West Berkshire Libraries newsletter
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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers
Welcome to our February news!
Last month we introduced the National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign from the Department for Education encouraging people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading.
There are many reasons why reading regularly is beneficial. For instance, reading for pleasure has been linked to a wide range of mental health benefits, such as feelings of positivity, self-understanding, empathic relations, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and connectedness (Sirisena, et al., 2025.). In children, reading has been found to be more important for their cognitive development than their parents' level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background (Sullivan and Brown, 2013.).
We know that members of West Berkshire Libraries already enjoy reading novels and non-fiction books. But do you ever wonder what everyone else is reading? Take a look here at our most borrowed books of 2025 - how many have you read?
West Berkshire leads the way!
Did your children take part in last year's Summer Reading Challenge? If so, they were some of the 18% of children across the district to do so.
We were recently delighted to learn that for the fifth year in a row West Berkshire had the highest percentage participation of 4-11 year olds in South East England. Well done to all concerned - and look out for another exciting challenge this summer!
Did you know that we offer digital support and IT help in our libraries? Whether you are baffled by your smartphone or need help navigating online forms, our libraries have your back.
You can drop in to any West Berkshire library for help with the library or e-library apps. For detailed, individual online help, you can book one-to-one sessions (30 or 60 minutes) with our Digital Services Officer. We also run 10-week digital skills courses at Newbury Library (10 sessions from a personal tutor for just £35).
To find out more or book a session, please speak to a member of staff or email Rav.Gopal@westberks.gov.uk.
Free mobile data from the National Databank
If you are struggling to afford internet access or a mobile phone contract, we may be able to help.
If you are 18 or over and from a low-income household, you can apply for free SIM cards or data for your phone, so you can get online to access essential services, keep in touch with friends and family, look for work and more.
To apply, visit any West Berkshire library and speak to a member of staff or email: rav.gopal@westberks.gov.uk.
Children's Mental Health Week
This year,Children's Mental Health Week will take place on 9 to 15 February and will highlight the importance of supporting emotional wellbeing.
West Berkshire Libraries can help, through our Reading Well for Children and Reading Well for Families collections, which feature expert‑recommended books on parenting, child development and family mental health. Whether you need practical advice, help supporting an anxious child or suggestions for ways to strengthen family relationships, these titles offer trusted, accessible guidance.
Browse the collections in Newbury or Thatcham libraries or reserve your chosen books online. All items are free to borrow with your library card.
Burghfield Common Library temporary closure
Burghfield Common Library remains closed until Friday 13 February to allow for essential maintenance to be completed. The library will reopen on Saturday 14 February. We are sorry if this closure causes any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding.
During this period, remember that library members are welcome to use Mortimer Library, where opening hours have been extended as follows:
- Monday: 1pm to 5pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 2pm to 5pm
- Thursday: 10am to 5pm
- Friday: 1pm to 6pm
- Saturday: 10am to 12.30pm
The Rhymetimes and the Stay and Play sessions which normally take place at Burghfield Common Library on Thursday mornings are being held at Mortimer Library at their usual times during this closure.
Pop-up Libraries in February
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: first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm - West Berkshire Council is working with Leckhampstead Village Hall to provide this service
- Upper Basildon, St Stephens Church: 9 February 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 February 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 February to April
We have an exciting line-up of authors for you to meet at Newbury Library 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.
Carolyn Kirby will be at Newbury Library on Friday 20 February, 1pm to 2pm. Inspired by her new novel Ravenglass, Carolyn will be exploring the Georgian era through eight intriguing objects, revealing stories of coalmining, the slave trade, tartan bans and early consumerism.
March Author Chat: 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 discussing her new book, Ghosts of the Farm, a true story of two local women living decades apart.
April Author Chat: Sunday Times best-selling author Gill Hornby will be at Newbury Library on Friday 17 April, 1pm to 2pm. Gill will be talking about Jane Austen's connections with West Berkshire and the inspirations behind her Austen-themed novels.
Book sale at Newbury Library
Newbury Library is having a sale of withdrawn stock, starting on Saturday 14 February and running until Saturday 21 February. Drop in any time during library opening hours to pick up a bargain!
Half-term fun for children
We are delighted to bring you Marina Sets Sail, a brand-new show for children, presented in partnership with The Watermill Theatre, and written and performed by Lizzie Lewis especially for children aged 2 to 6 years.
You can catch this at Newbury Library on Sunday 15 February, 11 to 11.45am and at Hungerford Library on Thursday 19 February, 11-11.45am. Tickets: £10 for adults, £7 for children. Advance booking is essential.
For more information and to book online for the Sunday performance, please use the link below. To book for the Thursday performance, please contact Hungerford Library: 01488 682660 or email hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
Hungerford Library continues its watery theme throughout half term, with special drop-in activities including a treasure hunt and crafts on Tuesday 17 February and Saturday 21 February, both sessions 10.30am to 12pm, and on Friday 20 February, 2.30pm to 5pm.
Burghfield Common Library will be reopening with several exciting half-term events for children. The following are all drop-in activities, no need to book:
- upcycle an old shoebox in our decoupage workshop on Saturday 14 February, 10.30am to 12pm - all materials provided
- explore our Pop Up Play Village: 0 to 4 year olds can have fun in different play areas of our open-plan 'village' on Monday 16 February, 10am to 11.30am
- Construction Club: a workshop for children 4 to 12 years to turn a mix of materials into incredible machines, Friday 20 February, 3pm to 4.30pm - all materials provided
Explore Learning tutors will be at Pangbourne Library with a fun, shapes-based maths workshop on Tuesday 17 February, 11am to 12pm. This workshop is suitable for children 4 to 6 years. For more information or to book a free place, please contact the library.
Pangbourne Library is also offering fun with LEGO for children over 5, on Friday 20 February, 11am to 1pm.
LEGO fans may be keen to know that Newbury Library is launching a monthly LEGO Club on Saturday 7 February, 12.30pm to 1.30pm. This will take place on the first Saturday of each month. Drop in to either of these activities to take part. LEGO will be provided, for use in the library only.
Lambourn Library is inviting primary school-aged children to its first ever Book Tasting Café on Thursday 19 February, 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Enjoy some refreshments while you look through our baskets of books in different genres. This special event is designed to encourage children to explore and read new genres and authors.
Newbury Library is holding a special Storytime on Monday 16 February, 11am to 11.45am, in connection with the charity BookTrust. It's a chance to hear all the books for under 5s which have been shortlisted for this year's Bookstart Storytime Prize and an opportunity to vote for your favourite. This is a free, drop-in event.
It's Viking Week throughout half term at Theale Library, with plenty of challenges and puzzles to test your wits against our Norse-themed brain teasers. Pick up a quiz sheet whenever you visit and don't miss our special activities:
- make a moving Viking warrior - starts Wednesday 18 February, from 1pm each day for the rest of the week while supplies last
- viking storytime and crafts - Thursday 19 February, 2.30pm to 4pm - this event is free but advance booking required
For more information on any of these activities and to book for 19 February, please contact the library.
Creative workshops in February
Learn some general art techniques in fun and engaging workshops run by local artist Simon Jardine. The workshops will run weekly on Thursdays at Thatcham Library, from 26 February to 26 March, 10am to 12pm. These workshops are subsidised by the Friends of Thatcham Library with a grant from Thatcham Town Council. There is a booking fee of £3 per session.
For more information and to book please contact the library.
Learn basic crochet or build your confidence and improve your skills in this beginner-friendly workshop at Hungerford Library on Friday 27 February, 4 to 6pm.
Tickets are £10, including all materials. Advance booking essential: hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
Sensory Bags now in all libraries
All West Berkshire libraries now have a Sensory Bag containing items that may provide comfort for some neurodivergent visitors. The bags contain a pair of headphones to block out noise, sunglasses to dim lights and fidget toys to occupy hands. They are free to use when you are in a library, but not available to borrow for home use. If you would like to view or use a Sensory Bag, please ask any member of the Libraries team when you visit.
Let's Talk with West Berkshire Council in February
Speak face-to-face with West Berkshire Council officers and volunteers at one of the Let's Talk drop-in sessions in libraries:
- Newbury Library: Friday 13 February, 9.30am to 11am
- Thatcham Library: Thursday 26 February, 9.30am to 11am
- Mortimer Library: Friday, 27 February, 1pm to 2.30pm
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.
e-Library titles available instantly!
Our e-library has thousands of titles available for you to borrow, but we know that sometimes there can be a short wait to borrow a popular e-book or e-audiobook.
This month, we have some 'instant access' titles for you, which means that any number of library members can borrow them at the same time, with no waiting. During February, our instant access e-book is The daughter by multi-million copy bestselling author T.M. Logan; and our instant access e-audiobook is We all live here by popular author Jojo Moyes.
Get ready for World Book Day!
World Book Day falls on Thursday 5 March and children everywhere are invited to join this annual celebration of books.
Thatcham Town Council has been working with High Street Safari to bring an Official World Book Day® Treasure Hunt to the town. This is a high-tech, outdoor adventure for the whole family, using the power of Augmented Reality (AR). Players need to use their smartphones to hunt for 10 mystery characters who are hiding in the vicinity. The hunt begins on 12 February and runs until 15 March. It's free to take part. Visit Thatcham Library to start your hunt.
There will also be World Book Day events for children in several West Berkshire libraries. These are all free, drop-in events:
- Rhymetime for under 5s at Hungerford Library on Wednesday 4 March, 10am to 10.30am and again at 11am to 11.30am
- Storytime and crafts at Thatcham Library on Thursday 5 March, 4pm to 4.45pm
a special 'Witchy Storytime' and crafts at Theale Library on Thursday 5 March, 3.45pm to 5pm
Look out for more events coming soon!
Can you assist Berkshire children to read?
Berkshire literacy charity ABC to read has pledged to deliver over 50,000 one-to-one and small-group reading sessions in local schools during the National Year of Reading and is looking for volunteers to help with this. If you would like to find out more about ABC to read, or if you are interested in training to be a 'volunteer reading mentor', please visit their website.
Our next newsletter will be out in early March.
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!
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