National Libraries Day - Saturday 8 February

Celebrate National Libraries Day with us at libraries across Southampton. There will be all sorts of events and activities for children and adults on 8 February, and during the days around this date. Please take a look at the list of activities below to find out what's happening at a library near you:

Activities and events for adults

Annual Library Book Quiz 6 February / 7.30 - 10pm / Central Library, Southampton / £3 per person (maximum five people per team) Put your book knowledge to the test with this informal and fun quiz evening. Will your team be crowned champions in 2014 and walk away with £50 worth of book tokens? Drinks and nibbles will available on the night. If you are interested in joining us for this great night out, please register your team by contacting Allison Kirby 023 8083 3304, or email allison.kirby@southampton.gov.uk.

Behind the scenes tour of Central Library

7 February / 11am - 12.30pm or 8 February 2 - 3pm / Seminar Room, Central Library, Southampton / FREE

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a busy and bustling library? On this tour you can find out and ask any questions you may have. You will also discover hidden gems in the magazine store and a treasure trove of old books and local history material. If you fancy joining us for a sneaky look behind the scenes, please call Allison Kirby 023 8083 3304 or email allison.kirby@southampton.gov.uk. Places are limited to 10 people per tour so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Meet the Author - Jim Raven 8 February / 2 - 3pm / Bitterne Library / FREE / No booking required  Meet Southampton thriller writer, Jim Raven. He will discuss his books and the hard-hitting themes he explores, including life on death row, murder, kidnap, secrets and lies. His latest book, Malicious, explores the murky world of blackmail and cyber crime. When he's not writing Jim runs a TV production company which produces factual documentaries and sports programmes. He's an interesting chap! For more information please contact Allison Kirby on 023 8083 3304, or allison.kirby@southampton.gov.uk.

Coffee Morning 7 February / 10.30am - 12.30pm / Woolston Library / FREE Join the staff at Woolston library for a cuppa, biscuits and a chat. All are welcome.

What's on offer at Portswood Library?

8 February / Portswood Library / 10am - 3pm

Find out what local and family history resources are available at the library service and how we support and encourage reading groups.

Getting started with Ancestry.com 8 February / 11am - 12noon and 2 - 3pm / Central Library / FREE Not sure how to start tracing your family history? Do you need some expert help? This introductory session will show you how to use Ancestry.com to start compiling your family history and trace those long lost ancestors. If you would like to continue exploring Ancestry.com after the introductory session you can use it for free on library computers across the city. Places are limited so please book now by calling David Hollingworth on 023 8083 2205 or emailing dave.hollingworth@southampton.gov.uk.

Set up a Library Friends Group

Help support your local library by setting up a Library Friends Group. the groups work closely with staff to promote the library and the use of its resources through various activities, events and fundraising. We have an established group at Cobbett Road Library and recently set up a group at Portswood Library. For more information about setting up a Library Friends Group at other libraries in Southampton, please contact Elizabeth Whale on 023 8083 2816 or email elizabeth.whale@southampton.gov.uk.

Children's events and activities

Poetry competition - Has your child read War Horse by Michael Morpurgo?

Ages 9 - 15 years / Closing date 15 February

We're inviting children aged 9 - 15 to write a poem about Morpurgo's iconic novel, War Horse. If you're child would like to get involved, why not help get their creative juices flowing by encouraging them to think about how it made them feel, who their favourite character was, and what images from the book stuck out in their mind? Poems can be long or short and they don't have to rhyme. If you or your child haven't read War Horse and would like to, you can borrow a copy from your local library or school library.  

The winning poet will receive four tickets to see Horrible Histories Barmy Britain at the Mayflower Theatre on 16 April at 7pm. The winning poem will be on display at The Mayflower. Poems should be handed in at any Southampton library or emailed to Alison.biczysko@southampton.gov.uk, stating the entrant's name, age and contact details.

Drawing competition Ages 3 - 7 and 8 - 11 years / Closing date 15 February This is a competition for children to draw their favourite character from a book. You can pick up a competition entry sheet from any library in Southampton from 8 February. A £10 book voucher will be presented to the winning entry in each age category.

For animal lovers... 27 January - 8 February / Cobbett Road library Pop along to the library for lots of fun animal-themed activities and for a browse through all sorts of animal related books. There will be a colouring competitions for age groups 4 years and under, 5 - 7 years, 8 - 11 years. Why not bring your children along for the book trail, word searches or for a workshop (on 8 Feb only) to create some animal masks to take home. There will be cake and tea for the accompanying adults.

Portswood Library Bake Off! 8 February / Age categories 3 - 5 years, 6 - 10 years, 11 - 15 years This is a cake making competition for children. They should bake their cakes before coming to Portswood Library (before 11.30am) to present them. Judges will decide the winner at 1pm.

Story time

8 February / 10am - 3pm / Portswood Library / Ages 3+ years / Drop-in

Bring your little ones along to listen to some fantastic stories from some of the best known children's authors.

Paper cities

8 February / 10.30am - 12.30pm / Central Library / Under 10s / Drop-in

Children's workshop to make a paper city; London, Paris or Sydney.

Magic Library Tree

3 - 8 February / Central Library

Pop in to the children's library area at Central Library and add your children's book requests to the Magic Library Tree. We will do our best to make the children's wishes come true!