April 2021 View this email in your browser

Your library service continues its phased recovery as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

From Monday, 12 April:

  • You will be able to Click, Call & Collect, reserve and return books across all five core libraries: Central, Highworth, North, Park and West Swindon. Please check our website for opening hours for individual branches.
  • The Library Shop will resume its Shop, Select & Collect service. 

We have Covid-Secure measures in place: please remember to wear a face covering, regularly wash your hands, socially distance from others and follow the one-way systems.

Please check the individual websites for details of changes at Community Libraries.

From Monday, 17 May:

Please bear with us as our staff return from redeployment to begin working through our backlog of deliveries and prepare our libraries for the next phase.

Stay safe,

Allyson Jordan, Head of Libraries

To keep up to date with any changes that affect the library services, you can check the Swindon Borough Council website, the Library blog as well as our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Current Library Opening times

Highworth, North Swindon, Park and West Swindon Libraries remain closed until Monday, 12 April.

Central Library is open 6 days a week, however all loans are now renewed until May 2021, only make a journey if it's essential.

Please note: Due to Easter, Central Library will be closed from Friday, 2 April, reopening Tuesday, 6 April.

Details of community libraries can be found here.

Services currently available:

  • Click, Call and Collect: Let our staff choose a selection of books on your behalf.
  • Reservations: Using our online catalogue, reserve your books at home for free and collect them once they are available.
  • Returns: Return any outstanding books.

Access your account and renew any books currently on loan here.

If you are planning on visiting Central Library, please ensure you arrive wearing a face covering as you will be required to wear one for the duration of your visit. 

Please use the hand sanitiser provided and follow social distancing guidance at all times.

Do not visit the library if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Digital services to enjoy at home
eResources

Are you a fan of history or are you learning to drive? 

Are you revising for IELTS or studying?  

Check out our range of eResources 

    eBooks and eAudio Books

    Choose from thousands of eBooks and eAudio Books, available through BorrowBox for free.

    Available to read on your Kindle Fire, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

    eNewspapers


    You can read thousands of newspapers, from 100 countries in 60 languages.

    Pressreader is accessed through RBdigital and available to read on your Kindle Fire, laptop, tablet or smart phone,

    Become a library member


    If you know someone who is not currently a library member, they can sign up using our digital membership form.

    It only takes a few minutes.

    eMagazines, eComics and eGraphic Novels

    RBdigital who are providing our eMagazines, eComics and eGraphic Novels have moved over to the Libby app.

    Register for a new account through Libby to access magazines, comics and graphic novels.  

    If you were already registered to access these through the RBdigital app, you can continue to use RBdigital until 30 April 2021 to allow time for you to switch over to the Libby App.

    Newspapers are not affected at this time.

    If you're unsure how to register for our eReading services, we have created a guide for you to follow.

    If you have any difficulties, email: askthelibrary@swindon.gov.uk

    Support over Easter

    This Easter, support is available to thousands of children and families in need across Swindon.

    Over 4,500 children who receive means tested free school meals will be eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food programme this Easter, which helps provide access to fun activities and healthy food to eligible children during the school holidays. 

    More information on the scheme and the link for parents or guardians to apply to take part, can be found on the council website.

    Online Youth Club


    Run by The Swindon Trailblazer Outreach Team and based on the five steps to well-being, their online youth club will explore the holistic well-being of young people whilst incorporating fun activities to what can be a long day of home/schooling. 

    Free resource packs will be provided to those who have signed up to enable the young people to join in with all of the activities. 

    For ages 5-7, 7-11 and 11-16.

    April eReads


    Our collection of recommended eReads for April are now available to download.

    We have multiple copies available of both our e-Book and e-Audiobook selection, so download your copy today.

    The perfect titles for an online reading group or to share a book with friends.

    Reading Well Digital Collection


    The Reading Well Books on Prescription programme helps people to understand and manage their health and wellbeing using helpful reading.

    Each of our libraries holds a full set of the collection and to make things easier, we have also extended our digital collection.  Titles can be easily accessed on the front page of our Borrowbox app.


    Word Online 2021

    As part of the South West Library services, we are excited to be partnering with Literature Works to launch Word Online - a programme of virtual events in celebration of the work of diverse authors including Black, Asian and minority ethnic, disabled, and LGBT+ writers.

    The aim of the tour is to highlight the power that literature can have in affecting positive change by connecting authors from richly diverse backgrounds with new audiences in the South West.

    Writers' Cafe

    Tuesday, 27 April, 7pm - 9pm

    Artswords Writers' Cafe is a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing.

    "We chat, we read, we explore, and we discover interesting things about writing."

    Usually held at Central Library, due to COVID-19 restrictions, these are being held through Zoom.

    To receive a Zoom invitation and password, please contact: matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk

    Have you discovered our YouTube channel?

    We have a wonderful selection of story times and rhyme times available for younger children.

    Choose from a variety of craft activities, suitable for all ages.

    Test your brain with some short thinking exercises "Thought Shorts"

    Join in with a book quiz or two and see how familiar you are with some popular titles.

      Children's Activities


      The Hungry Little Minds Spring Trail will continue over the Easter break, at Lydiard Park. 

      Parents can sign-up for FREE suggested regular activities to do with their little one, via the Words for Life website.

      Also, watch out for Easter activities, via the Swindon Stories Facebook page, including some fantastic competitions!

      Adult Learning Courses

      Adult Community Learning have released further courses, taking us to the summer term.

      Current courses include: Face Painting, Talk English, Internet For Beginners and Employability.

      Most courses are currently online however if you would prefer to attend a face-to-face session, they can add you to their waiting list.

      More courses are added on a regular basis so keeping checking their website to see what's available.

      Picture of the Month

      Our Local Studies team share this 1849 illustration of New Swindon by Edward Snell.

      It shows the recently-built GWR Swindon Works, the Railway Village, St. Mark’s Church and the GWR Park – all surrounded by open fields.

      For more like this, explore over 8,500 images on their Flickr gallery.

      You can search by keywords (by street, place, business, year, school, surname) and there are many thousands of images still to be added.

      If you have any questions – or any local history or family history enquiries - just drop the Local Studies team an email: localstudies@swindon.gov.uk

      Last but not least

      We hope you are feeling the benefits of longer, brighter days.  Continue to stay safe and well, and we'll hopefully see you soon.

      For the latest news and information follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Wordpress.

      Copyright © 2021. Swindon Borough Council. All rights reserved.

      Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2JH

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