Tiny Url

If you have been looking on the library VLE page you might have noticed that some of the links look like this: http://tinyurl.com/c49n6p .
You may have thought to yourself: what is this tiny url, and what does it have to do with dolphin biology, or a Jacqueline Wilson interview or whatever you might have been looking at at the time?
The reason a lot of the links say tinyurl.com is because we have used what's called a redirection site, in this case http://tinyurl.com/ . These sites are useful if you are putting together a web page, or an email, and you want to put in a link that is really long. That can make a page stretch, or take up loads of space, so to make it look neater you use a redirection site to give you a short link.
Try it out for yourself next time you send someone a link!

Improve Your Grammar!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9081943/Pupils-banned-from-using-slang-in-school.html

The Grey Coat Hospital Reading Olympics!

To celebrate World Book Day and the 2012 Olympics, The Grey Coat Library has launched a competition for staff and students to take part in. There are 6 events:

Sprint – a quick read = 1 point

Marathon – a longer, more difficult read = 4 points

Hurdles – try a new genre or a novel from the adult section = 3 points

Javelin – hit the spot with a book recommendation that your friend adds to their reading list and really enjoys = 1 points

In the Commentary Box – write an imaginative review for the display = 2 points

Synchronised Swimming – work with friends on an entry for the Read This competition, or another group activity (e.g. Making a poster promoting reading, or a podcast for the library VLE)= 3 points

 Everyone gets a badge to show which events they are/have been competing in, and a challenge booklet to record their points. The competitors with the most points at the end of the year will recieve prizes!

 

World Book Day Events!

To celebrate World Book Day there will be some exciting events going on in London.
Tomorrow, 1st March, at the Apple store in Covent Garden Malorie Blackman, Sophie MacKenzie and Charlie Higson will be doing a live event! See http://www.worldbookday.com/ for more info!

Dickens and London Exhibition

In honour of Dickens' bicentenary the Museum of London are putting on an exhibition until the 10th of June exploring Victorian London: the city that inspired most of Dickens' work. Tickets must be bought in advance, and you should hurry because they are selling out!
For more information see: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Exhibitions-Displays/Dickens-London/Default.htm?gclid=CMKIoqiKvq4CFSMLtAodrQqpFw

The Museum of Childhood

The V & A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green has a fabulous collection of toys and games from throughout history. Over half-term they have various displays on the theme of fairy tales, as well as free fairy-tale themed activities every day. This would be a really good thing to take a younger brother or sister to, and you could encourage them by reading fairy tales to them from one of the many books we have in the library!

Imagine - Children's Literature Festival

Over half-term and the following week the Southbank Centre in London is hosting a children's literature festival. Some events are free and some you have to buy tickets for, it features many interesting contributions from authors such as Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon) and McKenzie Crook.
For more information or to book tickets see this website:
http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/imagine-childrens-festival