West Berkshire Libraries newsletter

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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers

Welcome to our July news!

Our annual Summer Reading Challenge for children 4-11 years starts now!

Once again, West Berkshire Libraries are challenging primary age children to read up to six library books between 1 July and 15 September. As usual, children will be able tocollect free incentives for their achievements as they read, with medals and certificates for everyone who completes the challenge.

Developed by national charity The Reading Agency, the theme of this year's challenge is 'Story Garden', which is all about nature and storytelling. It aims to encourage children to read during their summer break.

There's no need to wait until the school holidays begin, drop in to your local library to find out more and start now. We have a mini challenge for pre-school children too.

Library locations, contact details and opening times »

Summer Reading Challenge events in July

There will be plenty of activities for children to enjoy in West Berkshire Libraries every week throughout the school summer holidays. Here are some of the special Summer Reading Challenge events coming up this month

Friday 4 July, 2.30-5pm at Hungerford Library: join us for a fun-filled afternoon in the library garden (weather permitting). Enjoy stories, crafts, biscuits and juice. No need to book, just drop in to join the fun!
Saturday 12 July, 2-3pm at Newbury Library: come along and hear local author Holly Webb talk about her wonderful books and the inspiration she gets from nature. This will be followed by a special craft activity. Tickets are £3 per child. For more information and to book, please click here.
Saturday 19 July, 11am at Pangbourne Library: children's author SP K-Mushambi will be with us for an interactive storytime. This event will include a drumming session and scavenger hunt. Tickets are £3 per child. For more information and to book, please click here.
Thursday 24 July, 2-4pm at Theale Library: decorate your own ladybird and bee game pieces, then stay to play some games with us. This is a drop-in event, no need to book. All materials will be provided.
Friday 25 July, 2-5pm at Mortimer Library: competition for World Animal Day - design your own mug. For more information, please contact the library.
Saturday 26 July, 10.30am at Burghfield Common Library: listen to the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and plant your own bean. This is a drop-in event, no need to book.
Thursday 31 July, 11am-12pm at Thatcham Library: Explore Learning workshop for 5-11-year-olds in connection with the Summer Reading Challenge. This event is free, but must be booked in advance. Please contact the library to book your place.
Thursday 31 July, 2-4pm at Theale Library: create your own clay pot and decorate it with a design inspired by nature. All materials will be provided free of charge, but places must be booked in advance. For more details and to book, please contact the library.
Friday 1 August, 2.30-3.30pm at Burghfield Common Library: Explore Learning workshop for 5-11-year-olds in connection with the Summer Reading Challenge. This event is free but must be booked in advance. Please contact the library to book your place.

Find details of all events taking place in libraries across the district on our website »

More events in July

Read, listen, share and celebrate poetry at this free drop-in event at Pangbourne Library, which is open to everyone. Bring your own poems or a favourite ode to read and discuss with others. For more information, please contact Pangbourne Library

Berkshire Music Trust will be with us once again, with music sessions for adults and for children. These events, delivered in partnership with West Berkshire Council and kindly supported by Greenham Trust, offer a fantastic opportunity for everyone to enjoy live music in the relaxed settings of our libraries. Come along and sing or just sit and listen - no musical experience is needed.

Children's Music Sessions at Newbury Library, Mondays 7 and 14 July, 10-10.45am
Adult Music Sessions at Newbury Library, Mondays 7 and 14 July, 11am-12pm.
Adult Music Sessions at Hungerford Library, Tuesdays 1 and 8 July, 4-5pm

Adult Music Sessions at Theale Library, Thursdays 3, 10 and 17 July, 3-4pm

Join us at a recycling drop-in session this July to:

learn how to recycle more and waste less
get tips on sorting your household waste
ask questions about the new collection schedule
pick up free recycling resources such as recycling boxes and caddy liners

Find out more about recycling in West Berkshire »

Pop-up libraries in July

Leckhampstead Village Hall: 2 July and every first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm
Compton Village Hall: 10 July and every second Thursday of each month, 10.15am to 11.45am
Upper Basildon, St Stephens Church: 14 July and every second Monday of each month, 10am to 12pm

Come along to find a selection of books for you to borrow. New library members are especially welcome.

Also at St Stephens Church, we'll be at the Tiddlers toddler group on Thursday 10 July. Come along and join us for a special Storytime.

The Children's Community Bookshelf is available for everyone to use during normal church opening times. Come and find your next read here!

More dates for your diary

Pangbourne Library will be closed from Monday 7 July to Saturday 12 July. This is so that essential roof maintenance can be carried out safely. We apologise if this causes you any inconvenience. The library will reopen at 2pm on Monday 14 July.
The last Educafe at Newbury Library before the summer break will be on Wednesday 9 July. Educafe will be re-opening again on Wednesday 10 September.
Our PressReader service comes to an end on 31 July. From August onwards, please visit our BorrowBox service to find e-newspapers along with e-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines.

We have a fantastic team of volunteers in our libraries assisting staff with the day-to-day running of the library service. We are currently recruiting for a number of roles across the district. Could you join the team?

For more information, email: cultureandlibrariesvolunteers@westberks.gov.uk or ring 01635 503905.

If you're aged 30 to 74 and don't have a pre-existing health condition, you'll be eligible for a free health check. NHS health checks include tests of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and can tell you whether you're at a higher risk of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.

If you haven't already been invited to a health check by your GP, you can book one with NHS staff at Newbury Library. Health checks take place during library opening hours. To book, please email WestBerkshire.CWOS@nhs.net or ring 0118 449 2985.

Happy birthday to Newbury Library!

Later this month Newbury Library will be celebrating 25 years in its current building. Drop in during the week of 28 July to write or draw a birthday message for us to add to our celebration board.

Younger library members are invited to join us for some birthday craft fun on Monday 30 July, 10am to 12pm. This is a drop-in event, no need to book.

Make the most of summer with us!

With so many beautiful summer flowers blooming everywhere, now is a good time to find out how to arrange them to best effect in the home. Create your own flower arrangement with guidance from an expert tutor at Newbury Library.

These morning classes are open to all, including anyone with a visual impairment. Charges apply, with all materials then provided. For class dates and further details, please contact tutor Christina Francis on 07771 982597.

Our next newsletter will be out in early August. Meanwhile 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 and Instagram.