 Barrow's Big Lunch
On a sunny Saturday, 1st of June 2024, Walney Library and Community Centre transformed into the ultimate Big Lunch experience! Created by The Eden Project in 2009 and this year, co-hosted by ‘Love Barrow Libraries,’ Furness 4 you and Youth Ability, our ‘Barrow’s Big Lunch’ event aimed to connect the local community and get to know our neighbours, as well as celebrate our volunteers across the three projects. With a whopping 300 guests in tow, we had an incredible day! Some of the goodies on offer included a huge array of games, activities, stalls, crafts, Lego, music and Live entertainment.
We even snuck in a bouncy castle, a silent disco and a fully catered buffet; followed by ice cream and an afternoon tea! A huge thank you to everyone who came along, helped us plan, supported in any way or spent their time volunteering - we had an amazing time & we hope we made a difference in the community!
Thank you to the Libraries Connected Know Your Neighbourhood funding though DCMS for funding this project.
This month we have been joined by work experience pupils from local schools. The pupils found out all about the library. One of their tasks was to write something for the Newsletter. This task helped them to understand the different ways that the library service communicates with customers, and how we adapt our style depending on our audience.
“What I enjoyed the most was looking after the books. I also like shelving (but mostly for the stamp!). I had fun sorting and making LEGO. We made a pulley using a book that told us how to.” Louisa
“My favourite part of work experience at the library has been testing the LEGO kits purchased for a club. Me and my temporary co-worker built a rope and pulley system. I have also enjoyed jobs such as shelving the books (especially stamping!). Daniel
|
 Ormsgill Book Festival
We were delighted to take part in Ormsgill Book Festival organised by the amazing Laura Reid, deputy head at Ormsgill Primary School. We promoted The Summer Reading Challenge and local library to the hundreds of young book enthusiasts attending. Pupils from ten primary schools heard from leading children’s authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Jennifer Killick. They also took part in draw-a-long workshops with illustrator Fiona Woodcock and enjoyed tales from popular storyteller Dan Worsley.
Author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce said,
“It’s important that the children know a book is created by people like them and that whole world is open to them. You need great words to be a great chef or a great surgeon or a great mum or dad, not necessarily just to be a writer,”
 Homemade Quilts @ Kendal Library
We were delighted to welcome Susan Dixon, to Kendal Library on the first Saturday of the month when Pennington room is transformed into a sea of colourful homemade quilts. Susan is a dedicated quilter, who not only embellishes the room but often offers demonstrations to share her craft.
Susan is an inspiration who creates quilts for individuals in need in our community. Her extensive efforts have provided comfort to children in hospitals, children in care, and students in special schools.
Her endeavors are supported through collaborations with organisations such as Project Linus, the Forget Me Not Centre, and Cancer Care, to mention a few. Each quilt, lovingly crafted, offers solace, comfort, and warmth to those who need it most.
"Last Saturday was especially rewarding, as one of the library customers who popped in to view the quilts spoke to me about how she had received a quilt herself whilst in care and how she still kept it safe and treasured it. It was touching to learn first-hand how much our quilts meant to someone." Susan Dixon
 The Big Sporting Read
The Big Sporting Read – a new national celebration of reading has announced its list of 25 titles celebrating a landmark summer of sport.
The Big Sporting Read is a collaboration between national charity The Reading Agency and BBC Arts, aiming to use the power of sport to inspire readers across the UK, highlighting the links between sporting excellence, reading, health and wellbeing. The Big Sporting Read list was crowdsourced by The Reading Agency and the final list of 25 sporting titles was compiled by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers. It showcases a rich mix of fiction and non-fiction and has something for everyone to enjoy.
How (Not) To Be Strong by Alex Scott
From the football cages of East London to broadcasting to millions, the engine powering Alex Scott’s remarkable journey has always been her resilience. But thanks to a ‘push-through mentality’ the world has only ever seen the ‘strong’ side of Alex Scott. Now Alex is ready to lower the shield. In How (Not) to Be Strong, Alex shares the lessons that have shaped her, from finally confronting the legacy of a tumultuous childhood to tarnished truth behind the gleaming football trophies.
Place a hold on this book here.
Find BorrowBox Audiobook here.
Find BorrowBox Ebook here.
|
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Eleven-year-old Gopi has been playing squash since she was old enough to hold a racket. When her mother dies, her father enlists her in a quietly brutal training regimen, and the game becomes her world. An unforgettable coming-of-age story, Chetna Maroo’s Western Lane is an exploration of the closeness of sisterhood, the immigrant experience, and the collective overcoming of grief. A ‘Book of the Year’ in The Economist, The Independent, The Week, The New York Times and The Guardian
Place a hold on this book here.
Find BorrowBox Audiobook here.
Find BorrowBox Ebook here.
|
 The Summer Reading Challenge is back!
The official Marvellous Makers book collection is full of books about creativity, using your imagination and telling amazing stories. Each book has been chosen specially for you by an expert group of readers for this year’s Challenge.
If you’re looking for some book suggestions to get you started with your Summer Reading Challenge, you are in the right place! Let’s get reading!
Dreamweavers: Roar of the Hungry Beast by Annabelle Sami
Meet the ultimate Dream Team!
Tito LOVES spending his nights dreamweaving with Neena! Not only is it fun seeing his dreams come to life but he is also getting stronger. But with Darkweavers on a mission to break down the barrier between the dream and waking worlds, the Dream Team are on high alert!
Then a mysterious creature starts hounding their teacher’s dreams – making them cranky (to say the least) and turning school into an ACTUAL nightmare. Will Tito be ready to put his skills to the test and face the beast?
Place a hold on this book here.
Find BorrowBox Audiobook here.
Find Book 1 in the series here.
|
Little House by Katya Balen
Juno’s furious about being sent to stay with her grandfather for the summer. She’ll miss all the fun she and her friends had planned for the holidays. She’ll also miss her mum, but it’s her mum’s fault for leaving anyway.Then Juno discovers a long-forgotten little family in her grandfather’s attic. As she works to carefully craft a new home for them, can she learn to forgive her mum and understand her reasons for going away?
Place a hold on this book here.
Find BorrowBox Audiobook here.
Find BorrowBox Ebook here.
|
Holly Macve and Gia Ford @ Barrow Library
Get it Loud with Holly Hacve and Gia Ford live at Barrow Library, November 3rd 2024.
A heavenly voice couched in spellbinding western noir ballads, with a devastating emotional delivery, Holly Macve explores a dreamlike, pictorial world within her song writing; English Rose meets Mulholland Drive Lynchian glamour. With vocals notes of Chris Isaak and Patsy Cline and a unique skill of writing timeless melodies, Macve evokes a warmth and transcendence comparable to a black and white film from the 1950’s.
Find out more and get tickets here.
|
Regular Events and Activities
Explore a world of fun and learning! Are you ready for an exciting spring filled with captivating events and activities? Look no further than Westmorland and Furness Libraries! Did you know that alongside our exciting events, we offer a variety of regular groups and activities that cater to different interests and promote lifelong learning. Many of these regular groups are completely free, including Baby Bounce and Rhyme, Lego Club, Craft Club, Storytime, Knit and Natter, Chess Club, and many more.
Explore the wonderful opportunities available to you!
Check out our regular groups and activities. 👇
Barrow Groups & Activities
Penrith Groups & Activities
Kendal Groups & Activities
Special Events
Check out our schedule of special events.
There, you'll find detailed information about each event, including dates, times, locations, and any additional requirements.
Please note that some events may have limited capacity, so we encourage you to book your spot early to secure your place. Don't miss out on the incredible experiences waiting for you and your family!
Download The Library App
Have you downloaded our library app? It's now ready for download! Access your library card digitally, renew items on-the-go, and scan any book, anywhere to check availability at your local library. We've incorporated your feedback to ensure it's packed with features you'll love!Available now on both Apple and Android devices - click the link to get started or search for CWF Libraries on the App Store or Google Play!
Follow Us on Social Media
Stay connected with us on social media! Did you know that Westmorland and Furness libraries can be found on across social media. Pop on over to your chosen platform to keep up to date and informed about all the latest happenings at Westmorland and Furness Libraries!
Join our growing online community and be the first to know about the engaging activities and resources we have in store for you.
Don't miss out - follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram today!
👉 Follow us on Facebook
👉 Follow us on Twitter
👉 Follow us on Instagram
👉 Follow us on tiktok
|
|
