Please be aware that from Thursday 24th September, all Bracknell Forest Libraries will be operating NHS Test and Trace, as per Government legislation. NHS Test and Trace is a Government service designed to help identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Customers will be asked to provide their name and contact details via the free

NHS-Covid-19 app, if you are able to. When visiting our libraries you will need to scan the NHS QR posters located at the entrance of the building. This service is a legal requirement and is essential to us all reducing the spread of the virus and helping to save lives.

Thursday 1^st - 31^st October 

Black History Month is a yearly celebration to highlight the achievements and contributions of black people in our country and the rest of the world, in the past and today. It is an opportunity to learn, educate and engage. It is both so deeply felt and necessary.

Nationally there are many events to mark the celebration, mostly virtually, from installations to talks, from TV and Radio shows to expositions and workshops. Click here for more information on Black History Month.

Bracknell Forest Libraries have a selection of books from our African and Caribbean communities in the UK, Ireland and across the world.

Find out more about black history at your local library. 

A Year of Natural Poems by Joseph Coelho

Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison-

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga

Come Coming: Voices of the Windrush Generation by Colin Grant

Hold

By Michael Donkor

Moving between Ghana and London, Hold is an intimate, moving, powerful coming-of-age novel. It’s a story of friendship and family, shame and forgiveness; of learning what we should cling to, and when we need to let go.

Adult Fiction

E-book from BorrowBox

Such a Fun Age

By Kiley Reid

A funny, page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection between them that threatens to undo them both.

Adult Fiction

E-book from BorrowBox

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas

A stunning, brilliant, gut-wrenching novel that will be remembered as a classic of our time.

Sixteen-year-old  Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

Young Adult Fiction

E-book from BorrowBox

Clap When You Land

By Elizabeth Acevedo

A poignant, powerful and passionate novel written in verse about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. In New York City, Yahaira is called to the principal's office. Separated by distance the two girls lose their father, but learn of each other.

Young Adult Fiction

E-book from BorrowBox

Just Mercy

By Bryan Stevenson

An unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted lawyer’s coming-of-age, a moving portrait of the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of justice.

Adult Non-Fiction

E-book from BorrowBox

The Nickel Boys

By Colson Whitehead

A devastating novel based on true events. After an innocent mistake a black boy is sent to a hellish American reform school. He finds it difficult to hold on to his ideals in contrast to his friend's belief that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. A brilliant examination of America's history of violence during the Civil Rights movement.

Adult Fiction

E-audio book from BorrowBox

Queenie

By Candice Carty-Williams

Meet Queenie Jenkins: journalist, catastrophist. Expressive, aggressive. Funny, dramatic. Loved, lonely. Enough.
A darkly comic and bitingly subversive take on life, love, race and family, Queenie will have you nodding in recognition, crying in solidarity and rooting for an unforgettable character.

Adult Fiction

E-audio book from BorrowBox

Twelve Years a Slave

By Solomon Northur

The true story of Solomon Northup: born a free black man in New York State, and sold into slavery after being tricked in 1841. Unable to convince anyone he is not a slave, Solomon spent 12 years in bondage, before finally being set free. Northup’s memoir, recounting details of the slave markets and the harsh life on plantations, was used in the struggle to abolish slavery in the United States.

Adult Non-fiction

E-audio book from RBdigital

Celebrate your library and its contribution to the community

Libraries Week is the annual showcase and celebration of the best that libraries have to offer. 

It is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of libraries to individuals and communities, the role they play in encouraging literacy, learning and reading and their essential place in the UK’s book culture.

Bracknell Forest Libraries will be hosting two virtual events to celebrate Libraries Week.

Songs, Rhymes and Stories

Missing your usual tots' time and bounce & rhyme? Why not join us for a virtual rhymetime plus storytime on Tuesday 6th October, 11am. To book your place please email. The session is aimed at young children and their families, but there are is age limit. The event is free and will take place on Zoom.

Virtual reading group discussion

What’s your favourite book? Can you recommend a BorrowBox e-book? Share it with us and other readers on our first virtual reading group discussion via Zoom. We will meet on Thursday, 8 October, 7pm. The event is free and the session needs to be booked in advance via email.

To book the virtual events you can also call Bracknell Library at 01344 423149 or ask at the desk. 

Online Family Workshop

Monday, 26 October 2020 at 11am

Do you have a dog? Or someone in your family or social circle has one? Or you would like to encourage your children to learn more about dogs and how to behave safely around them? We have the workshop for you - and it is free!

The well-known Dog Trust will offer our library customers a fun and interactive family workshops to:

• Provide practical skills and a basic understanding of how to behave safely around dogs
• Give you an insight as to why dogs do some of the things they do. Sometimes their behaviours can be misunderstood.

Dogs Trust workshops are delivered by qualified Education Officers.

How to book: email to register your interest in the workshop. You can also phone Bracknell Library at 01344 423149 or ask at the desk. 

Can't wait? We put together a Dog Trust Activity Packs to have fun before or after the virtual session. The packs are available to purchase at Bracknell Library for £1.50.