Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Janet Kipling, Exeter 383654, October 4, 2007

Families around Devon are being encouraged to discover what their local library can offer during Family Learning Week (6 - 14^th October).

Devon County Council libraries will be holding a wide range of family-oriented events for parents and children to discover a fun way of learning together.

The week also covers national Get Online Day (12^th October). All Devon libraries offer free half hour sessions on computers, and longer 'taster sessions' are available to complete beginners using the easy to use online BBC Webwise tutorial.

During Family Learning Week, staff at Kingsbridge, Okehampton and Exeter Central libraries will also be giving guided sessions on the use of the Internet.

As part of Get Online Day, UK Online is also running a simple online quiz for families to complete, which can be accessed from library computers. The quiz, Challenge the Walkers, is aimed at anyone who wants to know what the Internet has to offer, takes around 15-20 minutes to complete, and gives entrants the chance to win a goody bag (subject to availability).

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Councillor Sheila Hobden, said: "Devon County Council libraries always pull out the stops for Family Learning Week and I hope families from all over the county take advantage of the activities on offer."

Other events to be held in libraries during Family Learning Week include:

• Global Warming could soon become a hot topic for us all - so get along to Exeter Central Library on 10th October, 7.30 - 9pm for a talk by Jeff Ridley from Exeter Met Office - entitled 'Carbon Neutral Exeter, Global Warming - Science or Swindle?'
• At Bideford Library there will be a coffee morning between 10 and 12noon on the 10th October with a chance to look at an extensive collection of old photographs of the area. At 2pm Bideford Library group and Lizzie Potter from North Devon Museum will give a talk on the 'Explore North Devon Project. In the evening at 7.30pm, there will be a talk from local historian Kit Mayers talking on local hero Stephen Borough. Then on 11th October Tim Wormleighton from 'Archives 4 All' will be ready to offer guidance in accessing online local and family history information, photographs and heritage
• At Holsworthy they'll be Stringing Stories Together on 13th October, 11 - 12noon, when Teri West will be demonstrating the ancient art of 'cat's cradle' and other string games from around the world, and telling the stories that surround them.
• On 13th October, 9.30am - 1pm, Kingsbridge Library is the place to be for those who have never touched a digital camera, or would like to learn to knit. Just drop in for knitting tips and advice or book a session to learn about digital photography
• At Okehampton Library on the 13th October families are invited to Take a Closer Look at Bugs and Reptiles. Explore the wonderful world of snakes, spiders, lizards and all sorts of creepy-crawlies with Reptobug. Children and parents will be encouraged to hold and touch the creatures.

Family Learning Week (FLW) is an annual awareness campaign which aims to highlight the importance families can have in supporting each other's learning. The Campaign for Learning started co-ordinating Family Learning Day in 1998 to highlight the importance of Family Learning, which has now grown to nine days of fun for families across the country.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

A full of events is available - please see Excel attachment.

Further information can be found on the website www.devon.gov.uk/flw2007

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
• Children and Young People £101 million

• Other important County Council support includes:
• Building programme: £185 million for new schools, roads, care services, libraries and recycling centres

• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
• 33 Liberal Democrat
• 23 Conservative
• 4 Labour
• 2 Independent
• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

• Key stats:
• Population: 741,000
• Schools: 365
• Pupils: 96,200
• Children looked after: 584
• Adults helped to live at home: 17,622
• Residential and nursing care: 4,212 adults
• Libraries and Mobile Libraries: 61
• Roads: 12,831 kms (7,973 miles)
• Bridges: 3,500
• Public Rights of Way: 4,960 kms (3,200 miles)
• Streetlights: 71,000
• Illuminated road signs: 10,917
• Recycling Centres: 20
• Recycling rate: 49.21%

Figures may be subject to change

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