Looking for a fun, free and educational activity for your little ones? Join us for a Library Treasure Hunt and take part in a magical journey in your library that will spark curiosity and inspire a love of reading! This is available year-round during your library open hours.

Check out The Librarian of Crooked Lane, a magical mix of fantasy and mystery by bestselling author C.J. Archer, which is this week’s Friday Fiction recommendation. Uncover the magic by reserving your copy on the Libby app.

Join us at Portlethen Library on 15th February, 11am-12pm, as we blast off into a world of stories! Storyteller Pauline Cordiner will lead this session, which is most suitable for children aged 5+. Tickets cost £1 per child. To book visit

Did you know that before Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes to the world, he briefly worked as a surgeon on a whaling ship operating out of Peterhead? Find out more about the author's adventures in this month's Local Studies podcast:

We love seeing your recommendations, let us know in the comments!

Pop in by the Local Studies Centre to view our unique press cuttings scrapbooks.  They are a useful source of local, social, and political history in the northeast and beyond, providing a glimpse of the compilers’ newsworthy stories which are most enjoyable to peruse.

At 8pm tonight (Mon, Jan 27), people will light candles and place them safely in their windows to remember those who were murdered for who they were and stand against prejudice and hatred today. For more information on Holocaust Memorial Day, visit:

As the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte discusses the importance of the day, and how the Holocaust remains a core part of learning for young people in the area. #holocaustmemorialday

Happy Burns Night! To celebrate, the Local Studies team have made a presentation about the Bard's travels in the North East of Scotland and his family connections to this area. Click the link to view:

Twitch by M.G. Leonard is this week’s Friday Fiction recommendation. A young birdwatcher turns detective as he searches to find an escaped prisoner who is on the run in the forest. Perfect for young reader’s who are fans of mystery and adventure novels.

For January's Local Studies Monthly Mystery, we're sharing this image which is part of a photo album in our collection. Can you identify where this North East 'Post Office and Temperance Hall' are?

Our Friday Fiction Young Adult pick this week is The boy lost in the maze by Joseph Coelho. It tells in verse the intertwined tales of an ancient Greek myth with a modern-day quest. Both are stories of self-discovery, with both young adults searching for a father.

Join us for our next Knowledge Exchange Café with Ria from NESCAN on the 25th January, 10.30am – 12pm. The topic will be Active Travel, what is it and what are the options? You can join us in person at Alford library or watch online. To register, go to

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for Friday Fiction! Today we have a crime novel set in Aberdeenshire – Unsolved by Heather Critchlow. Cal, a true-crime podcaster, is asked for help to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a woman. This debut thriller will have you gripped.

For this Worrall's Wednesday, we're highlighting this medical business from the 1877 business directory. Along with it, we have a photo of not-quite-King Street, but Castlegate at the bottom of King Street, from c.1912. We thought it was quite topical!❄️

With the festive holidays now coming to a close and schools returning tomorrow, are you looking for inspiration for your next getaway? If you are seeking sunshine, PressReader's selection of travel publications can help you plan your next adventure.

For anyone unable to get to your local library then we have the doorstep delivery service which can deliver a bundle of books right to your door or collection point. To find out more visit:

January's Local Studies podcast tells the story of the Hanged Monkey in Boddam. In days gone by, a ship wrecked at Boddam, and the only living thing on board was a monkey. But what would lead the villagers to hang it? Click the link to find out!

At the start of another year, it might be time to reflect on the past and what has come before. If you want to find out more about your family history or have a local interest that you wish to research, our Local Studies department is open for enquiries.

Did you know that with Scran you can use pictures to make posters, calendars, and even domino sets? Once you've found your desired picture press: Create PDF, OK, then select your product of choice. Here we've made a calendar from Joan Eardley's painting, 'Catterline in Winter'.