Friday, December 17, 2010

Sligo Libraries: Opening times over Christmas

Please see below for Sligo Libraries business hours over the festive season.

Sligo Central Library, Stephen Street, Sligo
Close at 5pm on Thursday 23rd December. Reopen at 9.30am on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

Local Studies Library, Bridge Street, Sligo
Close at 4.45pm on Thursday 23rd December. Reopen at 9.30am on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

Tubbercurry Community Library, Teach Laighne, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo
Close at 5pm on Thursday 23rd December. Reopen at 12 noon on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

Ballymote Branch Library, The Courthouse, Teeling Street, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Close at 5pm on Thursday 23rd December. Reopen at 1pm on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

Enniscrone Branch Library, Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo
Close at 5pm on Thursday 23rd December. Reopen at 3pm on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

We would like this opportunity to wish all our customers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

September/October events in Sligo Library

Date: Tuesday 7th September 2010.
Time: 8pm
The GIY ( Grow it Yourself) organisation are meeting in Sligo Central Library. This Group, chaired by Niall McAlister,was formed so that organic farmers and like minded plant and vegetable enthusiasts had a forum where they could voice their opinions. It allows all to share their knowledge base with each other regarding growing your own foodstuffs. If interested in joining this group please ring Sligo Central Library on 071 9111675.

Date: Friday September 24th 2010.
Time: 7pm onwards
Kids Own Publishing are planning to host an event to celebrate Culture Night 2010 in Sligo Central Library. There will be 3 workshops where participants will have a live link to an author's or illustrator's workshop.

The three authors/illustrators are:
1. Niamh Sharkey - Workshop Number 1 from 7-7.30pm
2. Marie Louise Fitzpatrick - Workshop Number 2 from 7.45-8.15pm
3. Annie West - Workshop Number 3 from 8.30-pm

Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes in advance of the workshop starting in order to attend a pre-workshop activity. All children must be accompanied by an adult and there is a maximum number of 20 participants (including adults) per workshop.

Date: October
Time: TBA
Children’s Book Festival: Three author visits are organized in conjunction with the school service:

Annie West 4th October 3 workshops throughout the day
Malachy Doyle 6th October 3 Readings throughout the day
Tom McCaughren 20th October 3 Readings throughout the day

Date: Thursday 14th October 2010
Time: 7pm
Lecture by Fred Freeman on “ The Songs of Robert Burns” in Sligo Central Library.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

August activities in Sligo Library Service

Date: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays every week.
Time: Please see below
FAS and Sligo Libraries have relaunched the popular computer classes and workshops and are scheduled for Sligo Library branches as follows;
Mondays 9.45am - 11.15am & 11.15am to 12.45pm: Local Studies & Reference Library, Bridge Street, Sligo.
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.00am -11.30am. Central Library, Stephen Street, Sligo.
Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am: Tubbercurry Community Library, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo

Date: Tuesday 3rd August 2010
Time: 8pm
The GIY ( Grow it Yourself) organisation are meeting in Sligo Central Library. This Group, chaired by Niall McAlister,was formed so that organic farmers and like minded plant and vegetable enthusiasts had a forum where they could voice their opinions. It allows all to share their knowledge base with each other regarding growing your own foodstuffs. If interested in joining this group please ring Sligo Central Library on 071 9111675.

Date: Wednesday 4th August 2010
Time: 11am
Young Writer’s Workshop “Poetry Pleasures” for children aged 7 to 12
Susan Rowan Masters will facilitate this hands-on workshop which is designed to jump-start students’ creativity through fun and lively writing exercises.

Susan Rowan Master is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers, Authors Guild, and a local writer's workshop. Along with three novels she has also published short stories and articles in a variety of publications, including Highlights for Children, Cobblestone and Alive for Young Teens. She was a national winner of the 1985 Writer's Digest Magazine Writing Competition (article category). And in 1991 she received an Artist Fellowship, sponsored by the Fund for the Arts in Chautauqua County.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Literary prize winners June 2010

Orange prize for new writers 2010
As Zimbabwe breaks free of British colonial rule, young Lindiwe Bishop encounters violence at close hand when her white neighbour is murdered. But this is a domestic crime, apparently committed by the woman's stepson, Ian, although he is released from prison surprisingly quickly. Intrigued, Lindiwe strikes up a covert friendship with the mysterious boy next door, until he abruptly departs for South Africa. Years later, Ian returns to find Lindiwe has been hiding her own secret. It is to bring them closer together, but also test a relationship already contending with racial prejudice and the hostility of Lindiwe's mother. And as their country slides towards chaos, the couple's grip on happiness becomes ever more precarious. Vividly evoking the traumatic history of a nation once brimming with promise, THE BOY NEXT DOOR tells an engrossing, unpredictable story of love against the odds, and of the shadows cast by the past.
Orange prize for fiction 2010
"The Lacuna" is the heartbreaking story of a man's search for safety of a man torn between the warm heart of Mexico and the cold embrace of 1950s McCarthyite America. Born in the U.S. and reared in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd is a liability to his social-climbing flapper mother, Salome. Making himself useful in the household of the famed Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and exiled Bolshevik leader Lev Trotsky, young Shepherd inadvertently casts his lot with art and revolution. A violent upheaval sends him north to a nation newly caught up in World War II. In the mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina he remakes himself in America's hopeful image. But political winds continue to throw him between north and south, in a plot that turns many times on the unspeakable breach - the lacuna - between truth and public presumption. A gripping story of identity, loyalty and the devastating power of accusations to destroy innocent people, "The Lacuna" is as deep and rich as the New World.
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2010
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2010 Winner was announced on Thursday 17th June: The Twin, a debut novel by Dutch author Gerbrand Bakker, won the prestigious prize. The Award is organized by Dublin City Libraries, on behalf of Dublin City Council and sponsored by IMPAC, an international management productivity company.
The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker - Translated by David Colmer.
When his twin brother dies in a car accident, Helmer is obliged to return to the small family farm. He resigns himself to taking over his brother's role and spending the rest of his days 'with his head under a cow'. After his old, worn-out father has been transferred upstairs, Helmer sets about furnishing the rest of the house according to his own minimal preferences. 'A double bed and a duvet', advises Ada, who lives next door, with a sly look. Then Riet appears, the woman once engaged to marry his twin. Could Riet and her son live with him for a while, on the farm?"The Twin" is an ode to the platteland, the flat and bleak Dutch countryside with its ditches and its cows and its endless grey skies. Ostensibly a novel about the countryside, as seen through the eyes of a farmer, "The Twin" is, in the end, about the possibility or impossibility of taking life into one's own hands. It chronicles a way of life which has resisted modernity, is culturally apart, and yet riven with a kind of romantic longing.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Upcoming events in Sligo Libraries!

Date: Tuesday 1st June 2010
Time: 8pm
The GIY ( Grow it Yourself) organisation are meeting in Sligo Central Library. This Group, chaired by Niall McAlister,was formed so that organic farmers and like minded plant and vegetable enthusiasts had a forum where they could voice their opinions. It allows all to share their knowledge base with each other regarding growing your own foodstuffs. If interested in joining this group please ring Sligo Central Library on 071 9111675.

Date: 31st May – 4th June 2010 - Anti racism week
Story telling sessions on Tuesday 1st June 2010. Sligo Central Library 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Date: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays every week.
Time: Please see below
FAS and Sligo Libraries have relaunched the popular computer classes and workshops and are scheduled for Sligo Library branches as follows;
Mondays 9.45am - 11.15am & 11.15am to 12.45pm: Local Studies & Reference Library, Bridge Street, Sligo.

Wednesdays 10.00am -11.30am & Thursdays 6.00pm – 8.00pm: Central Library, Stephen Street, Sligo.
Fridays 10.00am - 11.30am: Tubbercurry Community Library, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo

Please contact us on 071 9111675 or email us at sligolib@sligococo.ie if you would like further details.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Cathach Volume II & Schools writing competition update

The Cathach, Sligo County Libraries online magazine, is in the process of compiling its material for the second edition, due for release later in the year. Its aim is to showcase quality new writing in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. While honouring the literary traditions of Sligo and the Northwest, The Cathach will feature work from both new and established writers throughout Ireland and abroad. At a time when many smaller literary magazines are facing difficulties, The Cathach aims to provide a vital outlet for the best contemporary writing along with visual content, making new work freely available to a vast online readership around the world. View The Cathach by visiting http://www.sligolibrary.ie/ and clicking on the relevant link. The closing date for submission for the second issue of The Cathach was Friday 14th May 2010 and as such is now closed. If you have missed this deadline please keep in regular touch with this website to see when the submission date for Volume III is delcared.
County Sligo Library Service and The Sligo Champion also invited submissions for the 2010 Second Level Schools Writing Competition where there was both a junior & senior section. Entries were in both the form of poetry and short story. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all of the categories. Deadline for all entries was 5pm on Friday May 14th 2010 thus this competiton is now closed. Winning entries will be published in a special section of The Sligo Champion in Autumn 2010.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Date: Wednesday 21st April 2010. Time: 11 to11.45am and 12 to 12.45pm
Bord Gais Energy "READISCOVER Your local Library" week. Story telling in Sligo Central Library facilitated by Danielle Allison. Please ring us on 071 9111675 or email us at sligolib@sligococo.ie for more information.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Cathach Volume II & Schools writing competition

The Cathach is an online literary magazine, published by Sligo County Libraries, with the aim of showcasing quality new writing in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. While honouring the literary traditions of Sligo and the Northwest, The Cathach features work from both new and established writers throughout Ireland and abroad. At a time when many smaller literary magazines are facing difficulties, The Cathach aims to provide a vital outlet for the best contemporary writing along with visual content, making new work freely available to a vast online readership around the world. Contributors to issue one include Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Dermot Bolger, Mark Roper, Brian Leyden, Carlo Gebler, Dermot Healy, Libby Hart, Joan McBreen, Peggy Gallagher, Nick Miller, C.M Millen, John Jennett, Elizabeth Fox, Patricia Byrne, Manchan Magan, Jimmy Murphy, Kerrie O'Brien, Martin McCabe, Andrew King, Michael Farry, Oritsegbemi Emmanuel Jakpa, Jaki McCarrick and Eileen Sheehan. View The Cathach by visiting http://www.sligolibrary.ie/ and clicking on the relevant link. The closing date for submission for the second issue of The Cathach is Friday 14th May 2010. Email: editorthecathach@sligococo.ie

County Sligo Library Service and The Sligo Champion wish to invite submissions for the 2010 Second Level Schools Writing Competition. The Junior Section is open to students aged 12-15 years and the senior section is open to those aged 16-19. Entries can be in the form of poetry and short story. Any theme is acceptable but entries must be original and unpublished. Verses should not exceed 500 words and prose should not exceed 1500 words. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all of the categories. Deadline for all entries is 5pm on Friday May 14th 2010. Entries should be emailed to bleyden@sligococo.ie and should include name, age and school. Winning entries will be published in a special section of The Sligo Champion in autumn 2010.

Monday, March 29, 2010

FAS eLearning official re-launch. 15th April 2010.




The FAS eLearning official re-launch will take place on Thursday 15th April 2010 at 7pm in Sligo Central Library. After a successful series of computer classes in the autumn of 2009, the constant demand by the public has lead to a continuation of this service which is facilitated by the Library Service and offered by FAS. This launch will officially recognise the classes and workshops which are being scheduled for Sligo Library branches (Central Library, Tubbercurry Library and the Local Studies Library) and run by FAS co-coordinators. Please come along for more information or ring us on 071 9111675 if you would like to participate in any of these classes.

Monday, March 22, 2010

"Beat the Recession" Seminar. Thurs 8th April @ 7pm

Forget about the ‘banksters’ - start looking out for YOURSELF! This FREE session in Central library is for EVERYONE in any way challenged by this recession. This presentation will be of particular interest to those who have been made redundant or who have suffered a loss of income.
In his pep talk, Ed Deevy, an organisational psychologist, will provide practical strategies as he addresses such issues as:
* What to do about recession-related anxiety
* How to stay positive in the face of depressing media coverage
* How Business owners can make their businesses more recession-proof
* What to do if you are made redundant
* Surviving and thriving in post-Celtic Tiger Ireland

This informal one-hour session will include Q & A. A regular visitor to Sligo, Ed Deevy is author of How to Survive the Great Recession (The Liffey Press, Oct 2009)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

National Tree Week in Sligo Central Library

Sunday 7th March to Saturday 13th March 2010: Sligo County Libraries, in conjunction with Sligo County Council's Environment Section, will distribute 150 sapling trees of Irish native stock (inc Ash, Birch, Rowan and Alder) to our customers over the period of National Tree Week on a first come-first served basis. For further information please ring us on 071 9111850.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Writer-in-Residence calendar of events

Date: Thursday 25th February 2010 at 11am in Sligo Museum
Event: The Architecture of Feeling – Sligo Library Services Writer in Residence, Brian Leyden on the short story from Frank O Connor to Tobias Wolff.
Date: Thursday 25th February 2010 at 7.30pm in Sligo Central Library
Event: From book to screen - Film maker Johnny Gogan on how books nourish cinema & Screenwriter Johnny Feguson on adapting Sebastian Barry's The Secret Scripture for the screen.
Date: Thursday, 4th March, 2010 at 12 noon in Sligo Central Library
Event: Ring of Five, author Eoin McName reads from his latest children’s spy novel (suitable for children 10-14yrs).
Date: Thursday 4th March 2010 at 7.30pm in Sligo Central Library
Event: The Fulltime Writer - Eoin McNamee on being a critically acclaimed literary novelist, poet, thriller writer (as John Creed) and children's writer.
Date: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 at 12 noon in Sligo Musuem
Event: The Place of Literature and the Literature of Place, Sligo Library Services Writer in Residence, Brian Leyden on writers and their personal landscapes.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Staff Training: 10th February 2010

The following Sligo Library Branches will be closed on Wednesday 10th February 2010 for Library Staff Training;
Sligo Central Library, Stephen Street, Sligo. Local Studies and Reference Library, Westward Town Centre, Bridge Street, Sligo. Tubbercurry Community Library, Teach Laighne, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Ballymote Branch Library, The Courthouse, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Enniscrone Branch Library will continue to operate normal opening hours 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday 10th February 2010. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. For further information please ring us on 071 9111850.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Costa Book of the Year 2009!

Poet Christopher Reid has won the 2009 Costa Book of the Year award for his collection, A Scattering, a tribute to his wife Lucinda Gane following her death in October 2005. A Scattering consists of four poetic sequences, the first written during her illness, and the other three at intervals after her death. Also shortlisted for the Forward Prize 2009, A Scattering is described by Adam Newey in The Guardian as 'A beautiful book... [that] performs the miracle of bringing the dead back to life.' Call us on 071 9111675 for more information or drop in to reserve a copy!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

February Events in Sligo Library!

The GIY ( Grow it Yourself) organisation are meeting in Sligo Central Library on Tuesday 2nd February ‘10 at 7pm. This Group, chaired by Niall McAlister,was formed so that organic farmers and like minded plant and vegetable enthusiasts had a forum where they could voice their opinions. It allows all to share their knowledge base with each other regarding growing your own foodstuffs. If interested in joining this group please ring Sligo Central Library on 071 9111675.
Eoin O’Broin will launch his new book “Sinn Fein and the politics of left republicanism” in Sligo Central library on Thursday 18th February 2010 at 7.00pm. Published by Pluto Press of London, the book is a critical analysis of the past, present and future of Sinn Féin and ‘left republican’ politics. The premise of the book is that, despite the growth of the party in recent years, Sinn Féin is much misunderstood and often misrepresented. Ó Broin said: “I wanted to write a book which, on the one hand, told the history of Sinn Féin and left republicanism from its origins in the 18th century to the present while, at the same time, offering a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the left republican project.”

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Grow it Yourself!

The GIY ( Grow it Yourself) organisation are meeting in Sligo Central Library on Tuesday 19th January ‘10 at 7.30 pm. This Group, chaired by Niall McAlister,was formed so that organic farmers and like minded plant and vegetable enthusiasts had a forum where they could voice their opinions. It allows all to share their knowledge base with each other regarding growing your own foodstuffs. If interested in joining this group please ring Sligo Central Library on 071 9111675

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Costa Award Winners Announced!

Costa First Novel Award
Beauty - Raphael Selbourne
Beauty - in both name and appearance - is a twenty-year-old Bangladeshi, back in England having shocked her family by fleeing an abusive arranged marriage. Now she is forced onto the jobseekers' treadmill and has fractious encounters with officialdom and fellow claimants.
Costa Novel Award
Brooklyn - Colm Toibin
In a small town in the south-east of Ireland in the 1950s, Eilis Lacey is one among many of her generation who cannot find work at home. So when a job is offered in America, it is clear that she must go. Leaving her family and home, Eilis sets off to forge a new life for herself in Brooklyn.
Costa Biography Award
The Strangest Man: The Hidden Life of Paul Dirac, Quantum Genius - Graham Farmelo
Paul Dirac was one of the leading pioneers of the greatest revolution in 20th-century science: quantum mechanics. One of the youngest theoreticians ever to win the Nobel Prize for Physics, he was also pathologically reticent, strangely literal-minded and legendarily unable to communicate or empathize.
Costa Poetry Award
A Scattering - Christopher Reid
Lucinda Gane, Christopher Reid's wife, died in October 2005. A Scattering is his tribute to her and consists of four poetic sequences, the first written during her illness, and the other three at intervals after her death.
Costa Children's Award
The Ask and the Answer - Patrick Ness
"The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second book in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Cold Weather continues into 2010!

With Sligo and indeed all of the Country experiencing a prolonged cold spell, road conditions continue to remain hazardous. As such we would like to point out that the facility of renewing items online or by phone are available to all our customers. You can ring us on 071 9111850 and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member. Currently all our branches continue to remain open and we will update the public with any information to the contrary as soon as possible. Thank you.