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Green Libraries Week

Green Libraries Week (27 October - 2 November) is a chance to celebrate the vital role libraries can play in empowering communities to take positive environmental action. This year’s theme is “Seeds of Change”.

Look out for activities in many of our libraries, including broad bean planting; wildlife stories and nature crafts; and a seasonal cooking demonstration at Cambridge Central Library https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seasonal-cooking-demonstration-tickets-1715563078349

In the following libraries there will be drop-in stalls where you can find out about the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire council climate and nature strategies:

Cambridge Central Library foyer Monday 27 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Willingham Library Tuesday 28 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Histon Library Tuesday 28 October, 2.00-5.00pm

Cherry Hinton Library Wednesday 29 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Great Shelford Library Friday 31 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Sawston Library Friday 31 October, 2.00-5.00pm

Use your library to learn about climate change and nature and find others in your community who care about the environment. Remember, just by borrowing a library book you are sharing resources and taking a green action, and small actions add up if we all get involved. In Green Libraries Week, use your library card with pride!

50 Years of Yaxley Library

On Friday 12th September, Yaxley Library celebrated 50 years of serving the community, providing visitors with books and much more since 1975. 

Members of the library service past and present, councillors and local partners gathered at the library to celebrate the milestone, with balloons, refreshments, a photo display of Yaxley Library through the ages, and a few words from Councillor Alison Whelan, Chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion committee at Cambridgeshire County Council: “The refreshed Yaxley Library is now an even more welcoming and comforting place for people to visit, and it’s lovely to see people of all ages and backgrounds visiting for books and so much more.”

Read more here

Celebrating 50 years of Yaxley Library | Cambridgeshire County Council

Rock Road Library Reopening

We're pleased to announce that Rock Road Library reopened on Friday 26th September. Why not visit the newly refurbished library and take part in an event or activity this October?

The Friends of Rock Road Library have organised a mini-season of author talks for children during October half-term. For full details, please visit their website: Events | Friends of Rock Road Library

On Wednesday 29th October, you can join us for a seasonal craft session aimed at children and their parents/carers: Autumn Nature Craft Tickets, Wed, Oct 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM | Eventbrite

Lastly, on Thursday 30th October we’re also hosting the Wildlife Trust for stories and creative activities about native wildlife! To book your place, please visit Wilder Stories (Rock Road Library, Cambridge) | Wildlife Trust for Beds Cambs & Northants

Black History Month

Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Black heritage and history in the UK. The theme for 2025 is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, “a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe”. 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 visit Huntingdon Library between the 13-15th October to view an exhibition of artistic, cultural and historical pieces to celebrate Black History Month organised by Cambridgeshire County Council. This will include poems, artistic paintings/drawings, reflections of lived experiences, works from local museums, and archive pieces to provide a historical understanding and knowledge of Black history. The exhibition can also be viewed at New Shire Hall, Alconbury Weald, between the 6-10 October.

From 4th October Cambridge Central Library (3rd Floor) will be hosting “Unsung Heroes”, an exhibition celebrating Black history in partnership with Learning Through the Arts. We hope to see you there!

Get Online Week

Get Online Week (October 20-26) 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:

Cambridge Central Library: Get Online Week Talk and Q&A Tickets, Thu, Oct 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite

Huntingdon Library: Scam Awareness Session, Friday 24th October 10.30am-12.30pm

Family History Research Session, Saturday 25th October 10.30am-2pm

St Neots Library: Digital Inclusion Drop-In, Thursday 23rd October, 10.30am-12noon.

Free and all welcome; just come along!

Author Talks

Welcome to a bumper autumn of author events at Cambridgeshire Libraries!

Please click on the links for more information about each event and how to book tickets.

Ali Harris: This Wasn’t Meant to Happen - Huntingdon Library

A novel about love, loss and finding hope again after still birth.

Saturday 11th October, 2:00-3:30pm

Free event to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week

Author Ali Harris: This Wasn't Meant to Happen — Library.Live

Janet Todd: Living with Jane Austen - Cambridge Central Library

Last few tickets remaining!

A literary scholar reflects on how Jane Austen has inspired and challenged her.

Sunday 12th October, 2:00-3:30pm

Free event to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-with-jane-austen-tickets-1567250661919

Rev. Penny Stephens: Till Death Us Do Part - Cherry Hinton Library

Real-life reverend Penny introduces an appealing new clerical detective.

Thursday 16th October, 7:30-9:00pm 

(Doors open 7pm for sale of wine and refreshments)

Free event, supported by Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/till-death-us-do-part-tickets-1567440660209

Curious History of Medicine with Dr Carol Cooper and James Freeman- Rock Road Library

An intriguing look at medicine from medieval times and beyond.

Wednesday 22nd October, 7:30-9pm

Free event, supported by Friends of Rock Road Library

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-curious-history-of-medicine-tickets-1567188937299  

Beaty Rubens: Listen in, How Radio Changed the Home- Milton Road Library

BBC radio producer Beaty explores the golden age of radio.

Saturday 8th November, 2-3:30pm (Doors open at 1:45pm)

Free event, supported by Friends of Milton Road Library

Children and Young People Author Talks

Please click on the links for more information about each event and how to book tickets.

SF Layzell: Cottonopolis - Cottenham Library

A 12-year-old mill girl’s story during the Industrial Revolution.

Thursday 16th October, 3:45-4:45pm

Free event for families (children aged 8+)

Author visit: Join us for a reading, Q&A and book signing with local author SF Layzell. — Library.Live

Cathy Reay: How to be Disabled and Proud - Papworth Library

Positive tips for children (aged 8+) and their families on growing up with a disability.

Saturday 18th October, 2-3:30pm

How to be Disabled and Proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it). With author Cathy Reay — Library.Live

Clueless at Christmas Library Tour

Join Nicola Upson and Mandy Morton, two very popular Cambridgeshire crime writers, as they embark on their 'Clueless at Christmas Library Tour' around many of our libraries with their latest titles for Christmas.

March Library - Friday 24th October, 2:00-3:30pm, £3 (supported by Friends of March Library)

Cambridgeshire crime writers on tour with their latest titles for Christmas.

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson and Mandy Morton — Library.Live

Linton Library - Wednesday 5th November, 2:00-3:30pm, £5

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson & Mandy Morton — Library.Live

Yaxley Library - Wednesday 12th November, 10:30am-12 noon, £5  

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson &Mandy Morton — Library.Live

Huntingdon Library - Wednesday 12th November, 5:30-7:00pm, £5

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson & Many Morton — Library.Live

Soham Library - Friday 14th November, 7:00-8:30pm, £3 (with support from Friends of Ely Library)

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson & Mandy Morton — Library.Live

Histon Library - Tuesday 18th November, 10:30am-12 noon, £5

Clueless at Christmas - with crime authors Nicola Upson & Mandy Morton — Library.Live

Author image credit: Cambridge Independent

New books

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

Cambridgeshire Reads and Listens 

Our Cambridgeshire Reads and Listens collection brings you a wide range of books to borrow in eBook and eAudiobook format. Available for multiple use, they're great for reading groups and workplace reads. 

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 link to look at this month's offerings. 

We have five titles available as Reads:

James by Percival Everett, The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski, The Men by Sandra Newman, The King's Witches by Kate Foster and Something Wicked by Carol Ann Lee

We have fourteen titles available as Listens:
Death of Yesterday by M.C. Beaton, Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, James by Percival Everett, Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski, The Men by Sandra Newman, To The Dogs by Louise Welsh, The King's Witches by Kate Foster, The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins, The Skeleton Army by Alis Hawkins, Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch, The Golden Mole by Katherine Rundell, Perimenopause Power by Maisie Hill and Something Wicked by Carol Ann Lee

We have three Junior/Teen titles available as Listens:

Spellbinding Stories by Enid Blyton, Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart and The Book of Legends by Lenny Henry

World Menopause Day

World Menopause Day is held every year on 18th October and aims to raise awareness of menopause and support options available for improving health and wellbeing.

Visit Menopause - NHS for comprehensive information about menopause, including symptoms, things you can do such as lifestyle changes, and treatments available with benefits and risks to consider. You will also find in this section a list of charities offering help and support, including support on premature menopause and for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Want to find a good book to read on this subject?  Explore our Menopause Matters list in Health and Well-being | Cambridgeshire Libraries and place your reservations.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is an annual campaign led by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The theme for 2025 is “Access to Services -Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” reflecting the current global situation.

To raise awareness of the serious impacts on people’s mental health in times of crisis, the WFMH has launched a campaign toolkit to call for more support worldwide. 

Being Libraries of Sanctuary, Cambridgeshire Libraries are committed to create a welcome and inclusive environment for people seeking sanctuary. Please visit Libraries of Sanctuary | Cambridgeshire County Council to find key information for new arrivals.

Also visit  Health and Well-being | Cambridgeshire Libraries to find book resources, including: Reading Well for Families, Reading Well for Children, Reading Well for Teens and Reading Well for Mental Health

Free Flu and Covid Vaccines

Flu and COVID-19 spread around every winter. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get your vaccines.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you are over 65; have certain long-term conditions; are pregnant; live in a care home; are the main carer for an older or disabled person; or live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

You can get the free NHS COVID-19 vaccine if you are over 75; have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment; or live in a care home for older adults.

Contact your GP or pharmacy to find out more. Visit Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System website for information about walk-in clinics.

Try something new at Cambridge Central Library

Dive with us into the diverse realm of Latin American Gothic Horror in this free interactive 5-week guided reading group, taking place every Wednesday in October on the 3rd floor of Cambridge Central Library (5.45-6.45pm)!

For full details and to book your free place, visit our Eventbrite: Latin American Gothic Horror Reading Group Tickets, Wed, Oct 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM | Eventbrite

Sharing South Asian Voices

Everyspace, 3^rd Floor, Cambridge Central Library

Tuesday 14th October 1-5pm

Imperial War Museums invites you to a special session exploring untold stories of South Asian experiences during the Second World War. We warmly welcome individuals from South Asian backgrounds to help shape how this history is told.

Curator Adrian Kerrison will present elements of IWM’s current collection and share exciting plans to spotlight the stories of South Asian people—both those who served and those who lived through the war at home.

Join us to hear more about the project, share your thoughts on what stories matter most, contribute your own family story to the conversation and enjoy free refreshments

Download now

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