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 Welcome to Your Library News
Welcome to this month's Library newsletter. This October 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.
An Afternoon with Hank Williams
Ulverston Library @ The Coro
Wednesday 28th October 2.30pm
Grange Library
Wednesday 21st October 2pm
We are delighted to welcome local author Hank Williams to Ulverston and Grange libraries. Join us to hear about Hanks writing journey and discover his atmospheric debut fiction novel, What Fools We Have Been. An exploration of memory, identity, and the trail of damage left in the wake of wartime trauma. It asks: What is it that makes us who we are? Is it possible to repair the wreckage of the past?' A fascinating afternoon awaits whether you are new to Hank’s work or just love books and authors. Everyone is welcome.
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Fraud Awareness Session
Penrith Library
Thursday 22nd October 7pm
Come along to Penrith Library for a presentation and chat with fraud prevention professionals from Cumbria Constabulary. Learn about the tricks fraudsters use and share helpful advice on how to avoid becoming a victim and how to protect your loved ones who may be vulnerable.
This is a FREE event. To book your space please ring the library on 01768 812100, or book on Trybooking.
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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. Octobers chosen book is The Good Father by Liam McIlvanney. 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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 Celebrating Black History Month 2026
We are delighted to celebrate Black History Month. BHM26 marks a national moment of reflection, recognition and celebration. Throughout October we join with our communities, schools, organisations and institutions across the UK to honour the contributions of Black people to Britain’s past, present and future. Black History is seen daily in our towns and cities, in public service, in the arts, in business, in faith communities and in family memory. It forms part of the social, cultural and civic development of the United Kingdom. October is a time to celebrate amazing people and their contributions to the world. Wondering what to read this Black History Month? We have you covered with our suggestions in the image above. Find these books in your local library on on Borrow Box now.
 New Mood Boosting Books Launched
We are so excited to be launching Mood-boosting Books in collaboration with The Reading Agency in our libraries across Westmorland and Furness this October. Mood Boosting Books is a collection of uplifting, feel-good reads. From books that make you laugh or offer a little escape, to stories that bring comfort, connection and hope, Mood-boosting Books celebrates the different ways reading can help us feel good. Young adults from across the country recommended books that had boosted their mood, before a panel of young adults, librarians and booksellers read and reviewed the longlisted titles to help create the final collection. The list includes a range of adult fiction and non-fiction chosen because they are feel-good, uplifting and meaningful to readers. Mood-boosting Books 2026 is part of the National Year of Reading 2026. Find these books in your local library on on Borrow Box now.
 Banned Books Week
What’s the best way of participating in this year’s Banned Books Week UK? Reading a banned book of course!
Here is our recommendation for the best books that have been challenged or banned in the Uk and around the world throughout history. Libraries are vital in championing intellectual freedom and the freedom to read. You can see from our suggested books that some of the most wonderful, thought provoking and fun books have been banned. If you too believe in the freedom to read then why not join us this October in reading a Banned Book. Find these books in your local library on on Borrow Box now.
 Green Libraries Book of The Month!
Movement by Thalia Verkade
Our dependence on cars is damaging our health — and the planet’s. Movement asks radical questions about how we approach the biggest urban problem, reflecting on the apparent successes of Dutch cities.
Making our communities safer, cleaner, and greener starts with asking the fundamental question: who do our streets belong to?
Although there have been experiments in decreasing traffic in city centres, and an increase in bike-friendly infrastructure, there is still a long way to go.
In this enlightening and provocative book, Thalia Verkade and Marco te Brömmelstroet confront their own underlying beliefs and challenge us to rethink our ideas about transport to put people at the centre of urban design.
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 Pick a Poem
Poetry is a way with words to move and inspire to tell stories and tap into something deeply human. The brevity of poetry somehow captures the biggest ideas, feeling and meanings. Whether it be an amazing verse novel or a collection of the best voices out there. These tiny little gems pack a punch, funny, moving and life-affirming, there really is a poem out there for all occasions. Find our picks on Borrow Box here.
eBooks on BorrowBox
So many fantastic eBooks to borrow for free with your library card.
Dwell by Simon Armitage, To the Women: The New Collection by Donna Ashworth, Paper Boat by Margaret Atwood, Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan and Let the Light Pour In by Lemn Sissay.
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,
You Took the Last Bus Home by Brian Bilston, The Jaguar by Sarah Holland-Batt, The Orange and Other Poems by Wendy Cope, If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando and With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden.
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 FILL IN there is a great choice including,
Explore ePress here.
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 Join Us On A Journey
Join us on a journey with our favourite books about trains. There is something endlessly fascinating about trains, be it steam or diesel, the night train or a bullet train. They have spawned a huge number of stories, of love or murder. The perfect place for a group of strangers to meet. A little slice of the world altogether on a train. This year of reading, if you love trains, then why not go all in, look out the window as the world wizzes by and journey to new exciting places. Find our picks on Borrow Box here.
eBooks on BorrowBox
So many fantastic eBooks to borrow for free with your library card.
Last Train to Freedom by Deborah Swift, Final Destination by Nige Tassell, The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue, The Train From Platform 2 by Stephanie Steel, Night Trains by Andrew Martin.
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,
Night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies, The Last Train Home by Elle Cook, The Great Train Robber: My Autobiography by Chris Pickard, Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka by The Girl in the Train by Agatha Christie.
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 trains there is a great choice including,
Steam Railway, Rail and British Railway Modelling.
Explore ePress here.
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In Search of the Missing with Juliet Fossey
Kendal Library
Thursday 12th November 6.30pm
Poems, sketches and music inspired by The Franklin Expedition and relics.
Explore the fate of the Franklin crews in word and song. Joined by the musical duo Tyan, the author will explore how the Arctic environment has affected the objects left behind by the crews of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of 1845, using them to gain a deeper understanding of the men's fate.
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An Afternoon with Lacey Ridge
Ulverston Library @ The Coro
Wednesday 25th November 2.30pm
We are delighted to welcome local author Lacey Ridge to Ulverston library. Join us to hear about Lacey's writing journey and discover her moving family saga trilogy, Echoes of Grace. Inspired by the beauty of the Lake District and the resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary moments. Stories of love, loss, hope and the courage to begin again. A fascinating afternoon awaits whether you are new to Lacey's work or just love books and authors. Everyone is welcome.
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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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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 Instagram
👉 Follow us on tiktok
👉 Download the library app
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