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Green Libraries Week 7-13 October

“Every library a green library!” is the theme of this year’s Libraries Week. For a second year, the national celebration of all that libraries offer their communities is focusing on how libraries can inspire actions to live sustainably, cut down on waste and support nature.

Look out for green displays, events and activities for all ages in libraries across Cambridgeshire. On Library.live you’ll find listings for eco-crafts, seed planting, nature collaging, making bird-feeders and more. 

Look out for recycling events at Ely Library, Antarctica Season at Cambridge City Libraries | Eventbrite, and events in libraries all over Cambridgeshire.

Your library is always the perfect place to find books about the climate and environment and practical tips on how to help the planet. And of course, every time you borrow a library book you are sharing with the community and saving resources.

Library Eco Fairs

Eco Fair at St Neots Library

Saturday 12^th October, 10am – 1pm

Drop-in event, no need to book.

Meet local environmental and conservation groups at St Neots Library. Find out about local projects and how to get involved. Activities for children and a special storyteller session at 10.30am.St Neots Eco Fair

Organised in partnership with St Neots Town Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

For more information, email stneots.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225.

Eco Fair at Cambridge Central Library

Saturday 19^th October, 11am-1pm

Drop-in event, no need to book.

Chat to stallholders with green expertise from the community, local councils and Cambridge University. Find out about positive climate actions happening locally and steps you can take yourself to help combat climate change. This interactive, family friendly event will take place in the entrance foyer and children’s library.

Organised in partnership with Cambridge University’s Cambridge Zero team.

Eco Fair at Cambridge Central Library 

Black History month

October is Black History Month, an opportunity to celebrate Black heritage and history in the UK. The theme for 2024 is “Reclaiming Narratives”, “a call to action for Black communities across the UK to step into the role of storytellers, historians, and custodians of our heritage”.

Why not visit your local library or our catalogue online to browse the many titles by Black authors and about Black history we have available? You can also keep an eye on our social media channels for recommendations of books that fit the theme “Reclaiming Narratives”.

We’re also celebrating with a very special Recipe Swap (1-2pm) followed by Reggae Day (2-5pm) at Cambridge Central Library on Saturday 12 October. We’ll be screening two recorded events, brought to us by the British Library's Living Knowledge Network, about the history of Reggae music in the UK. For more details or to register your interest, visit Reggae Day at Cambridge Central Library (Living Knowledge Network stream) Tickets, Sat, Oct 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

You can also join is at Cambridge Central Library on Saturday 5 October (2-5pm) for a screening of the National Theatre’s Othello, directed by Clint Dyer and brought to you by the National Theatre Collection for Public Libraries. Details and free tickets available at Othello (National Theatre Screening) at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Lastly, on Sunday 27 October we’re hosting a very special Black History Month storytime. Join us in the Children’s Library at Cambridge Central from 3-3.30pm. Free and all welcome! Black History Month - Black Pride Storytime Tickets, Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite

Spread the word

Do you know someone who uses a walking stick, crutch or walking frame? As autumn draws in and paths become slippery with fallen leaves, please spread the word that the library can supply free ferrules (rubber feet) to keep walking aids in safe condition. We have ferrules in 3 sizes – 19mm, 22mm and 25mm in diameter, which suit most walking aids. Just ask staff in your local library or mobile library.

Author events

An Antarctic mystery with Jim Kelly

Popular author Jim Kelly shares his fascinating writing journey and introduces his latest thriller, The White Lie, inspired by Captain Scott’s final Antarctic expedition.

Papworth Library

Wednesday, October 2, 7:15 - 8:15 PM

Tickets £2 from the library or email BarHill.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225

Kate Rhodes at St.Ives Library

You have two amazing opportunities to meet acclaimed crime writer Kate Rhodes at St.Ives library.

Join us on Thursday 17th October 10.30-11.45am when Kate will talk about her life as a writer, her books and her inspiration.

Tickets £5

On Thursday 7th November 10.30-12.30pm we have Starting To Write, a special creative workshop for budding authors and creative writers.

£6 per person, booking essential.

Bookings and ticket purchases can be made at St. Ives Library, email stives.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225

Marie Tierney at Wisbech Library

Crime writer Marie Tierney introduces Deadly Animals

A teenage girl with a dark obsession is on the hunt for a serial killer in the mesmerising crime debut, Deadly Animals. Come and meet author Marie Tierney, winner of the Val McDermid Debut Award 2024.  

Wisbech Library Monday, October 21, 2:00 - 3:30 PM 

£3 per person.

Please book in advance either in the library or by contacting wisbech.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Meet your local authors

A chance to meet and chat with ten local writers of books for adults (fiction and non-fiction) in the foyer of Cambridge Central Library. More details will be posted on www.Library.Live and Cambslib.eventbrite.com

Cambridge Central Library

Saturday 2^nd November, 11am-1pm

Drop-in event, no need to book

Get Online Week 14-20 October

Get Online Week is the UK’s biggest digital inclusion campaign.

Our libraries are marking the occasion with a series of events and information displays highlighting the resources we have available to help you get online safely and make the most of the digital world. We can help people access the internet with devices and data via our LendIt collection and the National Databank, and improve their digital skills and learn new ones with Learn My Way.

You can join us at:

Arbury Court Library: Monday 14 October, 3.30-5.30pm: Digital Drop-in

Barnwell Road Library: Saturday 12 October, 11am-1pm: Digital Drop-in

Cambridge Central Library: Thursday 17 October, 11am-12noon: Get Online Week Talk and Q&A

Ely Library: Thursday 17 October, 10.30am-12.00noon: Tea and Tablets and Digital Art

Huntingdon Library: Monday 14 October and Wednesday 16 October 10am-12noon: Scam Awareness Drop-In

St Neots Library: Tuesday 15 October 10-11.30am: Digital Coffee Morning

Free and all welcome; just come along!

We’ve also recently partnered with Cambridge & District Citizens Advice to offer a new weekly Digital Drop-in at Cambridge Central Library. Come along to the 3^rd Floor every Monday from 10am-12noon for help with free digital support and learning. There’s no need to book; just come along!

New books

Click on the button below for our full selection of new books for October

Cambridgeshire listens and reads

Our Cambridgeshire Listens and Cambridgeshire Reads collections bring you a wide range of books to borrow in eBook or eAudiobook format. Available for multiple use, they're great for reading groups and workplace reads. You can even listen and read at the same time!

Each month the selection of adult, young adult and children's titles are refreshed - they're available to borrow over a 60-day period. Try the links to look at this month's offerings. 

We have five titles available as Reads and Listens:

The Maid of Lindal Hall by Katie Hutton, A House of Ghosts by W.C. Ryan, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell

We have nine titles available as Listens:

21st Birthday by Maxine Paetro and James Patterson, Death of a Witch by M.C. Beaton, Devil House by John Darnielle, The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence, The Beast You Are by Paul Tremblay, The Fraud by Zadie Smith, Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, The Great Greenwashing by John Pabon, What Are You Doing Here? by Baroness Floella Benjamin.

We have six Junior/teen Listens:

The Falcon's Malteser by Anthony Horowitz, Five Run Away Together by Enid Blyton, Jummy at the River School by Sabine Adeyinka, Something Terrible Happened Last Night by Sam Blake, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, The Beast Beyond the Fence by Alex False-Koya and Marcus Rashford.

Summer Reading Challenge feedback

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge has been a huge success, bringing together families and readers of all ages. With over 6,000 participants and over 30,000 books read throughout the summer, libraries have been buzzing with creativity and enthusiasm. Our community shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 96% of respondents rating their experience as "Very Satisfied." 85% of attendees mentioned they would participate again next year, and 90% of parents felt the Challenge improved their children's reading skills.

Popular activities included the Gruffalo Day, LEGO Animation, and Treasure Hunts, which received glowing praise for their fun and engagement. 60% of families surveyed asked for more workshops, especially for slightly older children (ages 8-12). So, keep an eye out for future activities.

We are thrilled to see how much everyone enjoyed this summer's events and look forward to hosting even more exciting activities next year.

Thank you for making this year's Challenge unforgettable!

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Robert Frost.

October 3^rd is National Poetry Day with the theme of “counting”.

What poems do you count on to lift your spirits or to best express your feelings or experience?

Drop into your library or search our online catalogue to find poetry for every situation and occasion.

The Library Presents

New Events Released; music, art, theatre, dance and more!

Libraries have exciting live performances and workshops happening in October, November, and December. Something for everyone – adults, families, D/deaf audiences, disabled audiences, neurodivergent audiences. Check out the full listing!

October’s performances are:

Macbeth in 60 minutes, with two actors, one musician, and a few items from a suitcase! Ely 25 October 7.30pm and St Ives 26 October 6.45pm

Nature Elly runs the best farm, but not everything is going to plan. Help Elly and Bob the Pheasant save the harvest and discover the mystery animal hiding. 29 October 10.15am Arbury, Cambridge. British Sign Language and Relaxed Event.

LORE. A super-physical, athletically inspiring dance performance. Dive into a pagan world of gods, demons and humans. 29 October 7.15pm in Clay Farm, Cambridge.

The Rainbow Butterfly. Maja flies all the way to the moon with wings that sparkle and shimmer! This show uses carnival, aerial circus, beatbox & Hip Hop dance. March 30 October 3pm.

Workshops include Crochet Flower making, Digital Animation, Interactive Musical Story and Magic.

World Menopause Day and World Mental Health Day

World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th of October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support available for improving women’s health and wellbeing. Visit the International Menopause Society’s website to find out more about this campaign.

For an overview of menopause, including symptoms and treatment options, visit Menopause - NHS (www.nhs.uk). You can also search on our online catalogue to find many helpful titles about menopause and learn about how lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms.

World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10^th October. The theme this year is Mental Health at Work. 

Work is a major part of our lives and has a huge impact on our mental wellbeing.  Work can be a source of stress and anxiety, but having a fulfilling job gives us a sense of purpose, boosting our self-worth and providing opportunities to connect with others.

Everyone deserves a mentally friendly workplace where we can thrive. Read the guide on How to support mental health at work by Mental Health Foundation which gives good suggestions on how to support ourselves and colleagues.

Visit the Health and Well-being section of our online catalogue to check out our book collections which can benefit your health and wellbeing.

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