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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.
 Tickets Available Now! Don't Miss Out.
Saturday 13th June 2pm - Kendal Library
Friday 19th June 6pm - Barrow Library
Wednesday 24th June 6pm - Penrith Library
Join Helen Phifer, bestselling writer of the hugely popular Detective Morgan Brookes series. As well as the Lucy Harwin, Beth Adams and Maria Miller series of books. Her debut novel, The Ghost House, featuring Annie Graham, went on to be a global bestseller. Helen is W&F Libraries Author Ambassador for The Year of Reading! Helen will be talking about her life and books at this not-to-be-missed event, includes a crime writers exhibition, quiz and refreshments!
W&F Libraries Read Together
Last Friday of each month at 3 pm on Facebook
W&F Libraries Read Together is a new monthly digital book club for the National Year of Reading, and everyone is welcome. Every month, a Book of the Month will be selected from BorrowBox spotlight titles, which are available for simultaneous borrowing of eBook and eAudiobook downloads on BorrowBox. Junes chosen book is The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits. Available in eBook and eAudio now on Borrowbox. Let's read together. Join us on the last Friday of each month at 3 pm on Facebook to chat about the chosen book in the comments!
Borrowbox is free for library members
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Meet The Author with Duncan Fisher
We’re delighted to welcome Duncan Fisher to Kendal Library, who will be walking us through the life and inventions of his father Denys Fisher.
Denys created a multitude of popular toys and board games throughout the 20th century, from spirographs to Doctor Who figures, and Duncan will provide us with a personal insight to the man behind these bestsellers.
Saturday 20th June 2pm - Kendal Library
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In Search Of The Missing with Juliet Fossey
We have a fascinating author talk coming up at Penrith Library on Wednesday 10th June at 7pm.
In Search Of The Missing invites the reader into a reliquary of poems and sketches inspired by the Franklin Relics. These are the objects left behind by the crews of the ill fated Franklin Expedition of 1845. The author explores the impact of the arctic environment upon these relics as a means of understanding the fate of the men. Musical duo, Tyan will join author Juliet Fossey to entertain the audience with folk songs inspired by the Franklin Expedition.
Wednesday 10th June 7pm - Penrith Library
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 Mental Health Awareness Week
We loved celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week. There was a gorgeous splash of green across Barrow, Penrith and Kendal libraries as our staff joined in Wear It Green Day to spark conversations that matter.
Did you know our libraries hold collections of Reading Well books in partnership with The Reading Agency. Find out more about these collections below.
Reading Well for families
Reading Well for dementia
Reading Well for children
Reading Well for teens
Reading Well for mental health
Thank You and Farewell To Mari Pearce
Mari Pearce’s career has been defined by dedication, ambition and an unwavering passion for libraries. Beginning in Barrow in 1989, she quickly stood out for her commitment to the service and her drive to grow and progress. From Library Assistant to Branch Support and then a qualified librarian, Mari embraced every challenge with energy and purpose. Her professional journey took her from Barrow to Eden and Carlisle, where she excelled as an Area Library and Customer Services Manager before returning home to lead the Barrow team. Her final and most far reaching role as Library and Archives Manager for Westmorland and Furness showcased her exceptional leadership, deep community focus and absolute commitment to the library service. Mari leaves a legacy of integrity and excellence — and a service immeasurably better for her presence. Mari will be greatly missed by the staff teams she has worked closely with over the years as well as colleagues across the council who all wish her a fantastic retirement.
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 Volunteers Wanted – Summer Reading Challenge 2026
Are you aged 14–24 and looking for something fun and rewarding to do this summer? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help deliver an engaging programme for the Summer Reading Challenge 2026 – Read to the Beat across our libraries. Volunteering is a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience, support children and young people with reading and get involved in a creative, music-themed summer.
Application deadline: 30 June
Find out more and apply HERE. Or collect an application form from Barrow, Penrith or Kendal Library.
Reading For Toddlers & Their Grown Ups!
Reading aloud to children is a powerful way to build literacy and listening skills, as well as a lifelong love of books. Lots of our libraries offer events such as Read, Rhyme and Play, Baby Bounce and Rhyme, Toddler Tales and Storytime where our library assistants read all sorts of different stories to little ones.
Mondays, 10-10:45am Walney Library and 10-10:30 Roose Temporary Library @ Barrow Park
Tuesdays, 10-10:30am and 11-11:30am Penrith Library, 10:30-11am Kendal Library and 2-2:30pm Barrow Library
Thursdays, 10-10:30am and 11-11:30am Penrith Library and Windermere Library 11:30-12pm
Fridays, 10:30-11am Barrow Library
2026 is the National Year of reading where we are encouraging everyone to rediscover the joy of reading
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 Celebrating Local History Month
At Kendal, Penrith and Barrow Libraries, we celebrated Local History Month with new displays detailing the history of education in the local area. We promoted our members free access to brilliant online research resources such as Find My Past, Ancestry and much more. We encouraged everyone to Immerse themselves in local and personal history through Local History Month and beyond. We uncovered pictures and pieces from the early days of our libraries, as Cumbria was blessed with the gift of Libraries throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries. The generosity and forward-thinking of benefactors of times gone by helped Libraries become a feature of our region - from Carnegie’s widespread financial aid resulting in the creation of Kendal and Barrow’s libraries, to the Groves family of Windermere ensuring the townsfolk had a long-term home for their reading and research needs. Libraries now help us celebrate our shared history and sense of place. We're often unaware that all around us are monuments and testaments to the past. They're in the architecture, memorials or even songs but the passing of time or deliberate elimination has obscured their origins and story. We enjoyed a local history month talk with Rob Martin who gave examples of monuments we see every day and also reveal their amazing history. We also had great events with Neolithic North Cumbria and David Occomore, the men who built the Settle to Carlisle railway.
Celebrating Volunteers Week
Across our libraries, we are so grateful for the time, energy, and passion our volunteers bring every day. From supporting events and helping customers to creating a welcoming space for everyone, you make a real difference in our community.
Your kindness, dedication, and teamwork help keep the library a vibrant and friendly place for all.
Thank you for everything you do — we couldn’t do it without you!
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 Green Libraries Book of The Month!
Live Green by Jen Chillingsworth
From making your own eco-friendly cleaning products, buying vintage furniture, making your own moth repellent and improving your natural beauty regime to creating a capsule wardrobe and creating your own ethical Christmas decorations - discover how to get the most out of life by living with intention.
Live simply. Live Green.
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 Books that Bloom
Do you love beautiful blooms and vivacious veg? Pots or patios, be it an allotment, windowsill or hall full of house plans, however you love your greenery, these books are for you. This year of reading, we are encouraging everyone to go all in. If you love something than the best way be fully immersed is to read about it. Delve into it, explore and discover escape into a garden of wonder with these books that bloom. Find our picks on Borrow Box here.
eBooks on BorrowBox
So many fantastic eBooks to borrow for free with your library card. Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon, The Rebel and the Rose by Catherine Doyle, The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page, The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing and Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas.
Explore eBooks here.
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eAudio on BorrowBox
Listen to the stories that inspired what you love. Our BorrowBox collection includes so great examples including, The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith, The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page, Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons and Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney.
Explore eAudio here.
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ePress on BorrowBox
Did you know that we have a huge collection of digital newspapers and magazines all available with your library account through BorrowBox. If you love your garden there is a great choice including,
Landscape, Garden Answers, Gardens Illustrated and BBC Gardeners' World.
Explore ePress here.
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 Oceans Of Possibilities
By boat, flipper or paddle, an ocean of possibilities awaits you as you dive into our books about the deep blue. Whether you love the ocean for its vastness, its mystery or for the many and varied creatures who dwell within, why not go all in this year of reading and see what you can discover with fascinating facts or beautiful stories of love and survival? There truly is something special about the sea. Find our picks on Borrow Box here.
eBooks on BorrowBox
So many fantastic eBooks to borrow for free with your library card. Swimmingly by Vassos Alexander, The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan, The Boy From the Sea by Garrett Carr, The Place of Tides by James Rebanks and Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune.
Explore eBooks here.
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eAudio on BorrowBox
Listen to the stories that inspired what you love. Our BorrowBox collection includes so great examples including, The Man From the Sea by Agatha Christie, Secrets of the Starlit Sea by Santa Montefiore, The Boy From the Sea by Garrett Carr, Shadow and Tide by Rachel Greenlaw and Seaborne by Nuala O'Connor.
Explore eAudio here.
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ePress on BorrowBox
Did you know that we have a huge collection of digital newspapers and magazines all available with your library account through BorrowBox. If you love the sea there is a great choice including,
Ships Monthly and Yachting World UK
Explore ePress here.
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Rachel Canwell Author Talk at Kendal Library
Rachel Canwell will be talking about her latest book, ‘Paper Sisters’. On the wild Lincolnshire fens on the brink of the First World War, three women are bound by grief, secrets and a haunting landscape that holds them in its grip. As each struggles for freedom, survival or control, their lives collide in a chilling story of love, violence and the devastating cost of clinging to the past. Rachel Canwell is an author who, having grown up in the Fens, has lived and worked in Cumbria for over twenty years. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. Her collection of flash fiction "Oh I Do Like to Be" was published in 2022 and her novella-in-flash "Magpie Moon" in 2023.
Saturday 11th July 2pm
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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!
Check out our regular groups and activities. 👇
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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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
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👉 Follow us on Instagram
👉 Follow us on tiktok
👉 Download the library app
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