Activities and events at Bishop’s Stortford Library in June
Bishop’s Stortford Library manager Ben Holden writes for the Indie
This June we have another bumper month of children’s activities, author events and more at Bishop’s Stortford Library to entertain, educate and inspire you! Last year at the library we had 136,000 visits and this year we want to get even more.
That’s why I address you, dear sceptical reader. Have you recently moved to Stortford? Have you got your library card yet? Has your whole family got their library cards yet? These library cards really are the Willy Wonka’s golden ticket of loyalty cards. They give each family access to the riches of knowledge, learning and imaginative escape, all for FREE.
We also have a family-friendly approach to library fines. If your cute little one-year-old is teething and has sharpened her gums on one of our Peppa Pig board books, do we charge you for that? No!
We understand the pressures of modern life and we also know our own value in helping the health, wellbeing and educational development of your children. Give us the book-chewing child and we will give you the idea chewer in return!
But we’re not only about community and family, we are also about looking out for our neighbours and looking after the individual – you, whoever you are.
Come and visit, use our space, see what we’re about before joining. Check out the event and activity posters on our walls. Do your daily steps in Castle Park and then come and flop down in a comfy chair in the library and read a magazine, newspaper, graphic novel, book or periodical. Or use one of our PCs, speak to a volunteer (we have many) or come and say hello.
Tell your library manager what’s been keeping you away from the library - Fines? Real life? Addicted to your phone? - and I will send you away with a new or refreshed library membership, ready to look after your personal, emotional, technological and literary needs.
You can borrow 30 books at any time. Max out that card. Download our apps. Listen to our ebooks. Join our activities. Meet new people. Get the most out of your library!
Here’s what’s coming up at the library, in The Causeway, in June.
Bishop’s Stortford Ukulele Orchestra - Wed 5 June, 10.30am-midday. Free.
The finest ensemble of ukulele players to have yet emerged from the Stort Valley come parachuting in, ukuleles a-twirling, to our monthly, sociable, everybody-welcome tea, coffee, and cake fest, This ‘n’ That! Hosted by the lovely library assistant duo, Susie and Lesley.
Blindfolded Lego Club - Thur 6 June, 4pm & Sat 8 June, 3pm. £4 for one-hour session. Book in the library.
To celebrate HiVis Fortnight 2024, and to get a sense of what it must be like living with a vision impairment, our Lego Club attendees are going to build their Lego creations while blindfolded!
Sensory Storytime: Day at the Seaside - Fri 7 June, 11am. Free.
This sensory storytime, perfect for toddlers and children with special educational needs, is devised by the charity Bag Books and delivered by the library team.
CareFest ‘24 - Thur 13 June, 10.30am-12.30pm. Free.
It’s a holistic wellness takeover! An indoor carnival-style event in the library with charity stallholders, the fire service, lots of freebies on offer and advice so good you’ll be giving it away in turn.
Sample delicious food from HILS (Health & Independent Living Support), explore ‘try before you buy’ aids and adaptations and receive personalised advice from an Adult Care Services occupational therapist.
Pick up free activity aids from Herts Sports Partnership to keep you fit and get tips on moving properly from a qualified sports therapist.
Have your blood pressure measured for peace of mind, gain the knowledge to perform CPR in emergencies, engage with an NHS talking therapist to enhance your mental wellbeing and much more… FREE!
Book Group networking evening - Wed 19 June, 7pm-9pm. Register your interest in the library.
Meet like-minded people and even start a book group! Book groups are the perfect opportunity to take an otherwise solitary pursuit and connect with fellow readers.
Are you looking for a book group to join? Are you in a book group already and looking for tips on how to run it? Do you need help finding books to discuss?
Come along to our networking event and find out how the library can help book groups, connect with like-minded people or maybe create a new club and borrow books straight away.
Refreshments, including wine, available.
Psychology talk: Are You a Super-Helper? Thur 20 June, 7pm. £5, book online at https://tinyurl.com/37e447hj or in the library.
The talk will be given by the amazing Jess Baker, a chartered psychologist who regularly appears on TV and in the media and is the co-author of The Super-Helper Syndrome: A Survival Guide for Compassionate People.
There’s a type of person out there who is better at helping others than they are at looking after themselves. Maybe you’re one of them. Maybe you know someone who is.
They are the backbone of the caring professions, giving strength to our schools, clinics, care homes and hospitals.
You will also find them in offices, gyms, community groups and charities – everywhere you look. There’s usually one in every family.
But these people, who do so much to help others, are struggling.
This event will be of massive interest to carers – professional carers, NHS workers, care home employees and also unpaid carers caring for their child, spouse or parent. Jess will show you how to establish a ‘healthy helping mindset’.
Refreshments will be available and there will also be an audience Q&A and book signing.
Life Skills for Little Ones: My Day - Fri 21 June, 11am. £4 per child, book in the library.
A family learning session aimed at parents/guardians and 3-5 year olds. Explore various fun games and activities to develop some of the skills needed for dealing with emotions, dressing, eating and following instructions in preparation for formal education.
Life Skills for Little Ones: Ready to Read - Fri 28 June, 11am. £4 per child, book in the library.
A family learning session aimed at parents/guardians and 3-5 year olds. Explore various fun games and activities to develop some of the skills needed for reading, writing, dressing and construction in preparation for formal education.
