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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers
Welcome to our October news!
Green Libraries Week
Green Libraries Week will return and run from 7-13 October 2024. It celebrates the work going on in libraries across the UK, and this year it's focused on sustainability and climate change. West Berkshire Libraries have signed up to the Green Libraries Manifesto, meaning our libraries lead by example, inform and inspire people to take positive action, and build resilience in our communities.
Libraries contribute to sustainability by their very nature, as all our books are borrowed and read by numerous people, reducing the financial and environmental impact of everyone owning their own copies. Our library cards are also sustainable as they are made of recycled material and are fully recyclable.
West Berkshire Libraries have recycling points for a variety of materials, including small batteries, spectacles and used bras. In addition, a member of our waste management team will be available to answer questions on the Council's Draft Waste Management Strategy and promoting FREE real nappy trial packs for eligible residents of West Berkshire.
To find out about the Draft Waste Management Strategy, just pop into the following libraries to speak with council colleagues:
Hungerford | Wednesday 9 October | 09:30-12:00 |
Burghfield | Monday 14 October | 14:00-17:00 |
Theale | Friday 18 October | 14:00-17:00 |
Lambourn | Friday 25 October | 10:00-11:30 |
Mortimer | Monday 28 October | 14:00-17:00 |
Pangbourne | Thursday 31 October | 09:30-12:00 |
Library events across Green Libraries Week
- Saturday 5 October, 11am-4pm - Burghfield Common Library will have an information table and activities at the Eco Festival (St Mary's Church, Burghfield Common).
- Saturday 12 October, 11am-12pm - Junk Modelling Art and Storytelling with Jodie
- Wednesday 9 October, 9.45-11.45am - A representative from the Council's Waste Team will be coming to Hungerford's Rhymetime to talk about reusable nappy packs
- Saturday 5 October, 10.30-12 noon - Lego Club: Recycling joy from generation to generation.
- Monday 7 October, 3-5pm - Children's Activity: Make an origami rocket from recycled paper
- Tuesday 8 October, 3-5pm - Children's Activity: Recycling activity sheets
- Friday 11 October, 3-5pm - Children's Activity: Recycling sorting activity
- Saturday 12 October, from 11am - Join us at Newbury Library for a special story time with author Cynthia Huijgens who will be reading her book 'Polar Bear and the UFO'.
- Saturday 12 October, 10am-12pm - A family fun celebration of astronomy.
- Wednesday 9 October, 11am-4pm - Theale Library will have a special environmentally themed homemade board game available to play.
What's On: October
New for this year is Educafe's Money Saving Service. The service, part of the funded Multiply programme, aims to support the community amidst the cost-of-living-crisis and help individuals enhance their budgeting and money management skills. This initiative aims to make a meaningful difference to the community and ensure everyone has the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively manage their finances.
Whether you need advice on budgeting, managing bills, or any other aspect of financial well-being, bills-expert Claire and her dedicated team of volunteers will be available to assist you. The service is free and will be able to offer advice, signposting services and personal support.
Just drop in; this service will be running every Wednesday at Newbury Library 11am to 1pm.
Join us on Friday 18 October from 1-2pm at Newbury Library as we interview Eve Smith, author of three speculative, dystopian thrillers. Tickets £5.
Eve will discuss the ideas behind her dystopian novels and the research that inspired them. This will be followed by an audience Q & A and the opportunity to buy signed copies of her books.
Join us from 11am on Thursday 17 October for a free storytime and craft morning in the Children's Section of Newbury Library.
Come along to this family storytime session of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, followed by a craft activity where children can get creative as they create their own tiger mask. With their new tiger mask in hand, children will then get to take part in a short drama workshop where they can pretend to be mischievous tigers who get taught good manners (just like in the book)!
The Corn Exchange will be putting on the stage show of The Tiger Who Came To Tea between Friday 25 - Sunday 27 October.
A life-sized and life-like sculpture of Paddington Bear's creator, Michael Bond, will be coming to Newbury Library for Green Libraries Week. The statue of Michael Bond, who was born in Newbury, was made by local artist Kate Oppel, and will be on display in Newbury Library between 7 October and 2 November. The statue of the author will be displayed on a bench with a small Paddington bear toy, and borrowers are encouraged to pose for photos with Paddington Bear and his author.
Other Events:
- Saturday 12 October, 10.30am-12.00pm - Ancestry for Beginners at Mortimer Library
- Thursday 17 October, from 7pm - Talk: The Fascinating Life of Francis Baily, at Thatcham Library
World Menopause Day
Join us for World Menopause Day on 18 October at Newbury Library between 11.30am to 12.30pm for our Menopause and Menstrual-Health Tea and Chat event.
There will be relevant books available to borrow, information on support services, a 'graffiti sticky note wall' to exchange information on what you have found beneficial, and the opportunity to chat with others about your concerns and experiences over a cup of tea or coffee. Nikki Davies, the Council's Wellbeing Partner, will also be on hand to promote awareness and signpost to support.
Dyslexia Awareness Week
Did you know, West Berkshire libraries have a great selection of non-fiction books on this subject, so check out these recommendations:
- 'This Is Dyslexia' by Kate Griggs
- 'The Illustrated Guide to the Dyslexia and its Amazing People' by Kate Power and Kathy Iwanczak Forsyth
- 'Dyslexia and Me' by Onyinye Udokporo
Search our catalogue and borrow or reserve from our libraries.
Online Activities
Our October online Storytime is a lovely, inquisitive story 'Why, Mummy?' written by local author Melanie Nicholson-Jones and illustrated by Amy-Scarlett Nicholson-Jones. The book is being read by Amy-Scarlett - you can find it on our YouTube channel on Monday 7 October. We hope you enjoy it!
Alongside this we have our regular book-related online crafts for children throughout the month. You can find these on Facebook and Instagram on Saturdays and on Twitter on Sundays. Make sure to follow us @WBerksLibraries so you don't miss out.
October half-term
Bookings are open now for an exciting half-term activity for children 7-11 years: achieve your 'Discover' Arts Award in a morning in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues on Tuesday 29 October. Participants will start with a drama session at the Corn Exchange, then move to Newbury Library for a story-based session and on to the West Berkshire Museum for a craft activity. For more details and to book, please contact the Corn Exchange, Newbury.
Join us this half term for a special FREE Paddington Bear Storytime from 2.30 to 3pm.
After our storytime we're running an optional craft and colouring activity for families that want to stay and take part. There is a £1 charge per child. All materials will be provided, and children can take home their very own Paddington Bear creation!
This is a drop-in event, suitable for children aged 3 to 7 years old.
Dinosaur Quiz Trail at Newbury library from 26 October - 2 November
This half-term, you can find dinosaurs hidden throughout Newbury Library! Each dinosaur will help you answer a question on our themed quiz.
Children can also help us choose a name for our special library Pterodactyl by voting for their favourite option.
Suitable for children aged 7+.
This is a FREE drop-in activity, with no need to book in advance.
www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries
Check with your local library to see what's on offer near you or visit our Events website. Facebook users can also see what's coming up by following @WBerksLibraries and going to our Events listing.
Events in West Berkshire Libraries
Coming Soon...
Join us on Friday November 8 from 1pm to 2pm for this illustrated talk about the incredible career of Gwen Crockford. Gwen was one of Berkshire Constabulary's earliest WPCs in Wokingham in 1951, before being promoted to Police Sergeant in Newbury in 1960. Speaking with humour and insight, Ruth will talk about Gwen's career against the social history of an often-overlooked postwar period. Her talk will be followed by an audience Q&A and the opportunity to buy signed copies of her books.
Tickets £5.
Local Author Book Fair
Drop in on Saturday 23 November from 11am to 2pm and meet some amazing local authors.
All local authors will have a selection of their books on display, with books for children and adults, along with local history books.
Books will be available to purchase, and each author will be more than happy to personalise a copy for you!
Our next newsletter will be out in early November. But don't forget that you can keep up with the daily news about everything that's happening in our libraries by following @WBerksLibraries on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
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