9.30am: CANCELLED: Free Computer Support
Thornbury Library
Do you have an i-pad or similar tablet but need some help using it?
If you need intensive support, book in to see computer volunteer Chris. Chris is available on Thursday mornings at 9.30, 10.30 or 11.30. Sessions with Chris must be booked in advance – enquire in person at Thornbury Library or email below.
You can also drop-in without an appointment on Monday mornings 10-12 to see Mike, our computer volunteer. Mike can help with quick enquiries. Bring your device and charger with you.
We have free WiFi - bring your portable device with you to make the most of the session. Our computer volunteers only offer support in the library and not in customers’ homes.
Address: St Mary Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AA
Phone: 01454 868006
Fax: 01454 865657
Email:
Website: www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or www.librarieswest.org.uk
Click here to view the current staffed and open access hours.
A pop-up library open two days a week; use your Active Library card to borrow from a changing collection of books, audio books and DVDs. Click here to find details, including days/times.
It’s time for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, and for 2020 it’s all about funny books, happiness and having a laugh!
The Silly Squad is a team of animal friends who love to go on adventures and get stuck in to all different kinds of funny books.
This year, our Challenge features extra special characters designed by the award-winning author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson, who you’ll know from amazing reads like Amelia Fang and Evil Emperor Penguin!
You can join the Silly Squad on a new adventure by setting your own personal reading challenge to complete this summer.
Our new online platform will help you keep track of your books, reviews and the rewards you unlock along the way.
As always, we’ll have loads of brilliant book suggestions to get you started, and tips on how you can keep reading even while schools and libraries are closed.
We’ll also have heaps of super silly activities, quizzes, videos, games and more to keep you entertained at home!
Keep an eye on summerreadingchallenge.org.uk for the latest Summer Reading Challenge news, including details of our fantastically fun launch party!
Your online library keeps growing...
All our library buildings remain closed. When we have any updates we will post to our Facebook page, on Twitter @southgloslibs and on our website.
Until then, stay safe and enjoy our free digital services - digital magazines, eComics, eBooks and eAudio available to download 24/7.
NEW! Our latest new free service for library members is newspapers with RBdigital PressReader; we are now able to deliver 1000s of digital newspapers direct to your screen, including most national daily newspapers.
Not a member yet? No problem... Library membership is free - new members can join online at bit.ly/joinLW
*please enter your email address where prompted on the form for greater control of your account, including easy PIN reset. Where the form says “Pin” and next “Re-enter Pin” it is asking you to choose your own 4-digit PIN and then to re-enter it to confirm your choice.*
Online Lego Club: Lego Club online continues! Find each week’s theme on Facebook on Monday, have fun building a model to meet the challenge and share it with us! So far we’ve enjoyed seeing some fabulous buildings, space craft, minibeasts and sea creatures.
Click here to download a pdf showing online services available from your library during lockdown.
The library is closed until further notice, including our out of hours system – Open Access. eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines are available to library members online.
In light of Government advice, we are not running any group activities - such as storytimes, rhymetimes, children's activities or shared reading groups for adults - for the foreseeable future.
Please don't worry about returning items late during this difficult time. Any charges incurred during this period will be cleared when you manage to return them. Stay safe.
Residents of South Gloucestershire can now access thousands of local and national newspapers free-of-charge through our new online library resources.
We can now offer the majority of national and local papers in addition to a range of international titles from across the world.
During the coronavirus pandemic there has been a significant increase in the number of people accessing our online resources with a surge of new members joining online - up 638 per cent since lockdown began.
In response to the demand, we have increased and expanded our online resources and are delighted to have received a grant of £1,000 from the Arts Council England to extend the service for a period of twelve months.
This new service is part of South Gloucestershire Council Libraries current online offer, which also includes ebooks, eaudiobooks, digital magazines and eComics.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “This is a brilliant addition to our current online service. Access to newspapers online means that people will not have to leave home as often in the current circumstances and access to international titles means that people can keep up to date with news as it’s reported across the world.
“With our libraries currently closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, access to these online resources is invaluable to residents and means people can continue to read or listen to books in the comfort of their own home.”
Anyone who isn’t yet a member of a South Gloucestershire library can join online at www.librarieswest.org.uk and will be issued with a temporary membership to access online resources.
For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/eresources
South Gloucestershire Council’s library service is delivering books to Home Library Service users as part of our commitment to supporting older and more vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The benefits of reading for wellbeing have never been more important than they are now, and for some older people reading is an essential part of their daily life, particularly for those without digital access. In the days leading up to the current temporary closure of libraries, many older people expressed deep concern at the loss of books to read whilst in isolation at home. In response, our library staff are delivering books to their most isolated users.
The initial phone call to the library users has proved very welcome, many of the people contacted haven’t spoken to anyone for several days so the libraries staff have been able to talk to them and where required refer them to local and Council support. Key contact information is also provided with the books, as many people they support don’t use any digital services.
Cabinet Member for Communities Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “I am so proud of all the staff at South Gloucestershire Council for the way in which they are adapting services to support the most vulnerable people in this current crisis. Reading can be very calming, is a great way to keep the mind active and can also provide a welcome distraction. I am sure that all of the people being supported by the library staff are really appreciative.”
The service has been a lifeline to users, as one explained: “Such grateful thanks to the home delivery service at this time when so many of us have always relied on reading as part of our daily lives. Reading brings to life the beauty of fiction that can touch your heart, not to be forgotten. Never feeling alone when reading as so many of us are. Lifting a book, gently turning the page to transport yourself to the imagination of these writers gives a feeling of completeness to oneself, of happiness, contentment and gratitude.”
The Home Library Service team said: “We have been overwhelmed and touched by the number of positive comments we have received from users when we have phoned them regarding the Home Library Service. Those we have spoken to have been so grateful to have been thought about and have commented at how lost they have felt not being able to visit the library. We are often the only people that they have spoken to that day and seeing the smile on their face when they have received their bag of books is heart-warming. To feel like we are making even a small difference to our user’s mental health and wellbeing during this challenging time gives us a sense of purpose and worth.”
The libraries are ensuring that strict health and safety guidance is followed to protect users of the service and staff.
Over the next few weeks the library service will be extending the service and working with families supported by South Gloucestershire Council to deliver books to assist them with their reading and help parents keep their children entertained.
This year, South Gloucestershire Libraries are celebrating the role of libraries in the digital world, exploring the way libraries are engaging communities through technology, building digital skills and confidence, encouraging digital participation and inclusion, supporting health, wellbeing and education.
Last year in South Gloucestershire our PCs were in use for 106,123 hours.
Click here to download and read our annual report for 2018–19.
As you will see, South Gloucestershire libraries are continuing to develop and respond to needs of users – this involves delivering services digitally but also remaining important community spaces where people can meet, learn, discover and have fun!
One card lets you borrow books, access the internet at libraries, have a swim, use the gym or take part in a host of sporting activities, all great social opportunities to meet new friends and try something new.
The Active card gives you access to a balanced life style, full of interest, reading, learning, playing and health. You will find out more about what is going on in your area by subscribing to our newsletters and hear all the latest news hot off the press.
The card is free and you can then take part in leisure centre activities either as a 'pay as you go' customer or by taking out an inclusive membership to bring even more benefits.
It gets even better… your Active Card works not only in leisure centres and libraries in South Gloucestershire: you can also borrow books from any public library in Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.
Pop in to the library or leisure centre to join, or visit the Active Lifestyle Centres website.
Many of our libraries are open longer thanks to new Open Access technology. This enables registered users to access the library outside staffed hours.
To find out more, including how to book an induction session and sign up, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/openaccess.
During Open Access times signed up members can:
There have also been changes to libraries' staffed hours: all of which can be found on individual library pages of our website and by clicking here.
In addition, the mobile library has ceased to operate and Chipping Sodbury is run only by volunteers.
There will also be some community collections, run by volunteers – Marshfield (information here) which is already operational; St Michael’s Church in Stoke Gifford and Almondsbury, Severn Beach and Pilning mobile service (provided by N Somerset Mobile Library)).
Did you know that your library membership gives you 24/7 access to your account and many free digital services at www.librarieswest.org.uk
Log-in with your library membership number (printed on your card) and your 4-digit PIN. Here you can manage your account, search the catalogue and order books online (free of charge when using an U18s card). Click & collect from your nearest library.
If you don’t know your PIN you can reset it easily by clicking “Forgot my PIN” on the LibrariesWest website. This sends an automatic email with PIN reset instructions to the email address we hold for you on our records.
Bring your little one along to a rhyme time, story time or play session at your local library for a fun and family friendly activity for babies and toddlers.
Share rhymes, songs, stories and play!
It’s free to come along and new families are always welcome: “Coming to the library for rhymetime is a regular part of every week routine for our family. My child really enjoys it and I noticed she is more open. She can also practice her English. We can also spend time together and have some fun” (Magda, parent).
Log on to www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary or visit your local library to find out more.
Like us on facebook to keep up to date with what we are doing; or find us on twitter @southgloslibs.
We now have FREE WiFi available. To access it, find SouthGlosLibrary on available networks in your settings and accept our terms and conditions to get logged on; no password required.
We also have a FREE LibrariesWest App. Manage your library account on-the-go. Renew books, place reservations (no charge for U18s) and much more.
Available from Google Play or the Apple App Store. You will need your borrower number and PIN (ask at the library if you don’t know what these are).
For all the latest news at "South Gloucestershire Libraries" find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries
"Like" our page and be the first to hear about our latest services, FREE children's holiday activities, events for all ages and much more.
Find out more about our range of FREE digital library services, available 24/7 including eBooks, eAudio books and eMagazines.
Ask at the library and staff will be pleased to help you. If you would like to bring your device with you we can help to get you started.
To find out more information about these free services visit: www.southglos.gov.uk/eresources.
We have a Premium DVD service. This includes the very latest DVDs which can be hired for a small charge. Click here to view current fees and charges. Please note these DVDs cannot be renewed or reserved.
Please help us to save money by providing us with your current e-mail address. This could benefit you as it's quicker and we could also tell you about library events/new books etc.
We have introduced pre-overdues for readers who have elected to receive information from us via email. If you would like to receive this service and have an e-mail address please contact us.
As well as the reference resources available in the library and on-line on our website you can also contact our Library Enquiry Centre based in Somerset.
The Library Enquiry Centre offers a comprehensive service for all your information needs. Specialist librarians at the Centre have access to information resources not available in your library. You can contact The Enquiry Centre by phone (local rate), email, letter or fax. They will answer your enquiry immediately or get back to you with the information you require.
The Library Enquiry Centre also offers a range of business information solutions to support intending, new and established businesses. We have access to business databases, industry overviews, business directories and journals. We provide a free enquiry service to all business users. So, whether you are taking your first steps as a future entrepreneur, or already have a well-established business the Library Enquiry Centre will be able to help.
To contact the Library Enquiry Centre:
Phone: 01454 866900 (local rate)
Email:
Fax: 01823 336370
Text: 07919 540839
Hours: 10am-4pm, Monday–Friday
Please contact the Library for details.
Are you eligible for library concessions?
If you are in receipt of one of the following you are entitled to concessions:
Working family tax credit; disability living allowance; housing benefit; state pension; disabled person's tax credit; widows benefit; income support; industrial disablement benefit; incapacity benefit; student in full time education.
We will require initial proof of benefit. In most cases the concession will entitle you to half-price reservations, music CDs and spoken word tapes. In addition if you are visually impaired or housebound you will not be required to pay any charge (including overdue charges).
Craft & Chat:
Calling all knitters, crocheters, and all people who love to make things... join us on the first Thursday of each month 2-4pm.
It's a chance for people who love crafting to get together and share inspiration. No charge and no booking required. Just turn up and bring your craft project with you.
Free Computer Support:
Do you have an i-pad or similar tablet but need some help using it?
Drop-in without an appointment on Monday mornings 10-12 to see Mike, our computer volunteer. Mike can help with quick enquiries. Bring your device and charger with you.
If you need more intensive support, book in to see computer volunteer Chris. Chris is available on Thursday mornings at 9.30, 10.30 or 11.30. Sessions with Chris must be booked in advance – enquire in person at Thornbury Library or email
We have free WiFi - bring your portable device with you to make the most of the session. Our computer volunteers only offer support in the library and not in customers’ homes.
Storytime and Rhymetime for babies and pre-schoolers:
Storytime Mondays 2pm – 2.30pm (new time from September) Rhymetime Fridays 10.30am – 11.00am (term-time only).
Most suitable for ages 0-4 years, all activities free of charge, no booking required. Nappy-changing facilities available, breast-feeding welcome.
Chatterbooks Reading Group - for children aged 9-11 years:
CALLING ALL KEY STAGE 2 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO LOVE READING! The Chatterbooks monthly reading group for children aged 8-11 years has space for new members.
Meetings take place on Saturday mornings from 11am-midday. There is no cost to take part.
Parents/carers - please email us at to enquire about a place for your child, including their name, date of birth and a contact phone number in your message, or speak to a member of staff when you next visit the library.
@mythornbury