Order and Collect Service

Wrexham Libraries are taking the first steps towards the phased re-opening of the service. A new order and collect service will be piloted from July 1 at Wrexham Library, with the aim of gradually rolling out the service across the county. The gradual roll-out of the new order and collect service will mean our libraries will remain closed for regular use at the moment. From July 1 you will only be able to return and collect stock from Wrexham Library. You will only be able to borrow books from Wrexham Library stock during the pilot phase; gradually you will be able to borrow books from other libraries across Wrexham. The choice of stock is currently limited as we wait for supplies of new books. We will do our best to get the books you want to you as quickly as we can. The safety of our staff and customers is our priority and we are following Welsh Government guidance on how to handle library books. Please note all books returned to the library will be quarantined for 72 hours.

When your books are ready, we will contact you to arrange a collection appointment for you to come and collect them. You can return books at the same appointment if you are collecting books. If you only want to return books, you will need to contact us by email or telephone to arrange an appointment. All books you currently have on loan and any you borrow via Order and Collect Service will be automatically renewed, so you do not need to worry about returning them on time and you will not incur any fines. Our Homelink Service will be delivering as usual to its customers from July 1, and we will contact you. We look forward to seeing you again!

Reading Well: Mental Health

The Reading Well for Mental Health collection of books provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions, or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs. The books are chosen by health experts and people living with the condition covered. There are special collections in Wrexham, Brynteg and Rhos libraries but in the meantime visit www.reading-well.org.uk for more details.

uLibrary

If you’re struggling for something to different to read during these unprecedented times, don’t worry, as Wrexham Library Service currently has access to a fabulous catalogue of e-resources from Ulverscroft. With rights to bestselling authors such as Ann Cleeves, Jeffrey Archer and James Patterson to award-winning titles like The Cut Out Girl (Costa Book Of The Year) and much-loved series from E.L. James’ Fifty Shades Of Grey to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, there are titles to suit every listener imaginable. Features include an updated book genre and categories list, what to read next recommendations plus the ability to reserve books already on loan which means there is something for everyone. To register for your free access please go to www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and click on the Online Catalogue link followed by the uLibrary link.

Escape overseas with e-books

Overseas travel may be off the cards currently, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit exotic faraway lands through the transportive power of a good book. Evoke palm-tree breezes, bustling foreign cities and the tastes of exotic fruits and spices with our favourite selection of armchair travel books to whisk you away - no passport required! This is the only free way to travel the world, for more details visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and follow the online services link.

Children’s Art Week

In 2020, Children’s Art Week (June 29-July 19) will take place online, at home and in schools across the three weeks. Each week will focus on a special theme; The Natural World, Connecting Across Generations, and Literacy & Creative Writing. Over the past months, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how essential creativity and the visual arts are for learning, connecting and wellbeing. Through Wrexham Library Service you can have access to free e-books and e-audio books online such as Mega Make and Do (and stories too) by Liz Pichon, Sewing for Kids by Alice Butcher, Sew Easy for Kids by Alice Butcher and Ginny Farquhar, Fun Face Painting Ideas for Kids by Nick Wolfe and Brian Wolfe and Discover Manga Drawing by Mario Galea to name but a few. You can also download free copies of several adult magazines such as Mollie Makers, Paper Craft Inspirations, Colouring Book for Grown Ups, Colour Therapy Art and Drawing. For details of these and other e-resources visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and follow the online services link.

Meet the team

Rebecca is a library assistant with Wrexham Library based at Overton Library, and has worked there for more than 15 years.

What do you love about your job? In a nutshell, the books and the people! I have always loved reading and having a job that involves a thing that you love is brilliant. I also love buying the stock and bearing in mind my borrowers and what they'd like to read.

No two days are ever the same and libraries offer so many services; there are people who are tracing their family history, looking for jobs, needing advice on using technology, wanting a chat, enquiring about local walks and history, and introducing young children to the wonderful world of books and story telling is so much fun.

How can the service help those in our communities? Your local library offers a personal and face to face service in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Some borrowers know what they want to read and others like you to suggest authors. Much of the time you get it right and other times wrong, sparking some interesting conversations, and sometimes you introduce a borrower to an author or genre they would never have considered before and they are pleasantly surprised.

The library is a community and I have known many of my borrowers for years and have been there for them when they have lost members of their family, gained members of their family and grown from toddlers to youngsters going off to university or starting their first jobs.

Favourite childhood book? Mr Pinkwhistle by Enid Blyton

Book you could read over and over? 1984 by George Orwell

Favourite author? I don't have one - there are so many fantastic authors to read

Last book you read? Someone We Know by Shari Lapena

Any reading recommendations? WestWind by Ian Rankin; Talking to My Daughter by Yanis Varoufakis; Come a Little Closer by Karen Perry; Force of Nature by Jane Harper; The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells; Anything by Daphne du Maurier.