Author talk - history of bus and coach operators in the Bracknell, Crowthorne & Wokingham area
 Local historian and author Paul Lacey will be talking about his most recent book on early independents. Paul has been researching histories of bus and coach operators in the Thames Valley for over 50 years, and his books contain material derived from primary sources and official records now lost to the passage of time, along with many previously unpublished photographs.
Refreshments will follow Paul's talk and signed copies of Paul’s latest book will be available to purchase on the day.
Bracknell Library - Thursday 25 May 11am to 12pm, drop-in, free
Paul Lacey will also be giving a talk at Binfield Library on Thursday 20 July 11am to 12pm, Please contact Binfield Library to book your place.
 Friday 2 June 11am and 12pm - free!
This May half term for Bee Aware Week Bracknell Library will be hosting two storytelling sessions by Jenny Bailey, author of Phoebe the Bee. Craft activity packs will also be provided. Please book your child's place on Eventbrite.
Book 11am storytelling session
Book 12pm storytelling session
The Lexicon has more fun and educational activities for Bee Aware Week Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June 2023. Find out more.
 Angular Architect (Angles workshop for ages 7-9)
Friday 2 June 2pm to 3pm (Half term)
Pop on your hard hats as the children become architects. They will learn the areas and angles required to construct the homes of our future. Can they tell their right angles from their acute. Book on Eventbrite.
Take A Chance (Probability workshop for ages 11-14)
Thursday 22 June 4pm to 5pm
Delve into the world of probability as you get thrown into different scenarios. They will be taking their chances with skydiving and living on a desert island. Children will calculate the possible outcomes of these challenges. Book on Eventbrite.
The Glass Room - a murder mystery
 Join us at Bracknell and Crowthorne Libraries for a murder mystery performed by Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society (CATS) and celebrate our love of crime fiction!
Bracknell Library - Saturday 24 June 11:15am to 12:30pm
Crowthorne Library - Saturday 8 July 11:15am to 12:30pm
Best-selling crime author Ann Cleeves, creator of TV’s Vera, Shetland and The Long Call has written a special script for libraries. Discover who killed Tony Ferdinand. Interview suspects and collect clues to find out who did it.
Prizes will be awarded and refreshments provided. Entry is free but donations to support CATS would be greatly appreciated.
Booking is required. Contact or visit Crowthorne (01344 776431) or Bracknell (01344 423149) libraries to book!
 June is National Crime Reading Month which promotes books covering the whole genre of crime from police procedurals and tradition murder mysteries to psychological suspense, spy thrillers, historical to sci-fi, cosy to noir. For ideas of what to read next or to chose something different from your usual crime reading, check the shortlisted titles for the UK’s most prestigious crime writing awards, the CWA daggers. The winners are announced at the end of the month.
Chess Clubs in the library for everyone
 Our libraries hold chess clubs for all ages and abilities.
Bracknell Library - every Friday 10am to 12pm
Crowthorne Library - every Thursday 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Great Hollands Library - every Wednesday 3:30pm to 4:30pm
For more information about Bracknell and Crowthorne’s clubs and for bookings please email jonll58@btinternet.com or phone 01344 454000.
For Great Hollands Library, there’s no need to book, just drop in. Beginners are especially welcome. For more details email ninehorn@gmail.com.
For more help with learning how to play or improving your game, why not borrow a book from the library? Check the library catalogue.
Help us decorate our libraries and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community. All ages are invited to draw on, colour, decorate and write messages on strips of paper before we loop and chain them together and hang in our libraries!
Find out about the plans for the borough's first ever official Pride event.
 Bracknell Library - Saturday 10 June 10:30am to 12pm
Make a rainbow! No need to book - simply drop in. Suitable for ages 4 years and upwards. Event fee: Free
 LGBTQ+ books at Bracknell Libraries
We have picked just a few of our favourite LGBTQ+ books. You can borrow or reserve your copy now via the library catalogue or visit your local Bracknell library to see an even wider selection. E-books and e-audiobooks are also available on BorrowBox.
You can also visit our instagram page for a fabulous curation of books we have chosen to celebrate Pride!
 Crowthorne Library - Friday 30 June 10:30am
In 1865, 150 Welsh people left Wales to form a colony in Patagonia. Join Kath and Gaynor to discover how life panned out for the settlement.
Tickets: £1 each
Bookings: Contact Crowthorne Library
 HiVIS is an annual event celebrating accessible library services for people who have sight problems or have challenges with standard print. Here's how libraries can help you continue your love of reading.
New! Audio magazine for young children where the text is read aloud when you hold a special pen over the words
We are trialling a new audio magazine, Fact Factory, for young children. The interactive audio magazine is ideal for children with visual impairments, dyslexia and those who struggle to read (aged 7-11). Available soon from Crowthorne Library.
Listen to e-audiobooks on BorrowBox
Access hundreds of great audiobooks with Borrowbox for free! Just login with your E+/library card number and PIN using the Borrow app on a smartphone or tablet or go to the BorrowBox website on a computer. Using the app you can alter the playback speed and set a sleep timer to stop playing after a certain time - great for listening in bed!
The BorrowBox app allows you to increase/decrease the size of the text, choose a font, including a dyslexic-friendly font, and change the colour scheme.
Listen to BorrowBox e-books with Apple VoiceOver for the visually impaired
Apple's built-in screen reader VoiceOver will work automatically with the BorrowBox app if it is activated on your device. Use VoiceOver to navigate the app and listen to an audio narration of e-books. Please contact Bracknell Library for instructions on using VoiceOver for listening to BorrowBox e-books.
Listen to books on CD and read books in large print
Our libraries have a great range of books on CD and in large print. Members who are registered blind or partially sighted can borrow books on CD for free. Also, if you are registered with our Home Library Service we can deliver printed and CD books to your home. The home delivery service is open to all housebound residents.
Easier reading of magazine and newspapers on PressReader
Don't miss out on enjoying PressReader with over 7000 worldwide newspapers and magazines including over 100 UK & Irish newspapers and 300 UK magazines. You can increase the size of the text using the PressReader app or PressReader website or even choose to listen to selected articles! (Enter your library/E+card number starting with 633 to login. No PIN required.)
Help with using BorrowBox and PressReader
BorrowBox user guide
PressReader user guide
Please contact staff at your local library if you would like us to show you how to use the different functions on PressReader and BorrowBox or get or help getting started. Several of our libraries also hold regular IT help sessions (drop-in or bookable).
 Having problems with your phone or tablet? Do you need some help using a computer? Are you unsure how to set up an email account or access a website?Whether it is printing, creating an email, loading Borrowbox or Pressreader or something else…we can help!
New! Bracknell Library - Gadget/Computer help - every Tuesday 2:30pm to 4pm
Contact Bracknell Library to book a 30 minute one-to-one help session.
Harmans Water Library - IT help - every Tuesday 10am to 12pm
Drop in and a member of our team will be on hand to help.
New! Whitegrove Library - IT help - every Tuesday 10:30am to 12pm
No need to book, just drop in!
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