November 2023

In this week's episode Caroline chats to Manus about his upcoming talk on the Night of the Big Wind, and to Catherine about Books for babies, as well as all our upcoming events.
Find out more in our newsletter, or on our website www.westmeathculture.ie

What is The Westmeath Libraries podcast?

Join us for a monthly library chat. We'll talk about a variety of library related topics, from books to events, and plans for the future.

00:00:00:07 - 00:00:27:23
Speaker 1
Hello and welcome to Westmeath Libraries podcast. My name is Caroline Barry. So we have lots of things planned for November. There's several things happening in your local library. Remember, if you do want to find out more, you can always go online to w w w dot westmeath culture dot i e and find out about upcoming events or regular meetings that take place in your local library.

So at the beginning of this podcast, I'm just going to go through some of the events that are happening in a library near you. But one of the things that I want to actually bring to your attention was that this summer in July, the Minister for Rural Community and Development, Heather Humphreys, launched the new library strategy called The Library Is the Place.

Now it's a very ambitious five year strategy about how libraries can become multipurpose social and educational spaces for all members of the community to enjoy. There are 66 actions in this plan. Now, I'm not going to read all 66 of them, but I'm going to point out one, the third action that has been noted, which is to provide every library user in the country with access to a book club.

Well, Westmeath libraries have any amount of book clubs. So for example in Castlepollard, their book club meets the last Thursday of every month at 6.30. In Moate there's a book club, in Kilbeggan there's a book club it meets once a month as well. We also have an under 12 book club in Killbeggan library, and I believe in Castlepollard Library they have a teenage book club. So in Mullingar there's a book club as well on the last Thursday of every month, and Athlone also has a book club. So go online and find out when is the book club meeting in your local library? And remember, everybody is welcome. So go on to w w w dot westmeath culture dot i e.

So are you interested in knitting or crocheting? If you are there a plenty of knitting groups taking place in local libraries? So for example, over in Castlepollard the M4 women's group meet every Thursday morning from 10.30 until 12.30. And they're always open to new members. They're fantastic group. And then there's also in Moate the Knit and Natter knitting group. They meet on Mondays and they meet at 10:00 in the morning until 12 in the afternoon. And again, all of these groups are really open to new members. So whether you're a beginner or whether you're a seasoned knitter, do come along. There's also a knitting group in Kilbeggan and they meet on a Monday morning from 10.30 until 12.30.

And then if you're interested in playing cards, there's a fantastic Bridge group here in Kilbeggan Library and it's just getting more and more members there's great atmosphere. They meet every Thursday afternoon from 2.30 until 4.30 and then after the Bridge we always have the Irish group or the Ciorcal Gaeilge. So if you're interested in improving your Irish, your spoken Irish, and whether you've only a few Irish words or whether you've barely remember what you learned in school, you're more than welcome. We've got fantastically fluent speakers and we also have a retired Irish teacher who's only wonderful. So if you're interested in improving your spoken Irish, you're more than welcome to come along to Kilbeggan Library at half four on a Thursday afternoon.

Another service that Westmeath libraries provide is Advice on your Device. And really this is about being able to drop into your local library. Talk to the librarian there about our online resources. So, for example, you might not be aware that we have a fantastic app called Borrowbox that has over 30,000 fiction and nonfiction titles that you can borrow online. And we also have other resources like Find My Past.i.e if you're interested in genealogical research. We also have the British newspaper archive if you're interested in doing history projects or tracing ancestors. So we have a lot of fantastic resources. Also, we have language classes, resources. So if you're looking for advice on your device, take a look at the website because you'll find what day is best to drop in to your local library, to have a chat with your librarian about how to access all these fantastic online resources.

Now, during the month of November, there is, of course, Science Week and Athlone Library has planned a very unusual workshop. It's going to take place on the 16th of November at 10 a.m. until one at 1 p.m. and is is exploring the world of cyanotype or cyanotype, and I hope I'm pronouncing that correctly. This is a fun and creative three hour workshop where you'll be introduced to the incredible 19th century cyanotype printing technique.
It's a nontoxic alternative to photo process, and it uses sunlight or UV light to produce distinct cyan blue images. As well as going through the history of the cyanotype process you will experiment with printing different objects like glass or dried flowers or lace negatives. And the participants are encouraged to bring their own small objects with which they would like to experiment.
All the materials are supplied and everyone will go home with a unique piece of art that you have created. What a fantastic event.

Now this is free, but you do have to book. So go online and book for that workshop that's taking place on the 16th of November.

Another event that's running in Athlone Library to celebrate Science Week is a Drawing workshop, and that's going to take place on the 17th of November at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m..
Now, drawing is a key part of human creativity throughout history, and the drawing of plants, animals and people have helped us to understand the world around us. And often such illustrations helped us to understand important scientific texts. So immediately think of Leonardo da Vinci's Fantastic Diaries. This drawing class in Athlone Library is going to be with Lesley Wingfield and it will introduce participants to key drawing skills and help you to understand what your eye sees and what you need to see when you want to draw something.

All the materials are supplied in this workshop, it's for those aged 18 years and over, so it's for adults. You do have to book in, so go online to do that. And it's a one ticket per person. So we do sometimes have a waiting list on our events. So if you can't attend for whatever reason, would you please let the library new and we can inform the organizers that actually there is another space that we can generate and a space for somebody who might be able to take your place if you've booked and you can't attend.

So that sounds like an amazing workshop. 17th of November, Athlone Library at 10 a.m. in the morning until 1 p.m. in the afternoon.

So we've just had Children's Book Month. We've also, as you know, we cater for toddlers with our storytime and we're generally run loads of events for children in Westmeath libraries. And one of the really popular events that we run that children absolutely love is the Lego blockbusters free play.

Now, there's a Lego free play happening on the 18th of November in Athlone Library at 11:30 a.m. in the morning until 12.30. So you do have to book a place because they're unbelievably popular. If you can't make it, would you let the librarians know? And they can certainly notify the next group of children that want to come in to attend the free play.
So it's a fantastic opportunity for children to meet other children and for adults to meet adults, parents to meet parents. So do book your place. Go on to Westmeath culture at W W W Dot Westmeath Culture Dot ie, and book your place today.

You may not be aware that support groups can meet regularly in libraries as well. One of the support groups that meets regularly in Athlone Library is the Shine Peer Support Group, and that group meets at 1.30 in the afternoon. It is open to all those who experience mental health difficulties and the group provides a safe, confidential space for people to share their experiences. The group is facilitated by a peer facilitator who has the expertize by experience of living with mental health difficulties and as well as that has years of experience in recovery and in supporting others on their journey. So the support group, is a recovery focused space where people can discuss some of the challenges they have faced in their recovery journey, where they can share experiences, feel understood and supported by those who have had similar experiences. They share tips, share knowledge, and they share the skills that have worked for them. So that's a very interesting group.

And just to let you know, there's another group that meets regularly in Athlone Library, and that is the Alzheimer's Society Social Club. So you can access information and support when you meet up with them. They meet every second Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and there is a contact number online and if you'd like to contact the group organizer. So go on to Westmeath Culture Dot, i.e. if you need any more information on that and actually explore that site for any other groups that might be meeting in your area. And if there isn't a group there that you feel you'd like to set up a group. By all means, drop in to your local library and have a chat with your local librarian about the possibility of setting up any kind of support group that you feel might be needed in the area.

Well, I'm very lucky to be joined by my colleague here, Manus Lenihan, who is a librarian in Kilbeggan library and he's currently researching a project that he's going to give a talk about. It's very exciting. So what's the project and what's the talk about?

Manus: Thanks, Caroline. It's on the Night of the Big Wind, which was a terrible disaster that afflicted Ireland on the night of January sixth, 1839. So Little Christmas, Nollaig na mBan, this horrific hurricane level wind sweeps over Ireland, tears roofs off houses, Teslas, entire forests because hundreds of people sink ships. It was just a spectacular event.

Caroline: And I believe I mean, it sounds like a hurricane, but I believe that the talk is going to be on a national level and the national experience of the wind. But then also you got to zoom in and focus on what happened here in Kilbeggan in the environs.

Manus: Yeah, that's correct Caroline. I think the best way to convey what happened is to look just outside our own window and and what was happening in the streets right outside this library branch. So the second half of the talk, so to speak, would be on that. And we'd be looking at a poor old police officer who got lifted up by the wind to the level of the roofs got thrown back down. He survived, but he was vomiting blood afterwards to his roofing tiles, just flying around the place to his homes burned down. The distillery was smashed by the sudden flood of water off the the river.

Caroline: And I believe all the water was blown out of the canal Manus. You told me this.

Manus : Yes, indeed. That's right. Yeah. The water was literally blown out of the canal by the force of the wind, and that happened in other parts of the country as well, not just here. So, yeah, it was a night of incredible destruction. Some people thought it was the end of the world and the famine was just around the corner, so they weren't too wrong.
But anyway, it was fascinating in and of itself.

Caroline : It absolutely, absolutely sounds fantastic. So that talk is going to take place on Tuesday afternoon at 2.30 in the afternoon in Kilbeggan library on the 7th of November. And everybody is very welcome. And you don't need to book. So come along and hear our wonderful Manus here on the Night of the Big Wind.

I managed to catch up with fellow librarian Catherine Rooney over in Mullingar Library, and we had a little interview over Zoom and I chatted to Catherine about a wonderful new initiative by Westmeath Libraries, particularly targeting literacy with younger children.

Well, I'm delighted.
Now to be joined by Catherine Rooney from Mullingar Library. And Catherine is a very talented librarian over there. She sings, she reads, she runs a baby book club and she's going to talk to us about it this morning. How are you, Catherine? How you are you getting on. So tell us a bit about the baby and toddler group. When do they meet?

Catherine: Okay, the Baby Book Club meets every Friday morning in the Sensory room Mullingar library at 10 a.m.

Caroline: Oh, that's fantastic. And how many people would you get going to that?

Catherine: Well, it can vary sometimes, maybe up to maybe 12, going up to 28 maybe, sometimes sometimes more than that as well.

Caroline: And what activities do you do?

Catherine: Well, what I do is I read about three or so stories, and we also sing songs and nursery rhymes. And we sometimes do actions to the songs and the reading of the songs are for about 20 to 30 minutes. And then the parents and children can spend the rest of the time chatting and playing. So it's a social occasion with the parents and children also.

Caroline: Well, that's super. I believe that Westmeath libraries have this fantastic new initiative and they've produced a leaflet and every child in the house under four gets a fabulous book to keep for themselves. Can you tell me a bit about what this initiative?

Catherine: A leaflet it's produced by Westmeath Libraries and it shows, it shows the benefits of reading to young children, babies, and it also gives on tips on starting to read to young children, to babies. It gives information about Westmeath libraries and how the library can support parents in the development of their child's reading. The book that's being given out freely as well is it's a book called Goodnight Already and it's about Joy John and Benji Davis. And it's it's it's a lovely, colorful book. It's and it's a humorous book. So it's it's a nice book.

Caroline : It's gorgeous. It's very high quality. And that's free. So just to let everybody know that if they have any children on the house before each child and get a copy of that book, there's no limit.So if you have six children under four. Be a couple of twins thrown in. But they can all get a copy of this really beautiful book for free. And then, of course, you're running a baby and toddler group, which will also support literacy in children. It's an absolutely superb initiative. So, Catherine, thank you for joining me. When, again, is the toddler and baby group in Mullingar?

Catherine : And it's this this Friday morning, Friday morning at 10 a.m. And you don't need to register. Just come along. Yeah. Thank you, Caroline. Thank you.

Caroline : And just to be clear that the book called Good Night Already, which is beautifully illustrated, lovely, high quality book, is available in every library in Westmeath. So it's a county wide initiative, so you can walk in to your local library and ask, can you have a copy of Good Night Already for your child? And also to let you know that there are several baby and toddler groups throughout the county and in libraries throughout the county.
Castlepollard has has one, and Mullingar and Athlone too. All you need to do is go online to w w w dot Westmeath culture dot i e to see when your local toddler group meets. Well, that's it for me. That's the month of November and what's happening in Westmeath libraries and a brief overview of the wonderful initiatives that the library is engaged in.

I look forward to telling what's happening in December and leading up to Christmas, so join me next month for next month's Westmeath Libraries's podcast. Thank you and goodbye.