If you are reading this newsletter you will know that whilst libraries have been closed during the pandemic the library service has been open for you online and so I hope you will enjoy another bumper edition of the newsletter!
I am sure you have been closely following the communications from government outlining the next stages of the national ‘recovery plan’. Libraries are included in Phase 3 of this schedule which is effective from 4 July. This means that if the rate of transmission is declining in the country we can from this date offer some form of physical library service.
What might this look like?
It will not be the full opening of libraries. Our priority is the health and safety of all our staff, volunteers and customers in line with Public Health advice and guidance.
We are currently planning what our initial phase of re-opening will look like but in headline terms this will be:
Limited opening hours at some libraries across the county to give reasonable geographic coverage
No mobile library services due to the challenge of making a confined space safe
A click and collect book service – not open access, no browsing as in normal times
Managed, time limited access to our IT facilities
Reinstating the phone line so that customers without home IT can contact the service
Home Library Service – already partially reinstated, but we will look to restore to all customers who normally receive this service
Our approach is to start with a small, carefully managed offer that can be gradually grown in line with circumstances and Public Health guidance and requirements.
When will libraries re-open?
The limited offer described above is likely to roll out late July/August but. We will communicate exact dates when they are agreed.
Could this timetable change?
Yes. We are guided by advice from the government and you will be aware that if the public health situation deteriorates the country may revert to stringent lock down measures and if so we would have to revise our approach to re-opening libraries.
We live in extraordinary times but at all times the library service is here for you online. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new back into our libraries in the future.
Gary Porter, Head of Libraries and Communities
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This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will launch on Friday 5th June as a digital activity only.
Children will join the ‘Silly Squad’ team of animal friends who love to go on adventures and get stuck into all kinds of funny books. The Reading Agency’s website will help children keep track of the books they are reading. There will be book recommendations, as well as activities, quizzes, videos and games to keep children entertained at home. You can read more here.
Library staff will be creating special online activities, available on the Cambridgeshire Libraries Facebook page throughout the summer. Any updates to our SRC offer will be posted on social media and the e-newsletter, as well as our webpage Cambridgeshire Libraries - Summer Reading Challenge.
 We are launching Cambridgeshire Listen In for Kids!
We will have 4 titles which will be available to 500 or 1,000 customers at the same time. Perfect for getting a countywide discussion started. Follow the links to BorrowBox Audiobooks to download:
Share your thoughts on Twitter using #CambsKidsListenIn
You can leave your comments on our Facebook and Instagram pages too.
 Cambridgeshire Libraries went 100% digital in April. Staff were determined that our regular customers shouldn’t miss out on rhymetimes, storytime, and craft events, so they recorded their events and we put them out on our Facebook page.
We invented our daily #CambslibChat on Twitter to discuss books and authors, in the first month we’ve covered 160 adult books and 80 children’s. We have a guest author each week – we’ve chatted to Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, William Shaw, Nicola Upson, Mandy Morton, Barbara Nadel, James Nicol and Vaseem Khan so far.
By 1st June we will have held:
13 online storytimes, 10 local author storytimes, 8 Rhymetimes, 11 Craft events, 33 Twitterchats and our weekly Lego club.
Our biggest audience for rhymetime – one video has had 3254 views, storytime – 1196 views.
Our busiest Local Author storytime – 1400 views.
Most viewed Craft event – Decoupage 1400 views.
Twitterchat top post on one day – 5988 views.
You can still find all but the storytimes on our Facebook and Twitter pages, we’re required to delete them by the publishers. You have to set an alarm if you want to join in!
 We’ve had one month of brilliant online arts, livestream performances, workshops, audio drama and downloaded activity already; a lot of this is still available.
Adults and young people can join in song-writing with Louise Jordan and find out more about Florence Nightingale along the way, listen to VE day drama unravel in Greyhounds, or children and families can enjoy a signed story ‘According to Arthur’ and fun story making activities with Paddleboat Theatre.
We need you to join in with creating a Quarantine Quilt showing what has been important to you in lockdown (sewing not essential) some sewing kits available by post for those without internet for more information on how to join in visit our website.
For families during June we have five joy and laughter filled workshops using everything from dancing to music and art to tell stories with Sonia Sabri Company, wonderful interactive sensory stories by Collar and Cuffs, for those with complex needs or with young children, family film making, Fly with Lee Mason over and through a calming hand sculpted digital landscape created using the latest spatial art technology, a mime workshop by the creators of Eggs on Legs and the chance to join a virtual ‘Bultastic’ carnival from home by making amazing masks and headdresses with Oblique Arts.
For the adults this month we have the hilarious ‘Stories from the Schvitz’ performed by Nick Cassenabaum, a wonderful workshop about documenting your life with artist and film maker Becky Edmunds including some writing and other creative tasks, an animated poetry set from creator of Superhamlet 64 Edalia Day, A re-worked Victorian folk song and new animation inspired by Wisbech Museum created by folk trio Harp and a Monkey.
Everything is free but some workshops need to be booked in advance.
Find all the listings and links on our website www.cambridgshire.gov.uk/arts
Make Music Day is an annual celebration where communities, musicians, venues and promoters collaborate to put on free music events in their local area – and this year they are going digital!
Join in the fun and perform, create or listen from home.
Whether you’re a seasoned singer or player, an eager novice, or someone who simply enjoys dabbling with a tune, the Make Music Day website has lots of resources on offer. https://makemusicday.co.uk/
For more ways to enjoy music this month take a look at Cambridgeshire Libraries hand-picked selection of free culture resources online.
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 This month’s '10 Novels that shaped our world' explores Class and Society. These ten novels take a look at how others live and how we live together.
Visit the BBC website here for more information.
You can enjoy many of the following in an e-format - just download the Apps!
A House for Mr Biswas – V. S. Naipaul
Naipaul follows the fortunes of Mr Biswas, the outsider who refuses to conform to the customs of his grander in-laws whose house he lives in. Finally finding a house of his own, he triumphs over the smaller minds who would repress him. Available as RB Digital eBook.
Cannery Row – John Steinbeck
In the din and stink that is Cannery Row a colourful blend of misfits - gamblers, whores, drunks, bums and artists - survive side by side in a jumble of adventure and mischief. Available as RB Digital eBook.
Disgrace – J.M. Coetzee
A divorced, middle-aged English professor finds himself unable to resist affairs with his female students. When discovered by the college authorities he refuses to become a scapegoat and leaves his job and the city to live on a remote farm. Available as RB Digital eBook.
Our Mutual Friend – Charles Dickens
John Harmon is a young man estranged from his family, yet nonetheless on his way from South Africa to London to receive his inheritance - but, according to his father's will, he can only claim it if he marries Bella Wilfer, a beautiful London girl whom he has never met. Available as RB Digital eBook and BorrowBox eAudiobook.
Poor Cow – Nell Dunn
Joy is 22 years-old, with a week-old baby and a head full of dreams. Her husband is a thief, and on the proceeds of a job, they move to a luxurious flat. But then he is banged up, and Joy returns to Fulham to live with her Auntie Emm.
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning – Alan Sillitoe
This cult classic of working class life in post-war Nottingham follows the exploits of rebellious factory worker Arthur Seaton. Available as RB Digital eBook.
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne – Brian Moore
Judith Hearne, a Catholic middle-aged spinster, moves into yet another bed-sit in Belfast. A socially isolated woman of modest means, she teaches piano to a handful of students to pass the day. Available as RB Digital eBook.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – Muriel Spark
Miss Brodie is a teacher who exerts a powerful influence over the group of 'special girls' at the Marcia Blaine Academy. Each is famous for something & are initiated into a world of adult games & extra-curricular activities they will never forget. Available as RB Digital eBook.
The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro
During the summer of 1956, Stevens, the aging butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a leisurely motoring holiday that will take him deep into the heart of the English countryside and thence into his past. Available as RB Digital eAudiobook.
Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys
If Antoinette Cosway, a spirited Creole heiress, could have forseen the terrible future that awaited her, she would not have married the young Englishman. Initially drawn to her beauty and sensuality, he becomes increasingly frustrated by his inability to reach into her soul.
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If you have a favourite from this month’s list then please tweet about it using #MyBookLife and @cambslib so the BBC and the library can retweet it.
Books and Reading
 Our free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers are available to download to pc, tablet or smartphone. Follow the link Cambridgeshire Libraries - library online to find out more.
New to Cambridgeshire LIbraries: eComics from RB Digital
Great news for comic enthusiasts!
Our RB Digital service will be expanding to give you access to over 1,500 comics. You’ll find Marvel, Dark Horse, Disney – the Avengers, Thor, Captain America. Go on, immerse yourself…..
If you already have an account with RBDigital, there’s nothing you need to do – use your login details. You may need to log out and back in to your account.
If you need to create an account start here and register.
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Free Online Resources
 You'll find access to encyclopaedias, directories, genealogy, online film, history and music resources and so much more. Plus a list of open access learning, reading and health resources.
Go to Cambridgeshire Libraries - library online.
Follow the links to BorrowBox Audiobooks download and listen today:
Join in the discussion on Twitter #CambridgeshireListenIn
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 Take a look at our selection of new eBooks and eAudiobooks for June.
New-Books-for-June-2020.pdf
Ancestry Library edition is usually only available within our library and archive buildings, but for the duration of the lockdown, Ancestry have kindly agreed to make the resource available from home.
Just log in to your library account, go to the Library Catalogue page and you will find a link to Ancestry under ‘Quick Links’ on the right hand side.
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Even though the Cambridgeshire Collection and Cambridgeshire Archives are temporarily closed, you can still start to plan your research by looking at our online catalogues to see what we have about your town or village. Look out for our Facebook posts too and find out more about the City and County of Cambridgeshire.
Cambridgeshire Skills, an adult and community learning service, is offering free online opportunities to help people get back on their feet.
For a limited period, they are offering their online courses, such as ‘employability boot camp, improve your English, maths, computer skills, garden design, food safety, Italian and more free to everyone.
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If you would like to improve your knowledge, help build your confidence for a new job or interested in learning a new skill. Check out how Cambridgeshire Skills can help you, visit their website for more information or email cambsals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 01353 613013
The Academy is pleased to offer our Introduction to Health and Social Care course via online learning. If you're keen to gain a FREE qualification during lockdown, and embark on a career in the health and care sector we've got the perfect opportunity for you:
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• You 'll gain the Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care and learn the theory behind the care certificate
• Your choice of 2- or 7-week courses, taught in tutor-led sessions via Microsoft Teams
• Mentor support is provided from the start of your course to help get your CV in shape and discover the right career pathway for you
To be eligible for our free qualification, you must be aged 18 or over and in receipt of an in or out of work benefit. We ask all learners to complete a basic English skills assessment and have a telephone interview with a mentor before enrolment.
For more information, or to refer yourself to the Academy, please get in touch!
Call: 0800 310 1160
Email: libby@healthandcareacademy.co.uk
Website: www.healthandcareacademy.co.uk/
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook: @healthandcareacademy
Carers Week 2020 is approaching. While carers are facing more challenges than ever before, this year the campaign calls for Making Caring Visible. We can all help with raising awareness of the challenges unpaid carers face and highlighting the contribution they make to families and communities.
For campaign information and ways to take part, please visit www.carersweek.org/
Are you a carer?
If you look after a partner, relative or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, or who needs extra help as they grow older, you are a carer. To find out the practical, financial and emotional support available to you, please click on the following links:
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Cambridgeshire County Council website is your first port of call, with information about carers assessments and Technology Enabled Care
Age UK provides a carers checklist helping you to make sure you have the support and information you need
Carers UK contains comprehensive information including details about financial support and a useful guide to self-advocacy – Being Heard
Caring Together, the local partner of the national charity network Carers Trust, has a range of services for family carers of all ages, such as What If Plan, Family Carers’ Prescription and Listening Ear.
NHS website has listed several helplines helping you with questions about social care and support
#MakingCaringVisible #CarersWeek #Carers
It is important to help children cultivate empathy, so that they will be able to recognize their own and others’ feelings, relate well with others who might be different from themselves, take actions based on empathy, and build up supportive relationships throughout life.
One great way of teaching children empathy is through reading.
On Tuesday 9 June, Empathy Lab will be hosting the Empathy Day, putting on brilliant online events joined by Cressida Cowell, Malorie Blackman, Rob Biddulph and other popular authors, illustrators and librarians. All children are invited!
Please find the full programme, and information about the guest hosts here and join in @EmpathyLabUK.
Empathy Lab have also put together the Family Activities Pack and top tips for parents for you to help your child love reading and building up empathy. Please find in the 2020 Read for Empathy Guide the recommended reading list for children from 4 to 16. And enjoy listening to Empathy Read Aloud by various authors on this link or subscribe to Empathy Lab’s YouTube channel here.
#EmpathyDay #ReadForEmpathy
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Formerly known as ‘Make A Noise In Libraries’ fortnight, during the first two weeks of June each year we aim to raise the profile of the various services and activities that exist around accessible libraries and reading – to highlight and celebrate them; and to connect visually and print impaired people with libraries, reading and other readers.
Help us raise awareness during Hi VIS fortnight – Go on, make a noise; and remember to use: @readingsight / #HiVIS2020 when you do!
HiVis fortnight is a celebration of accessible library services and alternative formats. People with a visual and/or print impairment can access alternative formats for free from the following libraries in the UK:
Calibre www.calibreaudio.org.uk
Calibre Audio Library is a national charity providing a subscription-free service of unabridged audiobooks for adults and children who are unable to access standard print. They have over 11,000 audio books to choose from, and available titles can be searched for online.
Clearvision www.clearvisionproject.org
ClearVision is a postal lending library of children’s books designed to be shared by visually impaired and sighted children and adults. All their books have braille, print and pictures, and there are over 14,000 books in the collection, catering for children from birth until they’re independent readers.
Royal National Institute of Blind People www.rnib.org.uk/reading-services
RNIB Library has over 60,000 items for people to borrow, including audiobooks, braille and giant print (24pt) and accessible music. It is the largest library of its kind in the UK and the full catalogue of titles can be searched online.
Information provided by readingsight.org.uk/
Cambridgeshire Libraries offer the Digital at Home service for people registered as having a visual impairment, where you can receive e-audio books downloaded onto USB sticks, and posted to you in pouches (via “Articles for the Blind” posting service) to listen to on a UBS player.
To request the Digital at Home service, or for more information please contact us by calling 0345 045 5225 or emailing the volunteers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Further information on our website Cambridgeshire Libraries - accessibility
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While everyone is being told to stay at home as much as possible, it can be hard to know what to do if we or our family are unwell. It's still important to get medical help if we need it.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/health-at-home/ for the following information:
• order repeat prescriptions
• contact your GP
• find out about urgent dental treatment
• manage long-term conditions
• maintain your mental and physical wellbeing
For the latest and reliable information about coronavirus (COVID-19), and to find out what to do if you or someone you live with has symptoms, please go to:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
For information about coronavirus in accessible formats -- including audio, video, sign language and Easy Read versions -- please click on the following webpage compiled by the NHS Health Education England - Library and Knowledge Services team:
https://library.nhs.uk/coronavirus-resources/accessible-formats-2/
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Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination. Due to Covid-19 the library service is currently unable to assist residents making Blue Badge applications.
For further information or to make a Blue Badge application or renewal please go online here.
If you require support using the online form, you may wish to ask a family member or friend who can complete an application on your behalf. Alternatively, you can also call 0345 045 5204 to speak to the Blue Badge Team for help over the phone.
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