News from Cambridgeshire Libraries

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Slipper Swaps in Libraries

Image shows various tattered and worn slippers next to a picture of new, comfy slippers with a swap symbol in between them.

Wearing worn out or slip-on slippers can significantly increase your risk of falling.

Join us for a free Slipper Swap event; bring your old slippers and swap them for a new, supportive pair, at no cost. Enjoy a cup of tea and a friendly chat and learn about other support and services available in your community.

St. Neots Library 12 November 10am – 1pm

Wisbech Library 26 November 10am – 1pm

Cherry Hinton Library 27 November 10.30am – 1.30pm

Burwell Library 1 December 10am – 1pm

Sawston Library 9 December 10am – 1pm

This event is for Cambridgeshire residents aged 60 years+. No booking required. For further information please call 0345 045 5225

#DigitalSpaces VR Tour

Image shows a young man wearing a VR headset, with an image of Wallace and Gromit and a row of library shelves behind him. Text reads 'Virtual Reality Library, where will you go next?' along with the following logos: BFI Replay, Digital Spaces, The Space and Arts Council England.

It's your last chance to book a slot onto one of our exciting VR tour events this Autumn, where you can experience the world of Monoliths, Wallace & Gromit, The Lark Ascending, Hold the World and Dance Duets!

The project is supported by Arts Council England, The British Film Institute and The Space. Ask at the library or email them to book a VR session.

Huntingdon Library

Wednesday 4 November - 2:30-6pm (Drop in)

Friday 6 November - 2:30-4:30pm (Drop in)

Saturday 7 November - 10:30-12pm & 2-3:30pm

Email: Huntingdon.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Our Cambridge Central Library sessions are fully booked, but we do have a waiting list, contact the library if you'd like to be added to it:

Digital Spaces Virtual Reality at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite

Library Closures - Staff Training

Image shows a cartoon graphic of people walking along a dirt path surrounded by trees from one library building to another.

March Library and Chatteris Library will both be closed for staff training on Wednesday 19 November.

Chatteris Library will be closed all day, whilst March Library will be closed for the morning only (during staffed hours) – their Open Plus access will be available as usual between 1:15-4pm.

We will of course be extending dates on any items due back on this day.

To find your nearest alternative library, please visit our website: Your library | Cambridgeshire County Council 

And 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 

Temporary Library Closures

Stay up to date with temporary closures and alternative library provision at Sawtry, Whittlesey and Wisbech libraries here: Temporary Library Works

Author Talks

Five libraries author tour! Partners in Crime: Nicola Upson and Mandy Morton

Popular Cambridge crime writers Nicola and Mandy introduce their latest titles – two wickedly good reads for winter! Talk, refreshments and chat, plus books to purchase.

Milton Road Library - Tuesday 3November, 2:30-4pm. Email: Libraries.ReferralCentre@cambridgeshire.go.uk

Cottenham Library - Wednesday 2 December, 2-3:30pm. Email: BarHill.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Ely Library - Friday 4 December, 7-8:30pm. Email: Ely.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Cambourne Library - Tuesday 8 December, 2-3.30pm. Email: Cambourne.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Great Shelford Library - Wednesday 9 December, 2-3:30pm. Email: Libraries.ReferralCentre@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Each event is £3 per person. Please book in the library or use the relevant email listed.

Biographer Laura Thompson: Eleven Days – the true story of Agatha Christie’s disappearance

Fascinating insights into the mysterious eleven-day disappearance of the Queen of Crime in 1926.

Milton Road Library - Wednesday 25 November, 7-8pm

Tickets £3. Please book in the library or contact Libraries.ReferralCentre@cambridgeshire.go.uk

Meet the author Jim (J.G.) Kelly

Best known for his atmospheric crime and historical novels set in the Fens, Norfolk, and wartime Cambridge, Jim introduces his latest book, The American Suspect.

Friday 27 November, 2-3pm, March Library

Tickets £3. Please book in the library or contact March.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Drawing Workshop with Matty Long

Join Matty Long, creator of the 'Super Happy Magic Forest' book series and hit CBBC show, for a fun character drawing workshop. This event is suitable for children age 5+ and costs £3 per child.

March Library - Saturday 14 November, 2-3pm

Places must be booked in advance with cash at the library counter and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lynda La Plante: Special offer from Cambridge Literary Festival

Crime writing phenomenon Lynda La Plante, creator of Prime Suspect and Widows, makes her debut at the Cambridge Literary Festival (CLF) this month, introducing her first standalone novel in over a decade. Sudden Death involves faded Romanov aristocracy, deadly family secrets, and a cut-throat hunt for the last lost Fabergé egg.

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, CLF is offering our library members discounted tickets at £10 (plus £2 booking fee).

Cambridge Union (TTP Stage)

Sunday 22 November, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Book here and use the coupon code Library4Lynda for a £7 discount on a full price ticket.

New Books

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

New Books

Agatha Christie Exhibition

Image shows a typewriter with a man's face as it's shadow along with a book splayed open, with text that reads 'Agatha Christie, a World of Mystery, in your local library'

Enjoy a fascinating free display at Cambridge Central Library until the end of December, exploring the life and work of all time bestselling novelist, Agatha Christie. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition (30 October 2026 - 20 June 2027), the display comes to us from the Living Knowledge Network and will tour our larger libraries throughout 2027, alongside special events.

Check the author events section in this newsletter for opportunities to meet modern crime writers in libraries this season. Plus:

Join us in EverySpace at Central Library on Friday 4 December 2-3pm to watch The Chemistry of Murder: Agatha Christie’s Deadly Science, with chemist and author Kathryn Harkup. This intriguing Royal Institution recorded lecture is available to us through the Living Knowledge Network. Please book free tickets on Eventbrite

On the evening of Tuesday 8 December, join Cambridge University Library’s special Christie edition of their free online The Really Popular Book Club, discussing Hercule Poirot’s Christmas.

Carer's Rights Day

November 23 is Carers’ Rights Day, a national campaign focused on raising awareness of the rights of unpaid carers. More than three in five people will become an unpaid carer at some point in our life, and carers often struggle with isolation and lack of support.

Did you know that Cambridgeshire Libraries have a Carers Booklist? It contains information and helpful tips for carers, as well as stories of people with lived experience: Carers Booklist | Cambridgeshire Libraries

Home Educated Welcome Days

Picture shows three images, the first shows a young boy working from home next to a computer, the second shows a young boy writing 'Home Learning' on a chalk board, and the third shows a young girl raising her hand with a young woman in front of her.

Join one of our free, friendly welcome sessions and explore the full range of resources your library can offer to support home educating families.

Ely Library - Tuesday 10 November, 10am-12pm. Please book via Eventbrite.

Cambourne Library - Friday 13 November, 2-4pm. Please book via Eventbrite.

March Library - Tuesday 24 November, 10am-12pm. Please book via Eventbrite.

Cambridge Central Library - Thursday 26 November. Please book via Eventbrite.

Huntingdon Library hosts free drop-in sessions for home-educated children every Friday 2-4pm (term-time only). Meet other home-educators, play board games, do a jigsaw puzzle or browse the books! For children aged 4-16, who must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information please ask in the library, email Huntingdon.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or call 0345 045 5225.

The Library Presents

It’s the cosy season! So why not join us for some wonderful book-themed folk music from the award winning The Bookshop Band on Sunday 15 November in Cambourne Library at 1:30pm and St Ives Library at 7:30pm.

Escape the stresses of life and attend the enchanting NIDA where Indian dance and live soulful Indian music combine for a nourishing evening on Thursday 19 November in March Library at 7.15pm.

You can enjoy some winter spooky stories with Goosebumps of Delight featuring Charles Dickens' ghost stories, with a comic element on Saturday 21 November in St Neots Library at 7pm

Learn how to write your own ghost story at Soham Library on Monday 23 November at 6:30pm.

Brighten up your winter and explore environmental ideas at the same time with some amazing digital films and games at Secrets of Soil and Water Portals in Littleport Library, drop-in and pay what you can from 3:30-5:30pm on Friday 27 November.

Book tickets and find out more at Library Live | The LIbrary Presents