|
There are so many great reasons to read: to relax; to escape; to discover; to understand ourselves or others; to find facts; or just for fun.
Since 2021, the #ReadingHour has been at the centre of The Reading Agency’s World Book Night celebrations. From 7pm to 8pm on 23rd April, people across the UK dedicate time to reading – whether alone, in a book group meeting, listening to an audiobook or reading to children at bedtime to make it a family activity.
Be part of it and make a date with a book on Tuesday 23rd April! If you’re not sure what to read, drop into your library and we’ll be happy to offer recommendations. We also love to hear about your own best book suggestions, to share with other readers.
Installation of March Library’s new, innovative community space will take place from Monday 15 April to Sunday 16 June. While there will be some noise and disruption, the library will be open as normal during staffed hours, with Open+ operating on reduced hours, Mon-Fri 9am to 9.30am and Weds 1.15pm to 4pm.
EverySpace is centred around adaptable, co-managed spaces that enable the community to connect, share, create and discover. It is made possible by a grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Find out more about the project on our website:
22nd April is Earth Day, a date marked since 1970 and regarded by many as the birthday of the global environmental movement.
Celebrate with any Earth-friendly action – this could be as simple as reading a library book! By enabling communities to share books and resources, libraries have always been at the heart of the circular economy. Choose any book you please, but you may want to explore one of our many climate and nature titles. Ask in your library, or search for “climate change, energy and environment” on our online catalogue: https://cambridgeshire.spydus.co.uk/
|
 We are excited to announce that the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is…Marvellous Makers!
Developed by The Reading Agency, and Create a leading charity bringing the creative arts to those who need it most, this year’s Challenge aims to fire up children’s imagination and unleash storytelling and creativity through the power of reading. The bespoke illustrations for Marvellous Makers have been created by the brilliant illustrator, Natelle Quek.
More details to follow.
 Click on the button below to take a look at our full selection of new books for April.
Our Cambridgeshire Listens and Cambridgeshire Reads collections bring you a wide range of books to borrow in eBook or eAudiobook format. Available for multiple use, they're great for reading groups and workplace reads. You can even listen and read at the same time!
Each month the selection of adult, young adult and children's titles are refreshed - 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:
The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler, The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy, The Mother by T.M. Logan, Idol, Burning by Rin Usami, Young Women by Jessica Moor, We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal, Milkman by Anna Burns.
 We also have 7 adult fiction titles available as just Listens:
Be Near Me by Andrew O'Hagan, The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton, The Flow by Amy-Jane Beer, Worth Dying For by Lee Child, Homecoming by Kate Morton, Hothouse Flower by Lucinda Riley, Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay.
Also available are these 6 junior and teen titles:
Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu by Maisie Chan, Happy Head by Josh Silver, Robin Hood: Jet Skis, Swamps and Smugglers by Robert Muchamore, Hilda and the Hidden People by Stephen Davies, Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood, and Mr Galliano's Circus by Enid Blyton.
HOPE CIC team of volunteers are offering free minor cycle repairs and advice and support at Cambourne Library, every Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm in the Library Foyer.
They are working to reduce waste and enable members of the community to access affordable cycling.
Pop in if you need a hand!
|
Our Online Reference Library now gives you free access to Oxford Reference, where you can find the latest accurate information on a range of subjects, from archaeology to law, philosophy to science, or history to music. Oxford Reference is available in the library or from home using your Cambridgeshire Libraries card number.
|
If you’re looking for your next great read, why not explore Who Else Writes Like and Who Next? These resources are designed to help readers of all ages find new authors to try based on what they already enjoy. Available in the library and from home. To log in from home, all you need to do is enter “CALO-” followed by your Cambridgeshire Libraries card number.
|
Lastly, the way you access PressReader from home is changing slightly from April: to log in, you’ll need to enter your PIN in addition to your Cambridgeshire Libraries card number. The content available will remain the same, and you can continue to enjoy free access to current national and international newspapers and magazines, including titles available in over 60 languages.
|
April 22nd is Stephen Lawrence Day. This day commemorates Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993. According to the Stephen Lawrence Day foundation, the day offers “an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen’s life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. Through reflection, learning, and action, we can inspire change and create a better future for the next generation”.
Don’t forget that the Mark My Words collection we launched last year is still available at every Cambridgeshire Library. These 8 titles by Black authors were selected by the Universal Music Group and The Reading Agency and the collection includes fiction, non-fiction, and children’s and YA titles. Look for them at your local library or reserve them online.
|
An NHS Health Check is a free check-up delivered by health professionals for adults aged 40 to 74 to help lower the risk of developing serious health conditions. They are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
During the 20-30 min session, they will check your blood pressure, height, weight, BMI (a measure of whether you are a healthy weight), cholesterol and hbA1C (diabetes). To book your NHS Health Check or discuss your eligibility, please call on us on 0333 005 0093 or text healthyu to 60777. There are no charges to call or text.
For more info go to: NHS Health Checks - Healthy You
|
Can’t get enough of crime fiction? You are not alone: it’s the UK’s most read and borrowed genre. And its popularity is being celebrated in a new exhibition at Cambridge University Library.
Bringing together literature, culture and heritage, Murder by the Book illuminates and celebrates the stories of the UK’s most popular fiction writing. Curated by award-winning crime novelist Nicola Upson, this exhibition challenges traditional distinctions between literary fiction and genre fiction. Murder by the Book examines crime’s place in our literary history and the University Library’s world-leading Special Collections.
Look out for Murder by the Book partner events with Cambridgeshire Libraries in the coming months, including special opportunities for reading groups. Meanwhile, find out more about the exhibition here: Murder by the Book: A Celebration of 20th Century British Crime Fiction | Cambridge University Library, including how to get your free tickets (booking essential).
|
There’s a new edition of the Cambridgeshire Guide to Independent Living. It provides local information and support for older people, people with disabilities, and their carers.
You can find out about local activities, transport, equipment and adaptations, home support, paying for your care, what you can expect from the council, and much more. This Guide will assist you to think about the options available and help make choices that are right for you.
Visit Cambridgeshire Guide to Independent Living | Care Choices to read it online or download a PDF copy. You can also pick up a printed copy in any of our libraries.
|
On 6th March we announced the incredible winners of our BIPC Jumpstart Grants! Around 90 of our partners, stakeholders and finalists joined us for a very exciting event at the Delta Marriott Hotels in Huntingdon. By the end of the evening, £75K in grant funding had been awarded to 22 incredible businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
These amazing people are set to embark on very exciting start-up journeys that will have an impact on our local area. A heartfelt thank you again to everyone who applied, our finalists and of course our partners and stakeholders without whom the programme would not exist!
To find out who our BIPC Jumpstart 2023/24 winners are, please head to: Grants awarded to entrepreneurs and start-up business owners - Cambridgeshire County Council
|
