West Berkshire Libraries newsletter

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To All West Berkshire Libraries Customers

Welcome to our September news!

There is so much happening!

With the start of the new school year, most of our regular activities resume in West Berkshire libraries this month. These include weekly Rhymetimes for babies and young children with their parents or carers, which take place in every library across the district.

But it's not just activities for children. You will find a wide range of free activities for all ages in our libraries, such as craft sessions, art clubs, book groups and opportunities to knit and natter, to share gardening tips, practise your language skills, try some gentle exercise, seek advice with researching your family history or getting to grips with IT, and lots more.

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

Due to popular demand, Theale Library is starting a third book group: join us in the library on the second Thursday of each month, 2-2.45pm, beginning Thursday 14 September. For more information, please ring 0118 930 3207 or email thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.

Online activities too

We also have online activities which you can enjoy from home. These include monthly Storytimes on YouTube and simple crafts for children, posted each Saturday on Facebook and Instagram, and each Sunday on X (Twitter).

Autumn term at Code Club

One very popular activity is our Code Club for 9-11-year-olds, where children can learn to code with Scratch. This term's free, 12-week course starts on 11 September. Each week we email you with a fun project to try at home, with full instructions and a step-by-step video guide included. If you don't have a computer at home, children can use one in the library.

For more information or to sign up your child, please email: library@westberks.gov.uk

Educafe returns

Educafe makes a welcome return to Newbury Library on Wednesday 6 September. Everyone is welcome at our friendly community café between 11am and 2pm, to meet and make new friends and to learn new things, with refreshments provided.

We are pleased to tell you that NHS staff from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust will be with us on the last Wednesday of each month from now until the end of March to provide free, basic health checks. On the same day each month, we will be joined by a British Sign Language interpreter. Come along to Educafe to find out more! 

Educafe's chair yoga sessions also resume on Wednesdays, 2.15pm. These free, drop-in sessions provide gentle exercise which helps to develop flexibility, strength and a sense of calm. Suitable for adults of all ages.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

We're pleased to pass on news about a Macmillan Coffee Morning taking place at Newbury Library on Monday, 10 September, 10.30-12. Come for coffee and cake and help raise funds to support people living with cancer.

Find more information about Macmillan coffee mornings on the Macmillan website.

There's still time to complete this year's Summer Reading Challenge, which runs in West Berkshire until 15 September. Children who have borrowed and read six library books can collect their medals and certificates from any library.

If you have been taking part in the West Berks Book Challenge and have completed a 'line' on your record card, make sure to return your card to your local library by 15 September. There will be a prize draw among finishers in each library and you could win a book token. Good luck to all!

Food waste caddy liners

Free compostable food waste caddy liners will be available from 4-30 September from all West Berkshire libraries and from the Council Office reception at Market Street in Newbury, while stocks last. This offer is only open to West Berkshire residents, and we ask that you only take one roll per household to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to collect a free roll. Proof of address or your library card will be required. For more information, please visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/foodwaste

Coming soon

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 25 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.

More details about other half-term events for children coming soon!

Our next newsletter will be out in early October. 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).

Find links to all of these on the West Berkshire Libraries app, where you will also find an easy way to renew your loans, listen to e-audiobooks, reserve items, manage all your family accounts and more. You can even check out your own books with it when you are in the library. Download the WestBerkshire Libraries app from your app store today.