Norfolk libraries celebrate Black History Month
Earlham Library set for improvement
Temporary library closures at Aylsham and Fakenham

Building work has now been completed on Wymondham’s new £2 million library, which will host more books than the town’s current library, as well as improved IT facilities.

Visitors to Wymondham’s town centre will have seen the distinctive fan-shaped building taking shape in recent months at its site next to Central Hall in Back Lane. With construction complete, the library is now been fitted out with furniture and equipment ahead of its opening to the public on Monday, 10 November.

Rachel Harriss, Community Librarian for Wymondham, has talked to lots of people about what they would like to see in the new library and the consultation findings are now available. If you're not already a library member, it's free and easy to join join online.

Read the full press release

We are celebrating National Bookstart Day 2008 on Friday, 10 October with events at libraries across the county on and around this day. This year’s theme is ‘Pirates Ahoy!’ with pirate-themed stories, rhymes and songs as well as the chance to play pirate games and make fetching accessories no swashbuckler would be seen without. Parents and children are also encouraged to come along in fancy dress to get into the buccaneering spirit. All the events are free and no booking necessary.

See here for the full list of events, dates and times

Established in order to highlight and celebrate the many positive, yet too often little or unknown, contributions that Black people have made to human culture, Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK since 1987 and Norfolk since 1994. Check out our selection of new and classic books by Black writers and share your own reviews of your favourites.

More About Norfolk Black History Month including events listing

We’ve just published reviews from four reading groups of the Orange Prize for Fiction Shortlist, and also some recommended reads from library staff

Monday 6 October

Rhymetime on an Afro/Caribbean theme, Kings Lynn Library, 9.30am-10.00am
Pirates Ahoy! Stalham Library,10.30am - 11am
Pirates under fives Storytime, Hunstanton Library, 2.00 – 3.00 pm
Rhyme time, Reepham Library, 2.15 pm

Tuesday 7 October

Family History Drop In, Gayowood Library, 2-4pm

Wednesday 8 October

Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Poringland Library, 09.15 – 09.45 am
Email taster session, Reepham Library, 10.00 – 11.00am
Rhymetime, Costessey Library, 10.30 - 11.00am
Pirates Rhyme and Storytime, Attleborough Library, 1.30 pm
Author visit by Ann Neve, North Walsham Library, 2pm - 3pm
Internet Taster Session, Dereham Library, 3.00 to 4.00pm
Card swap Event, Reepham Library, 3.30 – 4.30pm

Thursday 9 October

Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, St Williams Way Library, 2.00 – 2.30 pm
Do One Thing for Nature, Hellesdon Library, 3.30 - 4.15pm
Poringland Library Book Group, 6.00-7.15pm

Friday 10 October

Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Acle Library, 10.00-10.30 am
Pirates Ahoy! Hethersett Library, 10.15-11.15 am
Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Diss Library, 10.30 am
Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Downham Market Library, 10.30 am
Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Hellesdon Library, 10.30 – 11.45 am
Pirates’ Rhyme and Storytime, Sprowston Library, 10.30 – 11.15 am
Pirates Ahoy! Rhyme and Storytime, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Childrens Library, 10.30am - 11.30am
Pirates Ahoy! North Walsham Library, 11am - 11.30
Pirates Ahoy Story and Song Time, Gorleston Library, 1.00 – 2.00 pm
Pirates’ Ahoy! Party! Kings Lynn Library, 2.00 pm

Saturday 11 October

Celebrate African tales and legend and learn how to tell a story through art, Hethersett Library, 10.30-12.00
Kwanzaa is coming...Taverham Library, 2-4pm
The Forum Book Club, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Children’s Library, 2.30-3.30 pm Children’s Book Week Celebrations

Sunday 12 October

Family Sunday – Using Our Senses, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Children’s Library, Sunday 31 August, 10.30am– 4.00pm
Second Sunday - Celebrating the Big Draw, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library, 2.15 – 4pm.

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