West Berkshire Libraries newsletter

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To All West Berkshire Libraries customers

Welcome to our October news!

Green Libraries Week 2025

West Berkshire Libraries are proud to support Green Libraries Week, celebrating climate action and sustainability in libraries nationwide.

We're making a difference through:

• shared resources - every book borrowed reduces the need for individual ownership, cutting down on both cost and environmental impact
• eco-friendly library cards - made from recycled materials and fully recyclable
• recycling hub - our libraries offer collection points for small batteries, spectacles, and even used bras

All of these things are helping to reduce waste and support reuse, so visit your local library and help shape a greener future.

Thatcham Library brings stories, crafts, and creativity to Thatcham Festival

Thatcham Library is thrilled to support this year's Thatcham Festival with a packed programme of engaging events for all ages.

• Draw Along with Steve Anthony - interactive drawing and story session with award-winning author/illustrator. Includes Q&A and book signing. £3 per child (adults free) Saturday 11 October 2pm to 2.45pm - book the draw long here
• Monster Fun with Fiona Barker - storytime, drawing, singing, and crafts with author Fiona Barker. Book signing available. £3 per child (adults free) Saturday 11 October 1pm to 1.45pm - book storytime with Fiona Barker here
• Museum Family Craft Workshop - roman-inspired free drop-in session with West Berkshire Museum. Ideal for ages 6 to 11. Tuesday 14 October 3.15pm to 4.30pm - Just drop in!
• Author Chat with Cara Hunter - join us 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. Thursday 16 October 6.30pm to 7.30pm - book Cara Hunter's author chat here
• Thatcham Then and Now Coffee Morning - Local history displays, Q&A with historian Sue Ellis, children's crafts. Saturday 18 October 10am to 12pm - Just drop in!

For more information about the other events going on, visit the Thatcham festival website.

Music for all with the Berkshire Music Trust

Enjoy a lively children's music session at Newbury Library that offers the perfect opportunity to spark joy, creativity, and connection. Featuring sing-alongs to well-loved nursery rhymes, playful action songs that get everyone moving, and hands on exploration of musical instruments all designed for toddlers and preschoolers with grown-ups joining the fun too.

Monday October 6, 13, 20 from 9.45am to 10.30am.

Join us round the piano at Hungerford, Theale and Newbury and enjoy a mixture of old favourites and songs you'll want to sing along to! No experience necessary. Join in or just sit and watch.

• Newbury Library - Monday October 6, 13, 20 from 10.45am to 11.45am
• Hungerford Library -Tuesday October 7, 14, 21 from 4pm to 5pm
• Theale Library -Wednesday October, 1,8, 15, 22 from 2pm to 3pm

Upcoming children's events

• Encanto Tots Pop-Up Session - Thursday 23 October 10.30am at Burghfield Common Library
• Storytime Draw-a-long with Steve Anthony - Saturday 11 October 10.30 to 11.15am at Hungerford Library 
• Read with Ruby, the Pets as Therapy Dog - Saturday 11 October 10.30am to 12 noon at Mortimer Library
• Stick Man Storytime and Craft from The Corn Exchange - Thursday 16 October 11am to 11.30am at Newbury Library

Please contact the relevant library to book or find out more information, charges may apply.

Hungerford Hub solar panels

Hungerford Hub and Library proudly celebrated its achievement of becoming a carbon net zero building, a shining example of how libraries can lead the way in sustainability. Since 2017, the building has been run by the Hungerford Library and Community Trust, which has transformed the space through eco-conscious upgrades and most recently installing solar panels with 36 solar panels installed in May 2025.

Thanks to generous funders and dedicated volunteers, the Hub now exports energy to the grid and is projected to reduce energy costs by 75% by 2026. Visit the Hungerford Hub website for more information about the project and the hub.

Half-term fun for children

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 the Corn Exchange website.

• Autumn half term crafts - Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 10.30am to 12 noon at Lambourn Library
• Read with Ruby - Saturday 25 October 10am to 12 noon at Thatcham Library
• Junk modelling session - Saturday 25 October 10.15am to 12.15pm at Theale Library
• Children's Craft - Tuesday 28 October, 2 to 3.30pm at Newbury Library
• Quick crafts - Wednesday 29 October 1pm at Theale Library
• Spooky Lego Club - Friday 31 October, 10am to 12pm at Newbury Library
• Storytime and Colouring - Friday 31 October, 10.30 to 11.15am at Newbury Library
• Halloween with author Fiona Ross - Friday 31 October 3 to 5pm at Hungerford Library
• Spooky Halloween Craft Fun - Friday 31 October 11am to 12noon at Thatcham Library
• Children's Author Chat with Lui Sit - Saturday 1 November, 10.30 to 11.15am at Newbury Library - advance booking essential, tickets: £3 per child - book the Author Chat with Lui Sit here

Please contact the relevant library to book or find out more information, charges may apply.

Adult events this October

• Mindful Stitching Workshop - Tuesday 7 October 11am to 12.30pm at Hungerford Library
• Autumn knitted decorations workshop - Thursday 9 and 23 October 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Lambourn Library
• Pride and Patronage: Jane Austen's connections in West Berkshire - Friday 17 October, 1pm at Newbury Library
• Needle Felting Workshop - Friday 24 October 3pm to 5pm at Hungerford Library
• Poetry in the Library -  Saturday 25 October 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Pangbourne Library
• Poetry Open Mic Night -Saturday 18 October from 7pm at Hungerford Hub

Please contact the relevant library to book or find out more information, charges may apply

Coming in October

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 the following sessions:

• Lambourn - Thursday 2 October, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
• Thatcham - Thursday 9 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Newbury - Friday 10 October, 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Burghfield - Thursday 16  October, 10am to 12 noon
• Theale - Monday 20 October, 1pm to 2.30pm

Join us at Burghfield Common library for our book sale. The sale is on during library opening hours from Monday 27 to Thursday 30 October.

Newbury Library Book Sale: Running during library opening hours from Saturday 25 October to Saturday 1 November.

Ready to Learn

Ready to Learn Kits are launching on 25 October and are free to borrow from your local West Berkshire library!  

The Kits were created to help parents and carers enjoy playful, meaningful moments with a child, whilst building skills that help children get ready to learn. It's never too early to introduce skills and experiences that can help to support a child prior to starting Reception. The Kits are designed to be playful and adaptive, and contain a range of activities and resources that you can dip into as and when it suits you.

They are suitable for ages 3 and up, and offer a fun, flexible way to support early learning at home or on the go

Pop-up libraries in October

• Leckhampstead Village Hall: First Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm.
• Upper Basildon, St Stephens Church: 13 October and every second Monday of each month, 10am to 12pm
• Compton Village Hall: 9 October and every second Thursday of each month, 10.15am to 11.45am

Coming in November

Join us for a festive Christmas card making workshop with local crafter Rachel Quartley. Learn tips, techniques, and create your own beautiful handmade cards to share with friends and family this Christmas. £5 per person (non-refundable). Booking is essential as spaces are limited. For more information and to book: 01635 866049; thatchamlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.

Join us for Encanta Tots - fun filled bilingual (Spanish and English) introductory music sessions for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. To register, email Ana: hola@encantatots.co.uk.

Drop in on Saturday 15 November from 11am to 2pm and meet some amazing local authors.

All local authors will have a selection of their books on display, with books for children and adults. There will be a variety of talks on throughout the day. Books will be available to purchase, and each author will be more than happy to personalise a copy for you!

We have a few tables left for authors to showcase their work. If you would like to promote your book, you can hire a table. Please send your email enquiries to library@westberks.gov.uk.

Volunteering opportunities

We're looking for volunteers to support upcoming sessions at the Theale Ageing Creatively Café, a warm, welcoming space where older adults connect through conversation and creativity. Sessions run on Mondays from 1pm to 3pm. Volunteers would assist with light craft activities, chat with attendees, or even share a personal hobby or interest. It's a relaxed environment, and your involvement truly helps make each session special.

If you're interested in supporting future sessions in November and December, we'd love to hear from you. So please send an email to register your interest: cultureandlibrariesvolunteers@westberks.gov.uk.

Our next newsletter will be out in early November.

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!