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

Summer Reading Challenge

The Challenge is on!

It's not too late to get inspired by brilliant books through the 'Read to the Beat' Summer Reading Challenge! Ask your local library staff how to join the fun this summer or visit our webpage Summer Reading Challenge | Cambridgeshire County Council

Signed up already? If you get to week four there's a ‘Storytime’ magazine (full of awesome stories, reading challenges, word puzzles and more) to collect along with your week four sticker. And, of course, when you reach week six you will have completed the challenge and will receive a special 'Read to the Beat' certificate and medal.

So, keep reading!

Fun with STEM at Cambridge Central Library

This summer we're partnering with the European Bioinformatics Institute for a series of free children's activities at Cambridge Central Library exploring science and technology. You can join us for:

Genome Explorers at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Wednesday, August 12  • 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Eventbrite

Marvellous Microbes at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Monday, August 24  •  2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Eventbrite

Decoding DNA at Cambridge Central Library Tickets, Wednesday, August 26  •  2:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Eventbrite

These are free drop-ins aimed at children aged 8+. Parents/carers to stay with their children. Book your place on Eventbrite or just come along.

What's On in Libraries?

Check out Library Live and Eventbrite to discover the amazing range of free or low-cost activities we have for families this summer.

Tying in with the Summer Reading Challenge 'Read to the Beat' musical theme, enjoy creating music at Rhymetimes and Sound Storytimes (including a Gruffalo Rap) and at instrument making workshops, ukulele lessons and Garage Band Groove Labs.

Join in with a myriad of craft activities including knitting musical notes, making microphones and record players, windchimes, scratch art and so many more.

Have fun discovering how to reduce, reuse and recycle at 'Make it, Don’t Bin It!' family activity sessions. Make a fruit sundae and your own colourful musical maracas. Or sign up for the 'Magic with Melody Show' to witness magical effects based around music. Who knew you could turn a bone into a trom-BONE!

In celebration of the National Year of Reading, we will be hosting the author of the TV series 'Super Happy Magic Forest', Matty Long, and inspiring illustrator, Ellie Sandall.

New books

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

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 two titles available as Reads:

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley

We have six titles available as Listens:
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley, Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell, Absolute Proof by Peter James, Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson and Days at the Torunka Café by Satoshi Yagisawa

#GetActivated this Summer!

We are half-way through the glorious summer holidays! Has your family been keeping active and having fun? 

Whether you are a parent, carer or looking after the grandchildren, the 'Get Activated' campaign can help you discover free and affordable family activities across Cambridgeshire.

Visit Get Activated | Cambridgeshire County Council to explore what’s available in your area. Follow the hashtag #GetActivated on Cambridgeshire County Council's Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates. 

If you are heading outdoors, remember to keep yourself and others safe in hot weather and be water smart when visiting beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways.

Enjoy a safe, active and fun-filled summer!

Digital Summer Reads

Have you got your summer reading sorted? 

With a library card, you can pack your devices with eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers using our free, downloadable, e-Service apps: Libby, BorrowBox, PressReader and uLibrary.

Travel light on your holiday get-aways with Cambridgeshire Libraries. Visit Read and listen online to find out more.

Download now

Stay connected with Cambridgeshire Libraries