This is not a library

By opening the doors of the Central Public Library of Veria this summer we surprisingly discover that

‘’This is not a library…’’!

We start the summer campaign for the promotion of reading and creativity, which the Νational Library of Greece organizes for the first time along with the network of public and municipal libraries of Future Library.

Under the title ‘’This is not a library…’’ ,children ,teenagers ,adults ,employees and libraries’ guests  can discover through activities, events and workshops the different roles which a library can have. It can become a land of miracles, a hiding place for treasure, a time machine, a map, a museum, a big tree hollow or an aromatic garden. We are waiting for you…

JUNE 2015
Activities for kids
Registrations from Saturday 20 June

Wednesday 24 June, 5.00-6.00 p.m.
How well do I know the books of the library?
A card defines a child’s mission to discover a book in the library. A kid presents in a few words the story of the book and recommends it or not to the rest of the children. For 4-7 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Thursday 25 June, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
How well do I know the books of the library?
A card defines a child’s mission to discover a book in the library. A kid presents in a few words the story of the book and recommends it or not to the rest of the children. For 8-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Thursday 25 June, 10.00-12.00 a.m.
Robotics Day. Robotics workshop (LEGO WeDo) – (one meeting).
We become familiar with the magic world of robotics. For 6-9 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Maker Space of the Library, on the 1st floor.

Friday 26 June, 10.00-11.00 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a tree hollow- when a rabbit decides to change home.
The Library becomes the tree hollow of the fairytale. Small and bigger animals live inside the tree hollow and pursued fairytale heroes find shelter there. Come and meet them. For 4-7 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Friday 26 June, 11.30-12.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a time machine –The future
We enter the library-time machine and we get out into the future. What will we be eating, what clothes will we be wearing, where will we be living? Getting to know the 3-D printer of our Library. For 8-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Maker Space of the Library, on the 1st floor.

Monday 29 June, 5.00-6.00 p.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a tree hollow – the story of a lucky soldier.
The Library becomes the tree hollow of the fairytale. Small and bigger animals live inside the tree hollow and pursued fairytale heroes find shelter there. Come and meet them. Instructor: Nikos Tsegkos. For 7-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Tuesday 30 June, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a celebrity museum.
With the biographies of famous people of history as a guide, we create a gallery of photos and narratives about their childhood. The gallery will be completed with the narrations of children which can someday become history. For 8-12-year-old kids. Registration required. At the Maker Space of the Library.

JULY 2015
Activities for kids

Wednesday 1 July, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a land of flying books.
Morris Lessmore loved words, stories, books. But every story has its setbacks. Reading of the book ‘’The fantastic flying nooks of Morris Lessmore’’, by W.E. Joyce and creative activity. From the collection of the American Corner. For 7-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Thursday 2 July, 10.00-12.00 a.m.
Robotics Day. Robotics workshop (LEGO WeDo)- (one meeting).
We become familiar with the magic world of robotics. . For 10-11-year-old kids. Registration required. At the Maker Space of the Library, on the 1st floor.

Monday 6 July, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a time machine- The Ancient Egyptians
We enter the library-time machine and we get out into the period of ancient Egyptians. What clothes  do we wear, what food do we eat, how do we build the pyramids, in which Gods do  we believe. The library will give the answers. Instructor: Nikos Tsegkos. For  7-10 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Tuesday 7 July, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s a sewing store of words.
We embroider with colourful threads words onto small pieces of fabric, we sew them together and make the flag of the summer. For 8-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Wednesday 8 July, 10.30-12.00 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s the children’s home.
It’s the world of the children, where the kids are free to express themselves, without the criticism of the adults. It’s their meeting point, where they communicate, play or fight. The children can build the ideal ‘home’ for them, decorating it with toys and emotions! Experiential workshop by Prosvasi, Center for the Prevention of Addictions and the Promotion of Health (Prefecture of Imathia). For 7-8 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Thursday 9 July, 10.00-12.00 a.m.
Robotics Day. Robotics workshop (LEGO WeDo) – (one meeting).
We become familiar with the magic world of robotics. For 6-9 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Maker Space of the Library, on the 1st floor.

Thursday 9 July, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
This is not a library…..it’s an aromatic garden.
This summer the Library is turned into a garden. We plant and take care of aromatic plants. At the same time we read stories and fairytales in which plants play an important role. For 8-12 year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

All participants are kindly requested to inform in case of cancellation.
Those who do not inform us will bring us to the difficult position
to cancel their participation next month.

 All the workshops are for a restricted number of participants
so register in time at the Public Library of Veria,
8 Ellis St. tel. 2331024494.

Wo+men in R.E.D

The TeeToTum art team and the American Corner of the Central Public Library of Veria

Organize the International Mail Art exhibition titled:

Wo+men in R.E.D (Reinvent Environmental Dimension)

at the mezzanine floor of the library (8 Ellis st.)

In September 2012 the TeeToTum art team organized the 1^st artwork exhibition of of 22 women from different parts of the world , who approached the idea of crisis from different angles. ”While trying to explore the meaning of crisis and the factors that cause it ,we concluded that a crisis is not just financial or political ,but social and personal as well ’’,mentions Fotini Chamidieli. A crisis has many faces. It is the culmination of a negative process and life returns to its normal rhythm only by overcoming it. How painful is a situation like this? How does it affect our everyday life? Where can it lead us? The female artists whose work is being exhibited, constitute examples of strength as each one of them has overcome crucial and sometimes quite painful situations, not allowing crisis to defeat them. On the contrary, they used it creatively in order to expand their boundaries ,relying on their inner strength .Their work was presented in two exhibitions ,the first one at Myro Gallery in Thessaloniki and the second at 512 Gallery in Ptolemaida. During the exhibitions several painting workshops were organized.

In an effort to expand the number of both men and women participants the TeeToTum art team organized a Mail Art exhibition ,with participation open to anyone interested. The artworks that were collected ,exclusively by mail, were presented in June 2014 at the Vafopouleio Centre in Thessaloniki.

The word “crisis” is still debated frequently in our everyday life and this dramatic situation has unfortunately expanded , affecting the lives of even more people. Initially the idea of “crisis” was explored from the female point of view. Viewing the male perspective equally interesting , we reconsider our theme by inviting both male and female artists to express their opinion and we might discover ways to demise the negative impact of the “crisis”. Besides, art is the most suitable means that can help improve our life. We would like to invite you to have a look and enjoy the artworks of more than 70 artists from different parts of the world, including the USA, Italy, Germany, Holland etc.; these artworks enclose a variety of approaches and techniques

Exhibition curators: Georgia Grigoriadou and Fotini Chamidieli

Exhibition Opening : January 14 –February 14 2015

   Central Public Library of Veria opening hours :
Monday to Wednesday 08.00-20.00
Thursday to Saturday 08.00-15.00

A UNIQUE LIBRARY WITH AN AQUARIUM, IN THE HEART OF VERIA

Where  else? At the Central Public Library, 8 Ellis St., Veria.

The renovated first floor and mezzanine of the Library open this Friday, 19 September 2014.

The new facilities are specially designed to offer access to lots of sources of information (printed or electronic), as well as new services that aim to promote creativity and new ideas.

A new hot spot, a big aquarium, has been constructed and is expected to draw the attention of the young and the old, while comfortable seats are there for you to study and relax.

The new facilities include:

• Creative workshops with the  3-D printer, robotics seminars and lots of other activities promoting innovation and creativity
• The Media Lab, a fully equipped music studio where you can rehearse or record music as well as edit videos and images
• A big collection of books, magazines, DVDs etc.
• The Brain Pulse Room which can host formal or informal meetings of small groups wishing to work or relax
• Study Room
• Computers with free and fast access to the Internet
• At the Mezzanine of the Library, the newspaper and magazine department as well as the Local History Collection

The renovation was funded by the “Access To Learning Award” by the “Bill and Melinda Gates” foundation which our Library received in August 2010 in Goteborg, Sweden. This year our book collection has been enriched with new editions courtesy of KIKPE (Welfare Foundation for Social and Cultural Affairs).

We would like to take the opportunity and thank our members, the citizens of Veria, who have been supporting us throughout the years. We will be very happy to show you around and listen to your views and work together in order to improve our lives.

And this is not all! The renovation of the 2^nd floor is expected in 2015 with lots of new surprises.

We are waiting for you at the Library on Friday 19 September!

Opening Hours:

Monday and Wednesday 08.00-20.00
and Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 08.00-15.00

CENTRAL PUBLIC LIBRARY OF VERIA

8 Ellis St., Veria. Tel. 2331024494

https://www.libver.gr

Opposite worlds meet at the Public Library of Veria in September as well

The summer campaign of creativity “Whatever you think, think the opposite!” comes to an end. The campaign is organized by the Public Library of Veria in collaboration with Future Library. We are waiting for you!

SEPTEMBER 2014
Activities for kids
Register from Tuesday 26 August

Monday 1 September, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
The day of the brave and the weak. The Awards of Bravery!
We narrate stories from our everyday lives about events we believe we were brave enough and we all take our medal of bravery.
Instructor: Nikos Tsegkos.For 6-9-year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Tuesday 2 September, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
Music Days.
Once a week we use the musical instruments of the Library to compose our own little songs trying to define sounds and silence, music and noise, rhythm and arrhythmia.
For 8-13-year-old kids. Registration required. At the 2^nd floor of the Library.

 Wednesday 3 September, 10.30-12.00 a.m.
The blackbird and the white seagull.
In the village of the white seagulls the blackbird is a stranger. They all look at him suspiciously and no one wants him. Until one day they realize how great this stranger is. A fascinating story about true friendship, xenophobia, racism as well as the love for books and knowledge.
For 7-9-year-old kids. Registration required. At the 2^nd floor of the Library.

Thursday 4 September, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
The mobile of books.
We create a mobile with all the heroes, the opposites and the books we read this summer exploring the opposite worlds.
For 7-12-year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

 Monday 8 September, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
The day of together and apart.
We play board games for individuals and groups from the game collection of the American Corner in the Library.
For 6-12-year-old kids. Without registration. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Tuesday 9 September, 10.30-11.30 a.m.
The day of truth and lies.
We play a game, we tell the truth, we tell lies and then try to discover what is what. We take a closer look at famous heroes telling smaller or bigger lies in their stories.
For 8-12-year-old kids. Registration required. At the Magic Boxes of the Library.

Saturday 13 September, 11.00 a.m.
I want others to love me!
“Diaplous” Editions and writer Georgia Latta present the book “I want others to love me”.Boy and Joy are two kids with strange looks. One day they decide to leave their planet and explore new places. They land on Earth and their adventures begin. A story about difference and acceptance. In the presentation there will be theatrical games led by motivator and kindergarten teacher Giannis Theodorou. Alotofsurprisesawaitallofyou! Withoutregistration. Atthe 2^ndflooroftheLibrary.

All the workshops are for a restricted number of participants
so register in time at the Public Library of Veria,
8 Ellis St. tel. 2331024494.

All the workshops are courtesy
of Stavros Niarchos Foundation
(www.snf.org)

Sri Lanka’s e-Library Nenasala Program (eLNP) received the Gates Foundation’s 2014 Access to Learning Award

Watch the Slideshow

Government-run development initiative will use $1 million Access to Learning Award to improve technology centers that serve the rural poor

SEATTLE, August 18, 2014 – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today presented its 2014 Access to Learning Award of $1 million to the e-Library Nenasala Program (eLNP), in recognition of its work to provide free access to computers and the Internet to underserved Sri Lankans living in remote and rural areas. The government of Sri Lanka launched the program as a way to boost digital literacy and encourage economic development throughout the country based on its National Development policy “Mahinda Chinthana”.

The eLNP’s centers, known as Nenasalas (wisdom outlets), have helped Sri Lanka increase its computer usage and IT literacy rate from below 10 percent in 2004 to almost 40 percent today. Centers are located in rural areas to give residents increased access to high-quality equipment, training, and locally tailored information to help them improve their lives.   Microsoft, a foundation partner, will make available a donation of software to eLNP as part of its commitment to bring the benefits of relevant and accessible technology to local communities around the world.

The majority of the Nenasalas are located within religious institutions, which have served as community centers and places of learning for centuries. This strategy has helped the government earn the confidence and trust of Sri Lanka’s rural residents, who have had little access to technology to date. Whether housed in a Buddhist temple, Hindu kovil, Muslim mosque, or Christian church, each e-Library Nenasala is free and open to people of all religions and income levels.

“The Sri Lankan government believes that free and easy access to computers and the Internet is essential to helping the most vulnerable people improve their lives through education, entrepreneurship, communication, government services, and more,” said Reshan Dewapura, CEO of ICTA. “And by placing our Nenasalas in religious establishments that sit at the heart of every village, community members are more apt to use them, embrace them, and sustain them over the long run.”

In addition to access, the centers provide training to help people acquire basic computer and Internet skills, and to communicate through email and social media platforms. Local youth often become volunteer computer trainers at the Nenasalas and are given basic training at the beginning of their service as well as refresher courses, online training programs, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

“Without a doubt, the e-Library Nenasala Program is making a real and lasting impact on the lives of poor rural residents throughout Sri Lanka,” said Deborah Jacobs, director of the Global Libraries initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at an event in Lyon, France, where the award was announced. “People are getting locally relevant information and hands-on experience in the subject areas that matter most to them. Community members have a real investment in these centers, which promotes their longevity and sustainability for many years to come.”

Nenasalas also provide extensive learning opportunities for school-age children, including a video-based program for learning English. Women are given specialized content on critical issues facing children and families, including information on nutrition, breast-feeding, safe sanitation, and vaccines. Adults can perform job searches, learn how to create a resume, and access a wide variety of government services, including passport applications, driver’s license renewals, and government exams. Migrant workers who make up a significant portion of the Sri Lankan workforce can communicate via Skype with family members they leave behind.

eLNP is a project of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka and part of a larger country-wide strategy to “take the dividends of ICT to every village and every citizen.” The program will use its award to upgrade the hardware in the Nenasalas, introduce tablets that can be loaned out to community members, develop educational software for children living in the most remote areas where good teachers are scarce, and create new capacity building programs for center operators.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Registration has started for the Robotics Club August 2014

For young people 12 – 21 years old

https://robotics.libver.gr

The day has come. From Friday 1 August you can register for the upcoming Robotics Club which will take place at the Library from 18 to 22 August 2014. There will be two groups a) people who see the Mindstorms EV3 for the first time and b) people who have already attended a Mindstorms EV3 workshop before.

a) People who see the Mindstorms EV3 for the first time (Beginners)

The workshop will take place on the following dates and participants must be there for all three days. In this workshop you will get to know the world of robotics through the instruction model “Educator” which will show you how to program robots through many exercises.

Monday 18 August 2014, 11:00-14:00
Tuesday 19 August 2014, 11:00-14:00
Wednesday 20 August 2014, 11:00-14:00

b) People who have already attended a Mindstorms EV3 workshop before. (Advanced Level)

The workshop will take place on the following dates and participants must be there for both days. In this workshop participants will implement on their own ideas and create their own robots which they will also program.

Thursday 21 August 2014, 11:00-14:00
Friday 22 August 2014, 11:00-14:00