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Yesterday was Keep the Heid, Scotland's Reading Moment - organised by the Scottish Library & Information Council and promoted in public libraries across Scotland. After the hugely successful day, where the target pledge was smashed by readers signing up to dedicate 6 minutes to reading and enjoy the health and well-being benefits of that time spent between the pages of a good book, our E-Services Librarian Chris Wilson is joined by Marion Kunderan from the Scottish Library & Information Council to find out more about the initiative. We've also got updates at the end from various staff members about how they spent their 6 minutes and why it was important to them to pledge to Keep the Heid. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.

For World Book Night our Librarian from Coatbridge Library, Thomas Clark, created a quiz for an event. We decided to bring a shortened version to our podcast and have Thomas challenge our E-Service Librarian, Chris Wilson and Librarian at Airdrie Library, Drew Feeney to test their literary knowledge. It gives you the chance to take them on too. So feel free to try and answer the questions as you listen and share your scores with us on social media. The quiz covers everything from poetry, to classics and modern literature. Get the scorecards ready and take on the challenge. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.

For our new episode of the For the Love of Books podcast, our host and E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, is joined by a very special guest - Scottish crime author Emma Christie. Emma exploded onto the scene with her debut novel The Silent Daughter which was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize and the Bloody Scotland Debut of the Year. A major feature of the book is a fantastic twist in the tale. This trait continues with her new novel Find Her First which is equally as readable and enjoyable. Find out more about the books, Emma herself and what the future might hold for her writing and characters. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too.

Other than Librarians, Book Bloggers are probably the next closest group of people to so publicly display their love of books. We decided to invite two of the best local Book Bloggers onto our podcast to get their experience in the blogging world. Chris Wilson, our E-Services Librarian is joined in this episode by Gordon from Grab This Book and Sharon from Chapter In My Life. Both have great experiences that have come from sharing their passion for books and reading also have some fantastic tips for anyone looking to start their own blog. One thing you are guaranteed when chatting with Book Bloggers is some great recommended reads - so listen out for some titles to add to your To-Read Pile.   Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. On podcast platforms that allow ratings, we'd always appreciate a rating too. 

Our podcast this week takes a little step away from books (although there is still a mention in there) to have a look at some of the recent work from our LogintoLearn team with raising awareness to scams and staying safe online. The E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, is joined in this episode by Ekaterine Tsurtsumia, our Digital Assistant at Cumbernauld Library and Phyllis Canavan, our Digital Learning Officer from Cumbernauld Library too. We get to find out more about the recent sessions the pair have hosted both online and in-person highlighting the scale of the scam problems in society, how to watch out for them and importantly what to do if you fall victim to one.  There is some great advice for anyone worried about relatives who could be more at risk from being targeted. We round things off by coming back to books with a few recent reads and recommendations for our listeners to check out. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on the podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

To celebrate World Book Day, our E-Services Librarian - Chris Wilson challenged some of our staff to tell us about their favourite children's books. There turned out to be a great spread of books with their own childhood classics, ones they've enjoyed reading time and time again, new picture books to check out and even a top YA title. Listen in to find out more. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on the podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Which everyone knows is the perfect time for reading. In this episode of our podcast - the final in this series (don't worry, we'll be back!), Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian catches up with Judy McGuire and Drew Feeney from Airdrie Library. Winter is in the air, everyone can feel the Christmas spirit rising and Judy and Drew recently organised our Winterfest at Summerlee Museum. If that wasn't enough they are also the stars of our Winter's Tales video series on YouTube - reading short stories or extracts from well-known winter stories.  They seemed like the perfect pair to get on the podcast in the lead up to Santa's big visit to find out what would make a great bookish present, what kids books are big hits this Christmas and we find out what they are both hoping to find under the tree on Christmas morning.  Don't forget you can leave us feedback on the podcast using #FLBpodcast or by emailing librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. 

Did you know that inside Airdrie Library there is an Observatory? Our friends at the Airdrie Astronomical Association help to run the Observatory and two of their members, William Tennant and Richard Shaw join Chris, our E-Services Librarian on this episode to tell us more. The pair discuss what is happening with the Observatory and the club in the current Covid-19 climate and also chat about some of the most exciting happenings recently in astronomy and give us some fantastic scientific book recommendations too. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

It's Book Week Scotland! To celebrate, Chris - our E-Services Librarian is joined on our podcast by Carole Johnstone, author of Mirrorland - a smash hit new debut novel. Carole tells us all about her start in creative writing with short stories, her love for all things Stephen King, the fantastic psychological thriller she has written, and how exciting it was for Stephen King to be one of its growing number of fans. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

We're very excited about our new For the Love of Books podcast episode. There is sometimes a book that comes out that book lovers everywhere start to have a buzz about. It wins awards, it's reviewed everywhere and everyone who has read it recommends it. Last year, that book was Scabby Queen by the fantastic Kirstin Innes. Our E-Services Librarian, Chris, was lucky enough to catch up with Kirstin to find out more about the book and discover more about her debut novel Fishnet and forthcoming book Brickwork: A Biography of the Arches. There's even a little bit of an essential Arches throwback playlist in there too. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

For this week's episode of the For the Love of Books Podcast, our E-Services Librarian Chris is joined by two of North Lanarkshire's Library Resource Centre Managers aka School Librarians. We chat about what is popular in school libraries with teens, get some fantastic book recommendations by the School Librarians, and we think back to our youth and what we read at the time. You can also hear a little update of our service too. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

To celebrate Libraries Week and to discuss his new book - Darkness Falls, our E-Services Librarian Chris is joined by Scottish crime writer Alex Knight. You might know him better as Mason Cross, creator of the Carter Blake series. In this episode, Alex chats about his new book Darkness Falls, the importance of libraries to him and also gives us an update on a fun personal running challenge he's given himself. There's also a little update from us on the return of reservations to our service and even more hours recovered. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

With Black History Month coming next month, we thought we'd try to encourage people to tick off the Great Bookish Menu category 'Read a work of fiction by a BAME author' to round off the challenge. In this episode of the podcast, Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian explains a little more about the challenge and gets a couple of book recommendations from Alison Walsh - our Customer Services Librarian at Coatbridge Library, and Hilary Petrie - our Open Learning Officer at Motherwell Library. We also update you on a few exciting developments with our service in recent weeks including increased opening hours, more libraries reopening and in-person activities returning. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. You can also send us a short sound clip to the same email address with your name, a book recommendation and why you recommend it. These clips maybe used in future episodes.

With Adult Learners' Week on the horizon, we decided to take a break from chatting about books and instead had a chat about family history. Chris Wilson - our E-Services Librarian, is joined by Liz Sharp and Evelyn Hutchison - two of our Open Learning Officers and our resident family history experts to give you some top tips and hints on how to start or continue your journey into discovering your own past with family history research. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. You can also send us a short sound clip to the same email address with your name, a book recommendation and why you recommend it. These clips may be used in future episodes.

It's always interesting to see what is popular with our library members, and this last year, in particular, piqued our interest. With the libraries being closed for a long spell, we wanted to find what people were desperate to get their hands on after such a large break. Our E-Services Librarian, Chris Wilson, is joined by Alison Walsh - our Customer Services Librarian from Coatbridge Library, and Hilary Petrie, our Open Learning Officer from Motherwell Library as we deep dive into the stats revealed from our book issues. Will you be surprised by the Top 10 books issued in our libraries this year? Who will feature in our Top 5 authors of 2021 so far? There's only one way to find out. Grab the earphones and listen to our latest episode. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. If you've read a book recently that you'd tell everyone about and would like to feature in the podcast, record a short sound clip and email it to librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk. Feel free to include your name and where you're from and you could hear your book recommendation in future episodes.

Our podcast is back for Season 4 and we're kicking off with a celebration of most of our libraries now being reopened. Joining Chris Wilson, our E-Services Librarian, are Russell Brown - the Digital & Support Services Manager aka Boss and Drew Feeney - our Librarian at Airdrie Library. They discuss the challenges of getting the library service back up and running and look to a hopeful future of when our regular group activities will make a return. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast on Twitter or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

For our season end episode of our For the Love of Books Podcast, our E-Services Librarian Chris caught with the fantastic crime author Sarah Hilary to discuss her new book Fragile - due out Thursday 10 June. Sarah fills us in on the background of the story, all about the wonderful characters you can discover and how you'll be left twisting and turning throughout the book. You'll also be able to pick up a few recommendations from her too near the end. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast on Twitter or emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

Bookbug is, without doubt, one of the libraries most favourite and popular activities. That is exactly why it was so important for us to find new ways to bring it to everyone over the last year.  For Bookbug Week, our children's team Gillian and Sarah have put together this special podcast to give a look back at how Bookbug has played a huge part in many people's lives during the pandemic. We highlight the work with partner organisations, how Bookbug has made a big move online and the challenges of making that move happen. Don't forget you can leave feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast on Twitter or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

Everyone loves a holiday and, for a lot, a book is an essential part of that. This year, we still don't know if we can jet off to the sun. So we decided to have a little thought about our pretend holiday beach reads for this summer. Our E-Services Librarian Chris is joined by Gillian and Judy who are both Customer Services Librarians. You'll hear their thoughts on why reading adds to a holiday and where they like to enjoy a good book in the sun with some fantastic recommendations thrown in there too. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast on Twitter or by emailing us at librarypodcast@northlan.gov.uk.

Friday 23 April is World Book Night. The theme this year is Books That Make You Smile. With that in mind, we collated a collection of soundbites from various staff members which showcase which books make them smile and recommend them to you. We hope everyone has a fantastic World Book Night and enjoy a great night of reading. Don't forget to wish Shakespeare a Happy Birthday too. Don't forget you can leave us feedback on our podcast using the hashtag #FLBpodcast on Twitter or emailing us at librarypodcast@culturenl.co.uk.