 New Wokingham Library to open in September
Following the exciting news that the Carnival Hub has opened its doors to the public for the first time, we are pleased to give you an update on the brand new home for Wokingham Library.
The site is expected to open in mid-September, following the decision to keep the current library in Denmark Street open this summer so families can continue to use it during the summer holidays.
Work recently took place to fit out the new space, which will have the same facilities as the existing library. This includes dedicated areas for browsing books and resources, computers, study areas and children’s reading area.
There will also be an exhibition area and improved meeting rooms, which can be combined into one to create a bigger space.
The new layout has been designed to be as flexible as possible for a range of events and activities, as well as improving access, with the new library all on one floor.
Above, we have included some artist impressions to give you an idea of how the space will look, but keep an eye out for updates as work continues! You can view these on Instagram and TikTok too.
With the summer holidays well underway, why not join us for some fun activities. A full list of activities can be found by visiting our website. All events must be booked, unless stated as drop in. Please book online for the relevant session and children must be accompanied by an adult.
 Diversity and inclusion at the heart of story hours
A nationally acclaimed drag performer is giving free interactive storytellings later this month.
Drag Queen Story Hour UK aims to promote diversity and acceptance, as well as encouraging more families to attend their local library.
These sessions are running on Wednesday 24 August for families with children aged four and over at Wokingham Library (11am), Woodley Library (1pm) and Lower Earley Library (3pm).
Places must be booked at the appropriate branch and attendees must have a valid library card when bookings are made.
Wokingham Borough is the penultimate stop on the company’s ‘100 Libraries in 100 Days’ summer tour, which has already seen visits to Reading, Oxfordshire, Bristol and Cardiff.
Relocation of Twyford Library gathers momentum
Plans to move Twyford Library to the old Polehampton Boys' School have moved forward after our executive voted to complete the 99-year lease for the building.
During a meeting on Tuesday 28 July, councillors also agreed to allocate an extra £330,000 towards the project on top of the £720,000 that had already been put aside.
This reflects our desire to make it a community space that is as energy efficient as possible, as well as the rising cost of materials nationally. The extra funding will come from Section 106 contributions, which are paid by developers to help deliver infrastructure projects across the borough.
 Still time to take part in Summer Reading Challenge
There is still plenty of time for you to get involved in this year's Summer Reading Challenge which we launched last month.
This year's challenge, which runs until Saturday 27 August, has a theme of science and innovation. Children aged four to 11 are being encouraged to read six or more books during the summer holidays.
You can sign up at your local library and collect prizes, including a certificate and medal. You can choose from a selection of books, eBooks and audiobooks and you will receive a Gadgeteer core pack poster once you have read and returned your first book. You can then collect special incentives each time you finish a book.
Alternatively, children can sign up for the challenge online and set personal goals for the summer, unlocking badges and rewards along the way. You will receive book recommendations and tips for accessing books for free at home.
Get more from challenge with Gadgeteers sessions
Talk about your progress with the Summer Reading Challenge and enjoy crafting and other fun activities - just drop in!
- Wednesdays - 10, 17, 24 August, 10.30am to 12 noon at Woodley Library
- Thursdays - 11, 18, 25 August, 10.30am to 12 noon at Lower Earley Library
We also have fun Gadgeteers activity sessions with arts and crafts, but places must be booked. These are for children aged four to ten and cost £1.
- Finchampstead Library, Wednesday 24 August, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Spencers Wood Library, Thursday 25 August, 10.30am to 11.30am
A session is being held at Wokingham Library on 9 August, but this is fully booked.
 Make your mark on new public art sculpture
Contributions are being invited for a new piece of public art in Wokingham, which will see your stories turned into a poem about people living in the borough.
The Arc will be part of the new Carnival Hub site and has been commissioned and fundraised for by Arts4Wokingham, a charity aimed at advancing arts and culture in the borough.
Artist Nicola Anthony, who has created similar sculptures in Los Angeles, Dubai and Singapore, wants words and stories of the borough and its people. These will be turned into a poem which will be displayed on the sculpture. Supply your ideas using the button below.
Your views on how we communicate
We are thinking about how we communicate with you and want to hear your views.
Take part in our short survey to shape how we communicate and engage with you.
We want your feedback on how you hear about the work we're doing, how involved you feel in the decisions we make, the types of things you want to hear about from us and more. Respond by 19 August using the button below.
Helpers needed for our popular Rhymetime sessions
Finchampstead Library is looking for a Rhymetime volunteer and helper. These sessions are held on the second Thursday of every month from 2.15pm to 2.45pm.
Rhymetime volunteers deliver interactive sessions where children and their carers can sing together in the library. We are looking for individuals willing to commit to delivering sessions on a regular basis. You don’t need to have a good singing voice and we just need someone with a lot of enthusiasm who is happy to sing in public.
The Rhymetime volunteer receives training and is expected to run the session, while the Rhymetime helper is responsible for assisting staff with setting up, monitoring numbers and checking in those who have booked sessions.
If you are interested in applying, please email volunteer@wokingham.gov.uk
 Celebrations of monarchs from the last two centuries
Join Peter Must of the Wokingham Society for an illustrated talk about the various ways that jubilees have been celebrated nationally and internationally.
Peter will focus on royal celebrations from Wokingham in particular during the last 200 years, from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II.
This event is being held at Wokingham Library on Thursday 18 August from 10.30am to 11.30am. It is free to attend but places must be booked in advance online.
Help others by volunteering for home library service
We are looking for volunteers to join our home library service, which involves delivering books once a month to housebound readers.
As a volunteer, you can choose the number of readers you would like to deliver to and you can claim back your travel costs.
The aim of our home library service is to support our wider community and make sure everyone has access to our services. We provide a free home delivery service for books, including large print and audiobooks.
This service is for any resident who can't visit their local library because of ill health, disability or because they are caring for someone. If you are interested in volunteering, you can email us.
Music, science and space - all in action-packed hour
Visit Lower Earley Library on Tuesday 30 August for a zany hour of music, science and space poems from James Carter.
He will be giving a lively reading of his brand new book Once Upon A Big Idea and there will be a chance to take away your very own robot poem.
The session runs from 11am to 12 noon and is suitable for children aged four to ten.
You can also attend this event at Woodley Library on the same day from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. It costs £3 to take part and places must be booked in advance.
Join in the fun with Explore Learning workshops
Superhero Shapes workshop, for children aged four to six:
Telling the Time workshop, for children aged five to seven:
Make sand art at Kids Bee Happy with Maddi sessions
Drop in and create a sand art picture. It costs £4 per picture and this must be paid on the day to Kids Bee happy with Maddi directly.
Sessions are suitable for children aged three to ten years old and are taking place at libraries across the borough on the following dates:
- Woodley Library, Tuesday 9 August,10am to 12 noon
- Lower Earley Library, Tuesday 16 August, 2pm to 4pm
- Wokingham Library, Wednesday 31 August, 2pm to 4pm
Recommendations and so much more on our blog
Discover some nationally recommended books and award winners on our Wokingham Borough Libraries blog!
Books can be borrowed or reserved from our libraries this summer and we have articles for you to read on the following topics:
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