May is Green Libraries Month!
Staffordshire Libraries are delighted to be to celebrating our third year of Green Libraries this May
Each May our Libraries explore themes around taking positive action for climate change and promoting care for the environment.
This year we are partnering up with Seven Trent Water, Veolia, Community Learning , Waste Savvy Staffs and many others to help us understand how we can do our bit to help with climate change.
We will have lots of activities for you to take part in, including the Perton Library Science Fair, repair cafés at Leek Library, Rugeley Library and Cannock Library and Earth Stories Pop up cinemas across some our Libraries.
Find a Green Libraries Month activity at a library near you
You can also check out the hashtag #GreenLibrariesMonth
Why not check out the fantastic selection of books in our libraries and on the Borrowbox app or at the eLibrary? We have books & eAudios on climate change, the environment, global warming, plastic free, recycling, gardening, wildlife, nature and much more.
 Staffordshire Day
Staffordshire Day is the day we celebrate everything we love about Staffordshire
1 May is the anniversary of our most famous son, Josiah Wedgwood, setting up his pottery company in 1759 and helping to transform Staffordshire into the centre of the world’s ceramics industry.
Every year on 1 May, Staffordshire comes alive with events of all shapes and sizes across the county and loads of competitions and special offers from our great attractions, restaurants, pubs, and hotels.
Whether you love our captivating countryside, our thrilling theme parks or our eye-opening history and heritage, there will be something for you on Staffordshire Day!
You can visit the official Staffordshire Day website for more information.
VE Day 80th Anniversary
Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
The long anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations breaking out across the nation. A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the moment.
The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a time for the nation to come together to learn about the stories of those that served and the VE Day generation, from the servicemen who fought, to children who were evacuated, and women on the home front.
Libraries will be creating displays to commemorate the end of the War in Europe and celebrating with tea parties, craft activities and other events. Pop along and find out what's happening near you.
• Taking place at Cannock library on Wednesday 30 April, ‘A Family at War’ Is a fascinating free talk about WWII and VE Day by Andrew Lound.
• At Uttoxeter Library from Wednesday 7 May to Saturday 10 May, from 10.30am to 4pm each day, people can join free drop-in activities to commemorate the anniversary. Children and adults can join watercolour art sessions or brush up on their creative writing at special workshops. The volunteers who look after the garden at the library also have a VE Day theme for the Britain in Bloom judging.
• At Burton Library on Tuesday 6 May from 1pm to 4pm, people are invited to a free VE Day themed tea party. Then, on Saturday 10 May, families are invited to a free arts and crats session from 10am to 11.30am.
• At Leek library, on Wednesday 7 May 10am-12pm and Newcastle Library, Thursday 8 May 11am-2pm, families can enjoy a themed tea party with crafts and other activities such as quizzes, music, photos, poems and letters.
• At Stone Library, on Thursday 8 May at 2.30pm, people can join Kath Reynolds. She will be delivering a talk on life during the Second World War. The event is free but reservation is required.
Find out more information about VE Day and explore what's going on near you and how you can get involved.
Our Libraries are packed with books about the Second World War, why not pop along or visit the Borrowbox app for a range of eBooks and eAudios on the subject.
 Lancaster Flypast of Perton Library to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
As part of the commemorations of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day we have been granted a flypast of Lancaster B1 PA474, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers out of the 7,377 that were built.
We invite you to join us to watch this incredible historic aircraft flypast over Perton Library as part of the Perton Library Science Fair.
Saturday 10 May
Estimated flypast time is between 13:25-13:45*
*Flypast time is estimated only and subject to change with little or no notice. Flypast may be cancelled due to weather, technical or for operational reasons.
Perton Library will update flypast information as soon as it is provided by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team.
Contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or e-mail perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk for more information. You may also wish to keep an eye on our Instagram @southstaffslibraries for updates.
Photo Credit: Darren Harbar
 Perton Library Science Fair
As part of Green Libraries Month, Perton Library and Wild About Perton are hosting a fantastic science fair for all the family on Saturday 10 May, 10:00am – 3:00pm.
Following the great success of last year’s event, the library team have worked closely with the community and partners and secured funding from the Friends of Perton Library, Wild About Perton and the County Council Digital Infrastructure Team. Thanks to this they have put together a fantastic programme of activities, sure to keep the whole family busy all day!
• STEMbotics Robot and Coding Workshops*
• Zoolab workshops*
• Meet the Astronaut and hold a meteorite
• Author & illustrator Mark Bardsley signing his animal books and caricaturing pets
• Medical mavericks
• Meet the Veolia team and take part in great family activities
• ‘Earth Stories’ family friendly pop-up cinema & nature crafts
• Forensics activity with Staffordshire Police
• Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
• Astronomy - Telescopes and sunspots
• Waste Savvy Staffs - Recycling
• County Council Climate Change Team
• Wild About Perton – River and Lake survey – explore their catch of the day!
• Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• Meet the Flood Risk Team
• South Staffordshire Council – Climate Change
• More to be confirmed
*Bookable events. Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or at perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
STEMbotics: Robotics & Coding workshops – Places are free, but limited, so please book early. Suitable for ages 5+, parental supervision advised for younger children.
• 10.00am-11.00am
• 11.15am-12.15pm
• 12.30pm-1.30pm
• 1.45pm-2.45pm
Zoolab – Meet the Animals workshops – Places are free, but limited, so please book early.
• 11.00am - 11:45am
• 12.00pm - 12:45pm
• 1.00pm - 1:45pm
Please contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 for further information or updates or to book a place on the Zoolab and STEMbotics workshops.
 An inspirational exhibition tour of prison poetry and artwork is coming to Staffordshire Libraries in May & June.
We Roar is an innovative prison collaboration and became the first creative exhibition ever to tour nine prisons consecutively in 2024. Following the huge success of the prison tour, a year-long tour of public libraries and the National Justice Museum is now set to launch.
Library visitors can view the free exhibition during opening hours at;
Stafford Library 1st - 31st May
Perton Library 3rd - 30th June
Saturday 10th May 1-3pm Stafford Library Free poetry workshop in response to art works on display with Staffordshire Poet Laureate Scarlett Ward. Reserve free places on Tel: 01785 278351 stafford.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Tuesday 17th June Perton Library Free Film Night - Step into the Deep South with the Coen Brothers' cult classic, O Brother, Where Art Thou? Arrival & refreshments at 6.30pm, screening at 7pm. Reserve free places on Tel: 01902 506050 perton.library@staffordshire.gov.uk
Local school groups will also be visiting the exhibition and taking part in a tour and creative workshops with artist Faye Claridge. For more information about the exhibition visit: https://fayeclaridge.co.uk/weroar
 Dying Matters Awareness Week
5-11 May
Every year, people around the UK use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them.
The theme of this year's campaign is: The Culture of Dying Matters
There are of course many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths approach and mark death and dying. But at their core, feelings about dying, and our experiences of grief, are universal emotions that we all share, no matter who we are or where we live.
While a friend or family member’s death can affect every person differently, studies of grieving brains have shown that there are no scientific differences in relation to race, age or religion. We can all feel the impact of the loss, helplessness, sadness – but we may do it, and show it, in different ways.
We may all talk about death and dying in a multitude of ways, but we share a common thread.
Find out more at the Dying Matters Awareness Week website or visit your local library. We have books that can provide information or support during times of bereavement and grief. We can also signpost you to local support groups, some of which are held in local libraries.
Mental Health Awareness Week
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 12 to 18 May 2025.
The theme for 2025 is 'Community'.
Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.
Staffordshire Libraries are the hub of many local communities; they’re places where friends meet to chat or take part in social groups, children can explore and play, where you can get access to information and find out what’s going on in your community. Your Library also has a range of information and books, free WiFi and computer access and so much more for everyone.
We also have the Reading Well self-help collection from the Reading Agency which contains a range of books covering mental health topics.
Find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week
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 Earth Stories Pop Up Cinema & Nature Crafts
Staffordshire Libraries have an exciting programme of family film & craft events taking place during Green Libraries Month this spring.
A cinema will be ‘popping up’ in various libraries showing a selection of film & animations made by young film makers from across the world who have entered Keele University’s Earth Stories Film Festival.
These family-friendly films tell new and inspirational stories exploring environmental themes from recycling & climate change to nature protection. Artist Becki Emery will be leading creative nature workshops for children to take part in throughout day.
Events are free, activities are aimed at children ages 5-12, siblings are welcome. No need to book, just drop in from 11am – 3pm.
- Saturday 3rd May Burton Library
- Saturday 10th May Perton Library Science Fair
The programme is delivered in partnership between Staffordshire Libraries & Arts Service, Keele University Earth Stories Film Festival & Unseen Cinema, supported by Film Hub Midlands – Spotlight on Staffordshire.
Dementia Action Week
Dementia Action Week is the Alzheimer's Society's biggest and longest running awareness campaign. Each year, they work with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’.
Dementia Action Week 2025 will run from 19-25 May.
Staffordshire Libraries will, through displays, information provision and signposting, help to spread the word about Dementia Action Week.
Our Reading Well collections provide books to support those living with dementia and those caring for loved ones living with dementia.
Find out more about Dementia Action Week
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Reading Well for Dementia
Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition. The books provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, and personal stories. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in the local library.
Visit the Reading Agency Reading Well for Dementia webpage for more information and a complete list of titles
Selected titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks. Visit our eLibrary
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 Why not give Borrowbox a try?
We have a fantastic choice of campaign titles, eBooks and eAudios, with no queuing required, this month.
Just download the Borrowbox App from your app store for your device or visit our eLibrary
 The 1921 Census of England & Wales is here!
Great news for Ancestry Library Edition users.
For the first time on Ancestry®, you can find personal details about what life was like for your family in 1921 in England and Wales.
The arrival of this collection on Ancestry® opens up the possibility of finding more stories about your ancestors as you discover where they were and how they lived in 1921 - including their handwritten entry.
Access to Ancestry Library Edition is FREE for all Library members from any public access PC in all of our Libraries.
 What you do together can make a huge difference. Every smile, every cuddle and every chat help to build your baby’s brain. Get more tips at Start for life.
Find out more here
 You can now access YOUR Staffordshire Library account on the go with our new library app! From renewals & reservations, to searching the catalogue we have just the app for that!
Why not Discover Your Library today!
Available for iOS and Android via the app and google play store
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