Aura Libraries: we're back on the road

Tackling social isolation and loneliness is something we feel strongly about, and strive for our library service to be a port of call for anyone who may need us. Back in July, we introduced a new service called the Aura Library Link - Community Calls. This service provides a telephone link for Flintshire residents who are lonely, socially isolated or finding it difficult to get out.

Now more than ever, we hope the community can look to its library service for support and stay connected by making every conversation count. The Community Calls provide library users with a verbal link through conversation and allow them to share their thoughts and enjoy talking with a friendly and familiar voice. We encourage anyone feeling lonely or socially isolated to get in touch: this service is free of charge and open to all Flintshire residents. We can arrange to phone you at a suitable time, and would suggest you pop the kettle on and make a ‘paned’ before we begin! We will do our best to make sure you feel comfortable to share your thoughts with us and chat away.

To register for our Community Calls service, please phone your local library or email libraries@aura.wales and provide us with your contact details so we can arrange a suitable time to get in touch. Your local library contact is:

• Broughton 01244 533727

• Buckley 01244 549210

• Connah’s Quay 01352 703730

• Flint 01352 703737

• Holywell 01352 703850

• Mold 01352 754791

The return of the Aura Mobile Library

We are pleased to announce our Mobile Library is back on the road and looking forward to welcoming you back onboard! The Aura Mobile Library will once again be visiting towns and villages across Flintshire, bringing a world of books straight to you! Users will be able browse through a wonderful selection of titles, from adult fiction and non-fiction, large print books, to children’s books. It is safe to say our Mobile Library is fully stocked and you will be spoilt for choice!

For your safety, browsing on the mobile library is restricted to one person at a time and you will need to wear a face covering. Please be aware browsing time might be limited depending on demand.

We are continuing to develop the fortnightly schedule to include some new stops and any updates will be posted via the Aura Wales website or our social media pages. We can be found on Facebook at @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries and Twitter at @LibFlintshire.

You can also make a Select and Collect library order by phoning 01352 703750 or emailing libraries@aura.wales. Select and Collect orders can be picked up from Mold, Flint, Buckley, Broughton, Holywell or Connah’s Quay Library, or from one of the many Mobile Library collection points. We are really enjoying putting your Select and Collect orders together and will continue doing our best to get hold of the titles requested by our lovely library borrowers.

Here are the Mobile Library collection points:

• Llanfynydd; Ffrith; Caergwrle; Leeswood; Treuddyn

• Mostyn; Penymynydd; Penyffordd; Kinnerton

• Saltney; Saltney Ferry; Sandycroft

• Flint Mountain; Northop; Northop Hall

• Mancot; Ewloe; Mynydd Isa

• Caerwys; Calcoed; Brynford; Ysceifiog; Nannerch

• Talacre; Gronant; Trelawnyd; Trelogan

• Penyffordd; Gwernymynydd; Gwernaffield; Rhosesmor; Rhydymwyn

If you are not yet a library member and would like to sign up, you are able to join the library on board and have access to a world of books and online resources, all for free with your local library service.

If you have any questions or would like any further information about the Aura Mobile, please contact 01352 704400.

Top digital tip of the week

As a reminder, Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and RBdigital to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and RBdigital apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

Our top digital tip for this week is to explore the wellness and wellbeing e-books and audiobooks available to borrow on Borrowbox. Dedicate some time to yourself to focus on your wellbeing and practise some mindfulness by reading some wellness books! Our top recommendations are: This Too Shall Pass by Julia Samuel, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim, A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled by Ruby Wax and One-Minute Mindfulness by Simon Parke. All of these titles are available to borrow as either e-books or audiobooks on Borrowbox.

• From everyone here at Aura Libraries, stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon! Whilst we may be facing difficult times, remember: we are always united by books!

Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.