Lots in our library in May and June

There are lots of offers at Wiltshire libraries in May and June.

As well as offering a wide range of books and e-books and free computer access, Wiltshire’s libraries also act as a social space for the community and host a range of cultural and educational events throughout the year, including regular reading groups, digital support meetings, and rhyme sessions.

Local History Month

May is Local and Community History Month and Wiltshire Council is celebrating local history with a series of events and exhibitions at libraries across the county.

The aim of the month is to raise awareness of local history, promote history in general in the local community and engage with the local community to help them discover how to learn more about and enjoy the county.

Wiltshire Library staff worked with colleagues from Heritage Services at Wiltshire and Swindon History Center to plan a range of events and exhibitions. Events take place throughout May and a full list of events and booking information is available at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-news

Wiltshire Libraries and the Wiltshire and Swindon History Center in Chippenham have resources available to help people research their family history, including free access to various online services such as the British Newspaper Archive and Ancestry. The following libraries will hold introductory sessions on using Ancestry for family history research on library computers:

• Salisbury Library – Thursday 16 May

The British Newspaper Archive offers online access to millions of newspaper articles from the British Library’s newspaper collections, including articles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and library staff will show people how to take advantage to the maximum of this service at the following libraries:

• Salisbury Library – Thursday 16 May

Throughout May, staff at Corsham Library are also offering one-to-one appointments for Ancestry and the British Newspaper Archive on dates and times agreed upon booking. People can go into Corsham Library to make a booking.

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Center houses the Wiltshire and Swindon Archive and the Wiltshire Local Studies Collection. The purpose-built history center holds records that tell the story of the county and its people since the 12th century. Located in Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, it also hosts a number of services supporting heritage across the county. These include the Conservation and Museums Advisory Service and the Wiltshire Building Records and Archeology Service. The History Center is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Read well for dementia

A new Reading Well dementia scheme is being launched in Wiltshire libraries to support people living with dementia as well as their carers, family members and children. The collection of books has been chosen and approved by leading health professionals and co-produced with people who have lived the experience. It will launch on 13 May 2024, at the start of Dementia Action Week.

The scheme promotes understanding and helps break down the stigma around dementia. Some of the recommended books offer information and advice, while others include personal stories or are children’s fiction. Reading Well books can be borrowed for free from Wiltshire libraries and many of the titles are also available to access digitally as e-books and audiobooks. The list of books will be available in the Wiltshire library catalog from 13 May. People can browse the Wiltshire Library catalog at https://libraries.wiltshire.gov.uk/web/arena

Reading Roadshow

The council has secured funding from Arts Council England to host author talks in Wiltshire libraries, with one taking place in Salisbury in June:

• Crime Commission with leading local authors Andy Maslen, Anna Britton and Nikki Copleston – Salisbury Library Saturday 8th June from 2.30pm

Tickets for this and other events are free and people can book online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Wiltshire-council-library-service

June will also feature children’s talks from popular authors including Sophie Cleverly, Guy Bass, Mike Brownlow and Fleur Hitchcock, details to be announced soon on social media and at participating libraries. People can follow Wiltshire Libraries on X at https://twitter.com/WiltsLibraries. A full list of library Facebook pages can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-contact-us

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for libraries, said: “As well as providing a wide range of books and e-books, our libraries act as a focal point for our communities, providing educational and cultural activities, advice and support.

“I am proud that we have been able to keep our libraries open in Wiltshire with the help of our fantastic staff and volunteers. The benefits our libraries bring to local communities is evident in how well they are used, with over 1.25 million library visits in the last year.

“There is so much to do at Wiltshire’s libraries. I encourage people to visit our website or go to their local library and find out about all the events and activities they can get involved with.”