![Image of a woman in a yoga pose](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7206106/wellbeing-month_original.jpg) March is West Sussex Libraries Wellbeing Month when we celebrate the many ways that libraries support wellbeing.
Reading helps us to relax and unwind and being outside can too; why not join in with our Reading Challenge and read a book celebrating the great outdoors?
Or come to one of our drop-in information stands from Age UK, Meals on Wheels and the Wellbeing Hubs. See our What's on page for more information and details of all our regular activities.
Or just pop in and enjoy the warm space: you may find a jigsaw or colouring sheet on a table for you to do.
![Screenshot of a video reading "Opening the Archives"](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7212628/opening-the-archives1-jpg_original.png) Take a peek at what’s inside our new Opening the Library Archive boxes.
All of our libraries will be displaying collections of local newspaper articles, old photographs, parish registers, census returns, historical maps and other ephemera, as well as a booklist of suggested reading.
If you’ve ever wanted to find out a bit more about your local area now’s your chance!
![Two squirrels on a blue and yellow background and a sign reading Happy World Book Day](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7206099/world-book-day-banner_original.png) It’s World Book Day on Thursday 2 March, the annual celebration encouraging children and young people to discover the joy of reading.
It’s never too early to inspire a love of reading and the dedicated children and teens area on our website will help you get started.
Many of our libraries also hold free Storytime sessions, which are perfect for the whole family, as well as Story Magic sessions; free multi-sensory storytimes especially for children and young people with additional needs.
We’ve recently added over 250 adult dyslexia friendly books to stock.
The books are written in a format that is helpful for people with dyslexia, including tinted paper, clear font, minimum print size, shorter paragraphs, wide margins and plenty of space.
They are free to reserve and do not incur overdue charges.
All libraries also have A4 coloured overlays that can be laid over print and may help people with dyslexia and visual stress.
![Image of a sign for the BIPC reading "Free Business Events"](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7212658/bipc-image_original.jpg) Did you know that we run a range of business events and services?
We're running a mixture of in-person and online events throughout March offering free business advice, from 1 to 1 clinics to workshops and webinars.
Here’s what we've got coming up in March including coffee mornings, networking events and strategy and marketing appointments.
- Why not enjoy a bus adventure to a library? Bus fares are capped at £2.00 by most bus companies until the end of June 2023 as part of a special offer funded by the Department for Transport.
-
A new project from the British Library is asking library users to tell them about the difference library service makes to you. So if you take part in our Knit and Natter sessions, attend a reading group or connect with your local library in some other way and are happy to talk about it then let us know using "British Library Project" in your subject line.
![An image of author Graham Bartlett beside an advert for an author talk](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7213003/graham-bartlett_original.jpg) An evening with Graham Bartlett
Join local author Graham Bartlett to celebrate the publication of his debut novel Bad for Good in paperback and the release of his second title Force of Hate. A book sale and signing will follow the event.
-
Haywards Heath Library, Monday 27 March at 7.00pm. Book tickets in Haywards Heath Library or call 01444 255444.
Crawley WORDfest
This March will see the return of WORDfest, a community run festival that celebrates literature, reading and writing in all of its forms. This year’s programme is packed full of exciting events, four of which will be hosted at Crawley Library.
- Family Day on Saturday 4 March from 10.30am-3.30pm
- Murderous Locations on Thursday 9 March from 7.00-9.00pm
- Writers Day on Saturday 18 March from 10.30am-3.00pm
- Wordfest Quiz on Thursday 23 March from 7.00-9.30pm
![A portrait of Elizabeth I](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/02/7206151/elizabeth-i_original.jpg) Join Dr Caroline Adams to find out about Elizabeth I’s only visit to West Sussex. In 1591 she travelled south through Surrey into West Sussex, stopping at Cowdray for a week and the City of Chichester for several days. What happened, and what was it like for her hosts and the people on her progress?
The talk will be held at West Sussex Record Office at 7.00pm on Tuesday 28 March (£8.00); alternatively, join us online via Zoom (£5.00). Numbers are limited, so booking is essential.
!['Did you know?' on side of stack of books](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWSCC/2023/01/7052015/shutterstock-1853539150_original.jpg) With your library membership you have access to more than 7,000 UK and international digital newspapers from over 100 countries and in over 60 languages through Pressreader?
It's all free with your library card.
|