October in Westmeath Libraries
Childrens Book Festival, sevents, stories, meetups and more. We also have a sneak peak at an exciting new project starting in Castlepollard soon.
October in Westmeath Libraries always means Children's Book Festival. This year we will have authors and storytellers in all our libraries helping to spread the joy of books and reading. Niall de Burca, Aidan Courtney, Dolores Keaveney, and Nicola Pearce will be visiting for class events, and we’ll also have storytimes, toddler groups, and monster doodles. Stay tuned to our events page for all the details.
For this month’s episode of our Westmeath Libraries podcast Caroline chatted with Niall de Burca and Aidan Courtney about their upcoming events, and what Childrens Book Festival means to them. This will be available where-ever you get your podcasts from 1st October.
Have you ever wanted to try embroidery but don’t know where to start? In October we are welcoming Rita O'Loughlin to our libraries for some workshops where she will show attendees how to upcycle their own pre-loved scarves with embroidery spirals in a reinvention of the Brat Bhride tradition.
Mullingar Library - 2nd Oct at 10am Book Here
Castlepollard Library - 2nd Oct at 2pm Book Here
Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone - 23rd Oct at 10am Book Here
Moate Library - 23rd Oct at 2pm Book Here
Well Westmeath
Finding reliable health information can often be overwhelming, with so much information available from various sources. ‘Well Westmeath’ aims to make health information easy to understand by using clear, everyday language.
These events are designed for those aged 55 and over but will be of interest to anyone seeking practical advice and tips on improving their health and wellbeing. Join us for free talks on a range of topics, including: healthy eating, mental health, local healthcare services, and more.
Book Launch in Mullingar Library - 3rd October at 6pm
We are delighted to welcome Lorraine Murphy to Mullingar Library on 3rd October as she launches her latest book “He Loves Me Not” . It tells the story of Ruth O’Donnell who is trying to navigate the world outside the sinister cult she grew up in.
The mother of three will launch her latest novel in her favourite writing place, Mullingar Library, on Thursday, October 3rd at 6pm. Introduced on the night by author Patricia Gibney, Lorraine will also have a Q&A session with the audience. Everyone is not only welcome, but encouraged, to attend.
Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone and LWETB launch their Save Our Seeds initiative
The SOS seed library is a collection of open-pollinated heirloom seeds that are available for our library members to borrow. We hope that people from throughout our local community will avail of this wonderful opportunity to sow, grow, and harvest a sustainable resource. Our expectation is that our local gardeners will borrow our seeds, plant them, harvest some seeds from their crop and then return them to the seed library. We also happily accept donations of seeds which are clearly labelled. Through this project we hope to create a self-sustaining seed bank which will act as a renewable community resource and enable participants to grow their own healthy food and learn the art of saving seed.
This fantastic project is building on the success of the LWETB’s existing PIP Programme.
We would like to thank the wonderful Friary Gardening Group and the participants of Anna Browne’s Seed Saving Workshop for helping us prepare and expand on our seed collection.
There is no charge to library members, who can borrow up to three packets from Athlone Library while stocks last.
An introduction to audio recording for historical and heritage research
Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
7th October at 1pm
The class will provide an introduction to recording audio for projects in history, heritage and the arts. It will explore the importance of recording environments, good value and easily accessible devices to capture sound, and common microphone types and placements. We will also offer guidelines on research and how to prepare and conduct interviews and field recordings.
The workshop will be hosted by professional sound engineer Jonathan Callaghan of Swell Audio: a studio whose services include Mixing, Mastering, Stem Mastering, CD/DDP creation and Audio Restoration.
Jonathan will be joined by Ian Kenneally, Historian in Residence with Westmeath County Council. Ian is manager with Pegasus Media, creators of The History Show on RTÉ Radio One.
To book a place on this free workshop please contact Athlone Library in person or on 09064-42157/athlib@westmeathcoco.ie
Development of Peatland Based Bioeconomy Demonstration Hubs
Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
15th October at 6.30pm
Dr. Emer O'Neill, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Science & Health, Technological University of the Shannon and Research Fellow at the Empower Eco Sustainability Hub, Midlands Innovation Research Centre, TUS Midlands Campus, Athlone, will be at Athlone Library to speak about the development of peatland based bioeconomy demonstration hubs,
To celebrate bioeconomy week, Dr. O'Neill will be speaking about the PeatAqua project, an aquaculture pilot trial at Mount Lucas Wind Farm.
This talk is free and all are welcome.
SPOOKY Arts and Crafts Hour!
Mullingar Library
30th October at 3pm
Join us in Mullingar Library on Wednesday October 30th form 3pm-4pm for some SPOOKY arts and crafts! Suitable for age 5 - 9 years. Booking is required and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Halloween: Story, Song & Monster Doodle
Mullingar Library
31st October at 3pm
Join us for a storytime and sing-along, from Julia Donaldson's 'Room on the Broom' followed by a Monster Doodle, in Mullingar Library from 3pm-4pm on October 31st. Suitable for ages 4-6 years. Booking required.
Yoga in Mullingar Library
This Autumn, come and join us for some free yoga sessions in Mullingar Library. There will be five independent sessions taking place in the sensory room from 10.30-11.30am on Tuesday’s October 15th, 29th, November 12th, 26th, December 10th. Come for all of them or drop in for the one or two that suit you.
Spaces are limited so registration for each session is essential - please contact Mullingar Library on (044) 933 2161 or chat with staff at the desk.
Westmeath Sports Partnership and Westmeath Libraries are delighted to be collaborating on and funding this opportunity.
Celebrate Halloween in Castlepollard
Join us at 3pm on 31st October in Castlepollard Library for a spooky film for children aged 6+. Dress up in your best halloween costume and enjoy the fun.
And don’t forget to drop in from the 21st and guess how many spiders are in the jar…
Halloween Book Clinic in Athlone
24th October, 3-4.30pm
Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Is your child stuck in a reading rut or unsure of what to read next? Then drop in to Athlone Library for them to speak to our resident book doctor! Lorna will be running a drop in clinic on for your child to get suggestions for what to read based on their interests. Suitable for ages 8 upwards.
No need to book a space, just drop in between 3 - 4.30pm with your child to pick up a book prescription!
Regular events
Book clubs, warhammer evenings, storytimes, lego free plays group meetings, crafts sessions and more happen every month in your local library. Our full listing of events is available on our website. Or on your next visit feel free to chat to staff. Remember, if you can’t find an event to suit you why not suggest one? Or set-up a group of your own? We’ll do our best to help you out.
Digital Skills sessions
Free one-to-one digital skills sessions for anyone who needs help with computers, smartphones & tablets are happening in all our libraries. No matter if you are a beginner or a more advanced user, if you have some questions you needs answering these are the sessions for you.
Moate Library - 1st, 8th, 15th. From 9.30 to 12.30pm
Call 090 6481888 or Email moatelib@westmeathcoco.ieMullingar Library - 7th & 14th October. From 9.30 to 12.30pm
Call 044 9332161 or Email mgarlib@westmeathcoco.ieCastlepollard Library - 7th, 14th & 21st October. From 2-4pm
Call : 044 9332199 or Email: cpdlib@westmeathcoco.ie
Sneak peak : expanding our Sustainability Horizons in Castlepollard Library
Westmeath Libraries are delighted to be working on special project that blends sustainability education and creative art together. Starting in October we will be hosting a number of workshops where participants can learn about topics such as composting, food waste, fast fashion, pollinators and more.
Participants will be invited to discuss the issues raised, and then combine what they have learned into art projects using recycled materials such as bananas, paper, and more into creating art.
Castlepollard Library will then hold an exhibition of the art created.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this project please contact Castlepollard Library by email cpdlib@westmeathcoco.ie - Space will be limited so get in touch today. We will update you with more details as they are finalised.