What I did in my half-term holiday…

Steph Webb, Librarian, writes: 

We had a bumper half term here at Brompton! Our usual story time and rhyme times are still happening plus we’ve had some special half-term events, and not just for children… 

Elmer Party

Elmer in full colour!
Elmer in full colour!

We celebrated 25 years of Elmer with a special story and craft event for our youngsters. Twenty children were entertained by Elisabeth and Babita with the original Elmer story and some elephant rhymes. They then made a huge Elmer-shaped collage out coloured paper: this now has pride of place in our Children’s area. And we’re pleased to hear from our French readers that Elmer is known and loved in France!

 

Making Stars: Family Learning craft event.

Hard at work
Hard at work

Westminster Adult Education Service have done it again! It’s such a pleasure to see parents and carers having so much fun and being as focussed as the children while making beautiful star-based decorations to take home. And it’s not only the tangible results that they’ll take away: Micki from WAES is committed to their sessions being fun for everyone but there is always learning buried in there. I wondered if the children really would remember that they’d been making unilateral triangles and tetrahedrons (amongst other things) and working with textures and colours. I hope the adults will take away a more creative approach to engaging with the children at home using items that most homes have, like paper and straws. The children were so proud of their handiwork, as were the adults, and so they should be!

 

Painting in Prose

Painting in prose
Painting in prose

Brompton was honoured to have three novelists representing a Fringe event for the London History Festival last Tuesday evening. Vanora Bennett, Elizabeth Fremantle and Imogen Robertson each spoke about the way art and artists informed and, to some extent, shaped their historical novels. They spoke to an informed and interested audience with a presentation showing the artists and paintings that had inspired them. I like panel events as it gives artistes an opportunity to spark off each other and offers an insight into how the creative process differs, or not, between them.

The London History Festival begins on Monday 17th November with tickets still available.

 

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Kensington Central Library – October 2013

Kensington Central Library
Kensington Central Library

Hello to you all from the staff at Kensington Central Library!  Autumn seems to have started but don’t worry – we have plenty of events happening that’ll keep you out of the wind and rain…..

Events past and coming up

Scary masks!

Gruffalo crafts
Gruffalo crafts

On Saturday 21 September, some scary monsters appeared in Kensington Central Children’s Library, the scariest was the Gruffalo himself! Everyone gathered round for the story of a little mouse who plays a big trick on his fellow animals. Then we made masks to disguise ourselves as all the different animals. There were lots of animal noises to be heard for a while afterwards!

We are now holding a story and craft session every Saturday in the children’s library at 2pm, until 3pm. Come and join us, for more creative fun!

Gemma Baker
Gemma Baker

Gemma Baker

Senior Customer Services Assistant

Author events

We’re extremley to lucky to have some great authors speaking at Kensington Central LIbrary this month –

John McHugo talks about his latest book, Sophie Parkin explores bohemian Soho, and Lucinda Hawksley marches with the Suffragettes.

John McHugo will be appearing this evening Tuesday 15 October, 6.30 to 8pm, Sophie Parkin will be here on Thursday 17 October, 6.30 to 8pm and Lucinda Hawksley on Tuesday 29 October, 6.30 to 8pm. Tickets will be available on the door.

Full details of these events are on the library events page.

Social media help

Facebook and Twitter logos
Facebook and Twitter logos

Like to learn more about Facebook and Twitter? We’ve a free training session at Kensington Central Reference Library on Friday 25 October, 10am to 12 noon. Places are limited so book your place soon at the library.

Half term fun!

Half term in the Royal Borough is week commencing Monday 28 October and we’ve plenty of events to keep your kids of all ages busy.

HiRes Halloween
Halloween!

They’ll be a Halloween story and craft session on Wednesday 30 October, 2 to 3pm for four to ten year olds.

Persian tile
Persian tile

Also we two Persian themed workshops – Persian dance on Tuesday 29 October, 2 to 4pm for eight to fourteen year olds and Persian art on Thursday 31 October, 2 to 4pm for five to eleven year olds. Both these events are part of the Nour Festival of Arts and can be booked on www.nourfestival.eventbrite.co.uk

New displays

We’ve some new book displays this month that have been put together by our creative staff – pop in and take a look!

We’ve displays for:

  • Black History Month
  • Man Booker Prize
  • Graphic novels – a selection of our collection

Hope to see you at our events this month!

Jodie Green, Lending Librarian
Jodie Green

Jodie Green

Lending Librarian