Library        Monday 9.30am - 4pm; Tuesday 2pm – 4pm; Friday 9am – 4pm
Pontypool Library       Thursday 10am – 1pm
Blaenavon Library      Thursday 2pm – 4pm
(Appointments can be arranged outside of these times)

To find out more contact Norah Williams, Library Health & Wellbeing Officer
Tel. 01633 647654, 
email: norah.williams@torfaen.gov.uk 
or ask the library staff for further details 

Torfaen Adult Learners Complete The Six Book Challenge

Pictured receiving their certificates from Jill Newton of Torfaen Libraries are,

( from the left)

Brian Tapper, Clair Francis and James Francis.

Five learners from classes at Pontypool Community Education Centre were recently presented with certificates and a selection of prizes for successfully completing the Six Book Challenge.

The Six Book Challenge is an annual Reading Agency initiative that is promoted by Torfaen libraries. Readers of all abilities choose six reads and record their reading in a diary.  Learners who completed the challenge within Torfaen read a variety of texts including Quick Reads, newsletters and magazines.

Author Visit

Welsh author Gareth W Williams is visiting Cwmbran Library on 15th February (10 am - 12 noon) to talk about his welsh language crime thriller, Y Teyrn.  
This is a free event for Welsh speakers and higher level Welsh learners. 

Blaenavon Library - Learn Something New

Do you want to get started with computers,discover your family tree or improve your skills and knowledge? Blaenavon Library has lots to offer:

Get Started With Computers Drop Ins – Mondays 10.00am-12.00 noon
Need help using a computer? Come to our friendly and informal sessions

Learn Direct (free Courses at your library)  – Mondays 3.30-5.30pm

Family History: how to trace your family tree – Thursdays 10.30am-1.00pm
If you would like to discover how to trace your ancestors and start your family tree come along to these relaxed and informative sessions. We have a great selection of books and other resources available including FREE access to ANCESTRY – LIBRARY EDITION.
Staff from the Library and Blaenavon Museum will be available to offer help and advice.

For more information contact Blaenavon Library Tel. 01495 742802
Email: blaenavon.library@torfaen.gov.uk

In the next Blog we'll focus on I.T. courses at Cwmbran Library

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Pontypool Library does Christmas!

Sonny and his mum, share a story at the Teddy Bears Christmas party

Babies, toddlers and parents had a wonderful time singing rhymes and Christmas songs. All the children received a special Christmas present, a copy of Martin Waddell’s classic picture book, Owl Babies.

Chatterbooks Christmas Party

Chatterbooks Children's Book Group had great fun at their Christmas party with stories, quizzes, crafts and generally rocking around the Christmas tree!

Our Christmas Craft Workshop demonstrated a few novel ways to recycle old, unwanted books turning them into fabulous Christmas decorations. In a festive atmosphere, while enjoying seasonal refreshments the participants created unique paper wreaths and trees to bring a stylish Christmas touch to their homes.

Teen Reading Group Christmas Party

Pictured at their Christmas party, Pontypool Library's Teen Reading Group proudly show off their certificates having completed the Teen Quest Challenge. Perhaps one of them will be the lucky winner of the £100 Amazon gift voucher. If you'd like to be in with a chance of winning that great prize it's not too late to take part. Just ask at your local Torfaen Library.

New Cwmbran Library member wins Greater Gwent prize draw 

David McKinney is presented with his prize at Cwmbran Library

David McKinney of Cwmbran is looking forward to a Christmas shopping trip after winning the first prize of a £150 Argos voucher in the Greater Gwent ‘Get Reading, Get Better, Get Libraries’ membership campaign prize draw which was open to all new library customers in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Monmouthshire.  David gained entry to the draw by joining Torfaen libraries along with his wife, Janne and children April, Grace and Eleanor.

David was delighted to win the prize, and said:
‘The library is very important to us as a family.  The most valuable thing the children can do is read – not just because it’s educational but also because it’s fun.  
It’s also  important for us to provide them with access to as many books as possible – The library provides the perfect opportunity for this and offers a superb service.'

UK Public Library Members Christmas Quiz

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting colder, and, to be honest, the weather outside is frightful... 
So stay snuggled in with a delightful, roaring fire, and have a go at our wintry, Christmassy quiz from the comfort of your own cosy living room! 
Using the Oxford online reference package answer 3 questions for a chance to win an iPod shuffle or £50 worth of Oxford University Press books! Follow the link below to take part:

http://global.oup.com/uk/academic/online/library/quiz/

Torfaen Libraries would like to wish you a 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What's On?

Calling all carers
To celebrate Carers' Rights Day on Friday 29 November 2013, Cwmbran Library is holding a showcase of local agencies that can support your caring role. This will include practical, emotional and financial help as well as social opportunities.
The showcase will take place from 10am-2pm and Lynne Neagle AM will hold a surgery from 10.30am - 12.00 noon.
Come along and join us for a cuppa and a chat.

Did you know that Carers can apply for a Torfaen Libraries Carer's Card?
With a Carer’s Card you can borrow a total of 50 items (including 5 DVDs and 5 music CDs) for yourself and the person you care for. 

Advantages include:
• Books - Extended loan period, plus no overdue charges should you keep them late
• Talking Books - First loan period free, subsequent weeks charged at the usual rate
• DVDs and Music CDs - First week free (excluding premier DVDs), subsequent weeks charged at the usual rate

If your caring responsibilities make it difficult for you to get to the library,  the library can come to you with our Library at Home Service. Contact your local library for details.

Open University drop-in information sessions at Cwmbran Library 
28 November 2013 11am – 3pm
10 January 2014 10am – 2pm
Are you thinking of going back to study? Do you want to up-skill for a new or better job? Or perhaps you are just interested in finding out more about a particular topic of interest. Why not call in and talk to Open University staff about adult learning, OU courses and the ways in which the OU can support you?

Reading Rewards

This year’s Creepy House Summer Reading Challenge was one of our most successful ever with over 900 children taking part in Torfaen. The lucky prize winner of the bike is a pupil at Penygarn School.
To whet your appetite for next year, the Summer Reading Challenge 2014 will be a fabulous fantasy adventure based on myths and legends from around the world.
If you can’t wait that long, take part in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Marathon. Read 6 Wimpy Kid books to win a bookmark and certificate. 
The Six Book Challenge is an annual event that builds people’s reading confidence and literacy skills. This year more than 60 adults from Torfaen took part in the challenge with 28 completing it. Certificates and prizes have been presented at adult education centres and libraries to participants who completed the challenge.

Get Crafty this Christmas
Are you fed up of tacky, shop bought Christmas decorations? Would you like to create something special for your home this Christmas? Then pop along to our free Christmas Crafts workshop at Pontypool Library on Thursday 5 December 10am – 12pm. Booking is essential, telephone 01495 766160.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Libraries make you feel good!

“The mind is its own place, and in it self

Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”

John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1

World Mental Health Day this year falls on Thursday 10 October. If you’re feeling a little blue why not check out the Mood Boosting Books in Torfaen Libraries. 

How would you like to bring a little joy into someone else’s life? Volunteer as a Torfaen Libraries Reading Companion. Reading Companions visit older or disabled people in their own homes and read aloud to them one to one. So if you’re passionate about reading and enjoy talking about what you've read then volunteer and make a difference to someone’s life by bringing them the pleasure of books and companionship. For more information or to apply contact Carole Lewis at Pontypool Library on 01495 766160.  

Talking of making a difference, 4 members of Torfaen Libraries staff and 1 former member took part in a 50 mile bike ride from Brecon to Cardiff to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care. So far they've raised £470. Well done girls and boys! To boost that total follow the link below:

http://www.justgiving.com/Rosie-Bradley2 

Teen Read Week 13 – 19 October 

If you’re a teenager who loves to read why not join one of our Teenage Reading Groups. They meet monthly on Saturday mornings in Pontypool and Blaenavon Libraries. 

TeenQuest will be launched during October 2013 in Torfaen Libraries. Have you got what it takes to do the TeenQuest Challenge? To be in with the chance of winning £100 to spend on Amazon simply borrow a book and rate or recommend it; do a quiz using our on-line resources and borrow a DVD for free and rate or recommend it.

It will soon be half term and there’ll be lots of stories and fun activities in Torfaen Libraries to keep the kids occupied and that means, the parents happy! Contact Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon Libraries for dates and times. 

I don’t think we’ll be inviting any alligators along though! For the full story follow the link below, and make it snappy!

http://www.slj.com/2013/09/public-libraries/queens-ny-librarian-reads-to-alligator-to-promote-summer-reading/

Libraries really can make you feel good. Join your local library before 9th November 2013 and be entered into our fantastic FREE prize draw!

1st Prize £150 Argos gift vouchers

2nd Prize £100 Argos gift vouchers

GOOD LUCK!