Loads on at the Library in October

The Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall will be a hive of activity this October as they join in national Libraries Week and Fun Palaces celebrations.

This Saturday 5 October, it's 'Fun Palaces' day in the library from 10:00 to 16:00. Fun Palaces is a national movement aimed at putting community at the heart of culture through low cost, local level events. There are over 23 activities to choose from, kindly supported by local people sharing their time and skills - from cartoon drawing to machine sewing, Lego to kickboxing. St Colm's 'Wood be Good' Cafe will be there with teas, coffees, juice and home-bakes for sale. All activities are free and all are welcome. Check the Orkney Library and Archive Facebook page for more details.

Then, from next Monday (7 October) it is Libraries Week. The theme this year is celebrating libraries in a digital world.

• The Library will be showcasing the digital resources available at the Library including eBook apps, Freegal music, free Wi-Fi and computer access. Staff can help folk get started using a computer, setting up an email account etc.
• The Council's Learning Link team will visit on Tuesday 9:30 to 12:00 and on Wednesday 9 October from 12:00 – 16:00. They will be showcasing their one-to-one and group tuition sessions aimed at helping folk with basic skills including maths, letter writing, computer skills, CV writing.
• On Thursday 10 October, Skills Development Scotland (‘SDS’) will be in from 10:00 to 12:00 showcasing their resources which support individuals to build their career management and employability skills throughout their career journey, from school, into further learning opportunities and employment.
• Also on Thursday 10 October from 19:00, Donald S. Murray will be talking about the Iolaire Disaster - a naval yacht carrying sailors returning home from WWI which sank as it approached Stornoway in the Western Isles, with the loss of 200 lives. He will also talk about his novel based on the event, 'The Women Lay Dreaming'.

Keep an eye on the Library's Facebook page for updates and reminders on each of these events.