 Meet guide dogs and get creative this half-term
We have lots of events and activities running at our libraries to keep children entertained this February half-term.
Dogs Trust
Join Dogs Trust at Lower Earley Library for their Be Dog Smart programme. It is designed to help children connect confidently and safely with their canine companions. The event runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Monday 17 February and is suitable for children aged seven to ten. Booking is required via our library events website.
Get Arty
Take part in a fun and creative afternoon of arts and crafts. We have Get Arty sessions running at:
- Wokingham Library, Friday 14 February, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Winnersh Library, Wednesday 19 February, 3.45pm to 4.45pm
- Finchampstead Library, Friday 21 February, 2.15pm to 3.15pm
These are open to children aged four to ten and booking is required via our library events website, with a £2 charge per child.
Meet the guide dogs
Come and meet some guide dogs and their owners and find out about the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. We will be hosting the charity at Woodley Library on Thursday 20 February from 10am to 12.30pm. This is a free event and registration is not required.
Handwriting workshop
Explore Learning will be taking us on a day out to the zoo as the animals guide children through letter formation and help with their handwriting. Join us for the workshop at Lower Earley Library on Thursday 20 February from 10.30am to 11.30am. The session is suitable for children aged four to seven and it is free to attend, but booking is required.
 A wealth of information and fun for new parents
Do you have a child under the age of five and want to know more about the help and support you can access locally?
We are hosting events at our libraries that bring together various teams and organisations, with each session including a story, rhymes and colouring activities for your child.
Bookstart packs will be gifted to families with a child up to the age of 18 months, which include a book and a leaflet for parents about the benefits of rhymes and stories.
There will be representatives from our Public Health, Community Engagement and Early Years teams, as well as charities Home-Start, The Cowshed and the Breastfeeding Network.
All sessions run from 10am to 12 noon, starting with a 45-minute Storytime. Come and join us at:
- Lower Earley Library, Thursday 6 February
- Arborfield Library, Monday 10 February
- Finchampstead Library, Friday 14 February
- Wokingham Library, Wednesday 26 February
- Twyford Library, Friday 28 February
Come and find out what is happening in the libraries, get funding and school readiness information, find out how to access health services, get potty training, breastfeeding advice and much more.
It is free to attend and no booking is required. You can find out more on our library events website.
 A fun introduction to reading with Storytime
We are pleased to say we have added two new Storytime sessions to our existing schedule.
Join us for Tuesday Tales at Lower Earley Library on the second Tuesday of the month from 10am to 10.30am. This is a free drop-in session for children under the age of five and no booking is required.
We already run a Storytime session at this library on the first Friday of the month at the same time, which is aimed at children aged four to seven.
Our other addition is Thursday Tales at Wokingham Library, which will be held on the first Thursday of the month, also from 10am to 10.30am. As with Tuesday Tales, these are free to attend and no registration is needed.
Sessions also run weekly at Wokingham Library on Tuesdays from 4pm to 4.30pm, suitable for children aged four to seven.
Storytime with Meredith Vigh
Come along for a fun, globetrotting Storytime with author Meredith Vigh. She will be joining us at Wokingham Library on Tuesday 25 February from 4pm to 4.30pm.
During the session, Meredith will read from her debut picture book It's a Big World, Bartholomew, which features Bartholomew Bear travelling around the world to share his wisdom.
Copies will not be sold on the day, but she is happy to sign any copies brought in. It is free to attend and no booking is required.
For more information about our upcoming activities, visit our library events website.
 New book on walking and cycling routes available
Join us at Lower Earley Library for an exciting talk about the Earley Local History Group's new book.
Walking through history: Walks and cycle ride in and around Earley provides information on 16 walks and three cycle rides in and around Earley.
The talk will take place on Friday 28 February, from 10.30am to 11.30am, with tea and coffee available.
The book was a community project, written and produced by residents, with help from Loddon Valley Ramblers.
Copies will be available to purchase for £9.99.
 Get your questions answered at Residents' Reception
We are continuing to take advice and support direct to communities through our Residents' Reception sessions.
There are four opportunities to attend every month, with one of these being hosted at Woodley Library on the first Thursday of the month, from 10am to 1pm.
At the upcoming session on 6 February, you will be able to speak directly with a range of services and local charities and have your questions answered.
Other sessions also run from 10am to 1pm at:
- The Pinewood Centre, Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham (Second Thursday of the month)
- Swallowfield Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street (Third Thursday of the month)
- Arborfield Green Community Centre, Sheerlands Road (Fourth Thursday of the month)
We have partnered with Citizens Advice, The Cowshed, First Days Children's Charity and Involve to provide a wide range of knowledge and support options.
Our Adult Social Care and Community Engagement teams are also present, along with Community Wellness Outreach.
 Help us by volunteering at your local library
Community volunteers
Would you like the chance to volunteer at your local library. We are looking for helpers in Wargrave and at our pop-up library in Arborfield.
The volunteering role would involve opening and closing site, undertaking daily checks and shelving books. Volunteers work in terms and are required to commit to a certain number of hours per month, working in teams to provide a friendly experience.
We are currently looking for helpers at Wargrave Library on Fridays from 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 1pm, while the pop-up library in Arborfield requires support from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays.
You must be aged 21 and above to apply and you will receive training for the libraries team. To find out more and apply, send us an email.
Chess and Board Game Club
Our teams at Woodley, Lower Earley and Wokingham libraries are looking for volunteers to host a Chess and Board Game Club for adults.
Sessions can be run in a one or two-hour timeframe each month and volunteers are required to set up and supervise the session, ensuring all games are returned at the end.
We are open to the sessions leaning more towards board games or chess depending on the preference of the volunteer and you can choose your preferred library to run a session.
You must be aged 18 and above to apply for this role. To find out more and apply, send us an email.
 Helping you to navigate the digital world
Do you need help with a new piece of tech? Our digital skills sessions can help you to get the most out of your phone, laptop or tablet.
We can help you how to use the internet, access and use emails, learn more about Microsoft programmes and how to navigate social media.
We have sessions running from 10am to 11.30am at:
- Woodley Library, first Monday and first Thursday of the month (next event 6 February)
- Finchampstead Library, second Friday of the month (next event 14 February)
- Twyford Library, first Friday of the month (next event 7 February)
- Lower Earley Library, second Monday of the month and fourth Tuesday of the month (next events 10 and 25 February)
We also have digital skills for beginners at Wokingham Library every Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm.
Please note that to connect your devices to our Wi-Fi network, you will need to be a registered library member. It is free to join and all you need is proof of address.
NHS app help
Stuck with the NHS app? Want help getting started? Come and speak to our experts for help. You can:
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Use NHS 111 online
- Find NHS services
- View your GP health record
- Book appointments
- Get reminders and messages
Visit us at Wokingham Library on the fourth Monday of the month from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Keep Safe in Wokingham
Throughout February, Involve Community Services and Wokingham's Community Safety Partnership have a series of free webinars to help you stay safe, including when you are online.
The Keep Safe in Wokingham campaign will address issues such as cybercrime, scams, technology enabled abuse and exploitation. The aim is to help you navigate the digital world and understand its impact on the real world.
The online events can be booked on the Involve website.
 Hong Kong translation drop-in sessions
Join us at Wokingham Library on the second Friday of each month (next session 14 February) from 10am to 11am for support with translation.
Volunteers are on hand to signpost local services and to support with Cantonese and English translation.
These sessions also offer residents the opportunity to develop English speaking skills by conversing with our volunteers.
 Free Cosy Coffee Mornings with our volunteers
We host free coffee mornings at our libraries in Lower Earley, Wokingham, Wargrave and Woodley.
These run from 10am to 11.30am and are open to everyone. You can enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits. Join us at:
- Lower Earley Library, fourth Friday of the month (next event February 28)
- Wokingham Library, fourth Thursday of the month (next event February 27)
- Wargrave Library, second Wednesday of the month (next event February 12)
- Woodley Library, second and third Thursday of the month (next events February 13 and 20)
There is no need to book and you can have a chat with our friendly volunteers.
Recommended reading and more on our blog
Check out our Wokingham Borough Libraries blog to read articles on:
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