 There is always a warm welcome at Staffordshire Libraries
Did you know Staffordshire Libraries provide safe, warm, and welcoming spaces with access to lots of great services, such as FREE books and electronic resources. With a Staffordshire library card, you can download eBooks, eAudio books, eMagazines, eComics, and eNewspapers on the go!
At Staffordshire Libraries you have access to Wi-Fi and desktop computers and can use a range of subscriptions such as Ancestry, Driving Theory Test Pro and Go Citizen and much more, FREE across our 43 libraries.
Staffordshire library staff and volunteers can signpost you to information and services in your local area - getting you the help and support you may need. Many of our libraries can help with online applications for Bus Passes and Blue Badges, and our Business Start-Up Hubs can provide anyone looking to start a business with information to get them on the right path.
Looking for something to do? We have a huge range of activities and events from Baby Bounce and Rhyme time for little ones, Coffee and Chat sessions, Local History activities, Craft sessions plus lots more. So, what are you waiting for! Why not Discover Your Staffordshire Library Today! And Join Up. Join In. Discover. Explore. Create.
Libraries have lot of regular events and activities and special events run all year - find out what is going on near you here
Find out more about Your Staffordshire Library Service here: How to join your library - Staffordshire County Council
Or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube – search Staffordshire Libraries and follow us for updates.
World Book Day
On Thursday 2nd March Staffordshire libraries will be celebrating all things children’s books with World Book Day.
Children up and down the county will be encouraged by their schools to dress up as their favourite book character from Harry Potter to Little Red Riding Hood aimed to spread the joy of reading. Encouraging a love of reading is the main aim behind World Book Day and research has shown that by just spending 10 minutes a day reading and sharing stories with children can make a crucial difference to their future success.
As always World Book Day tokens will be given out which can then be exchanged for a free book at selected book stores, this year authors will include Joe Wicks, Lenny Henry and Adam Kay, to see the full range of authors/ titles and where to collect your book as well as some fun activities to do online click here
Staffordshire Libraries will of course be joining in the celebrations with class visits from local schools, eye catching displays and showing off our fabulous range of children’s books.
So on this world book day grab a great children’s book from your local library and join in the magic and joy of reading and sharing stories.
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 Your Winter Reads
We have a great selection of Winter Reads available across Staffordshire Libraries to ease us through the last couple of months. People generally read more in the winter months so it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book in your favourite reading space.
Your Winter Reads collection has a title to suit all tastes whether it be a spooky tale, a whodunnit or a return to past times.
Winter Reads are available at selected Staffordshire libraries, but they can be reserved at any library.
 Find out about self-employment at your local library
Residents across Staffordshire can call into their local library this March to access advice and guidance to start their own business.
The Staffordshire Start-up Hubs, supported by BES, are an initiative that provides advice, support and guidance to those interested in becoming self-employed and starting their own business.
Each library has its own Hub where visitors can access self-employment resources including books, templates and information. Additional drop-in sessions will be held at specific Library’s on selected dates in March. No appointment is necessary and self employment coaches will be on hand to provide one-to-one advice and guidance to anyone that would like to talk about their ideas and ambitions to become self-employed.
Cannock Library - Tuesday 7th March
Burton Library - Wednesday 8th March
Stafford Library - Monday 13th March
Leek Library - Wednesday 15th March
Lichfield Library - Tuesday 21st March
Perton Library - Thursday 30th March
Newcastle Library - Tuesday 28th March
All sessions are 10:30am – 12:30.
Contact Your Library for more information.
Are you interested in a Career with Words?
‘Careers with Words’ will tour to libraries across the West Midlands during National Careers Week (6th to the 11th March), to inspire young people aged 14+ to consider a future in the library service, publishing, as a writer, or doing one of the many roles being showcased with writing at their core. Arts Connect are working with two fantastic partners in the delivery of these events: Writing West Midlands and the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL).
Come along to your FREE local event in Burton-on-Trent Library on Tuesday 7th March from 4pm to 6pm, to hear about how you could forge a career as a librarian, writer, content creator, publisher, editor, literary agent, or copywriter.
Speakers include:
- Editor at Amazon and author Kasim Ali
- Writer and Creative Writing Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton Charley Barnes
- Crime writer Natalie Marlow
- Poet and workshop leader Kurly McGeachie
For further information and to book your free place: https://writingwestmidlands.org/writers/careers-with-words-2023/
If you can’t make this event ‘Careers with Words’ will also be at:
Wednesbury Library (Sandwell) – Wednesday 8th March – 1pm to 3pm
Leamington Spa Library – Wednesday 8th March – 6pm to 8pm
The Hive, Worcester – Thursday 9th March – 10am to 12pm
Shrewsbury Library – Friday 10th March – 1pm to 3pm
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 International Women's Day - 8th March
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.
Find out more at the International Womens Day website
March is also Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. Explore our library collections to discover the often-overlooked contributions of women to history.
BBC Teach have created a collection of teaching resources, suitable for primary or secondary school aged children
Women's History Month - Teaching Resources - BBC Teach
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British Science Week 10th - 19th March
British Science Week is a 10-day programme of thousands of events running throughout the whole of the UK with the aim of celebrating science, engineering, technology and maths. With no restrictions on who can organise events, the topics on which they are focused, the audience or the venue, the resulting programme is a hugely varied and eclectic mix suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
Getting involved in British Science Week is really easy, and you can take part in lots of different ways including downloading activity packs, exploring the Smashing Stereotypes campaign, taking part in a poster competition or going to a local event. Find out more at the British Science Week Website
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Celebrate British Science Week at the Perton Library Science Fair & Spring Festival
To celebrate British Science Week Perton Library and Wild About Perton are hosting a fantastic science fair for all the family on Saturday 18th March, 10:00am – 3:00pm.
Following the great success of last year’s event, the library team have worked closely with the community and secured funding from Perton Parish Council, County Councillor Jak Abrahams, the Friends of Perton Library and Wild About Perton. Thanks to this are able to offer some fascinating science shows, exhibitions and things to see and do. The Library team are also working with friends from Wild About Perton and are again buddying up the event with their annual Spring Festival.
- Think Tank Shows
- Hyett Education STEMbotics Robot and Coding Workshops
- Medical Mavericks
- Lapworth Museum of Geology
- Warwick University STEM Outreach Team
- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are bringing a Fire Engine
- Wild About Perton
- Waste Savvy Staffs
- Forensics activity with Staffordshire Police
- National Trust, Dudmaston – The Science of Conservation
- Forest of Mercia
- RSPB Staffordshire
- Staffordshire Wildlife
- South Staffordshire Council Climate Change Team
- Kingswood Trust
- Perton Library Astronomy Group and Wolverhampton Astronomical Society
- Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archives and Heritage Team. Early photography.
- More to be confirmed
Think Tank shows – Places are free, but limited, so please book your places to avoid disappointment.
- 10:00am Destination Space: One Big Journey – for ages 4 -7
- 11:15am Fabulous Forces – ages 8 - 11
- 1:00pm Space Mission – ages 8 - 11
- 2:15pm The Science of Sport – ages 11 plus
STEMbotics: Robotics & Coding workshops – Places are free, but limited, so please book early.
- 10:00am-11:00am (Age 9-11)
- 11:15am-12:15pm (Age 5-8)
- 12:30pm-1:30pm (Age 9-11)
- 1:45pm-2:45pm (Age 5-8)
Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk for further information or updates or to book a place on the Think Tank and STEMbotics shows.
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Get started and Grow Scheme
Businesses aged up to 5 years, located in Staffordshire can get free Marketing, HR, Legal and accountancy support; just apply online Get Started and Grow - Staffordshire County Council
Free Carbon Literacy training
This Staffordshire focused course provides relevant climate change learning that catalyses action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a significant and meaningful way. This is a two day course, from 10am-2pm each day
There are 2 sessions to choose from, Session 1 runs 21st and 24th March, or session 2 runs 28th and 31st March.
Please email Sophie.carroll@staffordshire.gov.uk if you would like to book.
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Quiz Time
We're celebrating Shakespeare Week in Libraries this March.
Find out what you know about the Bard in this special Shakespeare Quiz
Look out for weekly quizzes every Saturday evening on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Jigsaw Time
We hope you enjoy this cute little Aquarium Jigsaw
Check out our Facebook page for a new jigsaw each Sunday at 7pm
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 Discover Your Library Online
We are committed to enabling our customers, new and existing, and everyone in Staffordshire to discover all that we have to offer. Looking for a group or activity? Need to renew or order a book? Want to check out Staffordshire Libraries social media pages! You can now find them all in one place here: linktr.ee/staffordshirelibraries
Give it a try, it’s easy and you might be surprised!
It's #EnjoyEastStaffs Week (27th February-5th March 2023), and to celebrate we have family passes for the National Forest Adventure Farm, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, and the Staffordshire Balloon Fiesta up for grabs!
Enjoy Staffs want your images of the Borough of East Staffordshire, whether it's the exhilarating scenes of a day at Uttoxeter Racecourse, the beauty of The National Forest, Barton Marina, and the Weaver Hills, the serenity of Hoar Cross Hall, or something else!
Share them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with #EnjoyEastStaffs, before 5pm on Sunday 5th March, and you could win a great family day out at the National Forest Adventure Farm's Easter Eggstravaganza!
Here's one of our previous winners of the #EnjoyEastStaffs competition, taken at Croxden Abbey by Chris Andrew.
Find out more here
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 Donate I.T. to help local people get connected.
We’re supporting the Staffordshire Donate I.T. scheme to help provide recycled I.T. equipment to children and young people, elderly residents, and disabled people in Staffordshire.
Have you got a laptop or tablet you no longer need? Please donate it to the scheme, to help others get connected.
There are five quick steps to donate a device:
- Find your nearest library donation point and arrange a time to drop the devices off.
- Complete the online consent form.
- Remove your personal data and restore your device to factory settings (click here for help restoring a Mac or here for help restoring a Windows device).
- Clean and sanitise your equipment.
- Drop your equipment and completed form off at the pre-arranged time.
The Donate I.T. scheme was set up by Staffordshire County Council and The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, to support local people who don’t have the I.T. equipment they need to learn, apply for jobs, access health services, and reduce loneliness.
Find out more - ask about the scheme at your local library or visit the web page www.staffordshire.gov.uk/DonateIT.
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