Domestic abuse is a real and widespread problem in our communities and it can be difficult for victims to seek and access support.
Cambridgeshire Libraries have been working with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Domestic Abuse Partnership https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/ to inform our staff about domestic abuse and enable libraries to offer appropriate support and signposting for victims.
In every library you can use a library computer to seek information and support without the risk of an abuser tracking your search. Library computers are free to use and cannot be monitored.
The following libraries offer an enhanced “safe space”, where library staff can offer a private room, phone and contact details for appropriate support services:
Cambridge Central, Clay Farm, Ely, Huntingdon, March, St Ives, St Neots, Sawston, Wisbech
Please visit https://www.cambsdasv.org.uk/ or look for the posters in all our libraries for local support information. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is: 0808 2000 247. If someone is in immediate danger always call 999.
The Wild World Heroes are back to help with the Winter Mini Challenge!
Join the Wild World Heroes as they embark on an Arctic adventure to find out about the creatures that live there. You will find out about the environmental issues facing this remote place and might even spot a narwhal or two.
Taking part in the Winter Mini Challenge is simple. Children just need to read at least three books between 1st December and 16th January, create a ‘profile’ on the website: www.wintermini.org.uk then add the books to their profile to unlock the special virtual badge and certificate.
|
They will be able to find other fun activities on the website too, including games, book reviews, and author content.
St Neots Library welcomed Councillors Hilary Cox Condron and Stephen Ferguson recently to unveil a new art installation created by local artist Carli Pfurtscheller. The 15 large panels depict buildings and landmarks from St Neots including the parish church, the river and, of course, the Library. The project was coordinated by local creatives group Neotists and installed with assistance from the Friends of St Neots Library.
Cllr. Ferguson, who is also Mayor of St Neots, took the opportunity to sign up for a library card while he was in the library.
Cyber Resilience For The Small Local Business
Date: 1st December, 2021
Time: 12 - 2pm
Location: Business and Intellectual Property Centre, Huntingdon Library & Archives, Princes Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3PA
Booking type: Drop in - no pre-booking is required.
The Fraud & Cyber Security Advisor for Cambridgeshire Police will be on hand between 12pm and 2pm to provide free advice and guidance to help protect your business from fraud and cyber crime.
Date: 11th January, 2022
Time: 12 - 2pm
Location: Business and Intellectual Property Centre, 3rd floor, Cambridge Central Library, 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge, CB2 3QD
Booking type: Drop in - no pre-booking is required.
The Fraud & Cyber Security Advisor for Cambridgeshire Police will be on hand between 12pm and 2pm to provide free advice and guidance to help protect your business from fraud and cyber crime.
Join us at 2.30pm every Wednesday and Friday for a Christmas Storytime. Enjoy hearing about how Meerkats celebrate Christmas, discover the Best Christmas Present ever and find out what is on Zoe’s Christmas List, plus many more Christmassy stories*. Then on Christmas Eve settle down for a very special reading of the classic poem, ‘T’was the Night Before Christmas’.
*Stories are read with kind permission of the publisher Macmillan Children’s Books and will be available to listen to again until 31st December.
Cambridge Central Library
Teen Comic and Manga Club
Saturday 18th December 2:30 - 4pm
Do you enjoy reading comics? Perhaps you’re a young artist or writer looking to share your work and stories with others? Come along to our Comic and Manga Club!
This is a drop-in session, so no ticket is needed to attend. Best of all: it's free! Ages 12-16
|
Board Games Club
Saturday 11th December 3pm - 5pm
Join us on the third floor of the library for some relaxed and friendly board games fun! We have a range of exciting games to choose from, or you can bring your own from home.
For Ages 18+ No need to book, just turn up! Free
|
Reading Aloud with Cherry
Thursday 9th December 11am - 12pm
Listen to a range of readings to help unwind and relax. Come to the third floor of the library every second Thursday of the month.
All welcome.
Free drop in.
|
March Library
Christmas Fun Day
Saturday 4th December 9.30am – 3.30pm
Join us for a fun packed day of children’s crafts, Christmas stories, a children’s treasure hunt, name the teddy and festive refreshments. See our programme for full details and talk to library staff to book tickets.
The library is subject to a Covid capacity limit so there may be a short wait at busy times.
|
Children’s Christmas Party with Bamboogie family entertainment
Wednesday 22nd December 1.30 – 2.45pm and 3.15 – 4.30pm
For children aged 3 and over
Come along and join in with a Christmas disco, party games and magic. Wear your favourite Christmas or party clothes if you wish to. Limited tickets, £3 per child including refreshments, adults are free but must book a place. Parents must stay with their children.
Kindly sponsored by March Town Council
|
|
Friends of March Library Coffee Morning
Saturday 18th December 10am – 12pm
Come in from the cold and join us for warming refreshments and the chance to win a prize in the raffle.
Everyone welcome.
|
|
 |
St Ives
Rhymetime is back! Half hour of songs and action rhymes.
Suitable for babies 0-18 mths
Wednesdays 10-10.30am and 11.00-11.30am. (Term time only)
Places are free but limited. Places can be booked on the day only. First come first served basis. Please ask at the front desk for more information.
|
Festive Fun Morning
Monday 20th Dec 10.00am-10.45 and 11.00am-11.45am
Festive Fun craft session suitable for 3-9 years
50p per craft. Places are limited, please book at the front desk.
Takeaway packs will also be available.
|
Festive Storytime
Wednesday 22nd Dec 10-10.30am and 11-11.30am
Enjoy a festive story and colouring to follow. Suitable for 2-5 years
Free but places are limited. Please book at front desk.
|
|
Read A Little Aloud
Tuesday 21st Dec 2-3pm (Third Tuesday of each month)
Theme: Christmas
Join our volunteer at St Ives Library and listen to a selection of Christmas themed poems and readings.
Adults only. Free, please ask at desk for further information.
|
|
 |
Wisbech Library
Tea and Tablets
16th December 10.00 -11.30am
Come along with your questions and to get help and support with using technology in an informal group over a cup of tea.
Booking not required
|
Wisbech Christmas Fayre
Sunday 12th December 10.00am - 3.00pm
Dare to brave the escape room challenges in the library!
Craft activities & craft packs on sale for children to enjoy at home!
|
Christmas Craft Club
Saturday 4th December 2.00-3.00pm
50p per child, book your ticket at the library.
Join us to make some Christmas decorations! We’ll be making Snowman garlands, Concertina Angels and more!
|
Lego Club
Saturday 18th December 2.00-3.00pm
All ages welcome
50p
Please book your space at Wisbech Library
|
 |
|
Engage Xtra Talk: Reclaiming the Octagon Chapel Graveyard with Alan Wheeldon
Monday 13th December at 2-3.30pm
Booking required
£3.00 a ticket – available from Wisbech Library
|
Whittlesey Library
Puzzle Club
21st December 10.30-11.30am
No need to book
Knitting Group
14th December 10.30-11.30am
No need to book
|
The Library Presents Online Music Workshops & Comedy in Alconbury Weald
There are still tickets available for adults and young people who love discovering new music on two World Music Workshops happening 1st December and 8th December. Ling Peng will be sharing their expertise in Chinese Strings as well as sharing some Chinese stories and Daphna Sadeh will be sharing and helping us learn some Middle Eastern and Israeli melodies.
In need of some festive giggles then James Campbell’s comedy show for all is just the ticket! Adults and children will enjoy this equally and tickets are still available for 4th December.
Book tickets online through Babylon ARTS, visit your library or phone 01353616991
|
Cambridgeshire Libraries are proud to belong to the Living Knowledge Network. Led by the British Library, this is a partnership of national and public libraries across the UK. It creates opportunities to share ideas and spark connections between libraries, their collections and their people. The Living Knowledge Network regularly livestreams cultural events featuring world-class speakers, emerging voices and inspirational debate - free to view in your own home. Explore the website Living Knowledge Network (living-knowledge-network.co.uk) to watch previous events and discover what’s coming up.
We’re especially intrigued to hear forensic psychotherapist Gwen Adshead in conversation with ‘the Queen of Crime’ Val McDermid, available from Monday 6th December. Their conversation will examine human cruelty, compassion, change and recovery. It’s one of a series of Vital Discussions, created by the Royal Society of Literature and made available on demand via the Living Knowledge Network.
This International Migrants Day we’d like to remind you that our Care Leaver's Membership is also available to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children and Young People.
Children and young people aged 0-21 are eligible for this free Cambridgeshire Libraries card that looks exactly the same as an ordinary library card, but has been set up so there are no charges for overdue or lost items or a replacement card, and so that the Council, not the carer or support worker, would be responsible for overdue charges and the cost of replacing lost or damaged items for the children and young people covered by the scheme. Please note that this does not cover rental costs, for example for DVDs or Music CDs. |
|
 |
Ask for more details at your library or e-mail us.
We’re trying to make it easier for you to reserve and borrow our new books, so instead of giving you a PDF to open we’ve created a new area on our online catalogue. This means you can read about the new books and click to reserve all in one place.
You’ll still see the covers and be able to read about each book – you can also add your own tags and reviews to your books too. If you use screen reading software this should be far more accessible than a PDF.
Let us know what you think of the new look via Facebook and Twitter.
 Click on the button below to take a look at our selection of new books for December.
Top Pick:
The Drowned City by K. J. Maitland
Gunpowder and treason changed England forever. But the tides are turning and revenge runs deep in this compelling historical thriller for fans of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor's Ashes of London, Kate Mosse and Blood & Sugar.
1606. England stands divided in the wake of the failed Gunpowder Plot. As a devastating tidal wave sweeps the Bristol Channel, rumours of new treachery reach the King.
In Newgate prison, Daniel Pursglove receives an unexpected - and dangerous - offer. Charles FitzAlan, close confidant of King James, will grant his freedom - if Daniel can infiltrate the underground Catholic network in Bristol and unmask the one conspirator still at large.
Where better to hide a traitor than in the chaos of a drowned city? Daniel goes to Bristol to investigate, but soon finds himself at the heart of a dark Jesuit conspiracy - and in pursuit of a killer.
|
Cambridgeshire Libraries brings you four new books each month to borrow in eBook or eAudiobook format. Multiple use, they're great for reading groups and workplace reads.
Our titles for December are:
Enjoy our collection of special BorrowBox eAudiobook titles which will be available to 500 or 1,000 customers at the same time.
Perfect for reading groups, ideal to get a countywide discussion started.
Follow the links to BorrowBox Audiobooks download and listen today:
Join in the discussion on Twitter #CambridgeshireListenIn
We also have Cambridgeshire Listen in - for kids.
This month's eAudiobook titles are:
Share your thoughts on Twitter using #CambsKidsListenIn
We would love to hear from you. You can leave your comments on our Facebook and Instagram pages too.
|
Join us for Engage Online, a programme of free interactive talks and events. Engage Online events are free to join, and hosted on Zoom.
Christmas Quiz
Tuesday 14th December 2:00-3:00pm
Put on your Christmas jumpers, bring your own festive treats, and take part in a fun winter themed quiz from the comfort of your home!
We have added you to the register for this event. We will send your virtual tickets and joining details on the day.
|
 Listen to a variety of stories, poems and literature for adults. Free to join, hosted on Zoom, virtual ticket required.
Join us from the comfort of your own home.
Weather
Tuesday 7th December 2-3pm
Thunderstorms to rainbows, sunshine to rainy days! Explore the world of weather with us through literature!
Christmas
Tuesday 21st December 2-3pm
Join us on a literary sleigh ride through all things Christmas!
|
All events are free to join, hosted on Zoom, virtual ticket required.
If you are interested in virtually attending any of these events, or have any questions then please contact us. You can email the Read a Little Aloud team at:
RALA.Online@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
|
|
|
 |
Cambridgeshire Skills is Cambridgeshire County Council’s Adult and Community Learning service based at March Community Centre.
We deliver both accredited and non-accredited courses covering a wide variety of subjects and skills development. Our tutors develop and deliver learning through a variety of county wide venues. We exist to provide better outcomes to the residents of Cambridgeshire by putting on the right course, at the right time, in the right community, to achieve the desired social and economic benefits.
|
Together we form a mix of different ages, backgrounds and experiences and we recognise that learning isn’t just one approach. When you come to study with us, you will have great opportunities to develop your confidence and your skills, with excellent support from our qualified and committed team of teachers and teaching assistants. We have a variety of different courses to suit all learning needs whether that is your own learning or supporting others to access this resource.
We have just launched our Jan 2022-April 2022 brochure online where you will find a wide range of courses from 1 hour byte size to accredited courses in many subjects.
For more information call our Admissions Team 01353 613013.
|
|
 |
The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is committed to supporting new businesses at every stage of their start-up journey. From that initial spark of an idea through to launch and growth. From its five BIPC libraries across the area – Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Peterborough and Wisbech – the expert teams and incredible resources support pre-start and start-up businesses every day.
In celebration of its recent expansion across the region, the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has announced the launch of a brand new support programme for new local businesses – called BIPC Jumpstart. This unique initiative offers grants (from a 30k fund) as well as resources and support designed to help start-up businesses get set and grow.
New businesses that registered in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough on or after 14th January 2021, or those that are due to start shortly, are eligible to apply for BIPC Jumpstart and applications are open until 14th January 2022.
Find out more on the BIPC Jumpstart webpage.
You can follow the BIPC Cambridgeshire & Peterborough across social media to keep up to date with news of the BIPC Jumpstart programme and activities from the Centre more widely. Find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Wintry conditions can pose risks for our health, especially for older people and people with long-term conditions. There are things we can do to stay well in winter:
- Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F). Keep the bedroom window closed on winter nights, as breathing cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.
- Layer your clothing and stay active when you are indoors. Try not to sit still for more than an hour or so.
- Get the flu vaccination. To find out whether you are eligible for a free flu jab from the NHS, including people aged 50 or over, ask your pharmacy, GP or visit www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine.
- Stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus by following the government guidance. You can book your 1st, 2nd, or booster dose on the NHS website here. Or use a walk-in site without an appointment as long as you are eligible.
- If you feel unwell, don't wait for symptoms to get worse. Consult your local pharmacy or your GP. If you need medical help fast or you’re not sure what to do, call 111 or go online at nhs.uk.
- Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over the winter.
For more advice on how to stay well in winter, please visit NHS website and Age UK website.
Support available
If you, or people you know, are struggling to heat your home or pay the bills this winter, there are support available. Please visit Be Well Cambridgeshire -Stay Well This Winter webpage and find the list of organizations offering help, including PECT and LEAP.
|
Cambridgeshire County Council also provide various schemes to support people in difficulties:
#StayWellThisWinter
|
|
 |
|
