 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.
Easter Egg Donations
The Voice Project is calling out for donations to help make Easter that bit more special for care leavers in Staffordshire.
All you have to do is donate an Easter egg to the following Staffordshire libraries by Thursday 14 March.
Barton, Baswich, Biddulph, Brereton, Burntwood, Burton, Cannock, Codsall, Eccleshall, Glascote, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Holmcroft, Kidsgrove, Leek, Lichfield, Newcastle, Perton, Rising Brook, Rugeley, Shenstone, Stone, Stafford, Tamworth, Uttoxeter, Werrington and Wombourne can all receive your donations.
Find out more about The Voice Project
|
World Book Day
On Thursday 7th 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.
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.
Find out more at the World Book Day Website
|
 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 #InspireInclusion.
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 in 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
|
Take part in the Great British Spring Clean on Cannock Chase
We are asking everyone to join in with the national campaign to help to protect our own special Cannock Chase National Landscape. We are all responsible for keeping it unspoilt, natural, wild and beautiful for everyone to be able to enjoy in the future.
Join a group or go out as an individual and make a difference. Be #litterheroes
The national campaign takes place from 15th to 31st March. Find out more a the Great British Spring Clean website
To find out more about Cannock Chase visit the National Landscapes website here and sign up to receive their monthly e-newsletter here.
|
Destination Access Guide for Cannock Chase National Landscape
The team at the Cannock Chase National Landscape have recently launched the first Destination Access Guide for Cannock Chase National Landscape.
The purpose of the guide is to give visitors more information on accessible leisure activities that can be visited if you have a disability, require assistance with access, or a parent and guardian with small children and a buggy. Helping everyone to be able to plan, easily explore and have a great day out.
Find out more or download the guide here
|
 Discovering the lives of Staffordshire’s poor
Between 2018 and 2021 Keele University worked with Staffordshire Archives and Heritage Service on the ‘Small Bills and Petty Finance’ project. Volunteers worked with academic staff from Keele to undertake in-depth research on the poor laws in Staffordshire before 1834.
Archival volunteers worked on the surviving records of the poor law, and particularly the paper ‘vouchers’ collected in parish accounts. These were typically the receipts for goods and services supplied to poor people but paid for by the parish. They included lists of clothes and deliveries of fuel for people living in their own homes, and also the food bought for inmates of early workhouses. The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and included research in East Sussex and Cumbria.
This exhibition tells the story of those effected by the poor laws. It will tour some of Staffordshire’s libraries over the next few months, showcasing examples of this research, covering life for poor people from childbirth under the hands of a parish midwife to burial in a parish coffin.
The exhibition is visiting Staffordshire Libraries during 2024
Burton Library from w/c 19th Feb - 1st April
Newcastle Library from w/c 1st April - 27th May
Biddulph Library from w/c 27th April - 15th July
Cannock Library from w/c 26th August - 4th November
Perton Library from w/c 4th November - 16th December
Uttoxeter Library from w/c 16th December - 27th January
Please confirm availability of the exhibition during the first scheduled week with your library.
Digital switchover
Over the next two years, the telecommunications industry will be replacing all ‘analogue lines’ and will be supporting people to upgrade their landlines to work on digital internet-based technology.
What’s happening?
- The decision to switch was made at a national level by Openreach, the owners of the infrastructure, not the county council.
- Landlines are not going anywhere, but the technology they are built on will need to be switched over to digital technology eventually. Most people with broadband won’t notice the switch, but those that do not have broadband will need to speak to their telephone provider to explore the options. There has been an agreement with government that no one will be forcibly switched over without warning.
- People who are registered users of telecare systems and similar systems, e.g. a pendent to pull in the case of a fall, should be contacted directly by their provider well before the switchover as some of these work on the old analogue system. There has been a national commitment that no one will be switched over without warning. But we are encouraging users of these systems, and their friends and families, to contact their provider to start the conversation early.
- SCAMS – It’s important to watch out for scammers. Your telephone provider will contact you about the switchover, but will never:
- say that you will be switched-off if you do not pay
- ask for personal details including bank details over the phone.
- If you suspect a scam:
- STOP - take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or your personal information.
- CHALLENGE - could it be fake? It's OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. You should never feel rushed or pressured into making a decision.
- PROTECT - contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been a victim of a scam and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
- Businesses relying on the old telephone network should take the opportunity of the current good prices in the broadband market to get the best deal.
Where can I find out more?
The Gigafast Staffordshire Team have created a useful collection of Frequently Asked Questions or you can visit their website for more information or contact details.
Look out for drop-in information events in local community settings in the future.
|
 Your Winter Reads
Although we're all hoping that Winter is behind us, we still have our wonderful selection of Winter Reads available across Staffordshire Libraries to ease us into Spring. 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 and many are available on the Borrowbox App in eBook and/or eAudio format.
Shakespeare Week 18-24 March
Shakespeare Week is an annual national celebration of Shakespeare in primary schools organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, giving children a great first encounter with Shakespeare – his characters, stories and language.
With emphasis on fun and engaging activities, Shakespeare Week has so far reached children in over 11,000 primary schools in the UK since its launch in 2014.
Find out more and access a host of fantastic resources at the Shakespeare Week website
|
Join the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group at Perton Library for a ‘Shakespeare Selection’
Celebrate ‘Shakespeare Week’ at Perton Library with the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group, a fantastic local group of performers. The group will perform scenes from Shakespeare plays, take part in an audience Q&A session and you will also be able to request favourite pieces for the group to perform.
Tuesday 19th March 7:00pm-8:00pm (Please arrive for 6:45pm to be seated)
FREE, but donations requested to cover the groups expenses. Refreshments available.
Please contact Perton Library for more information or to book on 01902 506050 or perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
|
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. Your nominated favourites will form a shortlist of 6 titles which will again be open for votes from 21 March.
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
|
|
