Summer Reading Challenge 2009

Quest Seekers - the adventure starts here!

There’s a magical challenge awaiting you in the library this summer.

Sign up to become a Quest Seeker and as you read collect the stickers (some are smelly scratch and sniff ones) to complete your poster.

Read two books to receive a moving image Quest Seeker membership card and sticker.

If you read four books you can claim a bookmark and surprise prize.

Read six books and complete the challenge for a medal, certificate and free DVD hire voucher.

If that’s not enough Thornbury Library is holding FREE activities for each exciting Quest stage but you must obtain a ticket from the Library. See the calendar for details of events.

All activities suitable for 4–10 year olds. All under 5’s must be accompanied by an adult. Entry is by (FREE) ticket only which must be obtained in advance from the library. Sorry numbers are limited.

Check out the website at www.questseekers.org.uk

Active card

The Leisure Trust, Council and NHS of South Gloucestershire have created a new Active card to cover library and leisure.

Now one card fits all - it lets you borrow books, access the Internet at libraries, have a swim or use the gym. This is not all about sport and fitness - more about a balanced lifestyle, full of interest, vibrancy, reading, learning, playing and health.

All this on offer, and it's free to join! Pop in to the library or leisure centre to join, or visit: www.activecard.co.uk

The Active card replaces many of the existing cards you currently use in South Gloucestershire. When you join the Active scheme you'll have access to information and updates about what's going on, so you and your family can get active.

You also have the oppportunity to upgrade your card and save money on activities.

Home Library Service

If you enjoy reading but are housebound and unable to get to the library (even if it’s a temporary incapacity due to an operation etc.) or you find your library books are too heavy to carry home, our friendly and helpful home library service volunteers can bring library books to you in your own home.

Just give the library a ring or ask a friend or relative to contact us on your behalf.

Did you know you can also ask ‘Four Towns & Vale Link Community Transport’ to bring you to the Library? Just ask us for details.

Pre-school story-time and musical rhyme time

We hold a weekly story time on Monday afternoons from 2.15pm-2.45pm and a monthly rhyme time for younger children on the last Monday of each month also from 2.15pm-2.45pm. Pre-school children and their parents and carers are most welcome to attend these free activities. We also hold regular holiday activities. Contact the library or see the events calendar for details.

Dads' Story-time!

In addition to our Monday afternoon pre-school story-times we have started a fortnightly Saturday afternoon pre-school story-time starting at 2.15pm, that gives Dads a chance to bring their pre-school children to the library for a story.

Don’t forget your Bookstart + pack!

If your two year old has not received one of these colourful canvas bags containing picture books, colouring books, crayons etc then please ask for one at the library.

Pensions surgeries

Pensions surgeries are held every Friday morning from 10am-12noon.

Oral history tapes

We have a collection of over 40 tapes which were kindly donated to us by the Thornbury and District Oral History Society. These tapes contain personal memories of life in and around Thornbury in days gone by and are available for hire free of charge.

Mobile Library

We have had a number of enquiries recently about South Gloucestershire Libraries’ mobile library.

South Gloucestershire Mobile Library is a fortnightly service that covers the whole of the council area. It stocks books (including a large print and children’s selection), DVDs, Talking Books (on CD & Cassette) and Jigsaws.

You can either join on the Mobile or use your existing South Gloucestershire library card. If we do not have the book you require we will reserve it for the next visit free of charge. The Mobile Library is equipped with a lift for ease of access.

We can also deliver books to people living close to where it stops. For full details of dates & routes either log onto www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or ring 01454 86 8006 for more information.

Funder Finder

Are you looking for the best source of funding for your club/organisation? If so, then this is the computer resource for you. Just fill in a few simple details and it will provide you with a list of the charities best able to help. This software package is only available on computers 6 and 13 in the library. Please ask for further details. Please note this package only applies to groups NOT individuals.

i-POINT

This careers advice service has just been set up on our library computers. It gives you quick, easy and free access to the best resources to help you:

• Write a CV
• Find a course
• Look at career profiles
• Get help with job-hunting
• Match your skills and interests to jobs
• Get careers and training advice by email

Overdues and reservation notifications by e-mail

Last year it cost the library service over £12,000 to send out overdues and reservation notifications by post. 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 recently introduced pre-overdues but only 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.

Thornbury Gazette

2007 is now available on microfilm. In fact our microfilm copies go back to 1955 but the further back we go the more gaps we have. If you want to consult back copies please contact us first so that we can confirm we have the dates you require and can set up the micro-film reader. Please note it is rather old and does not print.

Rooms for Hire

Please contact the Library for details.

Premium DVDs

We have a Premium DVD service. This includes the very latest DVDs which can be hired for £3.20 per week. Please note these DVDs cannot be renewed or reserved. Click here to see the latest films available.

Music CDs

Whatever your musical interests, our libraries have a range of CDs for you to enjoy. Click here to see some of the latest CDs on order. Please note only some of these will be available at Thornbury. Click here to search our library catalogue for more titles

Cost: It costs 90p per week to hire a CD (concessions available); that's around the same cost as downloading a single MP3 track. 

Reservations: You can also reserve CDs at your local library or make an online reservation using our library catalogue. There is a small charge for this.

Computer Classes

Age Concern are offering computer classes in the library for the over 50s. Sessions are held on Mondays and Tuesdays on a one to one basis and there is a small charge. To book a session please call at the library.

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).

Fastracks

We stock multiple copies of each of the top ten selling paperbacks and these are available for a 'quick' loan period of one week.

Fax/photocopying/laminating

We offer a fax, photocopying and laminating service.

Ancestry.com

Who are you? People can now find out about their family history for free at all South Gloucestershire Libraries. Through the Ancestry website, which is normally a pay to view service, library users will have access to more than 4 billion names in over 4,000 collections which includes access to the censuses from 1841 to 1901.

The new service has been supported by local family history groups. Bob Lawrence, Chair of Bristol and Avon Family History Society said "Our society welcomes the initiative by South Gloucestershire to provide this access in their libraries, Ancestry. Com is a fantastic resource to both experienced family historians and those just beginning to look into their family history"

Ancestry Library Edition is available at all South Gloucestershire libraries. Time on the computers can be pre-booked by contacting any South Gloucestershire Library.

Please note this FREE service is only available from the library computers.

Kurzweil reading machine

If your sight is getting poor and you are finding it difficult to read letters, then you might find this machine helpful. It will scan your letter etc. and read it out to you, just like a talking book. Unfortunately you would need to come into the library to use it but it's easy to use and we could operate it for you if you preferred.

For more information on any of the above items please ring the library on 01454 868006 or visit our web-site: www.librarieswest.org.uk

You can use the website to renew your books, check the catalogue, reserve items and consult a wide range of on-line reference materials including Oxford English Dictionary Online; Oxford Reference Online; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; Grove Music Online; Grove Art Online. You will need your borrower number and pin number (available from the library).

We have a 24 hour renewal line on 08450 020 777, and can inform you of reservations and overdue items either by email, text or voice message. If you would like to opt into any of these you can change the details online, ask at the counter or ring on the above number. Please note to access many of these services you may be asked for your PIN number, please ask the staff for this.

For reference enquiries try our Library Enquiry Centre on 01454 866900 or email .

We also offer free internet access and word processing.

Library opening hours