Fiona – Friends of Batley Library

Harry Potter Day – Sunday 10th February 2019

24th February 2019 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

Magic was afoot at the library on the 10th February in a belated Harry Potter Book Night celebration. Muggles were arriving at the library only to suddenly remember they’d left the stove on, so only witches and wizards took part in the magical classes happening inside.

On arrival the children were sorted into houses by the ancient sorting ceremony and then sent on their way to learn wizardry. Wand making, Herbology, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures and a special class on owls were all on the curriculum. Fun was had and a lot was learned before it was time for a glass of Butterbeer and a chocolate frog in the ~~main library~~ Great Hall.

With that, it was time to go home. The house elves cleared up all evidence of any magical goings, the anti-muggle protection spells were all removed and the library reopened the following day as if nothing had happened.

Book Sales

31st January 2019 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

For the past few years we have been holding occasional book sales, selling off a mixture of donated books and ex-library stock to raise funds for The Friends of Batley Library. In 2019 we aim to make these sales a monthly event so we can help support the library even more!

Customers browsing our selection of books.

Some things we have done with the money raised so far:

Christmas presents for the children attending our Christmas Party.
Our extremely popular slime workshops.
Real life owls for the Harry Potter event!
Prizes for ‘Design a Christmas Jumper’ competition.

Things get added to our sale all the time, so come along every month and see what’s new! Everything’s only 20p (except for the £1 Ordnance Survey maps and a selection of reference books for £1) and our next sale will be on the 15th and 16th February.

Christmas Party 2018

29th December 2018 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

On Saturday 22nd December the library opened early for a few select guests for games, food, singing and fun! There was even a very special visitor who parked his reindeer outside and came in to chat with the children.

Malcolm Haigh – This Is Your Life!

16th August 2018 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

On Wednesday 1st August we celebrated the life of local historian, and Friends member, Malcolm Haigh in a special event at the library. 2018 sees the 40th anniversary of Malcolm’s book A History of Batley 1800 – 1974 and we decided that Yorkshire Day was the perfect day to celebrate. Unbeknownst to Malcolm!

With the help of the Batley Local History Group and Malcolm’s friends and family we organised a ‘This is Your Life’ event for him, where people came together to share their memories of Malcolm and what makes him so special. At the end he was presented with a painting, by local artist and Friends member Steve McGrath, a cake by Nix Catering and Cakes and, of course, a big red book!

Summer Reading Challenge 2018

14th July 2018 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

The Summer Reading Challenge is here once again, and this year the theme is Mischief Makers! This year we’re headed to Beanotown to help Dennis the Menace and friends find a hidden treasure chest full of pranks.

Joining in with the fun is easy. Step one: be a child aged 4-11 (sorry grown ups!) step two: read six books over the summer holidays. For every two books you read, you will receive a reward pack with special prizes and clues to the location of the buried treasure. When you return your sixth and final book, you will be rewarded with a certificate and a shiny medal! Step three: wear your medal with pride!

The challenge starts today (14th July) and you have until the 15th September to complete it. So what are you waiting for? Get down to the library and read your first two books now!

Women’s Peace Blanket

24th June 2018 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

At the moment, Batley Library is very proud to be hosting The Women’s Peace Blanket, a piece of art inspired by the life of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, who was killed in 2016. The blanket is the creation of artist Di Hewitt and was put together by women, mainly in the Stockton area. The aim was to bring women from different communities together to create something beautiful.

It’s display in Batley Library is the first time that the blanket has been on display outside of Stockton and we are honoured to have it.

Harry Potter Night – 23rd October 2017

30th October 2017 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

The Harry Potter night organised by The Friends of Batley library on the 23rd October was a great success. Over 50 children & adults attended the event in fancy dress. It started with a sorting ceremony where the children were put in to Hogwarts houses then everyone took part in various activities including a potions class, crafts and meeting real owls. The library had it’s own version of Diagon alley where you could visit Gringotts Bank, Ollivanders and Flourish & Blotts.

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Animal Agents Summer Reading Challenge 2017

30th August 2017 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

This summer we have been encouraging children to take part in the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. This year the theme was ‘Animal Agents’ and to celebrate we hosted a selection of our furry friends at the library!

There is still time to get involved before the summer holidays end, so if you’d like to take part all you need to do is return two books to the library and ask to join the Summer Reading Challenge. Finish six books and you will win a medal and a certificate!

Easter Holiday Events

6th April 2017 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

The Easter holidays are nearly upon us and there is TONS of stuff going on at Batley Library over the next fortnight. Here’s your handy day-by-day guide.

Monday 10th April

The calm before the storm. We’re open as normal for all the regular library activities.

Tuesday 11th April

Try it Tuesday – The first of our new monthly Tuesday sessions. Each session will contain something completely different, so come on down and give something new a try! Runs 1:30pm to 3:30pm on the first Tuesday of every month. Aimed at adults.
Rap with Rappaman! – Rappaman, aka Donavan Christopher, will be performing a selection of his poetry and hosting a workshop to inspire young writers to write their own poems. 2pm – 3:30pm, book tickets through the Pageturners Festival website. Suitable for ages 8+

Wednesday 12th April

Modern Sculptures (plaster/modroc figures) – The Creative Arts Hub will be running this all day session where children will be encouraged to build their own sculptures. 10am – 3pm, children are asked to bring a packed lunch. Book your tickets here. Suitable for 8-12 year olds.

Thursday 13 April

Primitive Coil Pots – The Creative Arts Hub will be running this all day session where children will be encouraged to build their own coil pots. 10am – 3pm, children are asked to bring a packed lunch. Book your tickets here. Suitable for 8-12 year olds.
Be a Hero! With Steve Skidmore – Steve will be talking about all things heroic, be prepared to join in! 11am – noon, book tickets through the Pageturners Festival website. Suitable for ages 7-12.

Friday 14th April – Library Closed for Good Friday

Saturday 15th April

Code Club – our weekly session designed to encourage children to learn to code. 10:45am-11:45am. Suitable for 8-12 year olds.

Monday 17th April – Library Closed for Easter Monday

Tuesday 18th April

The Search for Wonder – a family workshop based around music run by the 154 Collective. 10am-noon. Suitable for ages 4-10, places are limited to 15 (including any supervisory adults) so book now!

Wednesday 19th April

Modern Sculptures (Moore and Hepworth) – The Creative Arts Hub will be running this all day session where children will be encouraged to build their own sculptures. 10am – 3pm, children are asked to bring a packed lunch. Book your tickets here. Suitable for 8-12 year olds.

Saturday 22nd April

Art Workshop with the Children’s Art School – join them to work together on a large scale art project, and make a mask to take home. 10am – noon, book tickets through the Pageturners Festival website. Suitable for all ages.
Code Club – our weekly session designed to encourage children to learn to code. 10:45am-11:45am. Suitable for 8-12 year olds.
Lego Club – our fortnightly Lego Club. No need to book, just show up! 2pm – 3:30pm.

Love Batley Event 10th February 2017

11th February 2017 Fiona Comments 0 Comment

Friday 10th February saw our ‘Love Batley’ Event featuring a short film made by Simon Roadnight, Chair of the Friends of Batley Library Committee, where local residents extol the virtues of our town. The film is now available, in full, on Youtube.

The film was preceded by a talk from local military historian John Rumsby about two lovers during World War One, based on their old letters he found in an attic in Huddersfield. John told the story of Henry Coulter, a young tramways clerk who enlisted in 1915, and his lover Lucy Townend. As we discovered, their letters gave no real insight into the war or other military details, but they did give us a look into the hopes and dreams of two young people during this period.

If you have any ideas for events that the library could host, or talks you think we might be interested in, feel free to contact us with your suggestions, we would be interested to hear them!