Library open days big hit for readers
Lots of interest in local facilities and services
A good level of interst given the grotty weather Craig Dennis
Three libraries in east Perthshire held community open days this month.
Culture Perth and Kinross, the new trust responsible for museum and library services across Perth and Kinross, invited members of the public to visit their local library and explore the services on offer including access to digital content, free wifi and internet surfing.
Libraries in Alyth, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus all held open days in February and were pleased with the level of interest from members of the public.
A whole day of events took place in Blairgowrie Library, on Leslie Street, last Thursday, highlighting the facility’s Bookbug Rhymetime group, the family history group which is based at the library, and children’s activities.
There were also Bookbug Rhymetime, pre-school storytelling and craft sessions for children in Coupar Angus on Friday.
Wilma Philip is the coordinator of the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Genealogy Centre, volunteers from which are available in Blairgowrie library every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm to help people research their family history.
The group was first set up around 10 years ago by the history trust and is keen to get more volunteers on board to help deal with enquiries.
Wilma said: “We organised our open day to coincide with the library’s open day this year and it as been a good afternoon.
“We receive enquiries from all over the world - a lot of people went to America, Canada and New Zealand when the mills here closed and so we have lots of requests from people about their ancestors.
“At the moment we are dealing with an enquiry from a couple in San Diageo in California. Her ancestors had a joinery business in Rattray and they are researching their history ahead of a visit here in the summer.
“We also get enquiries from lots of people from the local area as well.
“We are very fortunate to be able to use the facilities here in the library and this little corner of the library brings quite a few visitors to Blairgowrie!”
Craig Dennis from Blairgowrie Library said that the open day had been a success, with a steady stream of people through the doors throughout the day and good turnouts for the various workshops.
He said: “There has been a good level of interest which we are pleased about given the grotty weather. There was a good attendance at the Rhymetime event in the morning, the family history workshop was busy and the craft activities for children with Strathearn artist June McEwan was popular too.
“It gave us a chance to highlight the benefits of being a member of the library which include accessing free wi-fi, computers and the internet.
“Members can also tap into a huge selection of e-audio books, e-magazines, e-reference and online resources for children. There is a free library app which gives access to library information, and of course there are traditional newspapers, magazines and thousands of books.
“And we also co-ordinate book groups, author talks and signings, exhibitions and special events for children.”
For more information about Blairgowrie Library, including opening hours, call 01250 871305 or email Blairgowrielibrary@culturepk.org.uk.
For more information about Alyth Library, call 01828 632731 or email Alythlibrary@culturepk.org.uk and for Coupar Angus Library call 01250 871449 or email Couparanguslibrary@cultureok.org.uk