Tell us what your library means to you.

Wednesday 8th May at Cambridge Central Library.

The British Library is asking library users to take part in research sessions to better understand how and why people use their local libraries, and to build an understanding of digital / tech usage in the library.

Come along and take part in a 5 minute activity or sign up for an interview. Look out for more information  in the library and on our social media pages.

Contact:  Libraries.ReferralCentre-@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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.

Launched at Cambridge Central Library on Friday 26^th April; the exhibition will then tour the following libraries until Tuesday 27^th August: Huntingdon, Ely, St Ives, March, Wisbech, St Neots and Cambourne.Look out for details in libraries and on our social media pages and website.

Writing: 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

Both Elly and William are on the longlist for the 2019 Theakston Old Peculier crime novel of the year, Elly with Dark Angel and William with Salt Lane. They’ll be talking about their latest titles The Stone Circle and Deadland as well as their other works at two events on Friday 9^th June.

Cambourne Library will be our venue at 2pm, we will move on to Wisbech Library for 7pm.

A selection of Elly and William's books will be on sale at each event.

Tickets are Tickets £5 from the library, call 0345 045 5225

e-mail: Cambourne.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or Wisbech.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Gaye Poole’s Connie’s Colander will be touring Cambridgeshire libraries this month.

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: Ely Library (10.30am-12pm) and Huntingdon Library (3-4.30pm)

Thursday 16th May: Wisbech Library (2.30-4pm)

Ask in Libraries for more details and to book your free tickets. Timings include a 20 minute post-show Q&A with a panel of Dementia specialists.

Become a Dementia Friend

Sessions are running during Dementia Awareness week at the following libraries:

Monday 20^th May, St Ives Library (10am – 11am) and Huntingdon Library (2pm – 3pm)

Thursday 23^rd May, Great Shelford Library (10am – 11am) and Cambridge Central (2pm – 3pm)

Friday 24^th May, March Library (11am – 12pm) and Ely Library (2pm – 3pm)

Please register your interest at volunteers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or 01223 706803

This new service is in partnership with the British Library and Peterborough Libraries, and is the 12^th to recently join the national network of centres, modelled on the British Library’s successful Business & IP Centre located in the heart of London.

The new service provides free access to important business and IP information, not available anywhere else in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Business & IP Centre is also a physical hub in Cambridge Central Library and Peterborough Central Library, with meeting rooms, networking space, and friendly staff on hand to guide people to the help and resources that they need to start and run successful businesses. For more information, links to events, and resources please visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/BIPC If you would like to join our mailing list or if you would like to work with us please contact BIPC@cambridgeshire.gov.uk We look forward to hearing from you.

Live Streaming from the British Library: Recipes for Success

Tuesday, 21 May 2019

18:30 – 20:30

Cambridge Central Library

Hear from the founders of the food sector’s tastiest business success stories Hear from the names behind some of the UK’s most successful food and drink brands, including Praveen Vijn, co-founder of Eat Natural, Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford, Nadia Stokes, founder of Gourmet Goat and Pip Murray, founder of Pip & Nut as they share stories on how they grew brands from their kitchen tables, got their products onto the supermarket shelves, developed a memorable brand and built a place for themselves in the hearts, minds and stomachs of a nation.

If you’re a small business owner in the food sector with big ambitions to take a piece of a profitable pie, don’t miss this opportunity to quiz our panel of foodie experts.

This is a free event.

Please Note :

Networking and refreshments from 18.30. Live streaming from the British Library starts at 19.00.

Book https://tinyurl.com/y3yfnfbd

Monthly coffee mornings

Last Thursday of each month, 10.30am - 11.30am

At the 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://tinyurl.com/y3yfnfbd

Cambridge Founders of the Save the Children Fund

100 years ago, in May 1919, two Cambridge sisters Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton held a meeting at the Royal Albert Hall which effectively launched the Save the Children Fund. They had been involved in humanitarian work and had seen that blockades on Germany during and after WW1 were causing children in Central Europe to starve.

Both women were among the thousands who had portrait photographs taken at the Post Office Terrace studio in Cambridge. These rare images of Eglantyne and Dorothy in their younger years are now housed in the Cambridgeshire Collection at Cambridge Central Library along with images of countless others who visited the studios between the 1860s and 1970s.

Image courtesy of The Cambridgeshire Collection

Local History Fair

Ely Library 9.30am-1pm,  Saturday 11th May,  Free entry

A lively gathering of local history and heritage experts who will help you explore your roots and learn to see your community in a new light.

From archaeology to family history, landscape to landmarks, and much more between, prepare to be inspired at this fun, interactive and informative event for all ages!

Refreshments available 10am-12pm

Mental Health Awareness Week – the national campaign led by the Mental Health Foundation – takes place between 13^th and 19^th of May, and the theme this year is ‘Body Image - How we think and feel about our bodies.’

We are all aware of the inter-relatedness of our body and mind—our moods can affect us physically, while the more comfortable we are with our body, the greater is our sense of wellbeing. If you would like to learn more about how to improve your mental and physical wellbeing, we have great resources in the library with books and leaflets providing information and support.

Please take a look of our Reading Well for Mental Health collection, as well as the Shelf Help collection for the young people.  You will also find many related titles in our e-book collections.

In March Huntingdon Library hosted a Volunteer Fayre.

‘Best Community Event we have attended’;

‘Great to see the library reaching out to the community’

‘Excellent Variety of stalls’.

25 organisations attended the event advertising a diverse range of volunteering opportunities from working with the police through to helping the Ladybird Boat Trust and, of course, helping out at the library - there really was something to tempt everyone!

It was an excellent opportunity for people to gain insight into local volunteering opportunities- over 40 people registered their interest.

The organisations were delighted to meet so many local people and to have a chance to network with each other, forging links for future community development.

As a result of this event Huntingdon Community Radio has offered to join forces with Huntingdon Library and provide some Duke of Edinburgh volunteers the chance to learn how to put a radio show together, and then host their own local radio slot, broadcasting live from the library!

If you are interested in volunteering anywhere in Cambridgeshire, for the Library Service please contact: volunteers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

The Library at Home Service currently needs volunteers in Buckden, Earith and Waterbeach.

If this is something you feel you could do please do get in contact. The needs of the service fluctuates throughout the county so do get in touch if you would like to volunteer as there might be other vacancies coming up soon.

Have you heard of the Library at Home Service?

If you are struggling to get out and about we can provide you with:

• Monthly visits by a friendly volunteer
• Your choice of books / audio
• Useful health information
• Time to have a chat
• A free service – donations welcome

To find out more contact:

Volunteers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone 01223 706803

Tuesday 14^th May,  10:30-11:30am, at Huntingdon Library

Tuesday 21^st  May, 2pm - 3pm, at St. Ives Library

Free Event, Everyone Welcome

Refreshments Available Afterwards

Come along and listen to literature, stories and poetry for adults being read aloud.

Huntingdon Library and Archives is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The building was opened in November 2009 by Evelyn Glennie, and provides a welcoming space for all members of the community.

To celebrate, a series of special events and activities have been organised, including a Murder Mystery evening, a quiz night and a panel of women crime writers, plus a special birthday party for children. All the events will be listed on our social media platforms and in the library. 

We look forward to many more years delivering library services in the community.

Help us celebrate Elmer's 30th Birthday

Saturday 18^th May, 10.30 – 11.30, Chatteris Library - stories, craft activities and cake. For all ages. Free entry (donations welcome).

Saturday 25^th May, 10am - 2pm, St Ives Library - make your very own recycled Elmer, or create an elephant collage. £2 per child. Ages 3+

Saturday 25^th May, 2.15pm - 3.30pm, March Library - stories, craft activities and cake. Ages 2+. £2.50 per child including refreshments.

Tuesday 28^th May, 10am - 11am, Huntingdon Library - Elmer stories and crafts. £1 per child.

Please note - Advance booking is essential at each of these events. Please speak to library staff to reserve a place. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday 28^th May, 2.30pm  – 4pm, Chatteris Library

Diary of a Wimpy Kid themed craft session

Celebrate the launch of the new ‘Awesome Friendly Kid’ series and all things Wimpy Kid, with fun crafts and activity sheets to enjoy.

Suitable for children aged 7 and over

£2 per child includes refreshments.

Please book with Library Staff

Thursday 30^th May, 3pm - 4pm, Ramsey Library

Introduction to simple stop motion animation using Lego and playdough. Places very limited. Advance booking essential, speak to library staff for a ticket.

£1.00 per child suitable for 6 years and over

Wednesday 15th May, 1.30pm - 4pm, St Ives Library

Join us for this Engage Extra workshop. Part of a series of fun felt craft workshops suitable for all abilities. Adults only.

Fun with Felt – Cupcake Treats

Create delicious looking cupcake pincushions and needle cases - no calories involved! 

£12. All materials supplied and refreshments included. Please book a place at the library or call 0345 045 5225.

Click on your local library to discover what events and activities are coming up in the next few months.

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