Collage workshops at Flintshire's Aura Libraries

We are delighted to be hosting some fantastic collage workshops with artist Simon Grennan across our libraries in October and November. Participants will be able to make their own exciting visual stories, using Victorian magazines and print, collage and drawing. These sessions are suitable for both adults and children (children under 12-years-old must be accompanied by an adult) and materials will all be provided on the day.

Simon Grennan has been making new animated films for a project called Drawing Blood, Drawing Poison, Drawing Fire. The animations digitally cut up and transform an 1880s book in Gladstone's Library, Hawarden.

Artist Simon Grennan.

The workshops will be held on the following dates:

Monday, October 25, 10am-noon at Flint Library

Thursday, October 28 10am-noon at Mold Library

Monday, November 15 2pm-4pm at Broughton Library

Tuesday, November 16 2pm-4pm at Connah's Quay Library

Wednesday, November 17 10am-noon at Deeside Library

Friday, November 19 10am-noon at Holywell Library

Thursday, November 25 2pm-4pm at Buckley Library

If you would like to register for one of the workshops, contact your local library or email: susannah.hill@aura.wales

Author of the Month

A few of Ian Rankin's book titles.

Our October 2021 Author of the Month is Ian Rankin, who is perhaps best known for his Inspector Rebus novels and for being one of Scotland's greatest crime writers. Many of his works are set in Edinburgh, and many have been adapted into TV series, making him one of the leading contributors to the tartan noir genre.

Whether you are discovering his books for the very first time, or revisiting some of his best known and loved titles, we have put together a small reading list to set you off on a Ian Rankin adventure! Enjoy!

Where it all began: The Flood (1986), Knots and Crosses (1987)

Inspector Rebus novels: Hide and Seek (1991), Tooth and Nail (1992)

Most recently: A Song for the Dark Times (2020)

Aura Libraries top recommendation: A Good Hanging and Other Stories (1992)

Our Back Yard

We are delighted to be hosting free outdoor taster sessions led by Our Back Yard at Connah's Quay Library in October:

Heritage & Nature Walk: Tuesday, October 12, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Practical Volunteering - Community Growing: Tuesday, October 19, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Creating wildflower areas: Tuesday, October 26, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Come along and take part in the Our Back Yard project and discover more about other training opportunities available. All sessions are free of charge – a very warm welcome to all! For more information or to book, please telephone 01978 757524 or email ourbackyard@groundworknorthwales.org.uk

Babies and Books sessions at Mold and Holywell libraries

For the past few months, we have been sharing video sessions every Friday morning on our Facebook and YouTube pages called 'Babies and Books'. These sessions have been all about lap time bonding with your baby and sharing books and rhymes, aimed at babies aged 0-18 months. In recent weeks, we have been delighted to host Babies and Books sessions in person at Mold Library, and will be continuing these sessions every Friday at 10am and 11am. There are also weekly sessions at Holywell Library every Wednesday from 2.30pm-3pm. The sessions will include extra special Bookstart resources which you will be able to order through our Select & Collect Service.

We also have the Bookstart packs available from Book Trust Cymru for you to order. These are specially created book bags for you to keep and treasure and share with your child. Baby packs are for babies aged 0-12 months and Early Years packs for children aged 18-36 months are available to order and collect from your local Aura library as part of a Select and Collect order. If you would like to order a pack, we will just need to know your name, which pack you would like to order and your preferred collection point.

If you would like more information, or would like to book a place at one of our Babies and Books sessions, please contact the library directly.

Visit us on social media to view handy information about our services and the online monthly events we host, as well as lots of book and audiobook recommendations.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading, stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!

• Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.