Kingswood Library

Contact the Library

Address: High Street, Kingswood BS15 4AR
Phone: 01454 868006
Email:
Website: www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries
Librarian: Julie Barker

Library opening hours

Regular Events

• Reading Support Group
• Coffee Morning Friday 10.30am-12noon
• School Holiday Activities
• Storytime for Under-5s Tuesday 2.15-3pm, term-time only
• Rhyme Time for babies/toddlers and parents/carers Wednesday 10.30-11am
• Chatterbooks Reading Group for 8-11 year olds Saturdays, once a month
• Friday Age Concern over 50s sessions: £4 for 50 minutes or four for £15 - book in advance

Latest News

Active Mind Month - October

From foraging for fungi to volunteering at a nature reserve, South Gloucestershire Council is encouraging residents to get active in October.

We have organised a programme of events to celebrate Active Mind Month which aims to challenge, entertain and inspire the whole family to get out and about, or learn a new skill this autumn.

You will have the opportunity to start a new hobby, become a volunteer, join a community group, go on an owl prowl, listen to new music or research your family history - the list is as long as your imagination.

Some of the many events include:

• Fungi forays in local woods with local mycologist Justin Smith to learn more about the various mushrooms and toadstools
• The psychology of penalty taking with Dr Ken Bray of Bath University
• An evening of stargazing
• Workshops on using a digital camera, IT and social media sites
• Tony Prescott from Aardman Animations will guide you through the wonderful world of animation, from story boarding to puppet making

See the calendar on the right for details of events.

Cllr James Hunt, executive member for communities, said: “South Gloucestershire Council has worked with many local groups, individuals and businesses to provide an exciting month of activities with the aim of getting as many of our residents as possible to become more active in their communities.

“Research has shown that people who regularly take part in activities and are not only more mentally active, but tend to be happier and healthier too. We want everyone in lead healthier lives and South Gloucestershire wants everyone to have an active mind in an active body. “

Programmes with the full listings are available from any South Gloucestershire Council office, library or leisure centre or online.

Mobile Library

The Mobile Library is free to join and borrow books from. Books in Large Print and Children’s books are available as well as popular authors and recent publications.

If we don’t have the author or subject available on board it can be reserved for free to be collected next visit. We also stock Talking Books (in both CD and Cassette format), Jigsaws and a selection of films on DVD.

You can use the Mobile Library service even if you also use another library so South Gloucestershire library cards or Active Cards are valid on board.

The Mobile Library is equipped with a lift for people with mobility problems.

‘Volunteering Kingswood’ Drop-in Information Sessions

Come along and talk to one of our Outreach team to find out more about how you can get involved in volunteering and what opportunities are out there.

Sessions are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month 5–6.30pm. No need to book an appointment – just call in on the day! And if you aren’t able to make any of these times please call to make an individual appointment.

For more information please contact us on 0117 9600376 or visit www.volunteeringkingswood.org.uk.

New careers advice website - What’s your Next Step?

Next Step, a new FREE adult careers service, is now available which serves the needs of all adults in England, aged 19 and over, whatever their prior skills, qualifications or employment status.

Adults will experience a high quality service offering them expert, impartial advice and resources. Next Step will support them to make informed choices about future skills, careers, work and life. Call 0800 100 900 lines are open from 8am – 10pm, 7 days a week, and speak to an adviser on the telephone or arrange a face-to-face appointment in your local area, or search online for Next Step.

The Next Step adult careers website will be coming soon. In the meantime, adults can access online services through the Careers Advice website www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice and the Skills Accounts website www.direct.gov.uk/skillsaccounts

Free Resource Loan for Early Years Practitioners

South Gloucestershire Library Services is making four resources boxes available to Early Years Practitioners in Pre-schools, Nurseries and Childminding settings.

These are: Healthy eating box, Dental health box, Hand Washing Machine and Physical Play Box *Please note that Thornbury library has a Healthy Eating Box and Dental Health Box only.

Resources can be booked in person by calling into the library or by phoninging 01454 868006. Bookings are for one or two weeks, except the hand washing machine, which can be booked for one week only. Items can be booked for the same or different weeks.

Resources can be collected on the Monday morning for the week they have been booked or at any other time during that week. Sometimes resources can be collected at the weekend but please check they are available for collection before turning up! Resources must be returned by the Friday of the week(s) booked.

It is the responsibility of the borrower to check that all items are checked and tidy before returning to the library – so the box is ready for use by the next setting. Please leave the box as you would wish to find it. Library staff are unable to check items on return. If any items are missing or damaged please inform library staff or contact Liz Oxford 01454 863839.

We need you to complete the evaluation form so we can continue to make necessary changes or improvements to the system. Please return your completed form when you return your item(s) in the envelope provided.

Library Reference and Information Service

As well as the reference resources available in the library 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: askthelibrary@southglos.gov.uk
Fax: 01823 336370
Text: 07919 540839
Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-6.00pm; Sat 9.00-4.30pm

50th Birthday Celebrations

The High Street library opened to the public in February 1961 and has provided an excellent facility for the community to enjoy ever since.

The photograph of school children was taken around the same time as the official opening on March 16th 1961 – are you in this photograph? If so, library staff are hoping to put names to faces and record memories of the library as it has developed over the years.

This will be included in a commemorative diary which will be kept at the library for users old and new to enjoy. And if you recognise yourself in the photo, please contact librarian Julie Barker on 01454 868006.

Facilities

For full details of the facilities available at Kingswood Library, Click here to visit the South Glos Council website.