Our Current Provision

Following Derbyshire's move into Tier 4 from 31st December, and in line with current Government guidance, the library service will be able to open and offer a service to Derbyshire residents as follows:

• All 45 static libraries will revert to a Book and Borrow service. There are currently no plans to provide access to public PCs. You can find your local library contact details here.
• Libraries will close by 5pm during the week. All Saturday opening hours will remain the same.
• The two Mobile Libraries will continue to offer a Book and Borrow service.
• The Home Library Service will continue.

We will keep all aspects of this offer under review and continue to monitor the information issued by the Government. 

All books and other items currently on loan will be automatically renewed until 30th January 2021 and will not incur any overdue charges. Requests can be placed on books from other libraries. Our Library Information Service continues to be monitored from Monday to Saturday, which you can reach on 01629 533444 or ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk

New Year Opening Hours

We'll be closing at 5pm on New Year's Eve, and re-opening with normal hours on Saturday 2nd January 2021. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for 2021!

Digital January

Our theme for this month is all things digital, and so we've prepared a number of projects for this. We're expecting that some of you will have bought or received a new tablet or smartphone for Christmas, and you might be wondering how to use our eLending platforms. Therefore we're publishing some video guides to help you with how to use BorrowBox for eBooks and eAudiobooks, and PressReader for eMagazines.

The BorrowBox video will appear on Facebook on Friday 8th January, and the PressReader video on Sunday 10th January, both at 12.30pm.

For any further information or help with using any of our eLending platforms, please do get in touch with the Library Information Service on 01629 533444, or ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Digital MOT

The Digital MOT is a cyber security assessment tool developed by the Community Safety Unit at Derbyshire County Council, in partnership with the Cybercrime Unit at Derbyshire Constabulary. In less than 5 minutes you can take a test to determine how you can be safer online, with a special colour-coded personalised email to identify areas and actions that you could take to improve upon.

We've got a special video about the process going live on Facebook on Tuesday 19th January at 12.30pm, so keep an eye out for that if you'd like more information.

Guide to the Library Catalogue

Our public library catalogue is designed for anyone with internet access to search for books in our libraries, and be able to place requests, renew books, and see information about their account. Whilst we try to make it as easy as possible to use, we have put together some mini-video guides to talk you through some of the more common features, and help you to navigate your way around. This will premiere on Facebook on Wednesday 20th January at 12.30pm. 

For any further information or help with using the online catalogue, please do get in touch with the Library Information Service on 01629 533444, or ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk.

BBC Novels

We recently announced that we have been chosen to participate in the BBC Novels That Shaped Our World programme. Derbyshire has chosen the theme of ‘isolation’ and we will be giving you the opportunity to become a published writer! On the 1^st February we will launch our ‘Derbyshire in Isolation’ writing competition. All you need to do is to write 500 words on the theme of isolation. It could be a poem, fiction or non-fiction it is entirely up to you. We will have some independent judges to help select the top 3, but all entries will be published as an eBook on our BorrowBox platform!

So if you're 18 or over, get your thinking caps on and keep an eye out for our February eNewsletter for more information and details of writing workshops and author event.

Resolution Reads

Overdrive & Libby

Derbyshire Libraries will be moving our digital eAudiobooks and eMagazines service from RBdigital to Libby, built by OverDrive, in February 2021. You will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy all the same great eAudiobooks and eMagazines you loved in the RBdigital app, now available in Libby. Our Borrowbox service will still be continuing as normal.

If you currently have a book checked out via the RBdigital app or website, it will be available through the remainder of the lending period, so you can finish your title without disruption or risk of losing your place in the book. Requests will not be moved, but you may export a list of the titles you have previously borrowed by logging onto the RBdigital website and then access; My Account > Profiles > Export my transaction history. You can place requests on those titles again in Libby when it goes live.

Digital Assistance/MIC

For those of you who feel like your computer, tablet, or smartphone abilities need improving in general then we can help too, even if you’re an absolute beginner! We can help people to use the internet, email and keep in touch with friends and family, help to search and apply for jobs, as well as find information to manage your money and stay safe online.

We can also support you as you explore the useful websites below:

• Learn My Way (from Good Things Foundation), a great place to start: www.learnmyway.com
• Make it Click (from Good Things Foundation), a website to help develop your digital skills for current or future employment and business: https://makeitclick.learnmyway.com
• Your Digital MOT as mentioned above

For more information and to book a telephone computer help appointment please contact Derbyshire’s Library Information Service on 01629 533444 or ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk

Coming This Year

We've got lots to look forward to this year, including a brand new Reader Group blog, a Romance Coffee Morning, lots of themed bakes such as Chocolate and Guinness Cake for St Patricks Day, as well as everything mentioned in this eNewsletter already. We're always thinking up new ideas and projects to keep your library service supporting you as much as possible, and we look forward to sharing our journey with you throughout 2021!

Multi-Use Titles

Every month we get a new selection of titles on our BorrowBox app of both eBooks and eAudiobooks that can be taken out by multiple users at one time. These stay multi-use for 60 days, so if you have a book club and you're looking for your next title then one of these could be your next choice!

You can find these titles on the main BorrowBox page, identified as a collection with 'No Waiting!' or 'Available Now!'. Titles available from January include:

• The Women of Primrose Square by Claudia Carroll
• An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
• Fragile by Stella O'Malley
• Recovery by Russell Brand (eAudiobook only)
• The Queen of the Tearling Book 1 by Erika Johanseen (eAudiobook only)
• The Red Ribbon by Lucy Adlington (eAudiobook only)
• The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary (eAudiobook only)
• The Secret Midwife by Katy Weitz (eAudiobook only)
• Tripwire (Jack Reacher Book 3) by Lee Child (eAudiobook only)

Valentine's Book-Off

You told us that you loved them, so we can't get through January without bringing you the next GREAT DERBYSHIRE LIBRARIES BOOK-OFF, can we? This time we're looking ahead to February and a little day you might have heard of called 'Valentine's Day'...

Yep, we're looking for you to choose your ideal dinner date between 16 pairs, whittling them down until only one remains, and celebrating your winner on the 14th February.

Look out for this kicking off on the 14th January on Facebook, and join in with us every day!

New on RBdigital

Looking to relax with a new eAudiobook on RBdigital? Here's what's coming in January for you to checkout!

• Oranges and Lemons by Christopher Fowler
• The Dark Side by Danielle Steel
• A Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin
• A Time to Die by Barbara Nadel
• Box 88 by Charles Cumming
• The Interpreter from Java by Alfred Birney
• Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott
• The Viper by Christobel Kent
• Why Mummy's Sloshed by Gill Sims

This Month We Recommend You Read...

We're got more of the excellent children's books available on our eBook and eAudiobook collections to share with you this month, which are great choices for you and your family.

On Borrowbox we've chosen A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth by Francesca Gibbons. A perfect choice for any child that loves adventure stories in fantasy lands, this is the story of sisters Imogen and Marie, who find themselves in a magical kingdom and a race against time. Full of excitement and a cast of colourful characters, this is perfect for fans of classics like Narnia.

Our second pick is No Ordinary Thing by G.Z.Schmidt. Adam's life at his uncle's bakery in New York City is turned upside down when a mysterious customer gives him a snowglobe that allows him to time travel. What connects the moments that he ends up in? What do they have to do with his parents' death? And who is the strange man who seems to follow him everywhere? A time-travelling mystery that any age would enjoy!

Over on RBdigital, we've opted for Zombierella by Joseph Coelho. A delightfully different take on Cinderella in verse form, this tale sees a re-animated version of our famous heroine heading out into the night to take revenge on her evil step-sisters. Perfect for those that like their classic stories with a twist.

Need a further suggestion? We're always delighted to suggest a story! Contact us on Facebook, Twitter, or ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk and we'll do our best to find you something fantastic!

Library Love

We have been receiving so many kind comments over the past few weeks about how important and useful our customers have been finding our online library offer. If you would like to contribute and share your stories and comments, please email us at: ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk 

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