To All West Berkshire Libraries Customers
Welcome to our April news!
We have plenty going on in all our libraries over the school Easter holidays. Some of the activities taking place between now and the start of term include:
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Saturday 8 April - Burghfield Common Library, 10.30am-12pm: Easter crafts for children 5 years and above
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Saturday 8 April - Thatcham Library, 10am-12pm: Easter egg hunt for all ages, with prizes for everyone while stocks last
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Saturday 8 April - Pangbourne Library, 10.30-11.30am: Easter crafts for children under 10 years
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Tuesday 11 April - Thatcham Library, 2-4pm: Easter LEGO session for children over 5 years
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Tuesday 11 April - Hungerford Library, 10.30am-12pm: Easter crafts for children 5 years and over
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Tuesday 11 April - Pangbourne Library, 2-4pm: Easter LEGO session for children over 5 years
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Thursday 13 April - Theale Library, 2.30-4pm: Easter LEGO session for children over 5 years
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Friday 14 April - Thatcham Library, 10am-12pm: Easter LEGO session for children over 5 years
All of these activities are free, with materials provided for the crafts and LEGO sessions, and there is no need to book in advance – simply drop in to take part and enjoy some seasonal fun.
In addition, we have some holiday activities available throughout library opening hours, including a picture hunt at Theale Library and a treasure hunt at Pangbourne Library. Newbury Library has a nature trail which you can follow from Saturday 8 April, with a free book for any child completing it.
Tickets are currently available for our final performances of the classic tale ‘The Ugly Duckling’, adapted and performed by Lizzie Lewis from The Watermill Theatre:
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Sunday 16 April - Newbury Library, 11-11.35am, for children 2-4 years
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Sunday 16 April - Newbury Library: special relaxed performance, 2pm to approximately 2.40pm
Tickets: £5 for adults, £2 for children, with special rates for childminders and nurseries. Please contact Newbury Library for more information and to book.
We are delighted that this month’s online Storytime will be presented by children’s author Rachel Guy, who will be reading from her book ‘Pinecones in my pocket’. Rachel’s Storytime will be available on our YouTube channel on Easter Monday, 10 April.
As usual, we will have book-related online crafts for children on Facebook and Instagram on Saturdays and on Twitter on Sundays throughout the month, including the Bank Holiday weekend. Look out for these as YouTube ‘shorts’ as well.
Remember that you can keep up with the latest news about everything that’s happening in our libraries and online by following @WBerksLibraries on our social media. Facebook users can also see what’s coming up by going to our Events listing. Additionally, to find out what’s happening near you, check with your local library or search the West Berkshire Directory.
World Book Night, which takes place every year on 23 April, is a celebration of books and reading for adults and a chance to share books with your family, friends and community. In connection with this, Educafe and Newbury Library are giving away 80 copies of a short, ‘Quick Read’ book: ‘The double clue and other Hercule Poirot stories’ by Agatha Christie.
Pick up a FREE copy at Educafe in the library on Wednesday 26 April and read the first story with us. (Books will be available while stocks last.)
Remember that you will need an appropriate form of photo ID to vote at a polling station in the elections on 4 May. If you don’t have this, you can apply online for a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for this is 25 April.
If you would like any help in making an online application for a Voter Authority Certificate, library staff will be happy to assist. Please contact your local library to arrange a convenient time for this. You will need to be registered to vote and to bring your National Insurance number with you if you have one. You will also need a digital photo of yourself, but our staff can take this for you if required.
As part of the celebrations for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, Educafe and Newbury are hosting a Coronation Tea Party on Friday 5 May, 2.15-4.15pm. This community event is free, with food and drinks provided, but numbers will be limited. For more details and to book, please visit the Educafe website.
Thatcham Library is preparing early, with Coronation celebrations throughout the morning of Saturday 22 April, including music, crafts and games, with a royal treasure hunt and prizes for all. No need to book for this – just drop in between 10am and 12pm to join the fun.
You will also find craft activities for children to enjoy in all other West Berkshire libraries over the Coronation weekend. Come and celebrate with us!
The Mobile Library timetable for April to September 2023 has now been published. Check our website to find details of all stops, dates and times across the district.
Please note that all West Berkshire libraries are closed on Bank Holidays, including Good Friday. Libraries will be open as usual on Saturday 8 April apart from Lambourn Library, which is closed on this date due to staff shortages.
Meanwhile our e-library lending service and access to online resources for all library members continues to be available 24/7.
Our next newsletter will be out in early May.
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