Libraries - news and events

On this page you can read about library news and events across the city.

In addition, view all library events in the Events Online listings to explore activities happening throughout Bristol Libraries, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

At home service to replace mobile library

The existing Bristol mobile library service will be replaced by a new expanded At home service from April 10 2012.

The new look service will be available in locations throughout the city and will mark the beginning of an initiative to better target library services to those in most need and unable to visit their local library. The existing At home service reaches over 100 local residents who have benefited from a 'to the door' service' and the expanded service will cover many parts of the city which previously had no mobile service at all, increasing the number of people able to use At home services.

Full details of the new service and how to apply for it will be available in April 2012.

Island life at Central Library

Poet, historian and journalist Donald S Murray will be at Bristol Central Library at 6.30pm on Wednesday, April 4, to talk about his work and offer a unique insight into Scottish island life and highland culture.

Originally from Lewis and now living in the Shetland Isles, Donald S Murray’s geography is reflected in his work, whether the dangerous but deeply traditional Guga Hunts on the rocky island of Sulasgeir or the remarkable and moving story of Orkney's Italian Chapel built by Prisoners of War during World War Two.

Donald will be speaking about and reading from his work during his visit to Central Library.

Tickets are free and must be booked in advance from any Bristol Library or tel. 0117 3772718.

World Book Night at Central Library

Bristol libraries is celebrating its involvement in World Book Night 2012 with a special event at Bristol Central library on Monday, April 23 2012. Central Library will be hosting a free book discussion of the Kazuo Ishiguro classic "The remains of the day", followed by a screening of the film.

Readers are invited to pick up a copy of the book before the event and then, from 6:15pm, come along to join in the discussion. The library café will be open to keep readers refreshed with hot drinks, alcoholic beverages and other light refreshments. Then, at 7:30pm, the library will be staging a special screening of the film, in the unique surroundings of the lending library. Tickets for this part of the evening cost £2 and can be purchased from any Bristol Library.

Children's library event on BBC Radio 4

Top children's poet Michael Rosen visited Bristol Central children's library on Saturday, 17 March to talk nonsense poetry with an invited audience of 150 children from three local primary schools.

Children swapped limericks and verse with the world famous poet and got to learn a little bit about the history of nonsense verse. The event was organised with the BBC as part of their 'Word of Mouth' programme.

You can listen online to the audio recording on BBCiPlayer. You'll hear the children's poems and find out more about the fascinating history of nonsense verse including poems and verse from Edward Lear, Tennyson and even Shakespeare!

Sea Mills library goes self-service

Users at Sea Mills library are now able to issue books themselves using the latest ‘self-service’ technology available at the library from Thursday, February 23, 2012.

The introduction of self-service scanners at Sea Mills Library marks the near completion of the council’s pledge to invest nearly £650,000 in local libraries. Once completed, 19 of the council’s 28 libraries will have the self-service equipment. 17 libraries to date have had the new equipment and the remaining 2 new libraries at the Junctiion 3 site in Easton and in Bishopston will receive the new technology when building work is completed, by early 2013

The introduction of self-service scanners to issue and discharge items has proved popular with library users, with records showing across all participating libraries there is an average of 86 per cent of all issues going through the self service machines. Staff have benefited too, as they are now able to focus on those customers who need extra support to fully access library services.

“We have had an excellent response to our investment in self-service technology at local libraries,” says Cllr Simon Cook, Bristol’s deputy leader and executive member for culture. “The roll-out of the self-service programme is almost complete and users are delighted with the ease of checking out and returning items. Staff have benefited too, with the chance to move away from routine tasks to working more closely with customers by responding directly to individual needs.”

Marilyn Carter, from Henbury who had previously been unsure about using the new system, said: "It’s just so convenient, I walk in, return my books and there is always somebody on hand if I have a problem."

New Bishopston library

The former Bristol North Pool is set to be converted into a new library, community health centre, pharmacy, hydrotherapy suite and housing units. The project also involves building up to 40 new apartments on the current Cheltenham Road Library site. This existing library will close when the new one opens just over half a mile away. In an innovative step we will be working with the developer Chatsworth Housing and funding the project's development phase.

It is an approach that will let long anticipated work start at the site and deliver a modern library on attractive financial terms, plus better local health facilities and increased housing.

View Cabinet report on the Bishopston Library development (pdf, 7.3 MB)