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To All West Berkshire Libraries Customers
Welcome to our November news!
 As the cost of living increases, remember that we're here for you. As well as books to borrow for free, we can help you get online. We have computers for you to use free of charge in all our libraries and we can provide some IT help if you need it. You are also welcome to bring along your own laptop or other mobile device and use our free wi-fi.
We provide a wide range of e-resources, all of which are available free of charge to library members. These include encyclopedias and reference resources to help with study and homework, genealogical resources and newspaper archives for anyone investigating their family tree or the history of our local area, as well as a fantastic selection e-books, e-audio, e-magazines and e-newspapers - there is so much available online for FREE!
Visit the e-library website to find out more about our free e-resources and check out our YouTube channel to watch some of our video guides, including a new guide to Britannica Student Edition for secondary school students.
 Regular newsletter readers will know that we currently have an additional e-resource which provides a new, interactive way to have fun learning. This is Brillder, an exciting resource originally developed for secondary school students but which is available to all members of West Berkshire Libraries.
Brillder now has a topic ‘brick’ all about the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp. Take a look at this fantastic mix of photos, videos and other sources of information about the camp.
If you haven't logged in to Brillder before, you'll need to sign up with your library card number and PIN and add an email address and your own password to get started.
We are looking for a Casual Customer Service Assistant to work at Newbury Library. This person will be a first point of contact in the provision and promotion of the library service to a wide range of customers, so good people skills are essential. If you're interested, you can find full details of this post and how to apply on the online. The closing date for applications is 6 November.
Please contact Ben Stanmore, Manager – Newbury Library if you would like an informal discussion about the vacancy. Tel: 01635 519075 or email Ben Stanmore.
 For anyone 55+ years: explore the arts and crafts of cultures around the world with artist Mandy Allport at Newbury Library, Fridays 10.30am-12pm, starting 4 November.
These exciting, new sessions are part of the Corn Exchange Newbury’s Ageing Creatively programme. All materials are provided free of charge, but pre-booking is required as we need to know how many people are attending. For more information and to book, please contact the Corn Exchange: 01635 522733 or book online.
We’re pleased to be able to bring you another of our popular online Storytimes, which will be live on our YouTube channel from Monday 7 November.
Watch Diane from Newbury Library read Mog the forgetful cat by one of our favourite authors, Judith Kerr. This recording has been made with kind permission from publishers HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Follow us on YouTube so that you never miss out on anything new!
 In addition to our world crafts sessions, the Corn Exchange Newbury is also running art sessions for over 55s at Thatcham Library and at Theale Library, starting 10 November. Artist and illustrator Simon Jardine invites you to join him on a whistle stop tour of art tips and techniques that will enable you to draw and paint just about anything!
Again, these sessions are free and all materials are provided but pre-booking is essential. Please ring the Corn Exchange on 01635 522733 or book online.
 Come and meet some of our local authors at Newbury Library on Saturday 26 November any time between 11am and 3pm.
We’ll be joined by over 30 authors from across the district who will be able to tell you about their recently published books. These include titles for children and adults, fiction and non-fiction. Copies of some books will be available for sale too.
 Another West Berkshire author will be with us at this event for teenagers and young adults at Theale Library on Thursday 1 December, 6.30-7.30pm.
Author R.E. Lewis will be reading from her books in the fantasy series ‘The children of Pisces’. This is a free event, with refreshments provided, but please contact the library in advance if you want to attend: 0118 930 3207 or email Theale Library.
Don’t forget, in addition to these special events, we have lots of regular activities taking place in West Berkshire libraries every week, most of which are free. To find out what’s happening near you, check with your local library or search the West Berkshire Directory. Facebook users can also see what’s coming up by following our Facebook page and going to our Events listing.
 We are currently carrying out our regular checks of all stock in all West Berkshire libraries. This is a big task, involving individual, manual scans of every book we own. In our branch libraries this can be done on days when the building is normally closed to the public anyway. However, this is not possible at Newbury Library, which will therefore be closed for stocktaking on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 December. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. No items will be due for return on these dates.
 Last month we told you about the books in our Reading Well collections, developed by national charity The Reading Agency, to support you in managing common mental and physical health conditions. All of these books have been recommended by health professionals and are available to borrow from us for free.
We’re delighted to tell you that this now includes an updated booklist for teenagers. You can find out more about it on The Reading Agency’s website, or simply pick up a Reading Well list in your local library.
 Have you read the West Berkshire Libraries Annual Report for 2021-22? In addition to providing an overview of all that happened in our libraries last year, it outlines our challenges and plans for 2022-23. We are making good progress with these but there is still a lot to do.
You can read a printed copy of the report in any West Berkshire library or find this and previous annual reports on our website.
Our next newsletter will be out in early December. Meanwhile follow @WBerksLibraries on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with latest news about everything that’s happening in our libraries.
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