Poems, songs and prose from the dark side of love...

Need an antidote to the schmaltz of Valentine's Day? Come to the library for an alternative night of miserable music and bitter, twisted poetry. And a bit of a laugh. Friday, 12th February 7.30pm. Free entry, all welcome.

February is LGBT history month. For some interesting reads, pick up one of our leaflets in the Library, check our own online LGBT book list, or have a look at the reading suggestions on the official LGBT website.

Ann Cleeves dominated our adult fiction borrowing again in 2009 - Red Bones, White Nights and Raven Black took the top three places. Jacqueline Wilson was the top children's author, and Stephanie Meyer was unbeatable in the young adult section. There were a host of local publications last year, and as ever they loaned well. Top Shetland book was Dr R. J. Robertson's Bombs, boils and brushes. Full list of most borrowed books

As a fitting way to celebrate the Bards in the Bog project, we have published a book of the best poems. It costs just £5 and all profits will go to the World Toilet Organisation. The book was launched at the Library on the 20th of November (World Toilet Day), when all the poems were read, accompanied by some toilet-themed music. More information on the Bards in the Bog web page.

Now every month! What better way to spend a lightsome evening? Held on the comfortable library mezzanine: just bring your makkin along, and chat with like-minded folk. Hot drinks available. First Monday of every month from 6pm - 8pm (clewin up time 7.50pm). Next Makkin & Yakkin evening: Monday 1st March 2010.

In February the group is reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Upcoming reads; The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant and Full Tilt by Dervla Murphy.

The next book group meeting is on Wednesday 17 February 2010 at 7.30 pm at Old Library Centre. New members are welcome at the Book Group: just contact Karen or Morag here at the library if you want to join.

As an extra service to our customers, we regularly open up the library basement so that you can have look at some of our reserve stock - lots and lots of extra books for you to browse. (Please note that children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.) The next Basement Browsing is on Saturday 27th February.

Anyone who enjoyed reading along with the Richard and Judy book club might appreciate this new programme from Channel 4. A different book will be featured each week.

Results of our 2009 customer survey: many thanks for all your helpful feedback, which helps to improve our service. The 'space and layout' category again attracted the lowest scores and the most adverse comments, with lack of space remaining a problem for your enjoyment of the library. Despite this, we are delighted to report that you gave us a satisfaction rating of 91.5%, and praised our customer service in particular. Thanks again!

Margaret Burns and Emma Whitney of Health Scotland, pictured here with Library manager Silvija Crook, recently viewed our health project.

Help Yourself to Health is a joint project run by Shetland Library and NHS Shetland. We promote health and wellbeing books in the library, including recommended stock from the NHS. Just now we are promoting the Drink Better campaign - click the page link for more details.

Have you seen our page about Shetland writers? It's a taster of some great local writing, and a change to find out about some of our authors. There are photos, text, interviews and audio clips. Just click the link above.