Library news and events
All of our regular events can be found on the regular activities in Sandwell page. All our other events and activities can be found on the Discover Sandwell events calendar.
Sandwell Libraries and Archives Coronavirus Update 5 November 2020
Central Library West Bromwich and Wednesbury Library are now open. Owing to the new lockdown restrictions, we are not able to open Glebefields Library as planned on 10 November, we apologise for any inconvenience.
Visits to the library are by appointment only. You can book appointments for computers, and phone to reserve books. For further information on how to book a visit, please see this leaflet. The leaflet also contains important information regarding your safety when you visit.
Opening other libraries and reintroducing services
We will continue to update you on this website and social media as plans are made to open more libraries in Sandwell, and as we increase the range of services we can offer.
Community groups / room bookings
At present, we cannot take room bookings or allow groups to use our space in any of our libraries. We will be reviewing this situation on a regular basis, and we will update you with further information when we have it.
The services below are available, please watch our YouTube video for more information.
Computers
A limited number of computers will be available for essential use, but must be booked in advance by calling 0121 569 4900 (Central Library) or 0121 569 4945 (Wednesbury Library).
Books
You can reserve items by using our website, or by phoning one of the numbers above. We will then contact you to arrange a time for you to collect the items from either Central Library or Wednesbury Library.
Book returns
You can return your books into dropboxes outside the rear entrance to Central Library West Bromwich, located on the Town Hall car park in Lodge Road. Dropboxes will be available between the hours of 10am– 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Dropboxes will be available at Wednesbury Library from Monday 19 October 2020.
Please see the leaflet and video for further information.
All items that were borrowed before the first lockdown have had their due date extended to 31 January 2021. Please do not renew items you have borrowed before this date.
Sandwell Libraries Reopening Leaflet
Download eBooks and eAudiobooks
Sandwell library members can download eBooks and eAudiobooks for free. We have a range of fiction and non-fiction titles available for you to enjoy.
To start using this service, download the Apple or Android app - search for BorrowBox. Once you have installed the app, enter Sandwell as the name of your library and create an account with your library card number.
Alternatively, you can go to BorrowBox to create your account and start using on a computer or laptop.
Weigh2GO
SHW (Sandwell Healthy Weight) are launching a brand new flexible weight management programme within all 19 Sandwell Libraries this week! Weigh2GO using Fitbit scales where you can weigh in at any time during your local library opening hours.We have also set up height charts to calculate your BMI (Body mass index).
If you want to find out more please pop into your local library.
Why not signup today!
Keep it down – people are reading!
Sssh - Sandwell libraries are proving so popular they are having to set aside quiet zones for people to read and study.
Library staff are setting up dedicated quiet ‘sssh zones’ in all libraries for those visitors who want a bit of silence.
Over the years all Sandwell libraries have become busy community hubs offering much more than just borrowing books. They are used by community groups, for art exhibitions, craft clubs, children’s holiday activities, for gigs, drama and dance – and now a little bit of them will be set aside during the day for quiet reading.
For more details on quiet zones, please contact your local library or email library_service@sandwell.gov.uk
New COBRA service available for customers
COBRA is a comprehensive and continually updated information resource providing advice and support to micro-business owners, small firms and new business start ups.
It includes:
- over 700 business start-up profiles and guides to business start-up ideas
- business information fact sheets - how tos and practical small business checklists, from business plans to personnel, tax to marketing
- UK market synopses - guides to trends and opportunities in a number of UK market sectors, with market research
- local area profiles - guides to business support in 290 local areas in the UK.
What libraries offer young people
Last year we carried out an extensive survey across Sandwell, to find out what young people wanted from the Library Service.
Here are some of the things we have done as a result of listening to what you want:
- We've increased the number of teenage fiction books
- New Xbox ONEs, Playstation 4s and 3D TVs
- We are now on Facebook and Twitter
- Free Wi-Fi is available in all libraries.
We'll be adding to this list later in the year, so watch this space.
- We will also send out regular information to your schools and colleges about activities and events that you may be interested in.
- You can also keep updated by signing up to our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Every Summer we run a Reading Challenge to encourage young people to read for pleasure. This is aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years old.
Would you like to help us to inspire children to read and or help with the Summer activities?
If so, contact your local library for more details.