National Libraries Day 9th February 2013

Why not boost the issue figures at Comberton Library by borrowing an extra few books this week or encourage a friend, neighbour or family member to enroll?

There are several events planned at the Cambridge Central Library if you are in town on Saturday 9th February.

Do you read e-book or listen to audio book? Did you know that with your library card you can download our ebooks and audio books from home for FREE!

If you don’t know how, why not drop-in at Central Library Cambridge on Saturday 9 February? You just need to bring your own devices (e.g laptops, ebook readers, tablets etc.) and we’ll show you how to use them.

Also why not find out what online resources we have to offer – to help you with your research, homework or personal interest? Let us show you how to get the best out of your library online services.

Christmas opening times

Comberton Library will be closed between Christmas and New Year.
Mon 24th Dec: Open as usual
Wed 26th Dec: Closed
Fri 28th Dec: Closed
Sat 29th Dec: Closed
Mon 31st Dec: Closed
Wed 2nd Jan 2013: Open as usual

September 2012 News

The minutes of the AGM can be found under the Minutes of Meeting tab.

The Story Lab summer reading scheme was very popular this year, 67 children registered and 46 completed the scheme. Library staff organised a ceremony outside the Library on Saturday 15th September with certificates and medals followed by squash and biscuits. Andrew Hollick represented Comberton Parish Council who had given a grant to support extra staffing and craft activities over the summer.

Suzan Griffiths

AGM 13th September

FOCAL – the Friends of Comberton Area Library.
The Friends AGM will be held in Comberton Library on Thursday 13th September at 7.30pm. All welcome especially if you have ideas of future events.
The reading group meets in the Library on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.30 am. The Summer reading challenge (Story Lab) is currently running and many young readers have enrolled.
Suzan Griffiths, Chair FOCAL

Chatteris meeting 30th April

From Lynda Martin, Partnership and Development Manager

Several Groups have requested an opportunity to learn more about Cambridgeshire Libraries stock policy and how Friends can help with donated stock, processing stock, key areas of need, etc and also about how Friends can help promote the library service, and the usual sharing of ideas and networking opportunity.

We have reserved a slot in the meeting room at Chatteris Library on
Monday 30th April 10-1.

Please let me know if you would like to come along (email lynda.martin at cambridgeshire.gov.uk) – as with our December meeting may I suggest up to 3 attendees per group in the first instance as space is limited – then we can see how the numbers are.

Please do let me know as soon as possible – I appreciate the venue may
be difficult for those without transport but we may be able to
coordinate lifts. Chatteris Library has adjacent parking.

Cambourne Library will be undergoing changes to the meeting rooms at
this time so we had to find another venue with good parking – I hope it
will be possible for most people.

Of course this is your meeting so the agenda is in your hands – do let
me have your suggestions – otherwise I’ll leave it to James and Richard
who already have many ideas to share with you. If it would be helpful I
can also update everyone on progress with the volunteer recruitment – we
are starting in earnest now with the Self Service and Access Support
role – initially to support libraries moving into single staffing from
1st April.

Best wishes,
Lynda Martin
Partnership and Development Manager

Meeting for story time volunteers

Meeting for volunteers Monday 27^th February

Many Cambridgeshire libraries have rhymetime or storytime activities. These sessions are free and no advance booking is normally needed.

Rhymetimes are usually aimed at babies and toddlers (0-18 months) and storytimes are aimed at children aged 18 months+ who are happy to sit and listen to stories.

If you would like to find out more about supporting such sessions in Comberton Library please come to a meeting with Anne Worthington from the Children’s & Young People’s Team, Cambridgeshire Libraries Archives & Information Service on Monday 27^th February at 9.30 am in Comberton Library.

Suzan Griffiths

Chair FOCAL

National Libraries Day February 4th 2012

Support National Libraries Day on February 4th.

Bring along a friend, relative, neighbour or colleague to join up as a library member and borrow some books, magazines, DVD’s or audio books, use the computers and have a browse of everything that’s on offer in Comberton library – basically just show them why it’s so great! It is

*       Free to join (no lower age limit – babies very welcome!)
*       Free requests for books in Cambridgeshire stock delivered to your local
library
*       Your library card can be used in all libraries in the county and
Mobile Libraries
*       Free computer access, help to get online
*       Events and activities in libraries such as the reading group

Meeting Thursday 26th January 2012 19.00-20.00 Comberton Library

Christine May, Head of Libraries, Archives and Information and Councillor David Harty, Cabinet member for Learning are coming to speak on recent library developments, core services and locally tailored services, the role of volunteers and the role of Friends Groups. All welcome.

The library will have reduced opening hours from April 2012 but details are yet to be announced.

Recent news: District and Assistant Library Managers will work with communities to develop local library support and local volunteering opportunities. (source http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/libservicereview/dlm_alm.htm)

If you cannot attend and have questions about the library service review, revised opening hours etc please send them to friendsofcombertonlibrary@gmail.com

Suzan Griffiths Chair Focal

Joint Friends Group meeting at Cambourne 9 Dec 2011

Notes of the meeting can be found in the minutes section. Friends Groups were thanked for their support of libraries, it was confirmed that the 13 libraries under review will continue to be funded by the County but that opening hours will be reduced in April.

Comberton Cantabile Concert raised £388 for Library

Brenda Brown conducting Cantabile singers Friday 2nd December at the Village Hall. Photo by Robert Cook.

Profits from the concert and proceeds from the raffle came to £388 and will go to providing display equipment and financing the activities programme for 2012. Many thanks to all involved