#collibraries

[cityoflondonlibraries]

It was with a heavy heart and teary eyes ("What? I've just got a bit of book dust in them!") that we said goodbye last week to our friend, colleague and City of London Libraries Tumblarian (or Mistress Of All Things Tumblr-y as I liked to call her). She is moving on to a new chapter in her library career and we wish her every success (and will miss her SO MUCH!). She was intimidatingly great at running this blog but we are going to do our best to try and fill her extremely large Tumblarian shoes! (FYI, in reality, size 7 Converse).

[cityoflondonlibraries]

BOOKS! Used and Abused: What Books Can Tell Us

We all think we know the answer to this – books are full of knowledge or stories – but have you stopped to think about how much they can tell us from the ways they’ve been used, marked, mutilated, sold or bound? Join us for a late view of our new exhibition Books: Used and Abused, at which David Pearson, author of Books as History, will build on the exhibition to explore this theme.

How deliciously booky. For more details, click.

[cityoflondonlibraries]

Hello all. This is your City of London Libraries Tumblarian, signing in not to bring the usual quality content and thoughtful commentary to which you have become accustomed (such good commentary), but to say goodbye as I leave City of London Libraries for destinations unknown (it's another library...like 20 minutes down the road).

I, as some may have cottoned onto, have had a blast running this Tumblr, but will now hand it over to my fine colleagues, who will continue to highlight the best of our libraries, whilst I return to my corner of the web, to eat chewing gum and read all the Columbo posts, and I am aaaaall out of chewing gum. 

I’m out of Columbo posts to read too if I’m honest...

Anyway, good readings to all, and remember to support your local library which exists to support you. 

[cityoflondonlibraries]

Welcome to London 1583!

This year's Cityread title is the gripping Elizabethan spy thriller Prophecy by S.J Parris, featuring maverick philosopher and heretic Giordano Bruno.

Pop into one of our lending libraries to get your paws on a copy! 

(please note Shoe Lane Library is closed until 12th April) 

[cityoflondonlibraries]

Tomorrow will be your last chance for now to pop into Guildhall Library and see old William’s first folio (good stuff, folios two to five could have done with a little more editing and fewer bear chases tho) as a part of English Tourism Week. But not to worry, what with Shakespril up ahead, no doubt there will be more on the Bard soon enough

Look at that folio. Precioussssss...

[cityoflondonlibraries]

On Tuesday 11th April, as part of this year's Cityread programme of events, Barbican Library are hosting a Play Reading Evening of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (adapted for the stage by Mike Poulton) Literature lovers are invited to join in this special evening of reading and refreshments. No acting experience is required! Dramatic parts will be drawn from a hat. Kirtle/doublet/hose/codpiece and oversized turkey drumstick optional. The event is from 6pm-9pm. Admission if free but advance booking is essential.

[cityoflondonlibraries]

DID you know that City of London Libraries are also on Goodreads? Well we are and we’re thinking of creating some book clubs for the genteel sport of online discussion of books and such. Suggestions and followers welcome!

Sadly, I was not allowed to use for an icon the version of the crest where one of the dragons is reading popular vampire romance. Much disappoint. 

Boooooks!

[cityoflondonlibraries]

#COLOUROURCOLLECTIONS

This year we are offering some dreadful additions to #colourourcollections week. Penny Dreadfuls to be exact. Print off our colouring sheet here, colour, and enjoy.

If you do colour, remember to tag us so we can see what you’ve done (fyi, there’s never enough gold marker pen for my liking, ever).