Blog

Love Is In The Air

As we wave goodbye to the Festive season and welcome in the New Year, we suddenly realise that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. For youngsters, love is all-encompassing and felt oh so keenly – we all remember that heart wrenching emotional feeling of first love.

ComicsPlus have put together a selection of love themed comics and stories for youngsters of all ages and tastes to enjoy. Available free from your local library, your youngsters can access these and hundreds more, to enjoy at their leisure and on their platform of choice.

Like the beautifully illustrated picture book ‘Little Hearts’;

Four animal friends discover the many “little hearts” that can be found in nature. The world is full of little hearts / Each one a sign of love / Some are found upon the ground / Some are up above. Join a group of animal friends as they explore and discover the many “little hearts” that are found in nature.

This gentle introduction to the world of nature for young children, written in rhyming stanzas by Charles Ghigna, is based around a theme that is sure to be popular for Valentine’s Day celebrations, but also at any time of the year. It reminds us to take our time and appreciate our surroundings and the beauty of nature. Accompanied by Jacqueline East’s charming illustrations, this book is a perfect way to inspire curiosity and foster an early appreciation of our natural world.

Arabic Language Day

December 18 is Arabic Language Day, a celebration of one of the world’s most expressive and influential languages! Established by the UN in 1973, it marks the day Arabic became one of its official languages. Spoken by millions worldwide, Arabic is renowned for its flowing script, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant expressions.

It’s the perfect occasion to explore this fascinating language, appreciate its beauty, and maybe even learn a fun phrase or two! Lote4Kids is a database of picture books in world languages, created for children to enjoy books and learn language through storytelling. This fabulous service is available free of charge from your local library and is the perfect way to explore Arabic.

Fun Fact: Arabic has one of the largest vocabularies, with some estimates suggesting over 12 million words! Perhaps unsurprising then, Arabic has over 100 words to describe camels, each highlighting different characteristics.

Kick Start Your New Year Resolution

Every New Year people around the world make resolutions, many of which are based around recovering from the excesses of the festive period. Often the best of intentions fail to lead to a longer term lifestyle change.

This year, why not check out Universal Class and embark on a free training course to help and encourage you with your resolution, and which could be the difference between success and failure.

Universal Class is a free service available from your local library, and offers hundreds of fantastic courses across a wide range of subjects.

Like their course on Nutrition which promises a transformative journey, enlightening students on the nuances of nutrition and exercise. Whether your goal is weight management, increased vitality, or merely enhancing overall health, this course is the comprehensive guide to unlock your optimal health potential.

A New Year – A New Adventure

January is always such a flat month, after all the build up and excitement of Christmas the come-down is harsh. The best thing to do is to give yourself something new to look forward to – like an adventure!

With the whole world to choose from, 2025 can be an exciting time. Once you have stuck your pin in the globe, why not visit Transparent Languages Online and start learning some basics of the language that you will encounter on your travels.

There are hundreds of languages available, all free of charge, presented in a comprehensive and easy to learn format. You can learn to read, write, speak and understand any language of your choice.

Pop into your local library today to find out how you can access this great offering, totally free. Happy travels.

Get the High Tech Low Down

Whether you are planning to buy someone a new gadget, or you have received one, checking out the reviews always brings peace of mind, or just helps you decide which one to select.

Press Reader gives you free access to hundreds of publications, including great magazines which review all the latest gadgets to help you choose.

Let the professionals do all the hard work for you, play with all the gadgets and give you an unbiased honest view of all the pros and cons for each option.

Press Reader is a comprehensive offering of newspapers and magazines from around the world. This wonderful service is available to you, for no cost at all, through your local Library digital offering. Simply click onto the Press Reader link from your library website, and use your library card number/pin to login.

Enjoy a ComicsPlus Classic this Christmas

Keeping young adults entertained during the festive season can be quite a challenge. If you want to tempt them off the gaming and in to reading, why not show them ComicsPlus. This free service is available from your local Library and gives them access to hundreds of publications.

They can choose from a range of categories, from Manga, Sci-fi through Steampunk, the options are endless. Appropriate age ranges can be applied to ensure that their choice is suitable. Perhaps they will enjoy this wonderful classic ….

Ebenezer Scrooge has always hated Christmas, but in this particular Eve, he’s given another reason to be wary of the holiday: the ghost of Jacob Marley comes to visit! Clad in heavy chains and burdensome weights, Marley’s ghost warns Scrooge that three spirits will visit him over the next three nights, each with a ghastly story to share. Will Scrooge’s ghoulish experience teach him to embrace the spirit of Christmas, or will he say “bah humbug” to the holidays for the last time? These full-color graphic novels feature enhanced Common Core State Standards support, including discussion and writing prompts developed by a Common Core expert, an expanded introduction, and bolded glossary words.

So why not contact your library today to find out more information about ComicsPlus, and keep your family entertained this Christmas.

Lote4Kids puts Ukrainian in Focus

Spoken by over 40 million people, Ukrainian is a melodic Slavic language with roots in ancient Eastern Slavic. Using the Cyrillic alphabet, it shares ties with Russian and Belarusian while maintaining a unique vocabulary and cultural heritage. Ukrainian continues to grow in global presence, symbolizing national pride and identity.

LOTE4Kids is an online database of digital picture books in World languages, allowing kids to enjoy books and learn language through the magic of storytelling. Ukrainian is one of over 67 languages available, so your kids can discover and enjoy this magical language.

Pop into your local library to find out all about this great product from Lote4Kids, free to library users.

A Low Cost Christmas

With the cost of living going through the roof, now is the time to channel your inner creative and make ‘home made’ Christmas gifts. Not only will you get the pleasure of creating something beautiful, but you will save a pretty penny too.

Take a look at the classes available on Universal Class – free from your local library. Like the Soap Making Mastery course;

“Imagine turning a simple blend of oils, scents, and ingredients into beautifully handcrafted bars that delight the senses and nourish the skin. Soap Making Mastery isn’t just another online course-it’s an invitation to embark on a journey where creativity meets precision, where the ancient art of soap crafting becomes your new passion and, potentially, a thriving business. This course is designed for anyone with the desire to create something unique-whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artisan looking to refine your skills.”

Here are the learning outcomes you should be able to master at course completion:

  • Summarize soap making history.
  • Summarize the science of making soap.
  • Make soaps.
  • Summarize signature soap recipes.
  • Describe making special soaps.
  • Describe problems with making soap.
  • Summarize the business of selling your soaps.

Pop into your library today and ask to find out more about Universal Class – your purse will thank you, and all the friends who receive beautiful hand made soap will also thank you.

Keep Abreast of World Events

With so much going on around the world it can sometimes be difficult to keep informed and up to date. Now we live in a ‘global’ age, events happening in far flung places have an impact on our lives here in the UK, so it has never been more vital to keep your finger on the pulse.

By using PressReader, available from your local library, you can access newspapers, magazines and articles from around the world – all for free. You can see everything from American newspapers reporting on their upcoming elections, or what Middle Eastern business magazines are discussing.

It is so easy to use, simply sign into the PressReader website or App using your library card, and select the publication you wish to read.

With publications from over 120 countries in more than 60 different languages, you get instant access to content from home, and from around the world. Ask your library about PressReader today.

Avoid Sewing Disasters!

It’s that time of year when your lovely little ones come home from school and utter those words you dread – “I need a costume for the school Halloween party.”

No need to panic! Visit Universal Class, free from your local library, and get all the information you need to become a Super Mum Sewing Queen. The Sewing 101 course is absolutely free and teaches you everything you need to know.

  • Lesson One: Sewing Basics: • Pins, Needles and Thread • Scissors for cutting, clipping and other cutting tools • The Importance of Pressing • Staying Organized
  • Lesson Two: Your Sewing Machine: • Types of Sewing Machines • Anatomy of a Sewing Machine • Bobbins and Their Problems • Maintenance
  • Lesson Three: Fabric: • Types of Fabric • Warp, Weft, Nap, Right vs. Wrong Side • Selvage • Choosing Fabric for Your Garment • Tricky Fabrics to Sew
  • Lesson Four: All About Patterns: • Choosing a Pattern • Deciphering the Pattern Envelope • Fabric Plus the Extras • Layout Deciphered
  • Lesson Five: Hand Sewing: • Threading the needle • Basting • Hemming • Buttons • Decorative Touches
  • Lesson Six: Pattern Adjustments: • Basic Pattern Fitting and Adjustments • Adjusting Tops • Adjusting Pants and Skirts • Fitting a Pattern, Muslin Mockup
  • Lesson Seven: Pattern Layout: • Pattern Preparation • Choosing the right pieces • What the markings mean • Cutting out the pattern
  • Lesson Eight: Sewing Pajamas: • Choosing Thread • Seam Allowances/Finishes • Sleeves, Gathered, or Straps • Elastic • Hems
  • Lesson Nine: Sewing an Unlined Jacket: • Preparation • Pattern Alterations • Button Loop • Collar/Lapel/Facing • Button • Hem
  • Lesson 10: Sewing a Skirt – Part 1: • Fitting Skirts • Pattern Layout • Marking • Darts
  • Lesson 11: Sewing a Skirt – Part II: • Back Vent • Center Zipper, Finishing • Waistband Facing, Interfacing • Hems Around Vents
  • Lesson 12: Sewing a Shirt or Blouse – Part I: • Pattern Markings • Interfacing • Shoulder Seams • Collar • Cuffs
  • Lesson 13: Sewing a Shirt or Blouse – Part II: • Cuffs • Buttonholes • Sleeves • Hems
  • Lesson 14: Sewing Pants – Part I: • Fitting Pants • Pattern Marking • Center Front • Inner/Outer Leg Seams • Lapped Zipper
  • Lesson 15: Sewing Pants – Part II: • Lapped Zipper • Waistband • Hem – Machine Blindstitch

So now you have no excuse, and your little one will be the Belle of Halloween.