Open for Order and Collect

Wrexham Library Service now have five libraries operating an order and collect system. You can order books, including audio books, from Wrexham, Brynteg, Chirk, Gwersyllt and Rhos libraries. You will only be able to return, order and collect stock from these libraries for now. 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 an 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. For contact details and to use the order form visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries. We look forward to seeing you again!

Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is back! This year, the Summer Reading Challenge's Silly Squad will celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals who love to have a laugh and get stuck into all sorts of funny books! With the disruption caused by Covid-19 and the impact of social distancing on schools and public libraries, the 2020 Challenge will launch in a new digital format designed to keep children engaged and interested in reading. It will support parents and carers with children already at home. The Challenge will run until mid-September. The Summer Reading Challenge website is free to access and features games, quizzes and downloadable activities that incentivise and encourage children to take part in reading related activities. Although public library buildings are closed, libraries will continue to deliver the Challenge through virtual services and e-lending platforms. For more details go to www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Magazine of the Week

Magazine of the Week is Cycling Weekly. This magazine is the best source of news, race reportage, with reliable fitness advice, trustworthy product reviews and inspirational features. You can download it free of charge from www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and follow the online services link.

Calling all Reading Groups!

Green fingered reading groups and those interested in the cultural history of flowers can enter a competition to win 10 hardback copies of Kasia Boddy's Blooming Flowers until August 3. Blooming Flowers is an evocative and richly illustrated exploration of flowers and how, over the centuries, they have given us sustenance, meaning, and pleasure. If you would like more information about this exciting competition or would like advice about reading groups visit The Reading Agency's website at https://readingagency.org.uk/

Follow us...

Did you know you can follow the library service via the following social media platforms? Follow us on:  Facebook - Wrexham Libraries | Llyfrgelloedd Wrecsam; Twitter - @WxmLibraries | @LlyfrgellWcm; Instagram - wrexhamlibrary

Meet the team

Lisabeth has worked at Rhos Library 29 years.

What do you love about your job?

I love the fact that each day is different, from meeting new customers to book buying, to sorting out staff leave, no two days are the same! I love chatting to customers about their book choices and recommending new authors. To many, the social aspect of visiting the library is vital – it may be the only opportunity that some will have to talk to someone.

How can the service help those in the community?

I think the library is a vital part of the community, and offers so much more than books. There are many services provided by us to the community in a safe and welcoming environment. In our library we have a thriving knit and natter group, a Welsh Learner's group, a Reading Group and a Friendship Group and we are hoping to reconnect with all our customers and members of our groups soon.

We also have a good relationship with two of our local primary schools and have school visits to the library on a weekly basis. The library itself is a community that I have been a part of now for many years and have known many of our borrowers for a long time and I hope the library will continue to be at the heart of our community.

Favourite childhood book:

The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton, and the whole of the Faraway Tree series, although it is difficult to choose just one - I was an avid reader of all Enid Blyton books.

Book you could read over and over again:

Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Last book you read:

I have just finished reading Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris, this is the second book in the Tattooist of Auschwitz series. It is compelling reading and very moving.

Reading recommendations:

The joy of working in a library is discovering different genres and authors that you wouldn't necessarily know about, however, my go to authors are James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, Linwood Barclay and Nora Roberts.