There is much more to libraries than what meets the eye, with something for everyone to help bring the community together.

When I think about a library, the first thing that comes to my mind – as is the case for most people – is books.

I think that is because throughout my earlier years, my parents and grandparents would take me to my local library for me to find a novel to take home and read.

However, over the years, libraries have definitely adapted and developed to serve as learning and interactive hubs within towns and villages, offering a wide range of sessions for all ages to bring people together in a safe and social environment.

Libraries played an important role for the children of Cllr Jo Rust, cabinet member for people and communities at West Norfolk Council, who said it was a place they often visited.

“When my children were young, the library was the place I could take them which was free and provided so many activities far beyond solely books. Now those activities have expanded even further,” she says.

“Bereavement cafés, free legal advice service, knit and natter, board games and Lego clubs are just a few of the things on offer, all for free.

“You can also sign up for free access to a huge range of publications. And, you can also have access out of hours, so if you work shifts and the library is shut when you are off work, you can still get in.

“With so many services being scaled back and harder to access, our public libraries play an even more important role in the lives of our residents, many of whom are struggling financially and health-wise. I would not be without my library card.”

According to the Local Government Association, Norfolk has a well-established ‘Healthy Libraries’ scheme that is having a “significant impact” in reducing social isolation and loneliness.

Norfolk County Council’s library service runs a range of initiatives, from singing and colouring groups to free internet access. They have played a vital role in keeping people connected before, during and following the pandemic.

Former mayor of West Norfolk, Lesley Bambridge, says: “Libraries offer a much wider service these days than when I first went weekly to my nearest library with my parents when very young.”

The main town libraries in West Norfolk are Swaffham, Lynn, Downham, Hunstanton and Fakenham, which all offer a wide range of services – not just book-borrowing.

The community is able to gain access to computers and Wi-Fi as well as resources, training and support for businesses – all for free.

There is also something to fit everyone’s needs, including baby weighing facilities, large prints, audio books, e-books and e-audio books, along with braille for children by request, dyslexia-friendly titles for adults and children and hearing loops.

What’s on offer at libraries in West Norfolk?

LYNN LIBRARY

The library, currently located on London Road, has an action-packed schedule prior to services moving into the town centre. Here is the line-up for the next several days:

• Friday, January 16, life writing and storytelling, 10.30am-12.30pm, Lego club, 5pm-6.30pm

• Saturday, January 17, Lego club, 10.30am,-12pm, autism friendly ‘just a cuppa’, 10.30am-12.30pm, children’s board games, 1.30pm-3.30pm

• Monday, January 19, bounce and rhyme, 10.30am,-11am, stay and play, 11am-12pm, just a cuppa, 2pm-3pm, record club, 5.30pm-6.30pm

• Tuesday, January 20, knit and natter, 10am-12pm, bereavement café, 12pm-2pm, colour yourself calm, 2pm-3pm

• Wednesday, January 21, scrabble club, 10.30am-12.30pm, seated exercise for older adults, 1.30pm-3pm, adult Lego club, 5pm-6.30pm.

The library is expected to close its doors on Saturday, February 14, as preparations begin for its relocation to the new site on New Conduit Street at the former Argos store.

The opening of the new venue will take place at some point in March, having already been pushed back to February.

The new spot will offer visitors access to library spaces for all ages alongside adult learning courses, business support, community services, and flexible spaces for events and workshops.

Cllr Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, previously said: “Placing the library right in the heart of Lynn means we are putting vital services where people already are – on the high street.”

The new space will bring much more than books to the town – a modern building across three floors with a bespoke children’s library, young person’s library, business library, quiet study space and a home for the council’s historic collection that can be accessed by the public.

There will be a permanent space for adult learning on the second floor, including a large multi-purpose room that can be used for anything from a conference or business meeting to a language course or a yoga class, as well as an “exciting programming series, designed with community groups, young people and partners”.

DOWNHAM LIBRARY

This library, located on Priory Road, has many great events, with something for everyone:

• Friday, January 16, just a cuppa, 10.30am-12.30pm, toasty toes, 11am-2pm, family fun Fridays, 4pm-5pm, board games for adults, 5pm-7pm

• Saturday, January 17, crafternoon, 2pm-3pm

• Tuesday, January 20, veteran’s café, 10.30am-12.30pm, craft connections, 2pm-3.30pm, Lego club, 4pm-5pm

• Wednesday, January 21, wriggly readers and ‘under 1 fun’, 11am-12pm, bereavement café, 12pm-1pm

SWAFFHAM LIBRARY

This library, located on The Pightle, acts as a social hub for the community with a range of activities:

• Friday, January 16, 1-1 digital support, 1pm-2pm, digital support, 2pm-4pm

• Saturday, January 17, just a cuppa, 10.30am-12pm, Lego club, 10.30am-11.30am

• Tuesday, January 20, bounce and rhyme, 10.30am-11.30am, ‘stay, chat and play’, 11am-12.30pm, ‘knit, stitch and natter’, 3pm-4.30pm

HUNSTANTON LIBRARY

This library is located on Valentine Road, offering:

• Friday, January 16, 11am-1pm, wool craft, knit, stitch and natter, 11am-1pm, digital support, 2pm-5pm, colour me calm, 4pm-6pm,

• Saturday, January 17, Lego fun, 10am-11am, board games, 11.30am-1.30pm, storytime and colouring, 2pm-2.30pm,

• Tuesday, January 20, audio book club, 10.30am-12pm, digital support, 2pm-5pm

FAKENHAM LIBRARY

The library can be found on Oak Street, offering:

• Saturday, January 17, family fun saturdays, 10am-12pm, coding club, 2pm-3pm

• Monday, January 19, digital support, 10.30am-12.30pm, Fakenham audio book club, 10.30am-12.30pm, just a cuppa, 11.30am-12.30pm, Just a Cuppa, 11.30am-12.30pm, board games for adults, 1pm-2.30pm, children’s craft time, 3.30pm-4.30pm

• Tuesday, January 20, creative writing with David Redfield, 10am-12pm, Lego club, 3.30pm-4.30pm

Back in 2015, Norfolk County Council launched its ‘Healthy Libraries’ initiative in partnership with Public Health England, which transformed libraries into community hubs for health and wellbeing, offering regular activities.

One of the longest-running initiatives is ‘Just a Cuppa’, which offers the community the opportunity to pop in for a hot drink and connect with others through chats.