West Berkshire Libraries newsletter
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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers
Welcome to our March news!
Libraries are great places to meet up and connect with others. For instance, everyone is welcome to join us at Educafe, which runs on Wednesdays at Newbury Library, 11am to 2pm. Come along and enjoy a coffee and cake while you chat to friends and perhaps join in Educafe activities.
We also run our Ageing Creatively Community Café every Monday at Theale Library, 1 to 2.30pm. This is run in association with the Corn Exchange, Newbury, and includes a monthly arts and crafts programme tailored to the over 50s.
All West Berkshire libraries offer a variety of events and activities for all ages where you can learn new skills, engage with others, and connect with people. To find out more, visit our Library Events webpage or speak to a member of staff.
Welcome to month three of the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign designed by the Department for Education to help more people rediscover the joy of reading.
Why don't you share your love of reading with others by joining one of our book clubs? Book groups are such a great way to meet with friends and share thoughts about something you've read in a friendly atmosphere (often along with food and drink!).
If you belong to a book group, why not borrow sets of books for your group from us? We supply sets of 10 copies of your chosen title and we have over two hundred sets for you to choose from. Please email library@westberks.gov.uk for details.
If you want to set up a book group but you're not sure how to go about it, we can help with that too. Alternatively, if you want to join an existing group in our area you'll find that some of our libraries run their own book groups, which you are welcome to join. Please ask in your local library to find out what's available near you.
Library Branch Updates
Burghfield Common Library reopened on 21 February, following the completion of essential maintenance, and the library is now open as normal. Rhymetimes and Stay and Play have returned to Burghfield Common Library and will continue there as usual.
The opening hours for Mortimer Library have now reverted to their standard opening hours.
Extended opening hours will be continuing at Pangbourne Library thanks to the generous support of Pangbourne Parish Council. They have once again provided funding to allow Pangbourne Library to stay open on Saturdays until 2pm.
Continued Support for Extended Opening Hours at Lambourn Library
Extended opening hours will be continuing at Lambourn Library, thanks to the ongoing support of Lambourn Parish Council, East Garston Parish Council, and the Friends of Lambourn Library.
These extended hours mean more opportunities for the community to visit, explore the children's section, borrow books and enjoy weekly activities. The library will continue to open every Thursday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Pop-up Libraries in March
Everyone is welcome to come along to one of our pop-up libraries and find a selection of books to borrow. If you are not yet a member of West Berkshire Libraries, you can join when you visit.
- Leckhampstead Village Hall: 4 March and every first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm - West Berkshire Council is working with Leckhampstead Village Hall to provide this service
- Basildon, St Stephens Church: 9 March and every second Monday of each month, 10am to 12pm - West Berkshire Council is working with Basildon Parish Council to provide this service
- Compton Village Hall: 12 March and every second Thursday of each month, 10.15am to 11.45am - West Berkshire Council is working with Compton Parish Council to provide this service
Book Now for Author Chats in March to May
We have an exciting line-up of authors for you to meet at over the next few months. All of our Author Chats offer an opportunity for audience members to ask questions of the authors, along with a chance to buy signed copies of their books. Tickets for each event are £5. For further details and to book online, please follow the links below.
Local author Nicola Chester will be at Newbury Library on Friday 6 March, 12.30pm to 1.30pm.Author of the award-winning title On Gallows Down, Nicola will be talking about her latest book, Ghosts of the Farm, a true story of two women from the same village in West Berkshire, living 60-80 years apart.
Join us at Hungerford Library on Friday 27 March, 5pm to 6.30pm, for an inspiring talk with local author Caroline Kuhtz. Caroline will read from their latest novel, Everything the Sun Touches,and share insights into their creative process and sources of inspiration, before opening up the floor for an informal question and answer session.
Refreshments will be available and signed copies of Caroline's book will be available to purchase. For more information, please contact hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or 01488 682660.
Sunday Times best-selling author Gill Hornby will be at Newbury Library on Friday 17 April, 1pm to 2pm. Gill will share how Jane Austen's connections with West Berkshire inspired her to write the novel Miss Austen and continue the theme to write a series of novels based on the lives of the extended Austen family.
Join us at Newbury Library on Friday 22 May, 1pm to 2pm, as we interview novelist Lesley Bungay, author of A Year Without Summer.Lesley will discuss the ideas behind her debut novel along with insight into her winding route to publication. There will be an audience question and answer, and the opportunity to purchase signed copies of her book.
Fun for Children
Ruby, the Pets as Therapy dog, will be at Mortimer Library on Saturday 14 March, 10.30am to 12pm. Come along and read a book to her or just drop in to say hello.
Join staff from Corn Exchange, Newbury, in the Children's section at Newbury Library on Thursday 19 March at 11am, for this storytime and craft session around The Dinosaur That Pooped: A Rock Show! This a free of charge drop-in session, suitable for children aged 3 and over.
Join Hayley from Our story & Co. for a free, relaxed development session focused on your baby's early communication, at Theale Library on Friday 20 March, 1pm to 2pm. Come along and discover how chatting, singing, and playing builds your little one's brain and language skills! You'll leave with simple and practical ideas to encourage back and forth interaction at home, including easy songs and basic baby signs. The session is suitable for babies 12 months and under.
Booking is required. Please contact Thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk or call 0118 930 3207.
Come along to the Pop Up Play Village at Burghfield Common Library on Monday 30 March, 10am to 11.30am. The villages provide unique, open-plan role-play areas to enable children to explore independently and make connections between different play areas, all whilst keeping their grown-ups in sight. Suitable for children 0 to 7 years.
Booking advised, please contact burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk or 0118 983 3632. This activity is funded by a grant from Burghfield Residents Association.
Mortimer Library is hosting a Board Games Café for over 8s on Saturday 21 March, 10.30am to 12pm. Board games are provided for this free, drop in session. You're welcome to bring your own beverages.
Easter Holiday Activities for Children
Burghfield Library's Hide and Seek Chicks challenge starts 3pm to 4.30pm on 30 March and runs throughout the Easter holiday. Children of all ages are invited to Burghfield Common Library for some Easter craft sessions. These free drop-in sessions are taking place on Saturday 28 March, 10.30am to 12pm, Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 April, 2pm to 4.30pm, and on Saturday 4 April 10am to 12pm. Burghfield Common Library is also running free drop-in craft sessions on Wednesday 8 April, 2pm to 4pm, Thursday 9 April 2pm to 4pm and Friday 10 April 3pm to 4.30pm.
Newbury Library is part of this year's City Arts Newbury Easter Egg Trail. You can buy maps from City Arts Newbury (10 Hampton Road, RG14 6DB) from Saturday 28 March onwards! The trail finishes at 4pm on Friday 10 April.
Newbury Library has a fantastic programme of activities lined up for the Easter holidays, including children's crafts on 31 March, 2, 3, 8, 9 April from 10am to 12pm. Families can enjoy Easter‑themed LEGO Club on Saturday 4 April from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and again on Friday 10 April from 10am to 12pm, with a DUPLO session for younger children on Friday 10 April from 10am to 11am. On Saturday 4 April from 10am to 12pm, visitors can also meet a guide dog puppy and learn about the important work guide dogs do at our Guide Dogs Activity Morning. There's plenty to get involved in, and everyone is welcome!
Easter LEGO will be taking place at Thatcham Library on 31 March and 7 April, 2pm to 4pm. LEGO is provided! The event is suitable for children over 5; children under 8 years require a parent/carer to stay with them.
Theale Library will be running an Easter Eggstravaganza during the Easter holidays, including an Easter egg picture hunt, Easter themed crafts on Wednesdays 1 and 8 April, Easter colouring sheets and Easter Lego on Saturdays 4 and 11 April, 10.15am to 12.15pm. All events are drop-in and no booking is required.
Music for All
Berkshire Music Trust will be visiting some of our libraries this month, with a mixture of old favourites and new songs. Join us around the piano on the following dates to sing along or just sit and watch:
- Newbury Library: Mondays 11am to 11.45am on 9, 16, 23 March
- Hungerford Library: Tuesdays 4pm to 5pm on 10, 17, 24 March
- Theale Library: Wednesday 2pm to 3pm on 11, 18 and 25 March
All sessions are provided free of charge by Berkshire Music Trust in partnership with West Berkshire Council and are kindly supported by Greenham Trust.
Let's Talk with West Berkshire Council in March
Speak face-to-face with West Berkshire Council officers and volunteers at one of the Let's Talk drop-in sessions in libraries:
- Leckhampstead Pop-up Library Wednesday, 4 March - 10.30am to 11.45am
- Hungerford Library Wednesday, 4 March - 1pm to 3pm
- Newbury Library Friday, 6 March - 10am to 12pm
- Thatcham Library Thursday, 12 March - 9.30am to 11am
- Pangbourne Library Friday, 13 March - 10.30am to 12pm
- Theale Library Monday, 16 March - 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Hungerford Library Wednesday, 18 March - 9.30am to 11am
- Newbury Library Friday, 20 March - 10am to 12pm
- Lambourn Library Wednesday, 25 March - 10.30am to 11.30am
- Burghfield Common Library Friday, 26 March - 10am to 11.30am
Council staff will be happy to answer your questions and provide guidance about benefits, housing, forms or technology. For more information and other dates and venues across the district, visit Let's Talk - West Berkshire Council
BorrowBox Instant Access Titles
Are you looking for something to read right now or with a group? Try one of our 'Instant Access' titles on BorrowBox.
Instant Access e-books and e-audiobooks can be read and listened to by multiple users at the same time and are ready for you to borrow straight away with no wait time.
Just download the BorrowBox app or access it via our website to start borrowing.
Women Who Rewrite the Rules
For Women's History Month this March, why not learn more about the stories of women who have shaped history, fought injustice and defined their own paths? Explore our collection to discover feminist retellings that reclaim stories of folklore and myth, as well as non-fiction biographies, essays and historical accounts to inspire and uplift.
Check out what's available by searching our catalogue. Alternatively, browse our e-library on BorrowBox
Today is World Book Day!
Today is World Book Day and children everywhere are invited to join this annual celebration of books.
There will be World Book Day events for children taking place in Thatcham and Theale libraries - no need to book and events are free. World Book Day vouchers will also be available in our libraries our whilst stocks last!
You will find Storytime and crafts at Thatcham Library on Thursday 5 March, 4pm to 4.45pm, and a special 'Witchy Storytime' and crafts at Theale Library on Thursday 5 March, 3.45pm to 5pm.
For something extra special this year, try the Official World Book Day® Treasure Hunt in Thatcham, supported by Thatcham Town Council and High Street Safari. This high‑tech outdoor adventure uses Augmented Reality (AR) to guide families as they search for 10 hidden mystery characters using a smartphone. The treasure hunt runs until 15 March, it's free to take part, so visit Thatcham Library to start your hunt.
Activities for Adults
Join West Berkshire Libraries for a needle felting workshop at Hungerford Library on Friday 13 March from 4pm to 6pm. Led by local artists, this session is perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters, with all materials provided. Tickets cost £8 and booking is essential. To secure your place, please contact the library at 01488 682660 or email hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
At Home Service
Our At Home Service already assists library members who are unable to get to a library through age, disability or other special circumstance. In such cases, our friendly volunteers visit members in their own homes, on a three-weekly basis. To find out more about this service, please ring 01635 519827 or email library@westberks.gov.uk.
Share Your Story
We hope you love our libraries as much as we do. We'd love to hear about how West Berkshire Libraries have helped make a difference in your life. Please use this link below to tell us what you love about your local library.
Our next newsletter will be out in early April.
Meanwhile you will find a full list of events and activities in libraries on our website.
Keep up with the latest news about everything that's happening by following @WBerksLibraries on Facebook and Instagram.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
