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Freshwater Library opened 70 years ago, and was the first purpose built library on the Isle of Wight. In 1904 book collections were sent in boxes from Seely Library in Newport and in turn displayed in West Wight Social Club and local Schools. The library was completed in October 1939, the year war broke out. With 4,000 books, one young borrower was so pleased to be able to touch new books! We now hold 10,000 books and over 15,000 items. To find out more click here.
One of our staff members wrote a poem for the library. Please click here.
Services available at this library:
- Books
- DVDs*
- Talking Books on CD*
- Large Print
- Reading Group
- Computer facilities
- Internet access
- Word processing
- Scanning facilities
- Printing*
- Photocopying service*
- Fax service *
- Exhibition Gallery*
- Reference Collection
- Local Studies Collection
- Tennyson Collection
- Robert Hooke Collection
- Julia Margaret Cameron Collection
- Newspapers
- Garden Refuse Sacks*
- Local walk leaflets*
- Magnifying Sheets*
- Bus pass applications
- Teenage Area
- Children’s Library
- Homework collection
- Rhyme Time every Friday 10.30 - 11.00am
Events at this library
All Our Stories – 10th March
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the designation of the Islands Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). As part of the 50th celebrations the Islands AONB Partnership is working with the Heritage Lottery Fund on a projected called “All Our Stories”. The Partnership is collecting photos, postcards, tickets and stories of not only how the Islands protected landscape has changed over the last 50 years, but how people use and enjoy the protected landscape. If you have any photos of events, activities, landscape features or holidays that you would like to share, from visiting royalty to new bridges or replacement piers, snow or storms, festivals or farming events then a member of the AONB Partnership will be in Freshwater Library on Saturday Morning on the 9th March from 9.30am to 12.30am to collect and scan your photos, postcards and record your memories of landscape events. Alternatively you can contact Mark Buckett the AONB Officer on 823855 or e-mail him at [email protected] to arrange sharing your memories. The Partnership will produce an exhibition over the summer to share the landscape photos and memories that have been given, with a school pack available later in the year.
Book Chat – 19th March
Do you love reading? Are you keen to talk to other people about the books you have read, the good and the not so good? Freshwater Library has a “Book Chat” group for people like you. Meeting other group members on the third Tuesday of the month at 2pm at the library, you will be able to talk about your favourite books and those books you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy! If you want to, you can read out your favourite passages from the books you’ve read, to inspire the others to read them too.
Reading Group for Listeners – 26th March
We have launched the Isle of Wight Libraries’ first reading group for people with visual impairments. The books are supplied by the Calibre Audio Library and can be listened to in CD format. The reading group is free to join, and all the talking books are free to borrow. The next meeting is at 11am on 26th March, when we will be discussing Circle of Deceit by Nina Bawden.
We now have “Penfriend” which can be used by blind and partially sighted people to read out details of spoken word CDs on the library shelves and available to borrow.
We now have “Penfriend” which can be used by blind and partially sighted people to read out details of spoken word CDs on the library shelves and available to borrow.
Storywriting – 9th April
Jan Toms is holding a storywriting session on 9th April, 10-12.30.
Storytime – 10th April
Storytime, games and crafts for the 4-9s, 2.30-3.45 on Wednesday 10th April.
The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
World Book Night – 23rd April
We are celebrating World Book Night by holding a literary quiz in the evening.
Outdoor Arts & Crafts – 14th August
We will be holding our annual Outdoor Arts and Crafts on the 14th August. Applications for tables or screens will be available in May.
Friends of Freshwater Library.
A group, known as Friends of Freshwater Library, has been formed.
Their current projects are to improve the presentation of the library by replanting the flower beds and painting the railings.
Talk on Flora Thompson by John Kempster on Monday 18th March at 2pm.
New members are welcome. Join at the library or email [email protected]. Donate online and we get gift aid tax back too: www.localgiving.com/friendsoffreshwaterlibrary
Their current projects are to improve the presentation of the library by replanting the flower beds and painting the railings.
Talk on Flora Thompson by John Kempster on Monday 18th March at 2pm.
New members are welcome. Join at the library or email [email protected]. Donate online and we get gift aid tax back too: www.localgiving.com/friendsoffreshwaterlibrary
Freshwater Help Centre
The library now accommodates the Freshwater Help Centre. For opening times please click here.
HM Revenue & Customs
On Wednesdays, 9.30-12.30, an Inland Revenue member of staff is available for Inland Revenue enquiries. Click here for their website.
CAB Outreach
General sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
Debt sessions on Friday afternoons.
Please ring 520594 for an appointment.
Debt sessions on Friday afternoons.
Please ring 520594 for an appointment.
Free Energy Meters to borrow for three weeks
Understanding energy usage helps put you in control of how much you are using, and makes it easier to see ways to reduce your overall consumption. The Electrisave is a device which attaches to your electricity meter at home and lets you monitor your usage in real time. The transmitter at the meter sends over your electricity usage which is then displayed on the unit, which you can put in a suitable place - for example the kitchen or living room.
Why not borrow one from the Library and see how much energy you could save.
Why not borrow one from the Library and see how much energy you could save.
Crossword, Puzzles or Board Games
Do you enjoy crossword, puzzles or board games? Would you like to meet regularly in Freshwater Library one morning each week to join a group of others in a variety of activities. We are meeting every Tuesday at 2pm.
Knit and Natter/Crochet and Chatter Group
Work on your latest project. Meet up with others regularly with whatever craft appeals to you, and receive help and advice if you need it. We are meeting on every other Tuesday morning at 10 am, the next meetings are 19th March, 2nd, 16th and 30th April.
New Books
Try a new book or DVD!
Click the picture for more details and to see if the item is currently in.
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Promotions at this library
David Baldacci
A selection of books written by David Baldacci.
What’s the Worst Book you’ve never Read?
Do you agree with our selection and that of our borrowers?
Meet your local Health Trainers
Do you want to improve your health and well being? Don’t know where to start? Need some support and practical ideas? Your local health trainers visit the library regularly, where they will be available for personal advice and support on your health and wellbeing.
Age UK
As part of their programme of periodic visits to the library, there will be leaflets and a display about the services Age Concern offer. There will be an advisor available at some point during the week for information, advice, advocacy, shopping service, welfare benefits, befriending service and many more services. Confirmed dates to follow. Any queries please ask at the counter.
Information, Advice & Guidance
Are you considering returning to learning? Do you need to learn new skills to gain employment but feel unsure of your next move? For a 1-2-1 free and unbiased Advice and Guidance session with Lu Farnsworth for help with your next step, contact Freshwater Library or for further information call 527529. Click here for their website.
Sale Books
We have a selection of withdrawn stock for sale in the library.
Exhibitions
Calling all local artists!
Looking for somewhere to exhibit your paintings or photographs? How about Freshwater Library? We have over 6,000 visitors each month, and you will only be asked to pay us a fee (10%) if you sell any of your work. Phone the library on 752377 for availability. To download an art exhibition application form click here.
A Community Archive for Freshwater and Totland
A local archive group has been set up in the West Wight, recording the history of the area, and providing a valuable resource for the local community. If you have photos, documents, maps, news, memories or articles please contact Roger on 755382, the staff at Freshwater Library or email [email protected]
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Courses
Family History Fun
A guided tour of some of the family history sites available on the internet, given by the Island Heritage Librarian. Cost £10.00. Booking essential. Our next date is 17th January. Please ask at the counter or email freshwaterlibrary.iow.gov.uk for further details.
Family History Service
There is a family history service on offer in Freshwater Library. Staff will be available for ten-minute help sessions for those knotty problems and brick walls that happen to everyone researching their family tree. There are no promises on finding all the answers but perhaps the knot can be loosened or a brick or two removed from the wall. If you are interested in this service please contact Freshwater Library
Silver Surfers
If you are over 50 and want to learn how to use the Internet and e-mail, register for a free 2 hour Silver Surfer Session at Freshwater Library. Please ask at the counter for further details.
Local Reading Groups are now reading:
West Wight Reading Group: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Jan Toms Reading Group: Cross Dressed to Kill by Andrew Lucas
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie
Red Lion Reading Group: The Rose of Sebastopol
Christian Viewpoint Reading Group: John Wesley Journals
Reading Group for Listeners: Circle of Deceit by Nina Bawden
The Walking Reading Group: The Savage Garden by Mark Mills
Hopeful Reading Group: Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Tapnell Reading Group: The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson
For more details of these groups please ask the staff at Freshwater Library.
Jan Toms Reading Group: Cross Dressed to Kill by Andrew Lucas
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie
Red Lion Reading Group: The Rose of Sebastopol
Christian Viewpoint Reading Group: John Wesley Journals
Reading Group for Listeners: Circle of Deceit by Nina Bawden
The Walking Reading Group: The Savage Garden by Mark Mills
Hopeful Reading Group: Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Tapnell Reading Group: The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson
For more details of these groups please ask the staff at Freshwater Library.
Useful Information
Service Description: Children’s and adults’ books, large print books, DVDs and talking books on CD, reference collection, newspapers, photocopying, fax service, free internet access, free computer access and a collection of books on Tennyson. Freshwater Library also has a weekly rhyme time and a gallery space for art exhibitions.
| Contact Information | |
| Department | Libraries & Information Service |
| Address | Freshwater Library 41 School Green Road Freshwater Isle of Wight PO40 9AP |
| External Phone | 01983 752377 |
| Opening Times | Monday 9.30am - 1.00pm Tuesday 9.30am - 12.30pm 1.30pm - 4.30pm Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm 1.30pm - 4.30pm Thursday CLOSED Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm 1.30pm - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday CLOSED |
| Contact | Click to contact service |
| Direct Contact | |
Page last updated on: 05/03/2013
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