Blogs

Now is a wonderful time to start watching and supporting our feathered friends. It is even a great time to listen to them, given that the noise from traffic on our roads and the skies is much reduced. Seagulls in particular, are very plentiful at the moment, and it sometimes seems as if they are the only birds around.However, there are also plenty of sparrows, starlings, robins (everyone loves a robin) and many other small birds around. What is even better is that many of them have nests with chicks, some of whom have already fledged, but many still not quite hardy enough to leave the safety of their cosy nest.It is likely that some of these have nested near your home, regardless of where you live. So whether you live in an apartment, a house or a in an isolated, rural location, keep your eyes and ears open. If you are interested in trying to identify the different birds you might come across, www.irishgardenbirds.ie has a nice user friendly guide to the top twenty most common birds.Press Reader has some great wildlife magazines and all FREE to Dublin City Library members. BBC Wildlife magazine for example is always full of information, not just about birds, but all kinds of animals. Birds and Blooms is another terrific magazine free to our members, and is especially good if you want to encourage more birds into your garden. To access these register for Press Reader, sign in with your Dublin City Library card and you're ready to go. Watch our handy how to video.And let's not forget our very own Birdwatch Ireland. They have wonderful tips and information on www.birdwatchireland.ie. We were fortunate enough in Finglas Library to meet some of their Dublin Tolka branch, when they paid us a visit on Libraries Open Day on February 29th. So, there is no excuse! Get watching, listening for and learning about our feathered friends with Dubin City Libraries.Submitted by Maeve from Finglas library.

For this Spring into Storytime session we have chosen Clarence’s Big Secret written by Roy MacGregor and Christine MacGregor Cation and illustrated by Mathilde Cinq-Mars. As a young boy, Clarence didn’t go to school. Instead, he took over working in the farm after his father had an accident. He never learned to read until he was 100 years old. This book tells Clarence’s amazing true story. Celebrate Spring into Storytime with Dublin City Libraries. In April, we are choosing one story per day from the collection for you to enjoy. To find the story just log into Tumble Book Library and search for the title Clarence's Big Secret.  This book is suitable for ages 4-7.About TumbleBookCheck out details of TumbleBook Library and how to acces it on our website. Tumble Book Library is a curated database of over 1100 children’s e-books, and includes their unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.It's full of great stories to listen to with videos showing all of the wonderful illustrations. You can even follow the text as the story is being read to you.To learn more about how to use Tumblebooks please check out our how to video.  

For this Spring into Storytime session we have chosen Not ‘Til Tomorrow, Phoebe written by Julie Zwillich and illustrated by Denise Holmes. Phoebe hates the word ‘tomorrow’. That’s when everything good is promised to happen. Why can’t everything good happen today? Then Phoebe’s grandmother teaches her the secret of how to make tomorrow become today.This April, we are choosing one story per day from the TumbleBook Library collection for you to enjoy. To find today's story just log into Tumble Book Library and search for the title. This book is suitable for ages 3-6.About TumbleBookCheck out details of TumbleBook Library and how to acces it on our website. Tumble Book Library is a curated database of over 1100 children’s e-books, and includes their unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.It's full of great stories to listen to with videos showing all of the wonderful illustrations. You can even follow the text as the story is being read to you.To learn more about how to use Tumblebooks please check out our how to video. 

For this 'Spring into Storytime' session we have chosen What Matters, written by Alison Hughes and illustrated by Holly Hatam. This is a story about a boy who picks up one piece of litter. The story shows how this one good deed makes such a big difference. This April, we are choosing one story per day from the TumbleBook Library collection for you to enjoy. To find the story just log into Tumble Book Library and search for the title What Matters. This book is suitable for ages 3-7.About TumbleBookHave you checked out details of TumbleBook Library and how to acces it on our website? TumbleBook Library is a curated database of over 1100 children’s e-books, and includes their unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.It's full of great stories to listen to with videos showing all of the wonderful illustrations. You can even follow the text as the story is being read to you.To learn more about how to use Tumblebooks please check out our how to video.

For this Spring into Storytime session we have chosen 'The Biggest Job of All', written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Lauren Browne. Lulu wants a really big, important job when she grows up but she has no idea what that could be. Join Lula as she considers lots of jobs from being a doctor to washing elephants.This April, we are choosing one story per day from the TumbleBook Library collection for you to enjoy. To find today's story just log into Tumble Book Library and search for the title.About TumbleBookCheck out details of TumbleBook Library and how to acces it on our website? TumbleBook Library is a curated database of over 1100 children’s e-books, and includes their unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.It's full of great stories to listen to with videos showing all of the wonderful illustrations. You can even follow the text as the story is being read to you.To learn more about how to use Tumblebooks please check out our how to video.

For our story book choice today, we introduce you to Bailey the dog. Enjoy this fun story as Bailey spends a day at school.  This April, we are choosing one story per day from the TumbleBook Library collection for you to enjoy. To find today's story just log into Tumble Book Library and search for the title.About TumbleBookCheck out details of TumbleBook Library and how to access it on our website. TumbleBook Library is a curated database of over 1100 children’s e-books, and includes their unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.It's full of great stories to listen to with videos showing all of the wonderful illustrations. You can even follow the text as the story is being read to you.To learn more about how to use Tumblebooks please check out our how to video. 

This period of temporary enforced downtime certainly presents us all with many grave challenges, but it also provides some exciting opportunities. If you, like me, have long intended but could never quite find the time to convert your precious personal and family memorabilia into stunning and unique family history albums, now is your big chance! Raise your dopamine levels and let your creative juices flow!  Learn the art and discover the joy of scrapbooking.You’ll find everything you need here in our one-stop-shop of online courses - all FREE and all available with your Dublin City library card.RBdigital eMagazinesWe have a fabulous selection of eMagazines for scrapbook hobbyists.Scrapbooking Memories:Without a doubt, the one-stop source of inspiration for scrapbookers with loads of innovative designs, step-by-step guides, fresh ideas and the latest scrapbooking techniques.You can also check out back issues of the following two titles:Scrapbooks Etc. Page Planner :This publication offers more than 130 sketches and finished layouts with inspirational tips and ideas for personalising your projects.ScrapBook Inspirations:Create perfect pages with the ultimate guide to scrapbooking.Register for RB Digital magazines. On your first visit, create a new account (inputting your Dublin City library membership card number) and complete registration. Select your library from the drop-down list ('Dublin City Libraries'). Email address required. Once registered you use your email address to login.PressReaderYou can also access digital magazines on PressReader, and here’s two that will be of interest to the scrapbooker.Papercraft  InspirationsCardmaking and PapercraftRegister for PressReader with your Dublin City Library membership card barcode number .Universal ClassAnd wait… there’s more!  Universal Class provides access to over 500+ online courses including scrapbook crafting courses:  one dedicated course and other related courses:Traditional Scrapbooking  101:In this comprehensive course, the beginner scrapbooker will learn how to start their scrapbooking hobby without being overwhelmed. Everything from choosing the right supplies to getting started to tips for journaling is included in easy-to-follow lessons, reflecting the wide variety of scrapbooking styles and themes popular today.Wedding Crafts and Projects:This wedding crafts course includes more inspiration, plus designs for paper crafts, floral crafts, favors, bridal party gifts, scrapbooking and more.Journaling and Memoir Writing:This is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will demystify the process of finally putting your story on paper.You might also like to check out other related courses on Universal Class.Genealogy:In this course you can hone your research skills to uncover your family’s records and history for permanent preservation.Digital photography  101Digital photography with the iPhonePhotography 101 Beginner to IntermediateThese three photography courses will help you to upskill and to capture great family memories for your albums.Western CalligraphyYou will be able to use your new-found calligraphy skills to draw amazing letters on cards, stationary, bags, memory pages in your scrapbooks, photo albums covers, clothing, walls, wood, frames, lunch bags, and many other surfaces.Universal Class courses include tutorials, lessons, assignments, discussion boards, and feedback on work you’ve submitted. All the courses are completely online, self-paced, available 24/7, and you have 6 months to complete each one.Register for Universal Class using your Dublin City Library membership card barcode number.I really hope you find these resources useful and inspirational. Happy scrapbooking! 

Dublin City Library and Archive Digital Repository, digital.libraries.dublincity.ie, provides people in Dublin and throughout the world with free and easy access to the rich collections of Dublin City Libraries and Archive. 

The Near Archive is a digital audio database of interviews originally broadcast on Near FM’s flagship community affairs programme Northside Today between the years 2011 and 2016. The Archive was officially launched on Wednesday 16 November at 6.30pm in Coolock Library by Dr Pauric Travers, chairperson of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.The content reflects upon the themes of Irish Culture, Life and Experience with a particular emphasis on local arts and culture, local news, history, heritage and community events. The total number of archived pieces in this collection is presently c.1,200.Near Archive has been assembled with the input of expert partners including the Digital Repository of Ireland and Dublin City Public Libraries and Archive. In addition a cross sectoral approach to archiving has been established through CRAOL, the national body for community radio.Near Archive can be accessed by visiting www.archive.ie where content can be streamed or downloaded and runs on a Creative Commons license.Partners and FundersNear FM.CRAOL (Community Radio Ireland).Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.       Digital Repository of Ireland.Dublin City Library & Archive.CDETB.The Near Archive is supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Archive scheme.

We have for some time provided online access in our branch libraries to the complete issues of Irish newspapers via our subscription to 'The Irish Times Newspaper Archive' and to the 'Irish Newspaper Archive'. Both subscriptions provide access to full digital copy and a search facility; the Irish Newspaper Archive giving access to most (all?) of the regional papers plus the Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner.Important to bear in mind though that the most recent issues (in both subscriptions) may not be available, i.e. most recent daily will be some 7 to 10 days old, while weekly papers may not include the most recent issue.A handy point of access to these subscriptions is provided on our Netvibes-based portal (note: both subscriptions available on library computers only).ProQuest Newspaper SearchNow too we are providing access via ProQuest to the full-text articles in c.850 newspapers worldwide, including Irish national and regional papers.  The Irish national papers include The Irish Examiner (Jan 2011 - present), The Irish Independent (June 2006 - present), and The Irish Times (Jan 1995 - present).  Good to note that a look at some daily papers, Irish and others, indicates that coverage appears to include most recent issues, today's in some instances. Today's Irish Times, for example, includes some 150 items. The same cannot be said though for the regional papers, a check on a number indicates that the most recent issues included had a November or December date.You should note that ProQuest does not give you access to the digital copy of a newspaper, but rather the full text of articles plus citations and abstracts. Good to note too that the articles of some newspapers that otherwise require a subscription to view (e.g. The Times in the UK) are fully available via the ProQuest database.How do I access this wonderful new resource you might ask? Follow this link to ProQuest and insert your library membership card barcode number. That's it! And you can access it from anywhere!Each issue of every newspaper is indexed thoroughly, so researchers have access to not only top news stories but also detailed information on sports, business, and the arts around the world.ProQuest Title list (incl. period of coverage for each title) (this link will download an Excel spreadsheet).This service is provided for the public library service by ProQuest,  with delivery arranged by Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency. Visit the Libraries Ireland website.View the full range of online resources available courtesy of your library.