Wiltshire celebrates Libraries Week from 4 to 10 October 2021

People in Wiltshire have been sharing how having access to library services has helped them through the pandemic and had a positive impact on their everyday lives.

Libraries Week, from 4 to 10 October, is a week-long celebration of the nation's much-loved libraries. This year the week highlights the significant role that libraries play in their community as a driver for inclusion, sustainability, social mobility and community cohesion.

Wiltshire Libraries offer many free services, including access to books covering many genres as well as wellbeing and life skills. There is also free access to computers, and a wide range of information and online services such as eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines.

One customer said: The library books during lockdown helped my daughter gain a sense of normality, encouraged her to practice her reading and boosted her imagination. We all developed a love of bedtime stories and the habit stuck!

Located in the heart of Wiltshire's communities, libraries also offer a convenient meeting place. There are many groups and opportunities to get involved that support people of all ages. The many regular events include rhyme times, story times, tea and chat sessions, book reviews, author talks and 'how to' guides.

A staff member shared: At the end of our first face to face rhyme time a mum thanked me for the session, getting quite emotional, she said this was the first time her lockdown baby has met other babies and their mums.

Another staff member said: A woman came into the library today and said it wasn't until she lost access to the library she realised it was the biggest thing in her life she had lost. She said it was the sense of community, the stimulation of the stories and the friendliness and knowledge of the staff that she'd missed

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: Libraries Week is an opportunity to celebrate our fantastic libraries across our communities, and what they have to offer as a space for learning, entertainment and education.

If you haven't visited your local library for a while, it's a great time to drop in during Libraries Week to see what they have to offer. Our teams run a lot of events across our libraries throughout the year. Please visit us or have a look on our website and social media to find out what's happening near you.

Our friendly staff and volunteers are always ready to help and everyone is welcome - the library is free to join.

Wiltshire Libraries are also supporting the start of the Wiltshire Year of Reading, a programme that aims to inspire young people to read for pleasure, to enjoy the written word through a host of activities and inspire the wider community to take part too.

Library staff and volunteers have created displays of their favourite books and authors and are encouraging customers to share their favourites with the libraries as well. Schools and the public can help generate Wiltshire's very own 'Top 100 Books' to encourage people to try reading different books, with five book lists being compiled for different school age groups and one for grown-ups. People can suggest their favourite books by visiting: Libraries

Visit the Wiltshire Council website to find out more about all of the services and activities that Wiltshire Libraries have to offer throughout the year at Libraries.

New visitors can get involved today by signing up for a library card free of charge online or in person at the library and keep up to date with the latest news and updates, by following the X: Wilts Libraries (opens new window).