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West Berkshire Library News

This post includes information supplied by Felicity Harrison, West Berkshire’s Principal Librarian, on Monday 20 March 2018 confirming some of the points arising from West Berkshire Council’s adoption of a new service model on 7 February.
Wash Common Library
Wash Common Library will close on Friday 31 March. From 1 April onwards, Wash Common borrowers can return any current loans and collect their reservations at Newbury Library.
Mobile services
There will be no mobile library services running from 31 March until Tuesday 18 April. During this period Mobile 1 (the larger vehicle) will be withdrawn from service and Mobile 2 will be re-fitted, after which it will run to a new timetable. Full details of all the new stops, dates and times are available on West Berkshire Council’s website.
Inter-library loans
With immediate effect, West Berkshire’s libraries are no longer able to borrow books from the British Library or from library authorities outside of the south east libraries’ consortium (SELMS) to which we belong. This includes performance sets (orchestral sets, plays and vocal scores), although they are pleased to confirm that they still be able to obtain sets from Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Kent libraries, all of which have extensive performance collections.
Library charges
Some changes to library fees and charges will come into effect on Monday 3 April, including a fee for reserving items in stock in West Berkshire libraries. Find details on West Berkshire Council’s website now or pick up a leaflet in your local library in April.
Opening hours
There will be some changes to current opening hours in several libraries, with the biggest change likely to affect Newbury Library. These will come into effect in July. Full details will be available as soon as possible.
Volunteers needed
West Berkshire Council is continuing to recruit volunteers to work in all West Berkshire libraries. If you are interested or would like further information about this, please contact Gemma Taylor, the Volunteers Co-ordinator: [email protected] or telephone 01635 519533.
Stocktake at Newbury Library
Please note that Newbury Library will be closed all day on Thursday 30 March for stocktaking.  During this period of transition staff will do their best to keep you up to date with further changes as they occur. As usual, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our most recent news.
West Berkshire Council library contacts
T: 01635 519900
E: [email protected]
W: www.westberks.gov.uk/libraries
Find out more about events at www.westberks.gov.uk/libraryevents
FB: www.facebook.com/newburylibrary
Tw: www.twitter.com/WBerksLibraries
Lambourn Library

Following the decision by West Berkshire Council to keep open all but one branch library (at Wash Common), we know that Lambourn Library will be staffed by a paid librarian and volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, the Friends of Lambourn Library steering committee would like to invite you to a briefing on 2pm Wednesday 22nd March in Lambourn Library, at which we will be able to share more details of what is needed. It will also be an opportunity for you to contribute your views. If you are interested in volunteering, but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Sue Cocker on 01488 71357 or [email protected].

Hungerford Library

Excellent news that discussions with West Berkshire Council to convert the library to a Community Interest Company are making good progress. Further details will be announced as soon as possible. Assuming this happens, the new organisation will need trustees and in any event will need more volunteers. Please contact Friends of Hungerford Library or West Berkshire’s Volunteers Co-ordinator [email protected] if you’re interested in either (or both) of these roles.

Thatcham Library

According to Chairman of Thatcham Town Council’s Library Working Party, Councillor Jason Collis, “Thatcham Town Council has taken the lead in organising the effort to keep Thatcham Library open, but we cannot do it without support from the community of Thatcham. The people of Thatcham have answered the call and we have been overwhelmed by the response for the call for volunteers. The numbers attending our open meetings has been so encouraging and we hope to maintain the momentum, but it is never too late if anybody else wants to get in touch to support the library.”

If you are interested in supporting Thatcham Library, or would just like to find out a bit more information, Thatcham Town Council would welcome hearing from you. Please pop along to one of the information sessions on Tuesday 28 March or Thursday 30 March or get in touch by calling 01635 863592, email [email protected], or pop into the Council Offices in Brownsfield Road for a chat.

Alternatively, you can keep in touch by following the new “Friends of Thatcham Library” Facebook page.

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