A rainy day in Stromness

It is not the nicest of days in Stromness today, though when the sun shines off the wet street it is kind of bonny.

If you are looking for something to do to keep out of the weather today then you are in luck - as you are just in time to catch the final day of the exhibition 'An Island Gateway', which is on show upstairs in our exhibition room.

Featuring works by local artists John Cumming, Diana Leslie and Rik Hammond, and participants of the community workshops, along with poetry by Morag MacInnes, the exhibition explores the unique identity of Stromness through its architecture and heritage. Further work from the project is also on display in the newly refurbished former Commercial Hotel in Victoria Street, which will be open today from 10am- 2pm for folk to view the building and art work, along with details of the upcoming Stromness website and information about other council projects.

http://www.orkney.gov.uk/OIC-News/commercial-hotel-to-open-to-the-public.htm

The refurbishment of the Commercial Hotel is part of the Stromness Townscape Heritage Initiative, which has seen many buildings along the street being renovated and restored. This project, and the exhibition, have been supported by Orkney Islands Council, Historic Scotland, The National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund, Awards for All Scotland, and the European Regional Development Fund.

Internet Access

picture courtesy of  http://cynfulcreationscanada.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/intermittent-internet-access.html 

Well the good news is, we are getting a shiny new  upgrade to our computer system next week -  the bad news is, this means there will be no internet access available for two days.

The dates for your diary are Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th September, when there will be no internet access available in either Stromness or Kirkwall Libraries. The WiFi connection will not be affected. 

Apologies for any inconvenience this disruption to our usual service may cause. Please don't worry though, you can still come and see us and we'll lend you some books instead! 

Stromness Spirit of the Sea

The Orkney International Science Festival may be finishing today but tomorrow sees the first day of a brand new three day series of events, activities and performances here in Stromness.

Stromness Spirit of the Sea aims to celebrate the past, present and future maritime heritage of Stromness, and will have events covering all aspects of this relationship -  including guided sea tours and heritage town walks, sea legends, music and song, arts and crafts,children's workshops, and the chance to taste fresh local food and drink.

Programmes detailing the events are available in Stromness from John Rae Newsagents, Visit Orkney, and Stromness Museum; and from Orkney Television Enterprise, Broad Street, Kirkwall. Tickets for the events are available from John Rae Newsagent in Stromness, OTE in Kirkwall or can be reserved via the website. 
The events open tomorrow (Thursday 13th September) at the South Pier, with music from Celtic/Scottish folk band Barluath at 10am, followed by the welcome address by Howie Firth at 10.30am.

Looking at the forecast for gale force winds over the next few days it seems that visitors to the events may also get to see Stromness' relationship with the sea at its most spirited! So if you find yourself seeking shelter between events then pop in to the library where we have a range of books about Orkney's maritime heritage, including the wonderful photographic record of Stromness published in 1992, Sea Haven: Stromness in the Orkney Islands by Bryce Wilson and Keith Allardyce.

Bernard MacLaverty and Ron Pretty

Stromness is a hotbed of literary activity this week with two readings by visiting authors over the next two days!

Tonight (Wednesday 5th September) Bernard MacLaverty will give a reading in the Pier Arts Centre at 7.30pm - tickets at the door.

Author of  five collections of short stories and four novels, Bernard MacLaverty has also written versions of his fiction for other media - radio plays, television plays, screenplays. Recently he wrote and directed a short film 'Bye-Child'.

After living for a time in Edinburgh and the Isle of Islay he now lives in Glasgow where he is Visiting Writer/Professor at the University of Strathclyde. He is also employed as a teacher of creative writing on a postgraduate course in prose fiction run by the Research Institute of  Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen.

Then tomorrow evening (Thursday 6th September) acclaimed Australian poet Ron Pretty will give a reading here, in the exhibition room of the Stromness Library, at 7.30pm.

Ron Pretty has published seven books of poetry, the most recent being Postcards from the Centre(July 2010) . He won the NSW Premier’s Special Prize for services to literature in 2001 and received an AM for services to Australian literature in 2002.

This event is supported by the Orkney Library and Archive and The George Mackay Brown Fellowship, entry is free but donations are invited to cover costs.

Orkney Digital Library

We may be the oldest library in Scotland, but Orkney Library and Archive has never been afraid to embrace modern ideas, and use technology to overcome the challenges of delivering a first rate library services to all its members accross the islands.

So it was only a matter of time before we found a way to offer our readers the latest way of accessing books via digital downloads of ebooks and audiobooks. Now you  browse our online digital catalogue from the comfort of your armchair and use your library card to download your choice of ebook or audiobook onto your computer -  from which you can transfer it to a variety of mobile devices, including iPods, iPads and e-readers.

Now that really is a Home Library Service when you can choose your books wearing your pyjamas with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit in hand!

Holidays and Hedgehogs

Well, with the Shows over, the Community Learning Course Guide out, and the nights fair drawing in, winter can't be far away -  and so our thoughts turn to the books which will ease the passing of the dark winter evenings ahead of us.

If you would like some inspiration for your winter reading, and would like the chance to meet other book lovers to engage in lively debate over a hot beverage, then you'll be delighted to know the Stromness Library Reading Group will restart next Wednesday 22nd August.

Please note the change of date, we usually meet on the last Wednesday of the month but for this first meeting we will meet a week early due to staff holidays (no exotic destinations for us, a trip to Birsay for some sandcastle building and a Mr Whippy and we'll be happy).

Our first title is The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and there are still a couple of copies available from the library if anyone would like the chance to read it before the meeting. New members are always very welcome, we meet from 7-8pm in the Exhibition Room and, as previously mentioned, a range of hot beverages are available.

Story Lab Treasure Hunt

Just a reminder that you still have a couple of days left to complete this year's Summer Reading Challenge and collect your Story Lab stickers.

All those who successfully complete the challenge will be eligible to take part in a Treasure Hunt, on Saturday 18th August at the Orkney Library in Kirkwall. You can take part anytime between 9.15am and 5pm, so come along and crack the code to collect your award.

If you can't make it along on Saturday but have successfully completed the challenge please let us know and we will arrange to get your award to you.