News from Cambridgeshire Libraries

Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Open it in a web page.

Sign up to receive our newsletter

Bank Holiday Closures

Image shows a calendar open on the month of May laying on a table next to a bunch of pink flowers.

All Cambridgeshire Libraries will be closed for the May Bank Holidays on:

Monday 4 May

Monday 25 May

Don't forget that you can renew, reserve and manage your account online, and that your online library is always open: Read and listen online | Cambridgeshire County Council

Library Polling Stations

Image shows a sign that reads 'Polling Station' next to cartoon hands places blank pieces of paper into voting boxes.

Milton Road and Arbury Court Libraries will both be used as polling stations for the upcoming local elections on Thursday 7 May and will consequently not be open to the public as libraries on that day. This also means there will be no Storytime at either library on this date - our apologies for the inconvenience.

Don’t forget that your online library is always open and that you can manage your account online: Libraries | Cambridgeshire County Council

Local and Community History Month

Images show various photos of old Cambridgeshire buildings from the library archives, and an image of a woman using a library Microfiche machine to look at old newspapers.

May is Local and Community History Month and is a great time to find out more about the history of your local area.

We are having a set of local history lectures at Cambridge Central library in the new EverySpace area on the third floor of the library. These will be held on the second Friday of the month 2-3:30pm. Come along for a talk with refreshments afterwards. Free but donations welcome.

8 May - Transport in Cambridgeshire Talk with Tony Kirby

12 June - Clunch, the local stone with David Stubbings

10 July - History of the colleges with Honor Ridout

14 August - Writing historical fiction with Susan Grossey

11 September - The Pye Story with Pye History Trust

Huntingdon Library are also celebrating with a range of events throughout the month. You can find out more on Library.Live.

Author talks

Image shows a picture of Chloe smiling at the camera next to a display of three book covers of titles she's written.

Join author and illustrator Chloe Savage at Cambridge Central Library this May half term as she reads from her picture book The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish. You’ll also have the chance to practice your illustration skills with Chloe and bring the jellyfish to life!

Giant Artic Jellyfish Storytime and Draw-along with Chloe Savage: Friday 29 May, 10:30-11:30am, at Cambridge Central Library.

Free and all welcome but booking required: Get your tickets on Eventbrite

This event is delivered in partnership with the Cambridge Literary Festival.

New Mobile Library Stop

Shows three images of one of our mobile libraries, one of the front, one of a staff member leaning out the door handing a customer a bag of books, and another of the doors to the mobile library opening.

One of our mobile libraries has a new stop.

Our Cambs Mobile Library will now be visiting the Village Green in Waterbeach, Cambridge, on the third Monday of each month, 9:30-10:45. For more information, please visit Find a mobile library stop | Cambridgeshire County Council.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place on 11-17 May. This year, the campaign asks all of us to take action – supporting good mental health for ourselves, for someone else, and for the wider community. To learn more about mental health, how to look after your wellbeing, and how to support others, visit Explore Mental Health – Mental Health Foundation.

Remember, your library offers Reading Well collections and a wide range of self-help books, stories of lived experiences and uplifting reads. Explore our online catalogue Health and Wellbeing | Cambridgeshire Libraries to browse and reserve your books.

Summer Reading Challenge - Volunteers

Image shows characters from this year's challenge playing various instruments, surrounded by stacks of books. Text reads '2026 Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat' with the Reading Agency and Universal Music Group logos.

Young Volunteers - your local library needs you this summer!

Calling young people aged 12-17: we need your help to inspire young readers to join in the Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) and to support library staff with our fabulous activities programme. Becoming a Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer is a great way to gain work experience and make a positive impact in your local community!

Visit our webpage to find out more and to apply online visit: Volunteering with libraries | Cambridgeshire County Council. Or just ask at a library for further details.

Closing date for applications: Saturday 6 June 2026

New books

Image shows eighteen covers of our new book titles.

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

New Books

Cambridgeshire Listens

Our Cambridgeshire Listens collection brings you a wide range of books to borrow in an 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.

Image shows 8 covers of available titles

We have eight titles available as Listens:
Fly, Wild Swans by Jung Chang, A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci, Cleopatra by Natasha Solomons, Exit Strategy by Lee Child, The Greek House by Dinah Jefferies, Table for One by Emma Gannon, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves

Cambridgeshire Listens

Image shows the cover of the titles listed below.

We have one Junior Listen available:

Dracula and Daughters by Emma Carroll

Junior Listens

Dementia Action Week

Images of Dementia friendly puzzles, books and old black and white photos

Dementia Action Week takes place from 18-24 May. The annual campaign raises awareness of dementia and encourages early diagnosis, so that people affected by dementia can get the support they need as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone close to you, you can use the symptoms checklist on the Alzheimer’s Society website. This checklist can help you talk through any concerns you might have with your GP.

To learn more about dementia and how you can show your support, visit The Alzheimer’s Society website.

Cambridgeshire Libraries Dementia Resources

Our libraries offer a range of resources for people affected by dementia. To explore the full collection - including dementia-friendly jigsaw puzzles and games - visit Memory boxes and dementia resources | Cambridgeshire County Council.

You can also find our dementia book collections - including Reading Well for Dementia, and our newly acquired Open Ended Books and Cognitive Books - in the Cambridgeshire Libraries online catalogue.

Rock Road Library's 90th Anniversary

Image shows a picture of Rock Road library alongside graphics of balloons and the number '90' spelt in gold balloons.

Join us at Rock Road Library on Saturday 30 May (10am-2pm) to celebrate the library’s 90th anniversary! There will be family-friendly crafts, music, storytime, magic and more.

This event will be delivered in partnership with the Friends of Rock Road Library | Information about the charity Friends of Rock Road Library.

Free and all welcome! There’s no need to book; just come along. Parents/carers to stay with their children.

To find out more and to register your interest, please visit our Eventbrite.

The Library Presents

The Library Presents is back, with upbeat events and intriguing tales for all ages!

The Library Presents has lots of feel-good events to keep you entertained from 16 May until 25 July. Tickets are available to book now.

With 29 different events hosted in 24 towns and villages, there will be something on everyone's doorstep to enjoy. Come along to laugh, relax, meet new people, express yourself or support your wellbeing.

There is a mix of live music, theatre, comedy, puppetry and workshops in art, craft, dance and writing.

Your favourite shows Graffiti Classics and The Zoo That Comes To You are returning, along with the popular Rhythms of Africa Percussion Workshop and Sea Shanties Workshop.

Fancy something new? Dig into the secrets of human existence with Once Upon a Time in Fenland. Explore the invisible life-forms that keep our planet healthy through stunning immersive films and nature-based video games at Secrets of Soil and Water Portals. Bring your everyday worries and trade them for NaanE’s hilarious, heart-warming advice in Ask Granny!

Check out all the events and book your tickets at www.library.live/the-library-presents

Deaf Awareness Week

Shows two images, one of our mobile library, and the other of a child's ear with a hearing aid.

Deaf Awareness Week is 4-10 May 2026. The theme this year is Right to Understand.

Did you know that our mobile libraries give out NHS hearing aid batteries? You can find your nearest mobile library stop on our map Find a mobile library stop | Cambridgeshire County Council.

A variety of our libraries also work with the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association to offer hearing aid maintenance. You can find a session near you on their website Hearing Help - Cambridgeshire Deaf Association.

Also, did you know that Cambridge Central Library hosts a British Sign Language Meet-up on the second Sunday of every month (1-3pm)? For more details, please visit British Sign Language Meet-up at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite.

'Fen to Fire' Exhibition

Shows three images, one of the digital reconstruction of the settlement with a purple sky, one of the Cromwell students taking a photo of a clay pot, and the last of various crafting supplies on a table.

Come and visit the Fen to Fire exhibition at March Library! Fen to Fire is an immersive digital art installation that shows a reconstruction of the Late Bronze Age settlement at Must Farm, discovered near Whittlesey in 1999.

Created by digital artist Guy Schofield, working with young people from Cromwell Community College in Chatteris, the project reconstructs the Bronze Age world from archaeological evidence, exploring how people lived and what might have happened on the day it was lost.

The project is part of Collusion’s SHAPE HUB programme, in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Department of Archaeology, various artists and academics, Collections-Connections-Communities, the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and the Cambridge Archaeological Unit.

You can visit Fen to Fire at the EverySpace in March Library, until 16 May. Entry is free and the display can be viewed during library opening hours.

HiVis Fortnight Event: Save The Date

Save the date, 12 June 2026, 10am-12pm for our showcase free event for vision and print impaired readers at Huntingdon Library.

In partnership with Huntingdonshire Society for The Blind, we’ll bring together a range of expert organisations with gadgets and equipment for you to try, plus useful information and advice. Nothing on sale, just a chance to find out how you can keep up your love of reading. This year’s theme, in line with the National Year of Reading, is Go All In.

For more information contact Huntingdon.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225

Our Living Water

Are you inspired by the 'living water' of Cambridge - the springs, streams and wildlife?

Join us for a creative exploration of the River Cam. This free 90-minute workshop will be led by poet, and Teaching Associate for Creative Writing at the University of Cambridge, Dr Lucy Durneen.

Our Living Water: A Poetry Workshop

Barnwell Road Library

Saturday 9 May, 3:30-5pm

Free but limited places, so booking is essential: Our living water: a poetry workshop with Dr Lucy Durneen at Barnwell Library – Fill out form

As a group, craft a poetic response to our city’s waterways and bring local perspectives to Cambridge University Library’s 2026 exhibition, Living Water: Poetry, Art and the Fight for Clean Rivers https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/livingwater

The poem will be included in the exhibition at CUL and in a pop-up exhibition in Cambridge public libraries.

Kindly supported by WildFish, a charity protecting wild fish and their waters. Delivered by Cambridge University Library in partnership with Cambridgeshire Libraries, University of Cambridge PACE and Friends of the Cam.