Stories
Libraries Week 2023
It’s Libraries Week – a celebration of the nations much-loved libraries! Taking place between the 2nd– 8th of October 2023, this year’s theme is ‘Green Libraries’, celebrating the work going on in libraries across the UK focused on sustainability and climate change.
Each year libraries week pick a theme and explore the innovative and surprising things that libraries are doing to support their communities.
The long nights are drawing in and it’s the perfect time to snuggle up and enjoy a good story! Did you know that North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle, Durham, and Middlesbrough library services have a 24/7 digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks available to borrow for free through BorrowBox? Thousands of best-selling books are available, including tons of titles for children and young people. You can borrow up to 6 audiobooks at once for up to three weeks – completely free of charge! Even better, there are no late fees, all books will be automatically returned at the end of the loan period. The entire BorrowBox app is optimised for screen readers and designed to be fully accessible for visually impaired users.
You can also get involved at your local library and there are many events taking place around the North East in celebration of Libraries Week! Although these activities and venues aren’t exclusively for visually impaired children, here are a selection of venues who are hosting events throughout October, which may be of particular interest to Useful Vision families.
Libraries week events – click here
You can also find lots of resources on our website, which may provide further help and inspiration for reading and books.
https://www.usefulvision.org.uk/resources/books-and-reading/
Events held at Northumberland Libraries:
Storytime, lego club, art and craft club and more! Please click the following link for an overview of upcoming events
Bedlington, Blyth, Morpeth, Haltwhistle, Cramlington, Hexham, Prudhoe, Lynemouth,
Children events held at Northumberland libraries – click here
Example of events:
Storytime fun is held every Tuesday at Bedlington, for ages 2-4 years
Storytime for pre-school is held every Tuesday at Haltwhistle
Events held at Newcastle Libraries:
Please click the following link for an overview of upcoming events
More information/Guides :
LIBBY
Find out more about the Libby Audio app
https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
BORROWBOX
Newcastle Libraries: A guide to borrowing ebooks & audiobooks from Borrowbox:
A guide to local libraries:
Services provided by Newcastle Libraries for visually impaired children and adults:
The VIP reading group meet on the first Monday in the month at 1pm in City Library. If you’d like to go along, you can email readinggroups@newcastle.gov.uk or speak to a member of staff within the library. Newcastle Libraries aim to make all of their events and activities as accessible as possible.
To celebrate National Libraries Week 2023 (2-8 October), Gatehead Library are showcasing the diverse range of facilities, events and services on offer at Gateshead Libraries.
From local history to brand new digital technology and from Rhyme Time to Knit and Natter, there really is something to suit all age groups and interests. Whether you want somewhere to sit comfortably and lose yourself in a good book, or somewhere to try something new and connect with others – our libraries are warm, friendly places where everyone is welcome.
Located within Gateshead Central Library, the Sound Gallery is the largest audiovisual library in the North East and continues to fly the flag for CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays with an excellent collection of 25,000 titles. As well as stocking the latest releases, there’s an amazing archive collection covering all genres and tastes and if you’re thinking of learning a new language, there’s a selection of courses too.