Earlier this month, Councillors agreed to remove the charge for computer use in libraries. As of 1st April, computers will be free to use at all times.
The £1 charge for computer access, introduced in May 2018, was part of a package of measures based on public feedback and trialled to ensure fair access to limited resources as well as to generate more income. The decision to scrap the charge for computer use comes in response to a detailed report on the charge and its impact, as well as feedback collected in a customer survey and a detailed analysis of the anticipated income.
In addition to the removal of the charge, new computers will be rolled-out in libraries before the end of the year to improve the service for all.
Customers who have pre-paid and have credit on their accounts will be able to use the balance to pay other library charges or claim a refund.
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 World Book Night is a national celebration of reading and books that takes place on 23 April every year. Events up and down the country run by individuals and organisations celebrate the difference that reading makes to people’s lives, and everyone from publishers to librarians, and local businesses to the general public can get involved.
Books are given out across the UK with a focus on reaching those who don’t regularly read, and are gifted through organisations including prisons, libraries, colleges, hospitals, care homes and homeless shelters, as well as by passionate individuals who give out their own books within their communities.
This year we have been given copies of Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.
St. Ives Library will be giving away goody bags with a free book and lots of library information while stocks last – come and discover a world of reading!
https://worldbooknight.org/
Business Information 1:1’s
Are you a budding Entrepreneur? Looking to start your own business? We can help you start, run and grow your business. Book a free Business Information 1:1 with us for 1 hour at our Business & IP Centre, Cambridge Central Library. Bookings https://bit.ly/2Tu7MCY
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Monthly coffee mornings
10.30-11.30
Last Thursday of each month
Business & IP Centre
Cambridge Central Library
Meet, network and find out more…
Have you always wondered how the Business & IP Centre can help you turn your business idea into a reality, but weren’t really sure where to start?
Our Coffee Mornings give you the opportunity to meet us, ask questions, find out about upcoming events, make connections with other entrepreneurs, & how you can use the Centre to give your business the best possible chance of success. Free. Book https://bit.ly/2O5Qx8T
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Come and celebrate 30 years of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury with us this April.
Join in with this classic interactive story at special story times and activity sessions in libraries across the county, including Sawtry (10th), Histon (11th), Chatteris & Huntingdon (12th), Cambridge Central & Ely (15th) and Wisbech (20th).
See library posters, social media and the Spring What’s On in Cambridgeshire Libraries for times and prices.
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The Family Book Festival is taking place in St Neots and Ramsey Libraries on 4 May 2019 and in Huntingdon Library on 10 May 2019. At this fun-filled free event there will be activities with authors, poets and illustrators: Amina Jama, Alexis Deacon, Emily Hughes, Joseph Coelho, Karin Littlewood, Sonia Leong and Tom Clohosy-Cole.
Look out for details on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and of course, ask at your library.
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Cambridgeshire Libraries’ Picture Book Award ‘Read it Again!’ 2019, was launched on World Book Day.
Children in local schools will be voting for their favourite book. And children will also be able to vote in our larger libraries during the Easter holidays - look out for the Read it Again! displays in Central Library Cambridge, Huntingdon, St Neots, St Ives, Ely, Wisbech, March, Bar Hill and Cambourne Libraries.
The 2019 shortlist:
Mini Rabbit Not Lost by John Bond
Nipper and the Lunchbox by Lucy Dillamore
The King who Banned the Dark by Emily Haworth-Booth
I Can Fly by Fifi Kuo
The Weaver by Qian Shi
Red and the City by Marie Voigt
The winning title will be announced in June.
More details about the award, and previous winners can be found here:
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/library-news/read-it-again/
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Registration Service customer appointments, and associated support services relocated to Huntingdon Library at the end of March 2019.
Both teams already work closely together and are looking forward to developing this partnership further, to the benefit of both services and their customers.
Ceremonies will continue to take place in Lawrence Court whilst the Registration Service records are already due to relocate from Huntingdon into the new Cambridgeshire Archives building in Ely during late summer 2019.
As part of the works two new hireable meeting pods have been created on the First Floor of the library. For details of how to book the new and existing spaces visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-&-culture/libraries/library-meeting-rooms-for-hire/
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This pop-up exhibition features images of carved stone inscriptions, medieval manuscripts and early printed works, to deconstruct the act of writing and consider its future in the digital age. The free learning trail makes this a truly interactive experience for all ages.
Launching at Cambridge Central Library on Friday 26th April; the exhibition will then tour the following libraries until Tuesday 27th August: Huntingdon, Ely, St Ives, March, Wisbech, St Neots and Cambourne.
Making Your Mark will launch simultaneously in over 20 public libraries around the UK, through the Living Knowledge Network, an innovative UK-wide network of public libraries working in partnership with the British Library, National Library of Wales and the National Library of Scotland.
Image acknowledgement: Schoolchild’s Homework in Greek on a wax tablet (c) British Library
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Gaye Poole’s Connie’s Colander will be touring Cambridgeshire libraries in May.
Sensitively, and with humour, this newly written play from Human Story Theatre traces the evolving relationship of Connie and her daughter Emily throughout their lives, and the impact of Connie’s Alzheimer’s.
Wednesday 15th May at Ely Library (10.30am-12pm) and Huntingdon Library (3-4.30pm)
Thursday 16th May at Wisbech Library (3-4.30pm)
Ask in Libraries for more details and to book free tickets. Timings include a 20 minute post-show Q&A with a Dementia specialist.
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Our last group of workshops take place in early April – we have limited availability, please check with The Library Presents for places at Huntingdon and Soham libraries.
A totally engrossing workshop where anyone can be a digital artist using an iPad and an app.
For more information contact:
thelibrarypresents@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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 New ghostly ghoulish evening events coming to the heart of your community.
The Library Presents brings you two wonderful evenings of storytelling via your Mobile Library Service. Marion Leeper, Cambridge Storyteller supreme, will be sharing local ghost stories in her Ghosts from the Fens show; and the wonderful, Christine Pike will perform dramatic readings of Victorian Ghost Stories, Lady Chillers.
This is the first time we have extended the programme to include our Mobile Libraries, but we think they will ensure an atmospheric setting.
Ghosts from the Fens: Friday 5th April at 7pm on the Coates Mobile Library
Lady Chillers: Saturday 6th April at 7.30pm on the Isleham Mobile.
Tickets: £4 per person - book and pay on the Mobiles or call 01223 706342.
Suitable for Adults and Young People.
Help choose ‘The Library Presents’ arts programme for autumn 2019
‘The Library Presents’ spring programme of arts events in libraries across Cambridgeshire is currently in full swing, with over 900 people attending events so far, and there’s more to come! The current season continues until 25th May 2019 and our new autumn season will begin in September 2019.
This April ‘The Library Presents’ invites members of the public to visit their nearest participating library and help choose which performances and workshops they would like to see in our next season (Autumn 2019). Communities can choose from a menu of events with choices for a variety of ages and interests, the menu includes; dance, theatre, music, magic, comedy, storytelling, poetry and workshops in visual art, music, dance, theatre and digital art.
Menus of arts events and choosing slips are available from 1 April in all participating libraries. Each participating library has a stand where members of the public can browse the menu, fill out a slip with their choices and add it to the box. All choices are counted and help decide what is programmed at each individual library.
In Autumn 2019 there are 22 confirmed participating libraries, they are: Arbury Court, Barnwell Road, Burwell, Cambourne, Cambridge Central, Chatteris, Cherry Hinton, Clay Farm, Cottenham, Ely, Histon, Huntingdon, Littleport, March, Milton Road, Ramsey, Soham, St Neots, St Ives, Warboys, Wisbech, Whittlesey
Book tickets, view the menu and find out more about the programme HERE
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Autism Friendly Hour
To mark World Autism Awareness Week we welcome guests with Autism, their friends, families and carers to come and explore the library at a time when we will be closed to the general public.
During the session the lights will be kept low, noise and movement are encouraged and we will provide a quiet area to relax.
Chatteris Library Thursday 11th April 10.30-11.30am
March Library Wednesday 3rd April 3.30-4.30pm
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We were one of the first of the libraries to be run by volunteers and have exceeded our hopes and expectations in the last 16 years.
We are closely linked with the Bottisham Village College School Library and share their premises. This has worked well and the collaboration has been good.
As part of the new building works associated with the College we are now in new premises.
The existing School Hall has been adapted to become the New Library and we are very pleased with the improvements and new facilities we have gained. More space, extra shelving made available to us, more seating and a much more welcoming and modern environment. We have been open for borrowers since early November 2018 but it is only now that we have had the access sorted that I feel we can say we are really up and running.
We shall be starting a Lego Club in the near future, we lend jigsaws for free, we run regular book sales from donated stock and know that we are providing an important community service.
Please feel free to visit if you are in our area.
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Fen Skating Talk: EngAGE in the Afternoon
Join Hannah Vandridge from The Norris Museum for a talk on Fen Skating.
The Fens of East Anglia, with their easily flooded meadows, form an ideal skating terrain. As a recreation, a means of transport and spectator sport, skating in the Fens was popular with people from all walks of life.
Huntingdon Library, Thursday 4th April, 1.30pm - 3pm
Image courtesy of Huntingdonshire Archives
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Chakras and the Energy Body
Katherine Adler tells us all about chakras and how they affect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Self-help practices and meditation at the end.
Burwell Library, Wednesday 10th April 10-11.30am
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Menopause: Your Questions Answered
Ely Library, Sat 6th April 10am-1pm £3 refreshments included
Ely Library is excited to be hosting an informative and myth-busting event focusing on the menopause and what it means for you. A highly knowledgeable GP will be speaking about the subject, alongside representatives from The Richmond Fellowship, a Nutrition and Exercise Specialist for Women, plus others from health and mental health organisations. A question and answer session with the audience will follow the talk, allowing you to tackle specific issues, get advice, and feel you are not alone in this. No silly jokes. No dismissive comments. Just facts.
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Easter Craft Event
Come along and enjoy some fun crafts, make Easter cards and take a chocolate treat home. For children aged 2 and over, £2 per child, including refreshments. Places are limited and must be booked in advance with library staff.
Chatteris Library, Thursday 18th April, 10.30am - 12pm,
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An Evening with Barbara Nadel
Author of two long-running crime series. Find out more about Barbara’s writing process and ask questions. Books will be available to purchase.
St Ives Library, Monday 29th April, 7pm, Tickets £3
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Quiz Night
Quiz night organised by the Friends of St Neots Library. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Tickets cost £5 each and are available in advance from St Neots Library. Maximum 6 per team.
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