Last month we launched a new Libraries of Sanctuary information page on our website. This page provides information on how library services can support new arrivals into our communities, and also signposts to other organisations that offer information and support across Cambridgeshire.
The information on the page is wide-ranging and applicable to different communities of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, people seeking sanctuary, and other new arrivals such as international students. It covers topics such as housing, internet access, learning English, studying and finding a job, immigration and visas, things to do, and health. It also links to the Cambridgeshire County Council page that details support for new arrivals from Ukraine.
Cambridgeshire Libraries have pledged to follow the City of Sanctuary charter and are working towards a Libraries of Sanctuary national award. This award recognises and celebrates libraries that work hard to show solidarity and welcome to new arrivals.
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The OverDrive app is being retired at the end of April. Existing borrowers won’t be able to use it, and it won’t be available to download from any app store.
Anyone still using this app will need to use Cambridgeshire Libraries OverDrive website, or download the Libby app, to continue to use our catalogue of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines.
You can find information about how to use OverDrive and download the Libby app on our website.
You can also search our online catalogue to see all our eBooks and eAudiobooks from OverDrive, BorrowBox, and uLibrary in one place.
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Did you know the 1921 Census of England & Wales is now available on Find My Past?
With its original household schedules and Plans of Division, the census has been digitised by Find My Past and is now available to view in full. You can search almost 37.8 million records for your ancestors living in England & Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man or serving in the British armed forces overseas on 19th June 1921, and discover a detailed snapshot of their life at that time – where they lived, who they lived with, their age, their marital status, where they were born, details of employment and many more details about their lives and relationships.
Access within the library only.
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World Book Day – 2nd March
World Book Day turns the spotlight on books written for children and young people. So, celebrate this special day by exploring your local library and our online library, to discover, or rediscover, the amazing range of stories and information books you can take home/download for free!
Libraries - Cambridgeshire County Council
You can also visit the World Book Day website to find out about the £1 books you can buy with your World Book Day Voucher and all the events happening online this year.
World Book Day 2023 announcements - World Book Day
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Kate Rhodes & Penny Hancock: A Life of Crime
Histon Library, Wednesday 8th March, 2pm.Tickets £3
Bar Hill Library, Wednesday 22nd March, 2pm. Free, but donations appreciated. Please pre-book.
Do you love a classic whodunnit? Or maybe the drama of a family with skeletons in the closet?
We are offering two chances to enjoy a double dose of mystery and intrigue with two popular Cambridgeshire crime writers.
For tickets, ask in the relevant library, email BarHill.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225
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Jim Kelly – The Silent Child
She can’t have a future until she has a past.
Jim Kelly introduces his powerful and moving historical novel, The Silent Child – a survivor’s search for lost identity after World War II.
St Neots Library, Wednesday 15th March 2023, 7:30pm
Ramsey Library, Thursday 30th March 2023, 7pm
Milton Road Library, Thursday 20th April 2023, 7pm
St Ives Library, Thursday 27th April 2023, 7pm
Tickets £5 Ask in the relevant library, call 0345 045 5225 or email:
StNeots.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (for St Neots event)
StIves.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (for Ramsey and St Ives events)
Libraries.referralCentre@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (Milton Road event)
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BorrowBox is delighted to invite you to an exclusive event with bestselling crime author Ann Cleeves!
As the author of more than 35 critically acclaimed novels, and winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger, Ann Cleeves is one of the biggest names in crime writing.
Join us on Wednesday 22nd March at 5pm for this unmissable event. Ann will discussing her writing, inspiration and the role libraries have played in her life. We’ll also be holding a Q&A session so be sure to get your questions ready!
Register for the event
The menu is online and in libraries until 22 March for residents to make their choices using a choosing slip
This menu is performances only. We know you love workshops too! We will programme workshops in Visual Arts and Crafts, Music, Dance and more - over the last five years we have learnt exactly the kinds of workshops you want to attend. We hope you can focus on choosing performances you would like for this year.
Want to find out more in person? Then attend an online choosing party!
Performances include: Music, Puppetry, Dance, Circus, Magic, Theatre, Comedy, Spoken Word and Storytelling. There are performances suitable for Families (birth to 8+yrs), All Ages, Young People and Adults and accessible performances.
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The theme this year is creativity - families can find loads of free resources on the Shakespeare Week website: For Families (shakespeareweek.org.uk)
Several of our libraries will also be celebrating with activities.
Ely Library are hosting a free Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Storytelling event on Saturday 25th March 10am-1pm. Listen to a story and meet characters including bickering fairies, an actor called Bottom and a mischievous sprite. Take part in craft activities and enjoy some fun games in this special storytelling event.
www.library.live/whats-on
This year is also the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio so children (4-11) are invited to create their own home-made books and enter them in a Shakespeare Week competition. Shakespeare Week Competition 2023
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Healing Words: a personal writing workshop
Cambridge Central Library, Saturday 18th March, 11:00am-12:30pm
Spend some reflective time exploring and expressing in writing the things that are important to you.
This workshop, led by Sarah Ingram, is held in conjunction with Cambridge Women’s Aid to mark Women’s History Month. Anyone may join, regardless of gender. Please find out more and book a free ticket: Healing Words: A Personal Writing Workshop Tickets, Sat 18 Mar 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite
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Bee part of the Story!
Cambridgeshire Libraries are delighted to be a part of the 2023 Festival of Stories (2nd to 20th March) for families of children aged 0-5.
Please see the Festival of Stories webpage for the full programme of events: http://www.bit.ly/FestivalOfStories
For all library events visit www.Library.Live/whats-on
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 Click on the button below to take a look at our selection of new books for March.
Top pick:
Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans.
As they interact with various literary figures of the time - Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others - these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.
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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. You could read and listen at the same time!
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. We have 7 titles available as both Reads and Listens this month including Missionaries by Phil Klay, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont, The Long Call by Ann Cleeves, Breakfast With Einstein by Chad Orzel, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
 We also have 7 adult fiction and non fiction titles available as just Listens including Hag-seed by Margaret Atwood, Nothing to Lose by Lee Child, Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly, The Butchers by Ruth Gilligan, The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith, The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary and Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten.
We understand that looking after yourself means more than focusing on your physical health.
Your local Social Prescriber can take the time to talk with you about how you’re feeling and what matters to you. They can help you to explore those options in your community to improve your wellbeing and help you plan those next steps.
Come by and meet the Social Prescribing team who can help with housing, finance, community groups and activities, anxiety, stress and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, work and volunteering.
We’ll be at Huntingdon Library Thursday March 9th 10am – 1pm
If you cannot make the event, ask for a referral via your GP surgery.
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If you haven’t been feeling yourself, don’t suffer in silence. NHS Talking Therapies can help you feel brighter.
NHS ‘Feel Brighter’ campaign aims to reach out to people aged 65 and over. If you have been feeling anxious or low, or if you know an older friend or relative who struggles with their mental health, find out what support is available at www.cpics.org.uk/feel-brighter.
You can also call 0300 300 0055 to make an initial referral. Phone lines are available 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Bank Holidays).
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As days are getting longer and warmer, it’s time to dust off our bikes and ride into spring!
Why not join Love to Ride and take part in challenges to win prizes. Or take Quick Courses on their website to learn new bike skills, read a range of tips and share your cycling story with the cycling community.
Don’t forget to incorporate visiting the library into your cycle route. There are bike racks outside our libraries or on streets nearby.
Love to Ride is a campaign supported by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. Visit lovetoride.net for more information.
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From 27th March to 2nd April, many organizations will be celebrating World Autism Acceptance Week. To find out what they do and to learn more about autism, please visit the following websites:
National Autistic Society
Ambitious about Autism
Autism Education Trust
Cambridgeshire Autism Collection contains books about autism, including picture books for children, stories about lived experiences, and information for parents and carers.
Over the years, there have been changes in our understanding about autism and in how we talk about autism, and the language around it will continue to evolve and change. Readers might find some of the older titles in the Collection, albeit using the old terminology, contain useful information. Please refer to the Terminology Guide by Autism Education Trust for the appropriate terminology.
Here are some highlights from our book collection:
A different sort of normal, by Abigail Balfe, Queerly Autistic, by Erin Elkins, Show us who you are, by Elle McNicoll, Fall Down 7 Times, Get up 8, by Naoki Higashida
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Did you know that Cambridgeshire Libraries, in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy, provide access to self-paced introductory IT courses that enable you to take your first steps on your path to becoming an IT professional?
The current course selection will run until the 16 of September 2023.
Find out more details and enrol via the library website.
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