World Poetry Day 21 March 2013
Children's poetry competition winners and runners up
To celebrate World Poetry Day Merton Libraries recently launched a poetry competition asking children aged 5-11 to write about their favourite place in Merton and submit their poems to their local Merton Library.
The competition was split into two categories; ages 5-7 and ages 8-11, with entries in with a chance to win a prize and see their poems published.
The competition had a good response across all libraries with 48 poems submitted in total. Favourite places written about included, Morden Hall Park, Deen City Farm, Morden Swimming Pool, Wimbledon Common, the Library, the River Wandle and many more.
Congratulations to winners and runners up Dennis Jitaru aged 6 (winner), Aaron Amer aged 8, (winner), Keeleigh Barton aged 9 (runner up) and Eleanor Hetherington aged 6 (runner up).
Winning Poems
The place I mostly like is where I ride my bike.
I take my dog for a walk, play with other kids and talk.
We jump and scream and sing or throw a frisbee ring.
Some dogs run and bark you guessed it, its a park
Dennis Jitaru, aged 6 from Malmesbury Primary School
Deen City Farm
Deen City Farm is a fun place to go, you can go in the summer but never in the snow.
The chickens come first in different shapes and sizes, but be warned when you try and feed them they don't like surprises.
Next we see the birds, singing their favourite song, tweet tweet here, tweet tweet all day long.
Now here come the pigs, big, bold and proud, sitting in the mud, touch we're not allowed.
The day is nearly over and the sun is set to calm
I had a wonderful day at Deen City Farm.
Aaron Amer, aged 8 from Malmesbury Primary School
Runners Up Poems
Wimbledon Common
Trees blowing golden leaves as I walk across the common
Twigs scattered by bushes as I look for Wombles
Horses trotting lightly as I run across the common
Sun sparkling on the lake as I pause to get my breath
Mud flying from puddles as I peddle across the common
My tummy rumbling wanting to get to the cafe
Snow falling lightly as I sledge across the common
My blue sledge sliding down a slippery hill
Whee!!!
Eleanor Hetherington, age 6 from Wimbledon
My favourite place of all is Morden Swimming Pool
When I swim I feel free, it's a lovely place to be
Swimming all around, I try not to make a sound
I have lots of lovely thoughts, I practice doing lots of somersaults
I think i'm in a gigantic ocean, life passes by in slow motion
Tom Daley is the best diver, I need to practice and not be a skiver
One day I will be an Olympic winner and celebrate with chocolate for my dinner.
Keeleigh Barton, Age 9 Malmesbury Primary School
Merton's libraries are always with you
13 February 2013
We are now making it even easier for customers to access a whole range of services around the clock after the launch of new technology initiatives.
In recent months we have successfully rolled out email pre-notifications for overdue books and an automated 24/7 renewal and enquiry line and customers now have access to over 20,000 titles in electronic formats available as either e-books or e-magazines. These e-resources can be viewed on e-readers, phones, and computers and can be borrowed with the added benefit of never having to incur any library fines. On top of this customers have access to a range of
e-encyclopaedias and study materials available for a variety different interests and levels.
For access to our full range of e-resources visit our eLibrary under Reading and Books.
Library Opening Hours over Easter
All Merton Libraries will be closed on Good Friday 29 March, Saturday 30 March and Easter Monday 1 April 2013. Normal opening hours will resume from Tuesday 2 April 2013.
Public Library User Survey 2012
19-24 November
Library users will be asked what they think about library services in Merton by completing thePublic Library User Survey (PLUS) from 19-24 November.
Focussing on services for adults, this year's survey aims to find out how users rate their local library. The survey will give library users aged 16 or over the opportunity to give their opinion on library opening hours, customer services, book stock and information services.
As well as being able to give feedback which will help inform the council on future development of library services, participants will have the opportunity to get involved in a range of events and to complete a prize entry slip for a chance to winshopping vouchers.
We would like to hear from you so visit your library and take the chance to tell us what you think!
Follow Merton Libraries on Facebook
You can now keep up to date with all the latest news in your local library by following Merton Libraries on Facebook. Every month from August to October all Merton Library Facebook followers will be entered into a draw with a chance to win ten free DVD rentals.
Be the first to know what's on in your local library. Like Merton Libraries on Facebook!
Story Lab proves to be a real hit at Merton Libraries
This years Summer Reading Challenge themed Story Lab has got off to a great start with over 2500 children aged four to eleven years signing up. With four weeks to go its not too late to join in the fun!
Just register at any Merton library and read at least six books before before Saturday 8 September and you will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win many great prizes including £100 worth of toy store vouchers, cinema tickets and the chance to be a young farmer for the day. All participants will receive rewards as they work their way through the challenge with completers receiving a certificate and "Story Lab" medal.
Don't miss out, join in the sumer fun at your local library.
@ The Library launches today
Merton Libraries has launched its e-newsletter @The Library. The newsletter is designed to provide you with up to date information on all that is happening in your library. The first edition has a feature on service developments in all libraries including the launch of wifi, e-books and pre overdue notifications. You will find highlights of some of the many fantastic forthcoming events as well as information on some of the new books and DVDs available to borrow. To subscribe to @ The Library or to read the first edition, please see http://librarynews.merton.gov.uk
WordWell
Write, share, enjoy yourself through a series of free creative writing workshops delivered by Wordwell:
Monday 24 September, 2pm - 3.30pm at Wimbledon Library
Monday 1 October, 2pm - 3.30pm at West Barnes Library
Monday 8 October, 2pm - 3.30pm at Donald Hope Library
Monday 15 October, 2pm - 3.30pm at Wimbledon Library
Summer Reading comes to Merton Libraries
Join Story Lab and let your imagination run wild tackling the Summer Reading Challenge 2012 in Merton Libraries. It's fun and free with many fantastic prizes up for grabs!
All those aged 11 years and under can join in the fun. Just sign up at any Merton Library on or after Saturday 14 July and read six different books during the school holidays and as you work your way through the challenge you will receive various rewards. Complete the challenge and you will be entered into a draw to win £100 toy store vouchers, cinema tickets, the chance to be a young farmer for the day and so much more.
Don't miss out on this year's challenge and the many Story Lab activities taking place in all Merton Libraries throughout the summer.
Merton Library Service honours volunteers
A special awards ceremony to honour volunteers in Merton Libraries was held on 28 June in partnership with Volunteer Centre Merton.
The event held at Morden Library, awarded people for outstanding contribution such as Walid Kronfol who volunteered over 1000 hours and Priyanka Kichkar for volunteer of the year. Other categories included volunteer team success of the year and special recognition for excellence.
Head of Libraries Anthony Hopkins and Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Bowcott were on hand to present certificates and congratulate those who were winners on he night.
Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper who closed the ceremony with a speech said: “Our very loyal and hardworking volunteers have transformed Merton’s libraries over the past four years, and they are the key to wonderful possibilities for the future. This was recognised by the Team London Award they won this year, and the ceremony was a small token of Merton Council’s appreciation.”
Walid Kronfol winner for highest number of hours volunteered said: “I thought the celebration event was superb and I enjoyed meeting volunteers from other Libraries. I had a great time and was really proud to win my awards. I appreciated that my work at Raynes Park Library and other volunteers at other Libraries were recognised.”
Volunteer of the year Priyanka Jichkar said: “I was delighted and couldn’t believe that I won the Volunteer of the Year Award! I love volunteering at Donald Hope Library and I have leant and developed a number of new skills through my volunteering role! I really enjoyed the celebration event and was overwhelmed with meeting all of the other amazing volunteers!”
Pollards Hill Library celebrates project success
Pollards Hill Library hosted a special event to celebrate greater membership levels and customer satisfaction than ever before thanks to the success of its Big Lottery funded project.
The Mayor of Merton formally thanked everyone involved in the project and cut a celebratory cake at the event held in the library on 30 March from 12.00 to 2.00pm.
Since reopening its doors in August 2009 following the council's successful bid for £958,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, the library has seen an increase of 126% in its active membership. It has also successfully recruited an army of 150 volunteers and has a wide programme of activities, offering something for everyone.
Mayor of Merton, Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender, said: "Pollards Hill Library, along with all our libraries in the borough, is a great success story. Our libraries offer a wide programme of activities to bring the community together, and provide many opportunities for residents to make new discoveries and enrich their learning."
Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton, said: "Pollards Hill is what a modern library should be, with a growing team of volunteers and strong partnerships with local organisations within our community. This has helped make the library such a success since its re-opening - and the Big Lottery Fund has helped make it all possible."
In a recent survey of 350 Pollards Hill residents, 97% of the respondents agreed the library was a valuable part of the community. For more information on the wide range of services on offer please visit the Pollards Hill Library website.
Merton libraries come top in UK LGC awards
Merton Council’s library service has come top in the UK at the prestigious Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards.
Merton’s cabinet member for community and culture Councillor Martin Whelton along with the council’s head of library services Anthony Hopkins were presented for the award for Efficiency on Wednesday 14 March.
In presenting the award, the LGC recognises the borough’s successful work with volunteers and partner organisations, extending library opening times and broadening the services Merton’s libraries offer. Also praised was the council’s use of new self-service technology to benefit library users.Along with increased customer satisfaction, the award also recognised the efficiency of the service, including the 40% savings which have been made over the last five years.
Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton, said: "We are very proud of our library services, and it is great to get the recognition of all our achievements in this area – especially as ours was the only library service in the UK to win an award. We know the value of a good library service to our residents.
Our army of over 450 volunteers is the biggest of its kind in any London borough, contributing over 17,600 hours of their valuable time since last April to helping provide this fantastic service. This award is largely attributable to the hard work of our library staff who have embraced change and provide excellent customer care."
LGC editor Emma Maier said of the award winners: "It is testament to the spirit, determination and commitment of local government, and the people who work in it, that despite this enormously challenging time, you have continued to innovate and achieve."
Take part in the Get Britain Reading campaign at Merton Libraries
Have you pledged to read for ten minutes every day as part of the Daybreak's Get Britain Reading campaign?
You can access a wide range of books, courses and activities to support your reading at your local library.
Visit and use your library card to borrow books this month and each time you will be entered into a prize draw with a chance of winning one of many fabulous prizes* including:
Annual gym membership sponsored by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL)
A meal for two with a complimentary bottle of wine sponsored by The Terrace Wimbledon
A Caribbean body massage sponsored by Radiance Health and Beauty
A children’s party including a show and party games sponsored by the Travelling Interactive Theatre for Children (TITCH)
A ten week adult education course: sponsored by Merton Adult Education
Theatre tickets to the Moscow State Circus sponsored by The New Wimbledon Theatre
Family Theatre tickets sponsored by the Polka Theatre
Tickets for a night at the Dogs by Love sponsored by the Dogs Greyhound Stadium
Annual membership and cinema tickets sponsored by HMV Curzon.
Don’t miss out! Visit and use your local library today.*Terms and conditions apply.
Merton Libraries goes live with pre-overdue email notifications
All customers with a valid email address registered on their library account will now receive emails reminding them to either renew or return items two days prior to the items going overdue.
This new service will help customers avoid incurring fines on their account for returning borrowed items after the due by date.
Pre-overdue reminders will only be sent out by email. To take advantage of this new service, please speak to a staff member at any Merton Library about signing up to receive free email notifications. For further information email library.enquiries@merton.gov.uk.
Every month from August to October, all Merton Library Facebook followers will be entered into a draw with a chance to win ten free DVD rentals.
