West Berkshire Libraries newsletter
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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers
Welcome to our September news!
Do you enjoy talking about books?
Why not try something new this month? Join a library book group or set up your own and borrow your books from us.
As one of our members told us recently:
"Reading is a solitary activity - sharing that with others is stimulating, provides new ideas and insights."
We couldn't put it better and it is great fun!
We have over 200 sets of books - 10 copies of the same book in each set - which private groups can borrow through any West Berkshire library for an annual subscription charge. To find out more, email library@westberks.gov.uk or drop in to Newbury Library on Saturday 13 September, when staff will be available to answer your book group questions and you could take part in the Newbury Library Book Group meeting between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
National charity The Reading Agency is celebrating Thursday 11 September as Book Club Day UK. If you are already in a book group, take a look at the agency's Book Club Hub to hear about the latest book releases and author news, read reviews, enter competitions and find out how to apply for free offers from publishers.
Tonight's author chat
If you are reading this early enough on Thursday 4 September, there is still time to join us at Newbury Library tonight as we talk to bestselling author Jasper Fforde about his books and prolific writing career. Tickets £5. For more details and to book online: https://tinyurl.com/wberkslibraries11
There's such a lot happening in September!
Many of our regular events and activities resume this month, following a summer break. These include weekly rhymetimes, Lego clubs, chess meets and crafts for children, seated exercise classes, art groups, knit and natter mornings, board games sessions, IT courses and LOTS more!
Anyone who has been missing the friendly conversations, refreshments and advice at Educafe will be pleased to know that it returns to its usual Wednesday slot at Newbury Library on 10 September, 11am until 2pm.
For full details about these and other regular activities, please ask in your local library or check our Events website to see what's on near you
Summer Reading Challenge
Children taking part in our Summer Reading Challenge have until 15 September to complete this and collect their medals and certificates.
Our Mini Challenge for under 4s and the West Berkshire Book Challenge also finish on 15 September. Don't miss out - drop in to your local library to claim your rewards.
If your children enjoyed taking part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge, they may like to become a library star.
Younger readers can choose from one of our five character bookmarks when they borrow a book from any West Berkshire library. Collect a 'star' for your bookmark with every book you return to the library and a certificate when you have collected ten stars. Audiobooks count too. It's a great way to encourage reading and the joy of sharing books with family and friends. Please ask in your local library to get started,
More events in September
In addition to all our regular activities, we have some special events for you this month:
Join us at Lambourn Library on Thursday 11 September, 3.30pm, for the very first Children's Book Club meeting!
This club will be suitable for children aged 8+ years. This is a drop-in event, with no need to book. At this first meeting, you will help shape our club by deciding what books we'll read and how often we'll meet. Bring your imagination, your ideas and your love of reading!
Saturday 13 September is Roald Dahl Story Day: join a global celebration of Roald Dahl's marvellous characters and worlds, with crafts and stories during the mornings at Burghfield Common, Lambourn and Mortimer libraries; and lots of Roald Dahl fun throughout the week from Monday 8 September at Theale Library.
Needle felting workshop: embrace your creativity with a workshop led by talented local artists at Hungerford Library, Friday 26 September, 3-5pm. Beginners and experienced crafters all welcome, materials will be provided. Tickets: £7. For more information and to book, please contact the library.
Join the conversation with Kate Atkinson
Internationally acclaimed and multi-award winning author Kate Atkinson will be delving into the stories behind her unforgettable characters and compelling narratives in a live event on Tuesday 23 September at 10am.
This free event, hosted by our e-library supplier BorrowBox, is open to all, giving you the chance to ask Kate questions and to hear about her new book, Death at the sign of the rook.
Drop in to Newbury Library to view the display by local organisation Recovery in Mind. You will be able to see how the organisation works to improve the lives of adults living in West Berkshire with mental health challenges and find details of their free courses. This display runs until the end of September.
We are pleased to let you know that you can pick up a free roll of caddy linersfor your food waste bin when you are visiting any West Berkshire library this month.
A member of staff from West Berkshire Council's Waste Management Team will be in libraries at the following times to answer any questions you may have about waste and recycling:
- Lambourn Library: Friday 5 September, 10-11am
- Thatcham Library: Monday 8 September, 9.30am-12pm
- Newbury Library: Wednesday 10 September, 10am-1pm
- Pangbourne Library: Tuesday 16 September, 10.30am-1:30pm
- Theale Library: Friday 19 September, 2-5pm
- Hungerford Library: Wednesday 24 September, 9.30am-12pm
- Burghfield Common Library: Thursday 25 September, 10am-12pm
- Mortimer Library: Tuesday 30 September, 2-5pm
West Berkshire Council's Community Outreach Service aims to empower individuals and communities by providing early support locally, whether that's helping with form filling, signposting, referrals, or technology help. Drop in to talk with council officers and volunteers at Thatcham Library on Thursday 11 September, 9.30am-12.30pm and at Burghfield Common Library on Thursday 18 September, 10am-12pm.
Pop-up libraries in September
- Leckhampstead Village Hall: First Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm.
- Upper Basildon, St Stephens Church: 8 September and every second Monday of each month, 10am to 12p
- Compton Village Hall: 11 September and every second Thursday of each month, 10.15am to 11.45am
Adults and children are invited to come along to find a selection of books to borrow. New library members are especially welcome.
Have you written a book?
Are you living in this district and have you had a book published, either fiction or non-fiction? Newbury Library is offering you an opportunity to showcase your work at another of its popular book fairs on Saturday 15 November.
This event will be open to the public from 11am until 2pm. The cost to hire a table is from £10. Early expressions of interest are advised as space is limited. Please send your email enquiries to Library@westberks.gov.uk
Book now for October
Join us at Newbury Library for a talk celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Local author and historian Nicola Cornick will be chatting about Jane Austen's connections with West Berkshire and other places that inspired her writing. This will be followed by an audience Q and A session. Tickets: £5. Book your place for this here: Library Events.
Join us at Thatcham Library as we interview Cara Hunter, author of Making a Killing. Cara will discuss the ideas behind her latest thriller books, along with insight into how the book was created. This will be followed by an audience Q & A and the opportunity to buy signed copies of the books. Tickets: £5. Book your place for this here: Library Events
Bookings are open now for an exciting half-term activity for children 7-11 years: achieve your Arts Award Discover in a morning in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues on Thursday 30 October.
Participants will start their journey at West Berkshire Museum with a craft and museum trail, before moving on to Newbury Library for a story-based session. They will finish at the Corn Exchange with a drama session.
For more details and to book, please contact the Corn Exchange: 01635 522733 or go to https://cornexchangenew.com/events/arts-award-in-a-morning-autumn-2025
Volunteer with us!
We are so grateful to the volunteers who help us in libraries, whether it be assisting people borrowing books, shelving items which are returned so that others can find them or helping to run activities such as rhymetimes or craft sessions.
We are currently looking for more volunteers to assist with our Ageing Creatively Community Café at Theale Library on Mondays, and our At Home Library Service on Wednesdays every three weeks. To find out more about these and other opportunities to volunteer with West Berkshire Libraries, please email Rosie at Cultureandlibrariesvolunteers@westberks.gov.uk
Our next newsletter will be out in early October.
Meanwhile you will find a full list of events and activities in libraries on our website at www.westberks.gov.uk/library-events.
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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