Great Shelford library news
Shelford library October news
Engage Talk: – Dementia Friend hosted by Terri Lewis. Wednesday 21st October at 2pm. Donation of £2 appreciated. Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Halloween Crafts – Come and make some scary crafts to decorate your home with for Halloween. Wednesday 28th October 2-3pm. Suitable for ages 4-10. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am.
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Mondays 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
ART CLUB- Every Saturday 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event.
CRAFT & CHAT – For Adults - Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
READING GROUP – 2nd Wednesday of each month, 1030am-12pm. We have spaces in this group. Please enquire in the library.
Posted Sept 22 2026
Shelford library September update
Well done to all the children who signed up and completed the Summer Reading Challenge.
It has been a wonderfully busy summer in the library and we have enjoyed hearing about all the books the children have read. The Summer Reading Challenge awards ceremony will be held on Monday 21st September at 4.15pm. Please come along if you can. We will keep certificates and medals safe for children who cannot attend the ceremony. All the library staff would also like to thank the Friends of Great Shelford Library who kindly bought extra badges and collectors’ cards to give the children during the challenge.
Activities during September
Engage Talk: – Master of Lies with author Piers Blofeld. The extraordinary and shocking untold story of Anthony Blunt, one of the Cambridge Spies. Wednesday 23rd September at 4pm. £3 per person. Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Film and Talk about Medical Detection Dogs – Tuesday 15th September at 7.30pm. Hosted by Friends of Great Shelford Library. £3 for Friends and £5 for Non-Friends. Tickets available in great Shelford library.
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am.
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Mondays 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
ART CLUB- Every Saturday 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event.
CRAFT & CHAT – For Adults - Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
We look forward to welcoming you to the library this autumn.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted Aug 13 2026
Shelford library July update
It’s fun, fantastic and free to join: sign up your children for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at Great Shelford Library from Saturday 4thth July! The theme is Read to the Beat and there’ll be lots of chances to get creative. The Challenge is designed to keep children reading all summer, with rewards along the way and a medal and certificate for everyone who finishes. At Great Shelford library we have extra goodies to give away during the challenge. So, come and sign up and enjoy the summer. Reading is good for relaxation, interest and sparking imagination, plus reading through the holidays will help keep important skills in shape during the long break from school.
We will be holding lots of children’s events at Great Shelford Library to add to the Summer Reading Challenge fun. In July we have:
CULTIVATING FOR CHANGE – Thursday 23rd July, 2-3.30pm, £2 per child
Come and do some gardening and planting with us. Suitable for ages 4-10
MUSICAL CRAFTS – Wednesday 29th July July, 2-3.15pm, £2 per child
Come and make some fab musical instruments Suitable for ages 4-10.
For all children’s events please, pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Regular Activities during July
LEGO CLUB – Mondays 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Art Club- Every Saturday morning 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event. £2 donation. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.
Craft & Chat – For Adults - Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – For Adults - Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted June 23 2026
Shelford library June update
Taking place across the first two weeks of June, HiVis fortnight gives libraries across the UK the opportunity to highlight services and support for those with vision impairments.
The Big Green Week takes place between the 6th and14th June. People come together to take action in their communities for nature and the climate. We will have a display of books to support the Green Week, pop in to find books on how you can get involved and improve your local environment.
Activities for Adults
Craft & Chat – Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – Master of Lies with author Piers Blofeld. Wednesday 24th June at 4pm.
Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Activities for Children
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Mondays 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Children’s Games and Chess Club – Tuesday’s 3.30-4.30pm. No need to book, just drop in to try your hand at chess or other games. Suitable for primary school aged children.
Art Club- Every Saturday morning 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event. £2 donation. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Library news May 2026
Did you know that 2026 is the National Year of Reading? Friends of Great Shelford Library are supporting this by hosting a talk by Kate Armstrong about her mother’s book “ An unexpected journey. Life in the colonies at Empires end; a woman’s role”. This will be a fascinating talk. Tuesday 26th May at 7.30pm in the library. Spaces are limited. Please book via the library.
May is Local and Community History Month. We have lots of books in our local studies section about the history of Great Shelford and surrounding areas. Why not pop in to the library to learn more about where you live.
Activities for Adults
Craft & Chat – Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – POhWER – A charity providing advocacy to people who are vulnerable or have a disability. Wednesday 20th May 2-3.30pm
Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Activities for Children
May Half Term Event – To Be Confirmed Thursday 28th May 2-3.30pm - Parents and carers must stay with their children who remain their responsibility. £2.00 per child. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Mondays 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Posted April 162026
Community Librarian Assistants
Great Shelford library news
Happy Easter to all our customers. How lovely to have lighter evenings and warmer weather. We have lots of books to help plan your spring and summer activities. Why not pop in and look through our travel section to give inspiration for day trips and holidays. Does your garden need some TLC after the long-wet winter, we have loads of books on gardening to give ideas and help to get your garden summer ready. Or come in to stock up on your spring and summer reads.
Activities for Adults
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – Scams Awareness escape Room – PC Nigel Sutton. Wednesday 22nd April. 2-3.30pm
Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Activities for Children
Easter Craft Event – Thursday 2nd April 2-3.30pm - Parents and carers must stay with their children who remain their responsibility. £2.00 per child. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.Library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Monday’s 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Children’s Games and Chess Club – Tuesday’s 3.30-4.30pm. No need to book, just drop in to try your hand at chess or other games. Suitable for school aged children.
Please note the Library will be closed Good Friday 3rd April and Easter Monday 6th April
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted March 20 2026
Great Shelford library March update
March is Women’s History Month. The 2026 theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” celebrating the contributions of women who are leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational and social justice movements. We will be displaying a selection of books celebrating women’s achievements.
Library Events in March
Craft & Chat – Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – Green Energy Switch– Wednesday 25th March 2.00pm-3.30pm.
A donation of £2 is appreciated.
Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.libraryl@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO CLUB – Monday’s 4.00-5.30pm. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Children’s Games and Chess Club – Tuesday’s 3.30-4.30pm. No need to book, just drop in to try your hand at chess or other games. Suitable for primary school aged children.
Art Club- Every Saturday morning 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event. £2 donation. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted Feb 17 2026
Great Shelford Library February News
February is LGBTQ+ History Month. The month highlights the incredible things LGBT+ people in all their diversity have achieved throughout history, in all areas of life. The 2026 theme for LGBT+ History Month aims to highlight the contributions of LGBT+ people historically and today, and to raise awareness of the people behind them.
Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on February 14th. We will be making Valentines cards in Saturday Art Club.
Library Events in February
Craft & Chat – Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – Helen Harwood – “A Shelford Education: School Life over the Years”
– Wednesday 25th February 2.00pm-3.30pm. A donation of £2 is appreciated.
Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO and DUPLO CLUB/ Children Games Club – Alternate weeks, Monday’s 4.00-5.30pm. Suggested donation £1.00. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Art Club- Every Saturday morning 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event. £2 donation. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted Jan 9 2026
Shelford library January update
We look forward to seeing you in the library during January. We welcome our new librarian Vikki Keppey in the afternoons.
Great Shelford Library would like to say a huge thankyou to the Shelford Wednesday Country Market and the Feast who have both made donations to the library in 2025. These funds will help us buy more adult books and update some of the rugs and furniture in the children’s library.
Library Events in January
Craft & Chat – Every Friday morning 10.30am -12pm. No need to book.
Tea & Games – Every Friday afternoon 2.00– 3.30pm. No need to book.
Engage Talk: – The History of Papworth Village Settlement– Wednesday 28th January 2.00pm-3.30pm. A donation of £2 is appreciated. Please stay for a drink after the talk. Please pre-book in the library or via Cambourne.referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Story, Rhyme & Duplo Time – Every Tuesday at 10.30am
For children aged 0-4 years. Come and enjoy stories and rhymes led by our wonderful volunteers. This is a free drop-in event. Parents/carers please stay with your children.
LEGO and DUPLO CLUB/ Children Games Club – Alternate weeks, Monday’s 4.00-5.30pm. Suggested donation £1.00. Suitable for ages 2-10. Parents/carers please stay with your children during all library activities.
Art Club- Every Saturday morning 10.30am-12noon. Suitable for ages 4-10. Drop in event. £2 donation. Parents and carers must supervise their children at all times.
Stay and Play – Every Thursdays 2-3.30pm. For children aged 0-3 years. A relaxed drop in session for families with young children. £2 per family. Toys provided.
Mel Abbiss and Vikki Keppey
Community Librarian Assistants
Posted Dec 12 2025
Links to other pages on Great Shelford Online
Great Shelford news
https://www.greatshelford.online/newsletter2024
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www.greatshelford.online/events
Great Shelford businesses
www.greatshelford.online/businesses
Great Shelford community groups
www.greatshelford.online/community-groups
Great Shelford and East West Rail
www.greatshelford.online/east-west-rail
Well known people from Great Shelford
www.greatshelford.online/village-people
Great Shelford Parish Council
www.greatshelford.online/parish-council
Great Shelford health information
www.greatshelford.online/health
Great Shelford planning
www.greatshelford.online/planning
Great Shelford history
www.greatshelford.online/history
Great Shelford environment
www.greatshelford.online/environment
Great Shelford housing
www.greatshelford.online/housing
South Cambridgeshire District Council and Great Shelford
www.greatshelford.online/scambs
Our sister websites
The Little Shelford community website