OPENING HOURS
Tuesdays 10am - 5pm
Thursdays 10am - 5pm
Fridays 10am - 5pm
Saturdays 10am - 1pm
If you want to find out about borrowing, returning, renewing or reserving books please click on the link in the box below.
Come and keep cool at the library
In hot weather cool spaces can provide welcome relief.
Come and enjoy our air conditioning, read a good book, do a jigsaw, stay hydrated and enjoy the company of other library members.
Do you play or are learning Piano?
You may have noticed the beautiful piano in the library? If you can already play, or are learning to play, the piano you can come and play it on:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
12-1pm or 4.15-4.30pm
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
12-1pm
Image Mary Garbett
Library Matters Newsletter
We're starting a new newsletter to let you know:
-
What's new in the library
-
The best reads for the month
-
What's on for the coming month
-
Special events at the library
-
Special library related events in the area
-
Special library news
If you'd like to receive the newsletter type your email into the box and click on subscribe.
WHAT's NEW
Our regular library activities are listed below and please visit us on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to borrow books.
Please note that if you're using an Apple device you may not be able to see the calendar or the facebook feed due to settings issues. Just scroll down and you'll see all the info you need about everything that's going on at the library is detailed in the boxes below.
Summer Reading Challenge
Read to the Beat
Reading and music both ignite our imagination and creativity.
Read about musicians, characters discovering music, sound science, cultural traditions, rhythm, storytelling through sound, breaking down barriers to music, creative expression and following your dreams.
Sign up at the library, or online, and every time you finish a book you can collect special stickers and rewards for reading.
Story time
Bring your children to Story Time for children of all ages.
Tuesdays at 10.30 - 11 am
every week
After-School Story time
For primary-aged children and their families.
Grab a hot chocolate and a biscuit and snuggle up to listen to a good book read by one of our volunteers
Every Tuesday at 3.45 - 4.15pm
Lego Club
Join us every Saturday morning from 10.30am and make whatever your imagination builds with our large collection of Lego. Check out previous creations in our display window.
Saturdays at 10.30am - 12.30pm
every week
Piano and Cello Concert
Sold Out!
For children and Families with duo Two's Company!
Featuring music from Star Wars, Harry Potter and more!
Have a go at conducting with a real baton!
Free to attend. Please get a ticket in advance from the library.
Friday 24th July at 2pm
Meet your local Councillor
Gregory Smith or Maru Mormina will be at the library on the second Saturday of the month from 11am-12noon to discuss any local issues, concerns or ideas you may have.
Saturday 8 August 2026
11am - 12 noon
Summer fun at the library
What's on in July
Thursday 23rd
All Day Help us create a Musical Mural!
Friday 24th
All Day Make a Shaker
2-2.30 Cello and Piano Concert for Children
Saturday 25th
10.30-12.30 Lego Club and Crafts
Tuesday 28th
All Day Help us create a Musical Mural!
10.30-11 Story time
3.45-4.15 Story time
Thursday 30th
All Day Make Paper Straw Pan Pipes
Friday 1st
All Day Make a Harmonica
What's on in August
Thursday 6th
All Day Musical Treasure Hunt
Friday 7th
All Day Board Games and Puzzles
Tuesday 11th
All Day Make a Shaker
Thursday 13th
All Day Poetry Challenge
Friday 14th
All Day All Day Lego Club
Tuesday 18th
10.30 Storytime with the Dentist
a fun interactive session - all
about teeth
Thursday 20th
All Day Make a Harmonica
Friday 21st
All Day Decorate our Musical Mural!
Tuesday 25th
2.30 Workshop - Explore the exciting
musical world of Carmen!
Free to attend but please get
a ticket in advance from the
library.
Thursday 26th
All Day Board Games and Puzzles
Friday 28th
All Day Paper Dolls - make a band!
PLUS! Our regular activities
Storytimes - Tuesdays 10.30 and 3.45
Lego Club - Saturdays 10 - 12.30
Pop in to play our piano
12-1 Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
4.15 - 4.45pm Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and our Summer Poetry Writing Competition!
Carmen Musical Workshop
Discover what it takes to be an opera-singing soldier!
Join Rosie on a free adventure into the exciting musical world of Carmen, full of smuggling, passion and revenge - as well as some fantastic tunes.
We'll explore what it means to sing opera, what an opera is, and learn one of the best bits together: The amazing Children's Chorus.
March along and join in!
For children and families.
Suitable for kids up to age 10 (and adults of any age!)
Free to attend! Please get a ticket from the library in advance.
Tuesday 25th August, 2.30pm
Gordon Macintosh from Note books to new Children's books
During lockdown Gordon used the book-binding skills he learned in South Africa, almost 70 years ago, to create beautiful notebooks. These feature his own artwork on the covers and are on sale through the library.
Gordon is generously donating the proceeds to purchase some lovely new books for our Children. You can find these by the window in the Children's area and they're ready and waiting to be taken home and read.
Gordon's notebooks make lovely gifts. At prices ranging from 50p to £3.00 they're amazing value. If they're not on show just ask at the desk.
Saving Libraries is good for children
A letter from Prof Paul Sturges published in The Guardian highlights the importance of libraries for children.
Professor Sturges states that 'the lack of access to well-stocked libraries should concern us more than the number of children owning books'.
Shockingly, at a time when nearly a million children in the UK don't own a book local libraries are under threat from budget constraints across the UK. As Prof Sturges says 'this denies children the access to the enormous range of books that libraries have been able to offer in the past'.
His letter is a timely reminder for us all to use our libraries and the many facilities they offer us - all free of charge.
borrowing, returning, renewing and reserving books
Borrowing books
Library members can borrow up to 30 items at a time from any of the libraries across Buckinghamshire.
Returning books
When we are open, books may be returned at the counter or you can drop them off in the Red Book returns box by the notice board.
When the library is closed, books may be returned to ANY library in Buckinghamshire. Please check the county library website for details of the opening hours for other Bucks County Libraries.
Renewing books
When we're open, books can be renewed at the counter, online using the Renew page on the County Library website at any time or you can use the Spydus Mobile app which you can download from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Reserving books
You can reserve books:
1. at the library counter,
2. online using the County Library website. Just search for the book you want and then click on place reservation and follow the instructions to reserve the book and choose the library you want to collect it from. You can also choose to receive messages when your book is ready to pick up or cancel reservations if you no longer need any books you've reserved.
3. by using the Spydus Mobile app to reserve or cancel books. You can download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
The charge for reserving a book is now £1.10.
recent events
An afternoon with Robin Ince
Robin Ince returned to talk about his latest books and bought his pal Jakko Jakszyk, of King Crimson fame with him as well.
Those of you who've seen Robin perform will know what an amazing mind he has. He shared some of his poetry and excerpts from some of his favourite books with us. Jakko shared stories about his life and being a musician. Along the way we learned more about neurodiversity and how we can all communicate better to boot.
A great afternoon was had by all.
Look What I've Found!
Hugh Granger took us through some of the unintended finds that have had life changing impacts on the modern world.
From substances that originally wouldn't stick to anything that became non-stick surfaces for pans to a would be artificial rubber that made it's inventor a multi-millionaire as a toy and much more.
Hugh will be back to speak to us about The Art of Deception in World War 2 at 2pm on April 23 April. The talk is free but places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
Jane Austen Evening
We had a full house with over 70 people coming to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.
Dr Kathryn Sutherland, author of 'Jane Austen in 41 objects', encouraged us to view her through significant objects from her life. From personal items like her shawl to the iconic 'wet shirt' worn by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Her book sold remarkably well with 20% of the proceeds benefitting the library.
Live period musical was performed by local musicians and members of Oxford's Frideswide Voices sang period songs accompanied by a Regency piano. Haddenham Museum kindly loaned us Regency-era artefacts and maps for the audience to peruse while enjoying their prosecco and period-inspired sweet treats prepared by Library Trustees and Waddesdon Manor kitchens.
Get online
Free Wifi is available in the library to over 16s using your own device and our charging stations
We also have three computers you can use. Library members are entitled to 1 hour free computer internet access per day upon presentation of their library card. This is subject to borrowers' appropriate use of the service. Non Members are charged 50p per 15 mins.
If you need help come and see Mary, she's usually here on Thursday mornings but won't be in on Thursday 16th July.
Learn my way is also a great free resource.
All things digital
Need help with getting on line, using your computer or device or want to be more confident with all things digital.
Drop into the library on a Thursday morning and Mary will help you with your queries.
Learn my way
In our tech-focused world many more people are relying on computers and tablets for reading as well as socialising. If you need help to get started or would like some tips to further your understanding, you might like to try this free resource.
Click on the Learn My Way logo below to learn more.
Top tips for online safety
Action fraud is urging people to use strong passwords and 2-step verification after receiving thousands of reports of hacked email and social media accounts.
Scammers have extorted victims for money and used accounts to commit fraud. This includes things like selling fake Taylor Swift tickets as people tend to be less suspicious of things being sold by someone who with lots of friends on their profile and years of posts.
Staying safe online
Christmas is fast approaching with phones and tablets being high on present lists. Action Fraud has these tips to stay safe and help new users to stay safe:
-
Keep your accounts secure with strong passwords – 8 characters or more with upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols
-
Use a different password for each account – You can use the password manager provided on your device or download a separate app to store them securely
-
Set up 2-step verification and never share your 2-step verification codes with anyone
-
Check email addresses by clicking on the From name, when it changes colour click again to see the real email address. If it’s different and you don’t recognise it as being safe don’t click on any links or open or download any attachments.
-
Report suspect emails by forwarding them and any attachments to report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete the email. Action Fraud will look into it and block suspect addresses and you'll be helping to save others from being scammed.
-
Report suspect social media messages - if something doesn’t seem right report the message and block the sender within the app
-
More information – Visit the National Trading Standards Friends against scamming site where you can download their ‘How to avoid scams’ booklet and use their elearning video and free courses to learn more and spread awareness throughout your community.
If you need help with any of these come and speak with Mary on Thursday mornings.
Disclaimer - These tips are taken from the Action Fraud website. Haddenham Community Library is not responsible for this information or content on third party websites.