Following two days of discussion and analysis, Sue Charteris and the Inquiry team will now analyse the data accumulated.
It is likely that the process will be a lengthy one and we do not look for any outcome until the end of July.
The national Library modernisation review will now be delayed until October in order to accomodate the findings from the Inquiry.
Birkenhead Central Library Now fully Open
Birkenhead Central is now fully open once again!
It's much brighter and airier than before after the replacement of the Library's 14 skylights and benefits from an attractively revised internal layout, plenty of new books and freshly installed Wi-Fi facilities.
So why not come down and see the improvements for yourself --- Oh and don't forget to borrow some books!
We would like to thank our customers and neighbours for their patience while the refurbishment was taking place.
your wirral libraries
Here are just some of the many ways that public libraries can save us money and inspire and stimulate at the same time...
It’s estimated that borrowing instead of buying two books and two DVDs each month could save you more than £30.
Planning a holiday or a day trip? Pick up the map or travel guide you need from the library.
Instead of ordering a magazine subscription, check out the library.
School holidays can be expensive, come and join in the many activities at your local library.
Socialising isn’t always cheap, but joining a reading group is a cost-free way of meeting people and having fun. There are around 55 library reading groups in Wirral Libraries to choose from.
You can learn a language for a fraction of the price by borrowing a selection of courses in audio format. Take up a hobby that doesn’t cost you money? Did you know you can research your family tree at the local library with staff on hand to suggest useful sources? You can even look at ancestry.com for FREE.
There are plenty of great ways to keep babies and toddlers amused and stimulated through activities such as singing songs, sharing rhymes and stories.
Your public library is well worth a visit. There's something for everyone and each library is tailored to serve its local community. Whether you go there to read, borrow a book, browse the internet, study and learn, scan the newspapers or simply to take some time out from your daily routine...
...YOUR library is there for you.
E-Mail Reminders?
Would you like to be reminded by E-Mail when your books are due back?
There are 24 libraries in Wirral which offer in excess of 600,000 books on a whole host of subjects, including books on tape, CD, and in large print.
The Library Service offers a wide range of facilities and activities. As well as the traditional lending service for books (including large print and foreign language), talking books, videos, CDs and DVDs, there is an extensive reference and information service, including access to a wealth of archive and local study material.
In addition, the libraries also provide newspapers, magazines and an array of community information and local event details.
We have over 500 computers throughout the Library Service offering Internet access and a large range of software free of charge for library members, with staff on hand to give help and advice.
Other services we provide include: A Housebound Library service for those unable to leave their homes; homework support; events for all ages including children and young people; Reader Groups;
a Toy Library (at Beechwood Library) and much more....
Wirral HoME Reader Service
The Home Reader Service is available to all eligible Wirral residents, FREE of charge. We provide books and audio books to people of all ages who are unable to use a local library due to illness, disability or frailty.
Books or audio books can be delivered direct to your home, requests for particular books are taken and staff will choose books that reflect your particular preferences wherever possible.
Visits are made on a regular 4 weekly basis and they will be at a pre-arranged time which is convenient to you. Library staff and volunteers will provide help and advice on choosing and selecting books and will arrange convenient times.
The majority of the services are provided from Wallasey and Birkenhead Libraries but the service will be Wirral-wide. In sheltered accomodation we can provide books for individual needs. Please contact your Warden and we will be pleased to arrange a visit.
Fiction and non-fiction in both large and standard print.
Spoken word cassettes.
Reference and Community Information.
A door to door service with a smile
Beechwood Childrens Toy Library
Beechwood Children's Toy Library has a wide selection of good quality toys and other play resources for aged from Birth to 11 years. The toys have been selected for : Play Value, safety, learning potential, equal opportunities and appeal/popularity.
Membership is available for parents, early education and childcare providers. [Click Here] to visit the Beechwood Library page for futher details.
A list of toys available can be seen on the Toy Library Catalogue [here].
Toys can be borrowed for as little as 50p for 2 weeks.
GET INTO READING
Get Into Reading (GIR) is a partnership project, combining the skills and resources of The Reader at The University of Liverpool, Birkenhead and Wallasey Primary Care Trust and Wirral Libraries. It is funded primarily by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and is now in its third year and going from strength to strength.
To see information on Wirral Libraries involvement, [click here].
Latest News / Information
Greasby Local History
From Batho’s to Bogholes
What were the bogholes? What was Batho’s? Why was Teapot Row so named? If you want to find out you need to listen to the memories of local people in Greasby who have been taking part in an Oral History Project at the local library.
Thanks to a small grant from the Community Initiative Fund to The Friends of Greasby Library, librarians Lesley Sharp and Diane Mitchell and a dedicated band of volunteers have created an archive of interviews, photographs and documents which tell of a small, tightly knit rural community and will be of interest not only to local historians but also to children researching their local area.
A selection of the best stories and memories from this project have been put on a double CD set GREASBY REMEMBERED which is available from Greasby Library for £3.50.
19th Century
British Libraries
Newspaper
THE FATAL AFFRAY between two brothers at oxton!
LIVERPOOL MERCURY, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28th 1864
Mr John Thomas, builder, looked over the wall and saw Charles lay hold of Abel by the collar, dragging him down the walk towards the gate leading out of the premises. Witnesses heard Abel say "Charles, do not hurt me....". [Click here] to read the full story.
Wirral Libraries has now subscribed to the 19th Century British Libraries Newspaper database, which is FREE of charge to Wirral Libraries' borrowers, like all our other subscriptions. See the links on the right.
WiFi in Wirral Libraries
WiFi is now available to Wirral Libraries' members in Bebington Central Library and Birkenhead Central Library.
Loan Period Change
From May 1st 2008, the loan period of a book will change to 3 weeks.
This will bring many benefits to Library customers:
You won’t have to wait as long for a requested book.
A faster turnover of stock will mean there are more titles available to choose from.
All libraries will be able to share resources more fairly.
We have made it much easier for you to keep a book longer if you want. Now you can renew your book by:
Calling in to any Wirral library
Phoning any Wirral library
Using the library website
Birkenhead
Cinema
Club
Birkenhead Cinema Club Did you know that Birkenhead Central Library has a Cinema Club - soon to be showing it's 36th season of films? 24 great films, some English, some Foreign. [Click here] for further details, including a full list of the 24 films with accompanying notes.
FREE BOOKS for Children Bookstart is the national programme that encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible by giving them free books. Please ask for your FREE pack at your local Library.
There are 3 packs available:
Bookstart pack for babies - for babies aged - 0-12 months
Bookstart+ - for toddlers aged - 18–30 months
My Bookstart Treasure Chest - for children aged - 36–48 months
You don't have to be a member of the library to claim you FREE packs, but why not join and enjoy a lifetime of reading with your child.
RaW
The BBC have launched RaW, in partnership with libraries, to help people to ‘read more and write better’.
seeks to improve reading and writing skills to enable people either to find work or to get better jobs. It also aims to put the fun back into learning or improving skills. The campaign tries to encourage people to take free brush up courses via activities such as quizzes and puzzles, book swaps, and reading group sessions. The RaW website is well worth a visit.
Public Library Standards
Public Library Standards From April 2001 the government has required libraries to provide a list of measurable standards to support and add meaning to the 1964 Public Libraries Act. The Standards have changed and developed according to Government policy. You will be able to see Wirral performing against these goals and note where we need to improve.
The Standards are for Libraries within the authority and our joint efforts will be combined to provide the evidence for a Wirral Wide performance indicator. You are welcome to comment using either our Comments Please form or our Suggestions Slip (available at our libraries) . [click here] to view our standards.
ON SALE - Tales from the North End CD “Tales from the North End" is an audio archive about people and places in the North End of Birkenhead. Stories from the war, the wash house, school days and favourite teachers, the coronation parties, days spent caddying at West Cheshire Golf Club, day trips to Bidston Hill and the Rhododendron Gardens... And much more... [Click here] for more information and samples.
Macmillan WHISP (Wirral Health Information and Support Project)
A positive approach to people living with cancer.
A Friendly information service based in the Libraries to give non-clinical support to people affected by cancer in a non-clinical environment.
[Click here for more details].
Would you like to be reminded by E-Mail when your books are due back? 
There are 24 libraries in Wirral which offer in excess of 600,000 books on a whole host of subjects, including books on tape, CD, and in large print. 
The Home Reader Service is available to all eligible Wirral residents, FREE of charge. We provide books and audio books to people of all ages who are unable to use a local library due to illness, disability or frailty.
Beechwood Children's Toy Library has a wide selection of good quality toys and other play resources for aged from Birth to 11 years. The toys have been selected for : Play Value, safety, learning potential, equal opportunities and appeal/popularity.
Wirral Library Service achieved the prestigious Charter Mark Award in October 2004 for all of its 24 libraries. The Central Government award sets a standard of excellence, particularly in the field of Customer Care. An independent re-assessment takes place regularly to ensure that the standard of service is not only maintained, but also improved upon by means of new initiatives and partnerships. If you have any comments or suggestions which may assist the library service to retain the award, please let us know by Email or by completing a Comments Please form or Suggestion Slip at any of our libraries. Thank you.
