|
To All West Berkshire Libraries Customers
Welcome to our December news, including details about the services we are currently able to provide in line with government guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.
 The festive season is nearly here and we’re getting ready to celebrate!
In addition to our regular events, we have lots of extra, FREE activities taking place throughout December and you are warmly invited to join us. These include:
- Monday 1st (onwards): Pick up an activity pack at Burghfield Common Library for children to make a festive 3D scene
- Saturday 4th: Christmas crafts for children in Lambourn and Pangbourne Libraries
- Monday 6th: Living Advent Calendar window revealed at Newbury Library
- Tuesday 7th: Christmas activities for children in Hungerford Library
- Friday 10th: Children’s Victorian Day in Hungerford Library in connection with the town’s Victorian Extravaganza
- Saturday 11th: Christmas crafts for children in Lambourn and Pangbourne Libraries and a seasonal session of the Craft Club for 5-10 year olds at Burghfield Common Library
- Tuesday 14th: Christmas activities for children in Hungerford Library
- Saturday 18th: Christmas crafts for children in Lambourn and Pangbourne Libraries
- Tuesday 21st: Christmas activities for children in Hungerford Library
Look out for Christmas themed Rhymetimes at our regular sessions too!
For more details about any of these events, including times, please contact the appropriate library.
 Don’t miss our Festive Fun Week on Instagram starting 13 December, when we’ll be highlighting some of our favourite winter novels, along with books to inspire you with lots of ideas from Christmas crafts to delicious seasonal bakes.
Throughout December we will be continuing our weekly online crafts for children on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
In addition to this month’s online storytime (Tuesday 7 December), we will be running a number of special Christmas storytimes on YouTube too.
 During the last week of the month, adults and children are sure to enjoy the chance to make your own animated films with leading animator Tim Allen and Wise Moves.
You’ll see links to all of these events as they happen when you follow @WBerksLibraries on social media, or search for West Berkshire Libraries on YouTube, where you can also find some of our earlier storytimes and more.
 Those of you who subscribe to the West Berkshire Council Residents’ News Bulletin will know that the Council switched to a new online payment system this week. This requires some essential maintenance on the library online payment facility, which means that it is currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
We anticipate that this work will take a couple of weeks. Meanwhile you can still pay outstanding library charges in any West Berkshire library using a bank card at our self-service kiosks.
 Have you visited Newbury Library recently? If you are planning a trip, our new virtual tour will show you what to expect when you arrive.
Take a look around and view some of our ‘highlights’ from the comfort of your home. (Please note that this online tour may not run in Internet Explorer.)
 Earlier this year, West Berkshire Museum hosted an exhibition exploring Pangbourne’s history and archaeology through objects from the Museum collection and loans from the local community. We’re pleased that you can now view some of the objects from this exhibition in Pangbourne Library. Drop in during library opening hours until 11 February 2022.
 We know that many of you are interested in researching your family history. The library service has a wealth of resources for this, including a wide range of printed materials held in the Local & Family History section at Newbury Library, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Don’t worry – help is available!
Members of the Berkshire Family History Society (BFHS) have put together an online presentation which highlights some of the most useful resources. You can view this here: https://tinyurl.com/wblibancestry.
One of the most popular websites for family history research is Ancestry. This is available to use free of charge in any West Berkshire library. Library members can also access Ancestry from home via the library catalogue. Follow the link below to watch a short video on our YouTube channel with more information about this.
If you would like any assistance with your research, you can book an hour’s free advice session with a member of BFHS at Newbury Library on Friday mornings. Please contact the library to book.
 Have you had a chance yet to tell us how you think we could make the library service better and provide what you need for the coming years?
The deadline for submitting your feedback and suggestions has been extended until 15 December and this will inform a review of the West Berkshire Libraries Service. Once completed, the final report will be considered by elected Council Members at an Executive meeting in spring 2022 and will be published on the West Berkshire Council website.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your say – we would love to know your views.
All of our library buildings will be closed on the Bank Holidays as usual and on Christmas Eve, with the exception of Hungerford and Newbury libraries which will remain open until 1pm on Friday 24 December. There will be some further changes to opening times between Christmas and New Year as well. Please ring your local library or check our website for current details before you visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries.
 Our e-resources and the West Berkshire Libraries app will of course continue to be available 24/7, every day of the year.
Please note that Lambourn Library will be closed on 11 and 12 January while preparatory work takes place and a new carpet is fitted throughout the building. More news about this next month.
Meanwhile we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our library members for your support this year and to wish you all the best for 2022.
You can find details of all West Berkshire Libraries opening hours, including our Mobile Library timetable, on our website: www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries.
Follow @WBerksLibraries on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with latest news about all that’s happening in our libraries.
|
