Hungerford Library News & The Hub

Welcome Back – We’re Open! It’s been great to welcome so many people back to the library in recent weeks. As of 18^th May 2021 we have returned to our full opening times: Tues 9:30-5pm, Wed 9:30-4pm, Fri 9:30-7pm, Sat 10-12:30pm, for browsing and borrowing books, DVDs and audiobooks, and for using the PCs, printer and photocopier. Currently, there are restrictions on the number of customers we can accommodate at one time and so you may have to queue, however, this will be reviewed with changes in government guidance.

Read Yourself Well – Researchers at the University of Sussex have found that even six minutes of reading can reduce a person’s stress levels by two thirds. We have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles to read for pleasure and help you relax, and also several ‘Reading Well’ lists of books chosen and recommended by leading health professionals specifically to help adults and children to cope with anxiety, stress and difficult feelings. Pick up a ‘Reading Well’ list when you next visit.

What’s in Our Window Today? Take a look! We have regular displays of NEW books, as well as themed book displays and information posters.

We are Looking Forward to – The Summer Reading Challenge starting in July for children 7-11yr – pop into branch to pick-up your Reading Logs.

NEW – West Berkshire Libraries YouTube Channel. With some of our recent online storytimes and rhymetimes for children, plus an introduction to the world-renowned encyclopaedia Britannica Online for 5-11 year olds, which is available for all library members to use free of charge. You can also watch Nicola Chester’s recent talk on ‘The act of nature watching’, plus guides to using our e-library services from Libby and BorrowBox.

NEW – Our new West Berkshire Libraries app is now available, and it is very easy to use! It allows you to renew your loans, search for and reserve books, read and listen to e-books, access other e-resources, manage multiple accounts for family members and more – all from your mobile or tablet. Download it from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email us if you have any questions at all about any of our services, including our e-resources.

Our library staff are Martina, Zoë and Hilary, supported by our excellent volunteers. We look forward to welcoming you to the library and thank you for your continued support. For more information call 01488 682660 or email us hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk

Our website is: www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries

ZC.

Wellbeing, Words & Workshops: Hub & Bookshop Launch

‘The Well-Read Mind’

Hungerford Hub has partnered with Hungerford’s independent bookshop to organise a season of free talks and workshops focused on recovery, mental health and wellbeing. The seasonof free events will take place from late May to early July

It kicks off on May 27th with psychotherapist Sue Stuart-Smith who will be giving an illustrated on-line talk from her highly acclaimed book The Well Gardened Mind which looks at how gardening can help relieve stress and help look after our mental health. Stephen Fry says “it’s the wisest book I have read for years”.

Each talk will have an accompanying workshop. Attendees for this are invited to try out a session on ‘soil drawing’ lead by garden designer Emma Binns on the following Saturday.

On June 22nd science journalist Caroline Williams will be doing an in person event at the hub. She explores the emerging science of how movement opens up a ‘hotline’ to our minds. Learn how core strength is linked to stress control and what dance can do for emotional literacy. The accompanying event for this will be a workout session from local fitness trainers WellFit.

Those wanting a better night’s sleep should register to hear BBC Food Scientist Dr Stuart Farrimond share his knowledge on why sleep is so important, and tips on how we can improve our night-time rest. This will be followed a few days later by a slumber-inducing yoga session from Maura at Tranquil Flow Yoga.

For people who like to put their thoughts down on paper bibliotherapy advocate Susan Barsby will be giving an on-line ‘writing for well-being’ one hour workshop. Anyone taken with the idea of ‘journaling’ can then try it out in a hands-on event at the hub.

The Well Read Mind initiative will be sending in bestselling children’s writer and illustrator Tom Percival to the local primary school to lead a ‘create a story’ workshop inspired by his ‘Big Bright Feelings’ series of books, and children can also attend a talk and workshop in the hub on July 3rd lead by author, athlete and founder of Take7SimpleSteps Susie Bush inspired by her books for young children ‘You’re So Strong’ and ‘You’re So Amazing’.

“Andrea Hodgkin, manager of the hub says: “We are so excited about this project, which we believe will truly benefit our wonderful community after what can only be described as a very challenging year. We encourage anyone who wants to learn a little bit more about the changes we can make to improve our wellbeing to register for some of these inspiring free events”

Details of events can be found on the websites of Hungerford Hub and Hungerford Bookshop.

All events are free but participants must register. Workshops can be booked separately from the book talks.

https://hungerfordhub.com/happinginthhub/

For enquiries please contact:  Andrea Hodgkin at hungerfordhub@gmail.com