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 Welcome to Your Library News
Welcome to this month's Library newsletter. This June we are bringing you a curated collection of exciting updates, upcoming events, book recommendations, community spotlights, and much more. Whether you're an avid reader, a passionate learner, or simply love the welcoming atmosphere of our libraries, this newsletter is tailored just for you.
Stay connected, inspired, and discover new opportunities to feed your love for books and knowledge. Get ready to embark on a literary journey as we share the latest news and treasures from our libraries right to your inbox.
 T.M. Logan Author Event with Borrow Box
Join global sensation and bestselling author,T.M. Logan, for a live online discussion and Q&A on his latest novel, The Daughter.
T.M. Logan is a bestselling British author known for his gripping psychological thrillers including The Holiday, The Curfew, and now, his latest heart-stopping novel, The Daughter. Before becoming a full-time writer, Logan worked as a national newspaper journalist. Now, his nine thrilling explorations of trust, secrets, family ties and deadly betrayal have sold 2 million copies across 22 countries, with The Catch, 29 seconds and The Holiday recently adapted for television. Logan’s latest up-all-night thriller, The Daughter follows one desperate mother’s search for her daughter in a breathtaking race-against-time.
Book a free place here.
Story Times at WAF Libraries
If you are looking for something fun and FREE to do with your toddler, we have a variety of activities and events at our Libraries!
Tuesdays: Barrow Library - 2pm - 2:45pm.
Ulverston Library - 9:30am (term time only).
Kendal Library - 10:30am.
Penrith Library - 10am - 11am.
Thursdays: Windermere Library - 11:30am.
Fridays: Barrow Library - 10:30am - 11am.
For more information, please call or visit your Local library.
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MAAT Pathway Drop In
Barrow Library
Monday 7th July 12pm-2pm
Tuesday 7th Oct 2pm-4pm
Kendal Library
Tuesday 17th June 10am-12pm
Monday 15th September 2pm-4pm
Penrith Library
Wednesday 18th June 1pm-3pm
Is your child being assessed for Autism? Do you have any questions? Would you like some support from Speech and Language Therapy, The Autism Pathway Navigator and Occupational Therapy?
Would you like to meet other parents also going through the process? Then come alone to MAAT Pathway Drop In. A chance to talk to professionals and look at resources, chat to other parents in similar situations and sign posting to services. These drop ins are for parents/carers of children who have been seen by the paediatrician or are waiting to be seen and are on the ‘multi agency assessment team’ (MAAT) pathway, children who have not yet received a diagnosis. For more information contact our Autism Pathway Navigator: SouthCumbriaChildrensMAAT@ncic.nhs.uk
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 Man Woman Chainsaw @ Kendal Library!
Big special thanks to Get It Loud in Libraries!
'Amplifying the nation's public libraries courtesy of the very best new and emerging artists.'
Man Woman Chainsaw and special support act Jonny Swift did get loud and made us proud at Kendal Library at an intimate Friday Night gig.
Filling the library space with exciting live performances. A big thank you to the tech team and all at Get It Loud in Libraries. We can't wait for the next gig in August. Check out what our gig goers said:
‘Brilliant!! Would love to be rocking more at the library’
‘Lovely venue, epic act! Would absolutely come for more’
‘Kendal Library WONDERFUL! EXCELENT! Gig!
Luvcat @ Barrow Library
Luvcat is an alternative rock band formed by Liverpudlian lead singer, Sophie Morgan, who gained much-deserved recognition after their song, ‘Matador’, went viral via TikTok.
Sunday 22nd June 2025, 1:30pm
Barrow Library
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Moonchild Sanelly @ Kendal Library
Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto funk"
Sunday 3rd August 2025, 1:30pm
Kendal Library
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Katherine Priddy @ Barrow Library
Priddy’s haunting vocals and distinctive finger-picking guitar style have seen her sell out a headline tour and support world class artists including The Chieftains, Loudon Wainwright III, Vashti Bunyan and Guy Garvey.
Sunday 7th December 2025, 2:30pm
Barrow Library
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 Celebrating VE Day
Our wonderful library teams in Penrith, Barrow and Kendal dressed in 40s styles or red, white and blue to celebrate VE day. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Kendal for a themed tea party, Penrith's Family Party and Barrow's Tea Party. We celebrated with refreshments, music, reminiscence, displays and a quiz. Why not pop into your local library to explore more about WW2 and VE day on our public PCs where you can access Ancestry and Find My Past.
 The Book Club Hub
The Book Club Hub, formerly known as Reading Groups for Everyone, is the safe space for UK book club members or those who want to join a book club, or those who want to hear what other book clubs think about books! It is community for book clubs in all kinds of places and is made up of all kinds of people. Join today to discover your next great read, get free books to review before anyone else, enter competitions and get resources to support your club.
Find out more here.
 Go Green Heroes
Go Green Heroes at Westmorland and Furness Libraries. A brand-new children’s book collection coming to your library! Explore the Go Green Heroes collection and discover how you and your family can help protect our world while enjoying some brilliant books! Available at Barrow Library, Kendal Library and Penrith Library. You can also request and collect the books from any library in Westmorland and Furness.
The Go Green Heroes collection is a specially chosen selection of books for children, all about looking after our planet. From exciting stories and colourful picture books to fascinating facts and fun activities, there’s something for everyone in this inspiring collection. You'll find:
• Junior Fiction – exciting tales with environmental themes.
• Junior Non-Fiction – facts, tips, and eco-projects.
• Picture Books – gentle, beautifully illustrated nature stories.
• Board Books – bright and simple books for toddlers.
The Story of Conservation by Catherine Barr
Combining history with science, this deeply insightful book charts the changes in our understanding and relationship with conservation, from the beginnings of the planet when humans didn't consider their impact on their surroundings, to the modern world and what we can do to protect our natural resources today. This book will help you discover practical ways we can work together to help protect our resources for our future generations.
Request from the library here.
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By Ash, Oak and Thorn by Melissa Harrison
A breathtaking tale of the rich, wild world and all its wonder. Three tiny, ancient beings - Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, once revered as Guardians of
the Wild World - wake from winter hibernation in their beloved ash tree home. When it is destroyed, they set off on an adventure to find more of their kind, a journey which takes them first into the deep countryside and then the heart of a city. Helped along the way by birds and animals, the trio search for a way to survive and thrive in a precious yet disappearing world.
Request from the library here.
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Tiny Crab Is A Tidy Crab by Paula Bowles
Tiny Crab is a tidy crab, and a crab who LOVES his beach. So, when he invites a few friends to come and join his favourite place, he knows they will look after it, too . . . won't they? But what if they don't? And, worse, what if LOTS of friends arrive then leave rubbish EVERYWHERE, which Tiny Crab is forced to tidy up. Maybe even the smallest voices need to make themselves heard.
Request from the library here.
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Please Help Planet Earth
Written from the perspective of our planet, this fun story with bright artwork helps to demonstrate the ways where even the smallest person can make a BIG impact! It contains simple, easy tips for children to follow and is an eco-friendly product itself -
made from recycled board, with plant-based inks and glues with minimal plastic content.
Request from the library here.
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 BookTastic Barrow 2025
National Children’s Literacy Festival BookTastic Comes to Barrow for the First Time. Local Teacher of the Year and Hometown Founder Join Forces to Inspire a New Generation of Young Readers. Barrow-in-Furness will host its first-ever BookTastic children’s book festival this summer. The event promises to spark imaginations and ignite a love of reading in local children, especially those who face the greatest barriers to literacy. Leading the Barrow launch is Laura Reid, 2023’s Love Barrow Awards “Teacher of the Year” and Deputy Headteacher of Ormsgill Primary School,
“We’ve seen firsthand the difference a book festival can make—children who’ve never owned a book go home beaming with one they’ve chosen themselves,” said Reid. “Now we get to share that joy across the wider Barrow community.”
The event is proudly supported by Team Barrow, in collaboration with Westmorland and Furness Libraries and Furness Education and Skills Partnership.
People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence
Fractured families, long-buried secrets and the power of friendship. Three 13-year-old strangers are connected by one big secret. Nervous Ayrton was stolen away from his mum as a baby. He was returned safely, but now Mum won't let him out of her sight. Curious Stanley has a Forbidden Grandmother. His mum won't even talk about her. Homeless Sen has finally found a place to live, but she'll be out on the street if she upsets her secretive landlady. What happens when their paths cross...?
Find BorrowBox eAudio here.
Request from the library here.
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Attack of the Giant Danger Kittens by Sophy Henn
The hilariously funny full-colour graphic novel series from award-winning author and illustrator of the Pizazz series, Sophy Henn. Welcome to HAPPY HILLS, where you’ll find epic LOLS, dramatic ACTION scenes, a scattering of MILD PERIL, and MUCH MORE! Lost unicorn Ace never meant to go to Happy Hills – and now he can’t leave! SNORT! Join Ace and the riotous residents of the most chaotic town ever, as they deal with imaginary friends, cross-making trousers, and GIANT DANGER KITTENS!
Request from the library here.
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Pocket Book of Pocket Poems by A.F. Harrold
Written in A.F. Harrold's fun and accessible style, these silly poems will get young readers smiling, whether they like poetry or not! With poems about everything from shenanigans at school, to what would happen if hens laid coconuts, Pocket Book of Pocket Poems and its hilarious illustrations will keep you giggling. From the Carnegie-nominated author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind, this collection of short and sweet poems, which are all 60 words and under, is the perfect book to carry with you anywhere.
Request from the library here.
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Human 2.0: A Celebration of Human Bionics by Patrick Kane
Pioneering technological breakthroughs have truly changed lives. For some people, particularly those with disabilities, recent advances have crossed the realms of the purely imaginable, and reached a place of possibility. People with paraplegia can walk again, those who are hearing impaired can listen to even the faintest sounds, and some people with missing limbs can create beautiful works of art. This phenomenal book is a celebration of all that has been achieved so far, and a look at what might be possible in the near future. Is it inevitable that technology will surpass biology?
Request from the library here.
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Join us at Barrow, Kendal and Penrith Libraries
from Saturday 7th- Saturday 14 June to take part in The Great Big Green Week.
There will be lots of swaps and sharing going on including, Plant Swaps, Board Game Swaps and
Great Big Craft De-stash. Join in with our Pledge wall and Climate Café.
Check your local Library for more details.
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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! Find us on Trybooking
Check out our regular groups and activities. 👇
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Barrow Group Libraries - Walney, Roose, Askam, Ulverston, Dalton & Ormsgill
Penrith Group Libraries - Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen & Shap
Kendal Group Libraries - Ambleside, Grange, Kirkby Longsdale, Milnthorpe, Sedbergh & Windermere
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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
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👉 Follow us on Instagram
👉 Follow us on tiktok
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