Ballybane Library - World Book and Copyright Day

The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of Saint George’s Day (also 23 April) in Catalonia, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the women to give a book in exchange.
In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth or death of several famous writers such as William Shakespeare.
With that in mind today in Ballybane Library we gave out roses and books to our customers

Féile Raifteirí – i Leabharlann Baile Locha Riach

Antoine O'Raifteirí, the great Gaelic poet of the 18th and 19th centuries, was celebrated during the recent Féile Raifteirí from Friday-Sunday, 26th-28th March, in Loughrea Library.

Féile Raifteirí – Ceolchoirm Mhór na Féile in Onóir Raifteirí i Leabharlann Baile Locha Riach, Dé Sathairn, 27 Márta 2010. Ceol, filíocht, amhránaíocht, agus damhsa.

Bean an Tí: Muireann Ní Dhuigneáin

Ceoltóirí:

Joe Burke & Anne Conroy-Burke

Charlie Piggott & Marian McCarthy

Manus Maguire & Denis Carey

Catherine Mannion & Úna Ní Fhlannagáin

Damhsóir: Seosamh Ó Neachtain

Amhráinaíthe: Tommy Healy & Muireann Ní Dhuigneáin

Filí: Philip Cummings & Simon Ó Faoláin

World Book Day in Galway City Library

World Book Day, which is being marked in over 100 countries this Friday, originated from the Catalan tradition of exchanging books and roses on Saint Jordi’s Day, April 23rd.

Everyone seems to be reading poems in Galway during this Cúirt week. Don’t be left out! If you would like to read your own favourite poem, or a favourite paragraph from a novel, or something you’ve written yourself, then we will be delighted to offer you time at our World Book Day podium in Galway City Library. You may also choose something to read from one of the many poetry books in our poetry collection.

All, and especially readers and writers, are welcome.

Join us at Lunch-time on Friday, April 23rd in the City Library, Augustine Street for a celebration of World Book Day.

Loughrea Library - Recent Events

The Music Club, a group of local musicians and teachers, host a free concert of primarily classical music in Loughrea library on the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, especially music students. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The concert starts promptly at 7.00pmand usually concludes at approximately 8.30pm.

Past guest performers have included

the Loughrea Cathedral and Abbey adult choirs and theGalway Bass Trio. Broadcaster and author Liam Nolan has also given readings. Please check with the library to ensure that the concert is scheduled for a given month, as occasionally the group hosts a concert in another location.

The next concert will take place on Sunday 2^nd May at 7.00pm

Music Club Concert: Photographs from the Easter Sunday concert given by the Music Club in Loughrea library on 4^th April, 2010. Pieces included works by Mancini, Ravel and Mozart, and a selection from Les Miserables.

Musicians:Tom Murphy – violin, Julianne Harte – violin, Fidelma Lenihan-Parkinson – viola, Emma Harte – cello, Joanne Cater – flute, Evelien Flach – piano, Kendra Rabbitt – clarinet, Agnes Sarkare - piano, Rachel McCall – piano, Philip Short – piano, John Roe – piano

World Book and Copyright Day 23rd of April

The connection between 23 April and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Spain as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of the Saint George's Day (also 23 April) in Catalonia, where it has been traditional since the medieval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange. Half the yearly sales of books in Catalonia are at this time with over 400,000 sold and exchanged for over 4 million roses.

In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the death of Miguel de Cervantes, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla, the birth of Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Manuel Mejía Vallejoand Halldór Laxness.

It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. In this respect, UNESCO created both the World Book and Copyright Day and the UNESCO Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance

The shortlist of the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

The shortlist of 8 titles was selected from a total of 156 novels nominated by 163 public library systems in 123 cities worldwide and includes Netherland by Irish author Joseph O’Neill. The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is the world’s most prestigious literary prize nominated by public libraries world-wide.
The titles were nominated by nominated by public libraries in Ireland, Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia, The Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil, the USA and Canada.
Once again an Irish title has been shortlisted, proof, if it were needed, that Irish contemporary fiction can hold its own on the worldwide stage. John Banville, Sebastian Barry, Ronan Bennett, Michael Collins, Patrick McCabe, Colum McCann and John McGahern have all been shortlisted since 1996. Colm Toibín has been shortlisted twice, and was the winner in 2006 for The Master.
The short listed titles are:

1. The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker (Dutch) in translation. Harvill Secker
2. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (French) in translation. Europa Editions, USA, Gallic Press, UK
3. In Zodiac Light by Robert Edric (British) Doubleday, UK
4. Settlement by Christoph Hein (German) in translation. Metropolitan Books
5. The Believers by Zoë Heller (British). Fig Tree
6. Netherland by Joseph O’Neill (Irish) Fourth Estate, HarperCollins, UK, Pantheon Books, USA
7. God’s Own Country by Ross Raisin (British) Viking
8. Home by Marilynne Robinson (American) Farrar, Straus & Giroux, USA, HarperCollins, Canada

Galway Public Libraries nominations for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is unique for being the largest literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English, as well as for being nominated by public libraries from around the globe.

The Award is open to works of fiction written in, or translated into, English and published within a specified period of time.
In order to be eligible for consideration for the 2010 Award, a novel must have been: first published in English between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2008, both dates inclusive, or first published in a language other than English between 1st January 2004 and 31st December 2008 and first published in English translation between 1st January 2008and 31st December 2008 (all dates inclusive).

Participating libraries can nominate up to three books each year for the Award: the books must meet the above criteria for eligibility.

Galway Libraries (all branches) can nominate a book for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, by e-mailing the title to rwarren@galwaylibrary.ie

The Award longlist is here.

The closing date for the 2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award is 5th May.

Westside Library Knitting and Crochet Group

Cúirt International Festival of Literature

The 25th Cúirt International Festival of Literature will take place in Galway from April 20th to 25th. The stimulating programme will combine poetry, prose, memoir, debate and film with many of the world’s most accomplished writers visiting Galway to read from their work.
This 25th edition of Cúirt will cast a look back at the past with an evocative exhibition of recordings and images from the festival’s rich history. This past year has also been an exceptional time for Irish literature on the world stage and we are delighted to reflect that in the programme. At this year’s festival, Colum McCann will give his first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin.
The festival mix of established writers alongside emerging voices will ensure a treasure chest of discovery for its audience. Younger readers are also catered for and the friendly backdrop of Galway makes for a warm and convivial host. This year we will unveil a number of special celebratory events and will also introduce a new festival club.The full programme is available at www.cuirt.ie
Click Here for Cúirt Programme 2009