 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's 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.
What does community mean to you?
We want to know ...
Staffordshire County Council are asking you to spend 15 minutes taking our survey about your local area.
The answers you give will help them understand what’s important to people in Staffordshire and make sure they’re doing their bit to support you and what you care about
And you could win a family day pass to Trentham Gardens for sharing your thoughts
Take the survey and tell us what matters to you: https://letstalk.staffordshire.gov.uk/communities-survey
You can also pick up a hard copy of this form in your local library if you prefer to fill one in that way.
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Kidz2Kidz a huge success this Christmas thanks to Werrington Community Hub - Library & Wellbeing Centre
“Making dreams come True”
Having started off 10 years ago with just a few helpers the Kidz2Kidz project, run from Werrington Community Hub - Library and Wellbeing Centre, has now morphed into a true community endeavour for the folk of Werrington and embracing a wider area.
2023 heralded a host of new community activists which not only eased the work of the volunteers but dramatically expanded the groups catchment income.
The result was that they have without doubt had their most productive year ever which was fortuitous as they were able to satisfy a much greater number of requests.
This year Kidz2Kidz provided Christmas funds for 236 distressed families and had sufficient new toys for over 300 children. 2023 worth has topped around £9,000 taking a rule of thumb value of the toys.
There were two special surprises. The Hospital Show at the Repertory Theatre held a Bucket Collection and out-of-the-blue Jigsaw Homes donated 300 Selection Boxes, both adding greatly to a real bonanza year.
Following tradition, the group also made a donation to Scotty’s Little Soldiers for the children of the fallen in the Werrington area.
The group are always looking for more volunteers, if you are interested in helping out please e-mail david@dsaimaging.co.uk
We have some fantastic authors coming up for the New Year on our free online Book Chat.
On 23rd January, beat the January Blues with local author Tracy Bloom. Tracy is the author of numerous bestselling ‘laugh out loud’ romantic comedies and her latest novel ‘The Time of Her Life’ is no exception! . Kim Jacobs believes that she is happily married, until her husband tells her he is leaving her. Forced to re-evaluate her life on the same day that her son leaves for university, Kim is shocked to find herself sleeping in the spare room of his college flat share. She never imagined her prime would be spent with a bunch of man-babies, but amongst the empty pizza boxes and unwashed laundry, Kim can feel something starting to happen.
It’s a hilarious, life-affirming story about fresh starts and how life can constantly surprise you and really in-keeping with the January spirit of starting again!
Take part at 7:30pm on 23rd January by clicking this link
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Bestselling author, C S Green will be ‘Down Among the Dead’ as she chats to us about this, her tense, twisty and threatening novel, on 31st January.
The inimitable DC Rose Gifford is back as she investigates a series of spooky murders in a North London forest. When Rose discovers that the woods are situated on an ancient plague pit, things take an even darker turn…
Rose is a heroine beloved by readers- a young police detective with a difficult past who is determined to do her job to the best of her abilities and who runs rings around her male colleagues. Imagine Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley, but fresher on the force and slightly less jaded!
C S Green also teaches Creative Writing at City University so is an excellent source of tips for any aspiring writers out there!
Take part at 7:30pm on 31st January at this link
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For lovers of non fiction, tune in on 7th February as we welcome Paul Lindley, the award-winning founder of Ella’s Kitchen, social campaigner and bestselling author. Paul will be chatting to us about his latest book ‘Raising the Nation’. With contributions from academic and campaigning experts, as well as those with lived experience, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, singer and activist Charlotte Church, and ex-prime minister of Denmark and former CEO of Save the Children International Helle Thorning-Schmidt, this book is a manifesto for why we must nurture smart, strong and kind children if we are to have our best possible future.
Take part at 7:30pm on 7th February at this link
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 Enjoy these great seasonal eAudios on Borrowbox for a limited time only with no Queue!
Midwife on the Orient Express by Fiona MacArthur
Stories for Every Season by Enid Blyton
The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas by James Patterson
Something from Tiffany's by Melissa Hill
These titles are all available until 29th January
Just download the Borrowbox App from your app store for your device or visit our eLibrary
NEW Junior Writer's Group at Cannock Library
Cannock parents, our new monthly Junior Writer’s group is a brilliant opportunity for your young writer to develop their skills under the guidance of a professional writer.
Book your young writer a place now!
Cannock Library starting on 20th January 10.30am-12.30pm
£9/session but FREE for young writers who qualify for pupil premium/free school dinners.
BOOK NOW: https://www.sparkwriters.org/cannock-junior-23-24/
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 Are you thinking of starting your own business in 2024?
The fantastic COBRA website contains all the information you need to turn your idea into a business or if you are thinking of working for yourself.
Log on and find more than 4,000 factsheets, sector guides, market reports, local area profiles, contacts and sources of funding and support plus hundreds of practical guides to starting up more than 350 types of business.
Ideal for anyone looking to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.
COBRA is free to use on Library PCs at our Library Free Online Resources page. If you wish to access COBRA from home you will need to log in https://staffordshirelib.cobwebinfo.com with your Library Card Number.
Young Teen Fiction Award Staffordshire
Vote Now for Young Teen Fiction Awards 2024!
Each year Staffordshire Libraries runs an award scheme to celebrate the most popular teen fiction books published over the last year. The scheme is aimed at young people age 11-14 who live in or go to school in Staffordshire.
This year, we have selected a TOP 20 of the most borrowed books by young people in our libraries and now we need your help to find a winner!
Simply view the list on our website, borrow titles from our libraries, read as many as you like and then vote for your favourite by 15th March 2024. Your nominated favourites will form a shortlist of 6 titles which will again be open for votes from 21 March 2024.
The winner will be announced on 2 July at a special Celebration Day at RAF Museum, Midlands, in Cosford, where we will invite young people to attend through their school library.
View Titles
Vote for your favourite
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Have you had an upgrade to your IT this Christmas? Why not donate your unwanted IT to help local people get connected.
Staffordshire County Council is working with the Community Foundation for Staffordshire to provide recycled I.T. equipment to local people.
There are still people in our communities who don’t have the I.T. equipment they need to learn, apply for jobs, access health services, and reduce loneliness.
To help we’ve set up 16 drop off points within libraries, where people can donate I.T. equipment they’re no longer using.
What do we need?
- laptop (with charger)
- tablet
- keyboard
- mouse
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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Holocaust Memorial Day
27th January
Holocaust Memorial Day is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day here
The Theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 is The Fragility of Freedom
Discover the theme
At Libraries across Staffordshire, you will be able to explore displays of book stock and other information about the Holocaust.
Learn about what happened during the Holocaust, Nazi persecution of other groups and subsequent genocides.
Find out how you can take part in HMD
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