During May families with young children can enjoy a retelling of Goldilocks; Oldilocks and the three bears by Garlic Theatre. A wonderfully funny and warm-hearted celebration of the classic story starring a naughty old lady who looks very familiar, and 3 funny bears who love their breakfast. Garlic Theatre hold their young audience spellbound with lovingly crafted puppets, music and steaming bowls of porridge.
Also this month we have lively music performances taking place suitable for all ages - groups of friends, couples, solo adults and families alike. Join us for an evening of infectiously funky grooves with Kakatsitsi Master Drummers. Learn West African drumming followed by a performance of outstanding drumming, singing, and amazing dance moves, a delight for all ages. Or if you fancy classical music with a comic twist Graffiti Classics might be for you.
To book tickets for these events or see what else is on offer in May and June visit The Library Presents Website
From Tuesday 3rd May our Mobile Library routes will include new stops and changes to visiting days and durations.
An additional 18 stops have been added due to public demand.
Our mobile library service is a much-valued service which has been available to all residents across the county for decades. The service now runs three mobile libraries stopping at 388 locations in 98 villages and communities throughout Cambridgeshire.
Each stop on the route not only offers a library service but also allows visitors to recycle household batteries, collect free NHS hearing aid batteries, walking stick ferrules and buy stamps.
For more information and to find your nearest stop visit our website: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/libraries-leisure-culture/libraries/mobiles
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Explore Cambridgeshire…through books! This month we are launching a Read Local collection of fiction set in and around our county. Choose from historical adventures, humour, contemporary & classic fiction and gripping crime - all featuring familiar locations. Look for a display in your local library or check our online catalogue Home | Cambridgeshire Libraries (spydus.co.uk) for suggestions.
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Cambridge City Council elections are to be held on Thursday 5th May 2022.
Arbury Court and Milton Road Libraries will be polling stations and will be closed to the public on this day.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
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 Discover what's on at your library - visit our Library.Live What's On page or pick up a copy of our What's On brochure at any library.
Mary Burgess of the Cambridgeshire Collection has been granted a Cambridgeshire Association Local History Award for her book on Cherry Hinton Road. The award (presented annually to 10 authors in recognition of original and exciting research relating to publications deposited at the Cambridgeshire Collection) acknowledges contributions made to the local, family, and social history of Cambridgeshire.
This is Mary’s third book giving a detailed account of streets of Cambridge.
She received the award from Mike Petty MBE, President of CALH, and former Local Studies Librarian in Cambridgeshire, at the Cambridgeshire Collection in Cambridge Central Library.
Photos credited to Janice Adams.
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Did you know that being a member of Cambridgeshire Libraries gives you free access to Encyclopaedia Britannica, both from the library and from your home?
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From animals to plants, arts to sports, places to people, and history to technology, you can browse a wide variety of content or dig deep into a specific topic, knowing that the information you’re accessing is current, accurate, comprehensive, and relevant. You can also select from a choice of three levels: Junior, Student and Adult. It’s easy to switch between the reading levels at any time. There’s also a text to speech feature, making the content accessible to a wide range of users and supporting those learning English as a second language.
To find out more, visit our Online Reference Library page or ask for details at your local library.
Cambridgeshire Library service is proud to partner with the British Library through their Living Knowledge Network. LKN offers regular live-streamed literary events, available to view at home. There are some exciting choices this month:
Tuesday 3rd May, 19:00-20:30 An evening of satire with Ian Hislop and guests
Tuesday 17th May, 19:00-20:30 Literature Matters - Marina Hyde & Armando Iannucci in conversation
Tuesday 26th May, 19:00-20:30 A Queen for All Seasons. Actor Joanna Lumley and Sunday Times Royal Editor Roya Nikkhah talk to host and broadcaster Moira Stuart about the 70-year reign and extraordinary life of service of Queen Elizabeth II, from the early 1950s to the present day.
For more information visit Living Knowledge Network (living-knowledge-network.co.uk).
The Living Knowledge Network exhibition “Breaking the News”, about news and our relationship with it, will be on view at St Neots Library throughout May.
 Click on the button below to take a look at our selection of new books for April.
Top Pick: Lost Property by Helen Paris
One lost purse. One lost woman.
A chance encounter that changes everything.
Dot Watson has lost her way. Wracked with guilt and struggling with grief, she has tucked herself away in the London Transport Lost Property office, finding solace in the process of cataloguing misplaced things. It's not glamorous or exciting, but it's solitary - just the way Dot likes it.
That is, until elderly Mr Appleby walks through the door in search of his late wife's purse and Dot immediately feels a connection to him. Determined to help, she sets off on an extraordinary journey, one that could lead Dot to reclaim her life and find where she truly belongs...
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 Our Cambridgeshire Listens and Cambridgeshire Reads collections bring you a wide range of books to borrow in eBook or eAudiobook format. Multiple use, they're great for reading groups and workplace reads.
Each month the selection of adult, young adult and children's titles refresh - they're available to borrow over a 60 day period. Try the links to look at this month's offerings. This month we have 9 titles available as both Reads and Listens this month including Geiger by Gustaf Skordeman, Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith and Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia.
 We also have 13 adult fiction and nonfiction titles available as just Listens including The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Junior and Young Adults Titles
- Cyborg Cat and the night Spider by Ade Adepitan
- Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (YA)
- Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr
- The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera (YA)
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (YA)
- Bearmouth by Liz Hyder (YA)
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 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.
Historical Moments!
Tuesday 3rd May 2-3pm
Join us as we explore historical moments through a variety of literature!
Colour
Tuesday 17th April 2-3pm
From Amber to Aquamarine, dive into the world of colour with us as we explore it’s representation through a variety of poetry and literature!
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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
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Led by the Mental Health Foundation, the annual Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 9th to 15th May. This year, the campaign explores the experience of loneliness and its impact on our wellbeing, while encouraging every one of us to play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
Visit the Every Mind Matters Loneliness webpage where you will find advice for ways to help yourself or others who may be feeling lonely, as well as information for further support.
You might also like to invite a friend to come to the library, attending an event together, having a chat about books that inspire you, and finding more books to read next. Visit the Libraries and Wellbeing webpages to learn how we can support your health and wellbeing.
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Dementia Action Week is the annual awareness campaign led by Alzheimer’s Society. It takes place during 16-22 May this year and the theme is diagnosis.
The campaign is to encourage those who might be living with, or close to someone who might be living with, undiagnosed dementia to be able to recognize the symptoms and feel empowered to take the next step.
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To find information and support, please visit NHS Dementia Guide page and Alzheimer’s Society website.
Cambridgeshire Libraries have recently added 8 new titles complementing the existing Books on Prescription – Dementia collection. These include adult non-fiction, biographies, and children’s books:
- Dementia: the one-stop guide: practical advice for families, professionals and people living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, by June Andrews
- Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia, by Ralph Spencer
- What I wish people knew about dementia, by Wendy Mitchell and Anna Wharton
- Remember: the science of memory and the art of forgetting, Lisa Genova
- The suitcase: six attempts to cross a border, by Frances Stonor Saunders
- The Age Well Project: easy ways to a longer, healthier, happier life, by Annabel Streets and Susan Saunders
- My book about brains, change and dementia: what is dementia and what does it do? by Lynda Moore and George Haddon
- When I was a fairy, by Tom Silson and Ewa Poklewska-Koziełło
Dying Matters Awareness Week, 2-6 May, is a chance to get our community talking about dying and grief. Everyone deserves to be in a good place when they die – physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and crucially, with the right care and support. Visit Hospice UK website to find out more about this campaign, as well as information about end-of-life care and bereavement support.
The Cambridgeshire-based Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has produced the Ducks in a Row booklet as an aid to keeping all important details of one’s life in one safe and accessible place. It can help you and your loved ones prepare the practicalities of death and dying. You can find the contact information in their webpage if you would like to request a copy.
Cambridgeshire Libraries have also put together a collection of books about end of life and bereavement. Please visit our library catalogue – Health and Well-being page.
#InAGoodPlace @libsconnected @dyingmatters
 Helping you to help yourself: local and family history societies
If Local History Month stirs you into action about where you live or your family tree, you could seek out a local society to help you on your way.
Family History
Both the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society and the Fenland Family History Society hold regular research sessions to help you navigate family history research.
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Family History Society
Ely Library 10.00am - 4.00pm 3rd Wednesday of alternate months
St Ives (Norris Museum) 10.30am - 3.30pm 2nd Wednesday of alternate months
Bar Hill Library 1.30pm - 4.30pm 3rd Monday of each month
March Library 9.30am - 4.00pm 1st Tuesday of each month
Cambourne Library 1.30pm - 4.30pm 3rd Monday of alternate months
Fenland Family History Society
Wisbech Library 10.00am-12.00pm 1st Tuesday of each month.
Baytree Garden Centre, Hilgay 11.00am- 2.30pm 2nd Monday of each month.
Please check the latest information on any research sessions before travelling. Both societies have Facebook pages to find out about latest events and activities. If you join, you can help support the group as well as further your interest and meet and make new friends.
Local History
There are lots of local history groups within Cambridgeshire. Why not join one, or go along to one of their activities?
The Cambridge Antiquarian Society publishes The Conduit (you can find it online here
https://www.camantsoc.org/publications/ ). This has information on the many local history and archaeology organisations, societies, events, and lectures within Cambridgeshire. The Cambridgeshire Association for Local History also has lots of information about our county. https://www.calh.org.uk/
If you have any queries about your local or family history research in Cambridgeshire, you can always contact Cambridgeshire Libraries Local Studies at Cambridgeshire.Collection@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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