St Ives Library continues to open its doors to the community from Monday to Saturday, between 9.30am and 4.30pm. It’s the perfect place to rest, read, work, and socialise, where the heating is on, and the seats are comfy!
Colin Nicholls grabs a coffee in the library
Take advantage of the free wifi as you use your own phone, tablet, or laptop, or use one of the public computers with no charge. Books, ranging from crime novels to crafts and romance to recipes, are on hand for you to browse at your leisure, or use your Cornwall Libraries card to borrow and take home. This includes one of only two arts collections in Cornwall.
With your library card you are not only able to borrow physical books, but also e-books, e-audiobooks and digital magazines, view concerts, learn languages, enjoy comics, and read newspapers from around the world.
Cornish tea and coffee are now available to drink in or take away. A Cup of Kindness scheme has been introduced, where you are invited to pay in advance for a hot drink which the Culture and Information team give out on your behalf.
Rhyme Time, every Wednesday at 10.45am, provides an opportunity for families to get together and sing with little ones, and an ever-growing event programme is building in the library for families. Ask a member of the team for more information.
You may be surprised with what is on offer inside this building — all hidden in plain sight in St Ives town centre! Come in and see for yourself.
• Find out more at stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/library-information-services.
Staying warm and safe this winter
Many people are worried about the cost of living crisis. Cornwall’s charities and community groups have combined forces to make it easier to find practical help and support, with a network of 35 Community Hubs across the county, each providing a safe and warm place to go.
Exact services and opening times vary from location to location, but the kind of support you might expect to find at a Community Hub includes:
- Hot food and drink
- Activities you can join in with, ranging from arts and craft sessions to cooking skills to IT — all delivered in a warm and friendly environment
- Access to practical information on managing your money and Winter Wellbeing guides
- Drop-in sessions on energy saving, benefit entitlement etc
- Someone to talk to who can hear your concerns and connect you to the right organisation who can help you
There is also a service called Community Gateway for people who don’t live near a Community Hub, or who are unable to leave the house due to illness or frailty.
All this has been possible thanks to a unique partnership of over 50 voluntary sector organisations working together with NHS Cornwall and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Councils.
‘Warm bank’ locations include St Ives Leisure Centre, where there are free hot drinks and biscuits, comfortable seats, hot showers, free WiFi and charging facilities. Check for opening times at www.better.org.uk. At Phillack Church Hall in Hayle, free drinks, sandwiches, soup, and cake are available on Thursdays between noon and 3pm.
• An up-to-date list of hubs can be found at volunteercornwall.org.uk
