Half term activities in libraries

South Gloucestershire Libraries have lots of fun activities for children and families this February half term. All activities are FREE drop-ins, most suitable for primary school aged children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More information is available online.

Christmas activities for children in local libraries

If you're looking for something to do with your children during the Christmas holidays, you could try some of the free activities at our local libraries. You can see a full list on the South Glos website, some of the most local ones include:

Monday 18 December
Christmas story time
Thornbury Library, 2.15pm to 2.45pm

Tuesday 19 December
Christmas crafts
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12 midday

Christmas Rhymetime
Winterbourne Library 10.30am to 11am

Explore Learning: Winter wonderland
Emersons Green Library 10.30am to 11.30am

Christmas capers
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 20 December
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12 midday
Christmas capers

Thursday 21 December
Winter wonderland
Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 12 midday

Explore Learning – ‘My Night before Christmas’
Thornbury Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm

Stories around the tree (presented by Yate Library Teen Focus Group)
Yate Library, 5pm to 6pm

Friday 22 December
Explore Learning – ‘My Night before Christmas’
Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 11.30am

Christmas crafts
Winterbourne Library, 10.30am to 12 midday

All activities are free but children must bring a grown-up with them.

Library activities this half term

If you're looking for something to keep your primary school age children occupied this half term, why not try out some of the fun activities at our local libraries.

Pirate pandemonium
Pirate themed crafts.

• Thornbury Library - Monday 23 October, 11am to 12 midday 
• Yate Library - Tuesday 24 October, 10.30am to 12 midday 
• Winterbourne Library - Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 12 midday

Pumpkin pandemonium
Frightfully fun Halloween themed crafts.

• Filton Library - Monday 23 October, 2pm to 3.30pm 
• Patchway Library - Wednesday 25 October, 10.30am to 11.30am 
• Bradley Stoke Library - Thursday 26 October, 10.30am to 12 midday

Autumn antics
Seasonal crafts and activities.

• Downend Library - Monday 23 October, 2.30pm to 3.30pm 
• Staple Hill Library - Tuesday 24 October, 10.30am to 11.30am 
• Emersons Green Library - Tuesday 24 October, 2pm to 3.30pm

Up, up and away
Have some fun making crafts with a flying theme.

• Cadbury Heath Library - Tuesday 24 October, 2pm to 3pm 
• Kingswood Library - Wednesday 25 October, 2pm to 3pm 
• Hanham Library - Thursday 26 October, 2pm to 3pm

For younger children there are free pre-school story times and rhyme times  - visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary for details.

While you're at the library you could book your induction session for the new Open Access scheme. This will allow you to use some of the libraries, including Yate, Winterbourne and Thornbury, from 7:30am to 8:30pm by using your card to get in during unstaffed times. You can also book by going online to www.southglos.gov.uk/OpenAccess

Summer reading challenge

Once again libraries in South Gloucestershire are inviting all 4 to 11-years-old to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Animal Agents, based on a detective agency staffed by a variety of clever animals – furry, scaly and slippery – who are out to crack a case at the library with a little help from their friends. The challenge, which involves reading six books, runs until 16th September.

 You can find out more about the challenge and a range of free activities running through the holidays at www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary

Libraries to close temporarily for updates

Yate, Thornbury and Winterbourne Libraries will be closing for 2 weeks each to install the equipment for users to access them during unstaffed hour sunder the new seven-day-a-week opening arrangements, due to start in October. Borrowers will be able to gain access with an upgraded library card.

If your local library is closed for a few days, you will be able to access another library relatively close by. You can still make reservations and renew books online and you won’t get a fine if your book is due back while the library is closed.

The project has been designed so that neighbouring libraries will not be closed at the same time.

The closing dates are:

• Winterbourne Aug 3 - Aug 18 
• Thornbury Aug 9 - Aug 23 
• Yate Aug 21 - Sep 5 

Click here for more information about library services in South Gloucestershire.

Try out library Open Access system

Last autumn we reported that South Glos would be introducing a new Open Access system to libraries, so that people can use them outside the staffed hours by using a swipe card and a PIN.

The system is being piloted at Bradley Stoke Library. You will need to upgrade your membership and have an induction to show you how the system works. You will then be able to enter the library from 8am to 9.30pm Monday to Friday, with staff on site 9.30am to 6pm every weekday apart from Wednesday. On weekends, Open Access is between 8am and 6pm and staff will be available 9.30am - 5pm on Saturdays and 11am - 3pm on Sundays. The changes will also see staff available earlier in the day, when it is busier, rather than the evenings.

Half term events in libraries

If you're looking for something to do with your children or grandchildren during half term, there are a range of free drop-in activities for 4-10 years at the local libraries. These include:

Monday 24 October
Magic mayhem, Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm

Tuesday 25 October
Ocean commotion Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm

Spook-tacular Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 12pm Spooky themed craft fun.

Hats off Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm Craft and activity fun.

Wednesday 26 October
Leaf it out Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am Autumn themed fun and crafts.

For more information, contact the libraries by telephoning 01454 868006 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries. There will also be rhyme times and story times for pre-school children, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary for more details.

Latest libraries consultation launched

When we reported recently on the library cuts, we said there would be a further consultation coming up. That consultation has now started - you can find it here and have until 2nd January 2017 to respond.

There will also be a public meeting in Yate Library at 7pm on Tuesday 1st November and you can also hear more at the next round of Community Engagement Forums. You can find out more details about those here.

Mobile library scrapped

The proposals include scrapping the mobile library. If this will affect you and you'd like to do something positive to help, please get in touch.

Chipping Sodbury Library not saved yet

Contrary to what you may have read in the Bristol Post, there are no plans to build a new Chipping Sodbury Library. What is proposed is that the council would pay for the costs of running the existing building but only if there is a commitment from a group of volunteers to run it. The council would not pay for any staff. Last week Claire Young attended a meeting of Friends group. It was spelt out there by the head of the library service that the council  are looking for volunteers to staff it for at least 15 hours a week, it cannot be a totally unstaffed library.

Partial reprieve for libraries but mobile library to be scrapped

After a consultation which attracted 3,600 responses, the Conservatives were forced to rethink their original plans for library cuts but unfortunately the new plans are very much a mixed bag.

The good news is that people in Chipping Sodbury have come together to save their library as a volunteer-run service and several other communities have offered to run libraries in village halls and other venues.

We also welcome the use of new technology to open library buildings for longer. Those aged 16 and over will be able to register to access libraries with their library card when staff aren't present. Children will have to be accompanied by an adult.

Unfortunately staff hours will still be cut significantly and the mobile library service will be scrapped altogether. That currently serves over 50 communities, many in our rural areas. The council says it can support up to 10 community libraries. If you will be affected by the loss of the mobile service, please let us know.

Back when the budget was set in February, your Focus Team made it clear we felt services like libraries were more important than shaving a small amount of the green bin charge. Many people have told us they agree. Unfortunately when we backed an amendment to that effect, we were outvoted.

There will now be a consultation on the proposals for each library, for example on which days and times staff should be present. We'll let you know when you can have your say. The changes are due to be made in October 2017.

The Big Friendly Read

This years summer reading challenge for children is called The Big Friendly Read and marks the late Roald Dahl's 100th birthday.

It kicks off in South Gloucestershire this Saturday, 16th July, with activities in our local libraries, including:

Launch activities, puzzles & quizzes
Downend 10am – 2pmEmersons Green 10am – 2pm
Thornbury 10am – 1pmWinterbourne 10am – 2pmThe Big Birthday Bash
Thornbury 2 – 3:30pm

The challenge itself is free to take part in and children can sign up at any South Gloucestershire library. They get special Roald Dahl collector cards and incentives as they read six library books of their choice. There will be more activities throughout the holidays and children who complete the challenge get a medal and certificate.

Reminder - consultations on cuts closing next week

Don't forget that you only have until Friday 13th May to have your say on cuts to libraries, council offices and customer services. All three consultations are featured on the council's consultation web page.

Free books and events on World Book Night

Saturday 23 April is World Book Night and over 40 enthusiastic readers across South Gloucestershire will be handing out free books in their communities. The full list of this year’s 15 titles are available online at www.worldbooknight.org/books

Saturday is also UNESCO international day of the book and William Shakespeare’s birthday. These occasions are being marked with events across South Gloucestershire - find out more on the South Glos website.

Easter Holiday activities in libraries

During the Easter holidays there are a range of fun activities planned in our local libraries. These include for primary aged children:

Tuesday 29 March
Boats, trains & planes
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Transport themed crafts and activities.

Sunday 3 April
Get creative
Emersons Green Library, 11am to 2pm
Craft activities.

Monday 4 April
Pirate pranks
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Pirate themed crafts and stories.

Tuesday 5 April
Monsters and bunny rabbits
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Craft fun.

Wednesday 6 April
The great eggscape
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am
It’s not just chicks that come from eggs… join us to make some snapping, slithering and stomping crafts.

Thursday 7 April
Feathered friends
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Bird themed crafts.

There will also be Rhymetimes and Story times for pre-schoolers - for further details visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary

Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries to find your nearest library and www.southglos.gov.uk/events/ for details of events. And if you value your libraries, don't forget to respond to the council consultation here and sign our petition here.

Consultation events at libraries

If you'd like to speak to someone about the library cuts, there will be drop-in sessions at the libraries, including:

• Thornbury - 9 March, 2pm to 7pm
• Bradley Stoke - 12 March, 10:30am to 1pm
• Chipping Sodbury - 19 March, 9:30am to  1pm
• Yate - 2 April, 9:30am to 1pm
• Emerson's Green - 7 April, 2pm to 7pm
• Winterbourne - 19 April, 2pm to 7pm    

Technical problems with petition fixed

Last week we invited you to sign our petition if you agree that protecting services like youth provision and libraries is more important than cutting 50p per month off the green bin charge. We are sorry that we had some technical problems, but they are now fixed and the petition is accepting signatures.

Have your say on library cuts

This week the council launched a consultation on cuts to libraries of £650,000.

The ruling Conservatives' preferred option would involve closing the mobile library that serves our rural communities along with Chipping Sodbury Library and cutting smaller libraries like Winterbourne to two days a week opening funded by South Glos. Main libraries like Yate and Thornbury would have their hours cut by 8 hours per week on average. They would then look to local communities and volunteers make up some of the lost hours.

The libraries might also be impacted by a review of council buildings.

You can find out more, including information packs for each individual library, and make your comments here until 13th May.

Your Focus Team thinks that protecting services like youth provision and libraries is more important than cutting 50p per month off the green bin charge. If you agree, please sign our petition as well as responding to the council.

Budget - council tax up, services cut

Council tax will go up by 3.99% in the coming year, but services such as youth provision and libraries face cuts.

After funding from the Government had been slashed more than expected, at the last minute they offered South Glos some additional one-off money. The Liberal Democrats proposed using some of it to protect youth services and Chipping Sodbury library.

Instead, the Tories funnelled the cash into a 50p a month cut in the green bin charge, less than the price of a chocolate bar.

The Liberal Democrat amendment proposed maintaining the Positive Activities Fund for youth services at the current level, instead of the quarter million pound cuts proposed by the Tories. The youth fund will be cut for each of the next three years, meaning fewer sessions and activities for young people across South Gloucestershire. The amendment would also would have kept Chipping Sodbury Library open for an extra year, giving the local community more time to find a long term solution.

The Liberal Democrats believe in enabling everyone to fulfil their potential in life, whatever their background. Universal youth services are a vital part of this - reaching out to teenagers who may be alienated from school, offering health advice and emotional support and giving our young people a positive focus. The wider community also benefits from supporting our young people. Libraries too are about more than just access to books - they offer many other activities and services, including access to computers for people of all ages to use for studying, applying for jobs and accessing services.

The Conservative councillors largely remained silent, refusing to explain why they felt a small reduction in the green bin charge was more important than youth services, libraries, PCSOs on the beat and a whole string of other ways the money could have been spent. Before the election, we challenged them to explain what they would cut instead, now we know.

You can read how our local paper covered it here.

Celebrate National Libraries Day and enjoy free half-term activities

This Saturday, 6th February, is National Libraries Day.

All libraries in South Gloucestershire will be holding free treasure hunts for children to find the famous children’s book characters that have been hidden around the library. They will also all be holding a free story time at 11am, reading family favourite ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson. The story time is suitable for children and families (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult).

Anyone of any age can get in touch on the day via Twitter (@LibrariesWest #librariesday) and on Facebook (/librarieswest) to share what they love most about their library. You can find your nearest library at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries and there is more info on National Libraries Day at www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk

As usual during half term there will be a range of activities for children - you can find out more here.

And of course if you value your local library, watch out for the consultation later this month on the future of our libraries. We'll keep you posted.

Read about autism

Your local library has a new collection of books that you might find helpful if you are living with autism or Asperger's, or know someone who is.

The books have been recommended by people with autism and those who live or work with them, including the library service and the South Gloucestershire Autism Planning Group. They provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers, plus personal stories. The interactive list can be found online.

The books can be borrowed free of charge for a special extended loan period of six weeks, and if the book you want is not on the shelves when you want it, the library can get hold of it for you, also free of charge.

It's also worth noting that libraries belong to the Safe Places Scheme. This scheme provides locations for adults with a learning difficulty or vulnerable people to get help when they are out and about. For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/safeplaces.

Free Christmas events at libraries

In the coming weeks, there will be a range of festive activities at local libraries. They include:

Saturday 12 December
Festive family rhymetime
Thornbury Library, 11am to 11.30am
Seasonal songs and rhymes for all the family.

Festive family singalong
Yate Library, 11.30am to 12pm
Seasonal songs for everyone to join in and enjoy.

Monday 14 December
Christmas storytime
Thornbury Library, 2.15pm to 2.45pm
Festive fun for pre-school children.

Tuesday 15 December
Christmas storytime
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 2.30pm
Festive fun for pre-school children.

Christmas rhymetime
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive songs and rhymes for pre-school children.

Wednesday 16 December
Christmas storytime
Chipping Sodbury Library, 2pm to 2.30pm
Festive fun for pre-school children.

Christmas storytime
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive fun for pre-school children.

Thursday 17 December
Stories and songs around the tree
Yate Library, 5.30 to 6.30pm
Christmas fun for 3 to 8-year-olds.

Friday 18 December
Festive fun at rhymetime
Thornbury Library, 11am to 11.30am
Rhymetime for pre-school children.

Festive stay ‘n’ play
Winterbourne Library, 2.15pm to 2.45pm
Christmas fun for pre-school children.

Monday 21 December
Festive family fun
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Drop in for stories, songs and craft fun for the whole family.

Tuesday 22 December
Festive rhymetime
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Christmas songs and rhymes for pre-school children.

Just chillin’
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Winter crafts drop in for 4 to 9-year-olds.

Festive cheer for all the family
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Carol singing and music, free Christmas crafts and stories for children. All ages welcome.

Wednesday 23 December
Stories around the Christmas tree
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11am
Festive fun for the whole family.

You can find the Christmas and New Year opening times for all the libraries here.