Chipping Sodbury Library

Opening Hours

For details about library services and any other enquiries, please phone 01454 868006, or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Library lends patients a hand

Library staff at Thornbury are on hand to help patients use the electronic system that enables them to book hospital outpatient appointments at a time and place that suits them and or choose where they would like to be treated.

All patients in England who are referred for elective hospital treatment can choose to be treated at any hospital in the country that meets NHS standards. They can also choose their outpatient appointments at a time and date that suits them.

Staff in all of the libraries in South Gloucestershire have been trained to use the electronic “Choose and Book” system and help any member of the public use it to book their outpatient appointments. Choose and Book is the national electronic system that patients can use to book their outpatient appointments or choose their hospitals.

“We make choices in many areas of our lives and now we can do the same when it comes to our healthcare. This means for example, that you can choose to have planned treatment close to where your family members live if this is convenient or you may want to be treated at a particular hospital because of its good track record. Similarly you can choose the date and time of your outpatient appointment,” said Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, Penny Harris.

“However we were concerned that some people may be prevented from making these choices because they found the system difficult to use. We are therefore delighted that librarians across South Gloucestershire have learnt how to use the system and will be on hand to help any members of the public who need it.”

Energy meters – now available from your local library

Libraries in South Gloucestershire are helping people to save money and go green by lending out energy meters.

The meters in libraries are the latest council initiative to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes and save money.

The meters measure electricity consumption, so householders can easily see the difference made by turning off appliances instead of leaving them on stand-by, and the amounts of energy different equipment can use.

The meters will be available to borrow for three weeks and are proving very popular so you may well need to reserve one (no charge).

Mobile Library

The Mobile Library is free to join and borrow books from. Books in Large Print and Children’s books are available as well as popular authors and recent publications. If we don’t have the author or subject available on board it can be reserved for free to be collected next visit. We also stock Talking Books (in both CD and Cassette format), Jigsaws and a selection of films on DVD.

You can use the Mobile Library service even if you also use another library so South Gloucestershire library cards or Active Cards are valid on board.

The Mobile Library is equipped with a lift for people with mobility problems.

The Mobile Library is a fortnightly service and details of all the routes and dates are available from any South Gloucestershire Library or at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or on 01454 868006.

Home Library Service

If you enjoy reading but are housebound and unable to get to the library (even if it’s a temporary incapacity due to an operation etc.) or you find your library books are too heavy to carry home, our friendly and helpful home library service volunteers can bring library books to you in your own home.

Just give the library a ring or ask a friend or relative to contact us on your behalf.

Did you know you can also ask ‘Yate, Sodbury & District Community Transport’ to bring you to the Library? Just ask us for details.

Are you eligible for library concessions?

If you are in receipt of one of the following you are entitled to concessions:
Working family tax credit; disability living allowance; housing benefit; state pension; disabled person's tax credit; widows benefit; income support; industrial disablement benefit; incapacity benefit; student in full time education.

We will require initial proof of benefit. In most cases the concession will entitle you to half-price reservations, music CDs and spoken word tapes. In addition if you are visually impaired or housebound you will not be required to pay any charge (including overdue charges).

Active card - an active mind in an active body

The Leisure Trust, Council and NHS of South Gloucestershire have created a new Active card to cover library and leisure.

Now one card fits all - it lets you borrow books, access the Internet at libraries, have a swim or use the gym. This is not all about sport and fitness - more about a balanced lifestyle, full of interest, vibrancy, reading, learning, playing and health.

All this on offer, and it's free to join! Pop in to the library or leisure centre to join, or visit: www.activecard.co.uk

The Active card replaces many of the existing cards you currently use in South Gloucestershire. When you join the Active scheme you'll have access to information and updates about what's going on, so you and your family can get active.

You also have the oppportunity to upgrade your card and save money on activities.

Ancestry.com

Who are you? People can now find out about their family history for free at all South Gloucestershire Libraries. Through the Ancestry website, which is normally a pay to view service, library users will have access to more than 4 billion names in over 4,000 collections which includes access to the censuses from 1841 to 1901.

The new service has been supported by local family history groups. Bob Lawrence, Chair of Bristol and Avon Family History Society said "Our society welcomes the initiative by South Gloucestershire to provide this access in their libraries, Ancestry. Com is a fantastic resource to both experienced family historians and those just beginning to look into their family history"

Ancestry Library Edition is available at all South Gloucestershire libraries. Time on the computers can be pre-booked by contacting any South Gloucestershire Library.

Please note this FREE service is only available from the library computers.

For more information on any of the above items please ring the library on 01454 868006 or visit our web-site: www.librarieswest.org.uk

You can use the website to renew your books, check the catalogue, reserve items and consult a wide range of on-line reference materials including Oxford English Dictionary Online; Oxford Reference Online; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; Grove Music Online; Grove Art Online. You will need your borrower number and pin number (available from the library).

We have a 24 hour renewal line on 08450 020 777, and can inform you of reservations and overdue items either by email, text or voice message. If you would like to opt into any of these you can change the details online, ask at the counter or ring on the above number. Please note to access many of these services you may be asked for your PIN number, please ask the staff for this.

For reference enquiries try our Library Enquiry Centre on 01454 866900 or email .

We also offer free Internet access and word processing.


Chipping Sodbury Library
High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH

Phone: 01454 868006
Website: www.librarieswest.org.uk
Email:
Librarians: Neil Weston and Jackie Roseblade