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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers
Welcome to our January news!
Happy New Year to all!
Last July, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that 2026 would be the National Year of Reading. Throughout the year, you can expect organisations of all sorts to be supporting this. The new National Year of Reading website is encouraging everyone (adults as well as children) to GO ALL IN: whatever your passion, whether it's music, baking, family time, films, sci-fi, sport or anything else, try reading about it to "see how reading in all its forms can unlock more of what you love". The message is - if you are into it, go all in and read into it.
West Berkshire readers are ahead of the trend
However, we know that many members of West Berkshire Libraries already 'go all in' with their reading. Last year, nearly 425,000 items were borrowed from libraries across the district. But did you know that you can borrow up to 15 books at a time? And if you need more for any reason, please talk to a member of staff and we will be happy to arrange this for you.
January can be particularly difficult for some people, when things feel a little 'flat' after the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year and perhaps the weather seems unkind too. West Berkshire Libraries are here to help support your health and wellbeing over the winter season.
For instance, why not borrow one of our Wellbeing Bags? These are packed full of activities and ideas for you, including colouring sheets, card games and suggestions for learning a new skill. Library members can borrow a bag for three weeks, free of charge. Reserve a bag online and collect it from your local library.
Health Information Week
19-25 January is Health Information Week. You will find plenty of trustworthy information in our libraries to help you manage your health and wellbeing, including our Reading Well books. These have all been recommended by health professionals and cover a variety of topics, including mental and physical health conditions. We have special collections for children, young people and adults, plus Reading Well for Families books, which provide information and advice for parents, carers and anyone supporting people from pregnancy onwards.
Remember that library members can borrow any of these books for free. Pick up a Reading Well book list in your local library or check our catalogue and reserve the titles you want online.
Don't forget our e-magazines too, which all members of West Berkshire Libraries can access online, free of charge, through our supplier BorrowBox. These include titles with a focus on fitness, mindfulness, healthy nutrition, psychology and lifestyle. Visit our website to find out more about BorrowBox or download the BorrowBox app to get started.
Get fit and keep active!
If your New Year's resolutions included keeping - or getting - fit, why not try one of our popular wellbeing sessions.
Get Berkshire Active provide chair-based exercises every Wednesday at 1-1.30pm in Hungerford Library and at 3.30-4pm in Theale Library. These are perfect for gently building your strength, suppleness, stamina and skill, as well as providing an opportunity to connect and socialise with others. The sessions are free, but you do need to book in advance. For more information or to book a place, please call Kate on 07706 357801 or email: kate.wiggins@getberkshireactive.org.
Volunteers from Educafe provide a variety of wellbeing sessions every Wednesday at Newbury Library, 1.30-2pm. These include gentle movement, meditation, and breathing exercises. These are drop-in sessions, so there is no need to book in advance.
The NHS app is a useful way to access NHS services anytime, anywhere. You can use it to contact 111 online if you need urgent medical help, request repeat prescriptions, browse health information or find NHS services near to you. Download the app to your smartphone or tablet. If you have any difficulties doing this or using the app, please ask library staff and we will be happy to help you.
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.
Burghfield Common Library closed for maintenance
Burghfield Common Library is 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, library members are welcome to use Mortimer Library, where opening hours have been extended as follows:
- Monday: 1pm-5pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am-5pm
- Wednesday: 2pm-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 1pm-6pm
- Saturday: 10am-12.30pm
The Rhymetimes and the Stay and Play sessions which normally take place at Burghfield Common Library on Thursday mornings will be held at Mortimer Library at their usual times during this closure.
Pop-up Libraries in January
Everyone is welcome to drop in 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: 21 January, 10am to 12pm. After this, the Pop-up Library will be on the 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: 12 January 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: 8 January 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
Storytime at Basildon Children's Community Bookshelf
On Thursday 15 January, we will be joining the Tiddlers toddler group which meets at St Stephens Church, Upper Basildon, for a special Storytime.
Come along to listen and perhaps borrow a book from theBasildon Children's Community Bookshelfprovided by West Berkshire Libraries in partnership with Basildon Parish Council, which is available to everyone during church opening hours.
Book now for January and February Author Chats
Our first Author Chat of 2026 will be with novelist Judith Heneghan, who will be at Newbury Library on Friday 23 January, 1-2pm. Judith will share how real-life experiences shape her fiction, why settings matter for suspense, and what it takes to write a novel. This will be followed by an audience Q&A and the opportunity to buy signed copied of the author's books.
Author Chat with Judith Heneghan
Bookings are also open now for next month's Author Chat with Carolyn Kirby. Carolyn will be with us at Newbury Library on Friday 20 February, 1-2pm. Inspired by her new novel Ravenglass, Carolyn will be exploring the Georgian era through eight intriguing objects. Once again, there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions, along with a chance to buy signed copies of Ravenglass.
More events in January
Most of the regular activities in libraries have resumed now, following the holiday break. These include our Rhymetimes for babies and young children with their parents or carers, which take place weekly in every library across the district, as well as activities for all ages, such as craft sessions, art clubs, book groups and opportunities to knit and natter, practise your language skills, try some gentle exercise and lots more. In addition to our regular activities, we have some extra events for you in January:
Encanta Totswill be atTheale Libraryon Friday 23 January, 11-11.30am, with a special, bilingual Rhymetime designed to help babies, toddlers and preschool children learn a little Spanish through singing and playing. Advance booking required. Please contact the library for more information and to book.
Encanta Tots will be running a similar session atThatcham Libraryon Monday 2 February, 10am. Please contact Thatcham Library for information about this session.
Ruby, the Pets As Therapy dog, will be at Hungerford Library on Saturday 24 January, 10.30am-12pm. Come along and read a book to her or just drop in to say hello
How well do you know your movies? Do you remember who starred in last year's blockbuster? Join our fun movie quiz at Theale Libraryon Thursday 29 January, 4-5pm. Play as a team or individual. There will be prizes up for grabs! For more information, please contact the library.
Children of all ages are invited to these special Storytimes:
- Thatcham Library, 3.30-4pm on Mondays 26 January, and 2 and 9 February
- Hungerford Library, 3.30-4pm on Tuesdays 27 January, 3 and 10 February
These are drop-in activities, no need to book
Berkshire Music Trust are back in some of our libraries this term, 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 11.00-11.45am on 12, 19 and 26 January
- Hungerford Library: Tuesdays 4-5pm on 13, 20 and 27 January
- Theale Library: Wednesday 2-3pm on 14, 21 and 28 January
The above sessions are for adults, but there will be special sessions for toddlers and pre-school children at Newbury Library on Mondays, 10.00-10.45am, on 12,19 and 26 January. These will feature well-loved nursery rhymes, playful actions songs and hands-on exploration of musical instruments, offering a perfect opportunity to spark joy, creativity and connection.
All of these sessions are provided free of charge by Berkshire Music Trust in partnership with West Berkshire Council, kindly supported by Greenham Trust.
With thanks to Berkshire Music Trust and Greenham Trust, the pianos in Newbury, Hungerford and Theale libraries are also available for library visitors to use with headphones throughout opening times, outside of the sing-along times.
Let's Talk with West Berkshire Council in January
Speak face-to-face with West Berkshire Council officers and volunteers at one of the Let's Talk drop-in sessions in libraries:
- Compton Village Hall - Thursday 8 January, 10.30-11.30am at the Compton Pop-up Library
- Newbury Library - Friday 9 January, 9.30-11am
- Thatcham Library - Thursday 15 January, 9.30-11am
- Theale Library - Monday 19 January, 3.30-4.30pm
- Mortimer Library - Friday 30 January, 1.30-3.00pm
Council staff will be happy to answer your questions and provide some 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
Book now for February half-term!
In partnership with The Watermill Theatre, during half term we will have two performances of Marina Sets Sail, a brand-new show, written and performed by Lizzie Lewis especially for children aged 2-6 years. You can catch this at Newbury Libraryon Sunday 15 February, 11-11.45am and at Hungerford Libraryon 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.
To find out what else is happening near you, please check with your local library or visit our Events website. Facebook users can also see what's coming up by following @WBerksLibraries and going to our Events listing.
Volunteering in West Berkshire libraries creates over £12,221 in wellbeing value
A timely new report from national charity Libraries Connected shows that public libraries in West Berkshire deliver at least £12,221 in value each year by supporting mental health and wellbeing through the provision of volunteering opportunities, helping to reduce pressure on health and social care services by offering early, low-cost support in the community.
Read the full report here:
If your New Year's resolutions include volunteering, we may have an opportunity for you. There is a wide range of interesting volunteer roles across Culture and Libraries, and our friendly team is always looking for new members.
For more information about volunteering with West Berkshire Libraries and to apply, please visit: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/volunteer.
Our next newsletter will be out in early February.
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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