News from Staffordshire Libraries

South Staffordshire Newsletter article – March 2026
World Book Day 2026 – Go All In!
World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March 2026, and this year it’s extra special. As it’s also the National Year of Reading, our libraries are inviting everyone to Go All In and celebrate the joy of reading together.
World Book Day is all about inspiring children to discover the fun and magic of books. Reading for pleasure has a powerful impact on children’s lives – it’s one of the biggest indicators of future happiness and success. Yet today, only one in three children says they enjoy reading. By encouraging a love of books, we can help change that – and transform lives.
To mark the day, our libraries will be buzzing with activity. We’ll be:
• Promoting brilliant books for all ages
• Hosting fun activities and events
• Dressing up as our favourite book characters (keep an eye out… 👀)
Why not join in? When you visit, encourage your children to come dressed as their favourite book characters too. We’d love to see their creativity and hear about the stories they love most.
For more information about World Book Day, pop into your local library or visit the World Book Day website at
www.worldbookday.com
Have you visited the newly refurbished Wombourne Library yet?

The fabulous, newly refurbished library in Wombourne re-opened to the public in December and is packed with lovely new features, a fantastic new children’s area, comfortable chairs to hang out and lots of new books.
Pop along and see for yourself!
Look out for events, groups, and community information pop-ups on our noticeboard, @SouthStaffsLibraries Instagram or ask our friendly team what’s going on!
Coffee Mornings – Every Tuesday 10:30am -12:00 – All Welcome!
Wombourne Library, Church Road, Wombourne, WV5 9EZ
Call 01902 506055 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Staffordshire Libraries is delighted to welcome back The Librarian of Weeping Bank to Wombourne Library…on World Book Day!
In Weeping Bank, they say The Librarian writes by moonlight and locks away his stories at dawn. But every now and then, by candlelight and under the watchful glow of a single brass lamp, he reads one or two of his chilling tales to rapt audiences across the country.
This is storytelling as it once was—eerie, immersive, and dangerously close.
‘Figure on the Pier’
Thursday 5th March 7-9pm (including an interval with refreshments)
Wombourne Library
£6 per person
“a masterclass in the art of the modern ghost story” Bronte Schiltz, writer/journalist
Secure your place at his reading at www.ticketsource.co.uk/weeping-bank
A WORD OF CAUTION: The Librarian’s readings contain moments of considerable unease and are deemed unsuitable for children or the faint of heart.
To learn more about The Librarian, his dark tales and the village of #WeepingBank, head over to www.weepingbank.com

RMS Titanic: Made in the Midlands
The dramatic Story of the ill-fated Titanic told from the perspective of Midlands industry, passengers, and crew.
Although the towns of Belfast and Southampton claim the Titanic as their own, over 70% of the ship’s interior was manufactured in the Midlands. Based on his own research Andrew tells the story of the Midlands’ industrial work on the ship and the fate of the local passengers.
A dramatic presentation delivered in full White Star Line Uniform, using images and numerous props. Climb aboard and experience the voyage of your life.
Andrew is a regular and extremely popular speaker at Staffordshire Libraries and this talk is sure to be fascinating and entertainingly told in Andrew’s inimitable style.
Wombourne Library
Tuesday 10th March
2:00pm-4:00pm (arrive for 1:45pm to be seated)
FREE
Refreshments served during an intermission.
Please contact Wombourne Library on 01902 506055 or email [email protected] to book your tickets
RAF Museum Family Fun Lego Day
Come along for a Lego STEM session with the RAF Museum Midlands community team! Enjoy Lego and much more.
Perfect Easter holiday entertainment for the kids!
Wombourne Library – Thursday 2nd April
10:30-12:30 and 1:00-3:00
FREE, just drop-in.
Contact Wombourne Library for more information on 01902 506055 or email [email protected]
Interactive Sensory Storytimes
With Lizzie from Staffordshire Archives Service
Wombourne Library
Monday 30th March
• 10:30am – Archive Animals
• 11:30am – Staffordshire Cinderella Rhyme, wiggle and get hands on!
Free (No need to book)
Ages 1-6
Please contact Wombourne Library for more information on 01902 506055 or email [email protected]
Exciting Weekly Activities for Little Ones at Wombourne Library!
Looking for fun, free activities for your child? Wombourne Library has you covered! Starting in the New Year, we’re offering regular sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers — perfect for learning, playing, and making new friends.
Here’s what’s on:
• Tots Time
Mondays, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Creative crafts and wonderful stories for curious little minds.
• Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:00 am
Sing along and enjoy rhymes with your baby in a friendly, welcoming space.
• Storytime
Fridays, 10:15 – 10:45 am
Magical tales to spark imagination and a love of reading.
All sessions run during term time only.
Call 01902 506055 or email [email protected] for more details.
Come along and make Wombourne Library part of your child’s weekly adventure!
Join the Games Club at Wombourne Library! 🎲
Looking for a fun way to spend time with friends, meet new people, and enjoy your favourite games? Starting in the New Year, Wombourne Library is launching a Games Club for young people – and you’re invited!
• Every Wednesday: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
• Every Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Who can join?
All ages welcome! Whether you love board games, card games, or just want to try something new, there’s something for everyone.
No need to book – just drop in!
Bring your friends or come along and make new ones. It’s all about having fun, learning new games, and enjoying a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
📍 Start the New Year with a game – see you at Wombourne Library!

From Pain to Possibility – A 10 Step Journey at Perton Library
Are you living with chronic pain? If so, come and meet us at Perton Library to learn new ways to better manage your symptoms. We are Sarah Whitehouse (Health and Wellbeing Coach for Seisdon PCN) who will be guiding the discussions, and Sarah Jadowski (Care Co-ordinator for Seisdon PCN) who will be co-ordinating the groups
Starting 17th March 2026 – 12:30pm-2:30pm then the 3rd Tuesday of every month thereafter.
Each month over a 10-month period, there will be a theme that we will cover:
1, Understanding Pain.
2, Acceptance and what that means to you.
3, Relaxation and Mindfulness.
4, Sleep well.
5, Pacing your activities.
6, Goal setting and getting active.
7, Communication.
8, Managing moods.
9, Nutrition and medicines.
10, Managing setbacks.
Please secure your place by sending an email to [email protected]
Please be advised, to attend the group, you must be registered at one of the Seisdon PCN surgeries: Bilbrook Medical Centre, Russell House Surgery, Featherstone Family Health Centre, Gravel Hill Surgery, Dale Medical Practice, Lakeside Medical Centre, Tamar Medical Centre, and Claverley Medical Practice.
Live in the Wombourne area? Interested in crafts?
Want to join or help set up a craft group at Wombourne Library?
We’re investigating if people would like to attend a regular craft group at Wombourne Library. Groups are a great way to meet new people, share ideas and skills and learn new things. We’re looking for people who may wish to help look after the group or who just wish to come along and join in.
Contact Wombourne Library on 01902 506055 or e-mail [email protected] or just ask a member of staff.
Interested in Wargaming?
Would you like to help run or attend regular Wombourne Library wargaming sessions? Do you have wargaming games or models to share with a group?
We would love to set up a group if there is interest, the Library is the perfect place to relax, meet new people and play games.
Express your interest at the desk or contact us at [email protected] or 01902 506055
Everyone welcome!
Join the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group at Perton Library for a ‘Shakespeare Selection’
Celebrate ‘Shakespeare Week’ at Perton Library with the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group. The group will perform scenes from Shakespeare plays and read a selection of sonnets. Take part in an audience Q&A session where you will also be able to request favourite pieces for the group to perform.
Perton Library
Tuesday 24th March
7:00pm-8:00pm (Please arrive for 6:45pm to be seated)
FREE, but donations requested to cover the groups expenses.
Refreshments available.
Please contact Perton Library for more information or to book on 01902 506050 or [email protected]

Join the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group at Wombourne Library for a ‘Shakespeare Selection’
Celebrate ‘Shakespeare Week’ at Perton Library with the ‘Hour Shakespeare’ group. The group will perform scenes from Shakespeare plays and read a selection of sonnets. Take part in an audience Q&A session where you will also be able to request favourite pieces for the group to perform.
Wombourne Library
Wednesday 25th March
7:00pm-8:00pm (Please arrive for 6:45pm to be seated)
FREE, but donations requested to cover the groups expenses.
Refreshments available.
Please contact Wombourne Library for more information or to book on 01902 506055 or [email protected]
Codsall Macular Group

The Codsall Macular Group is a support group for individuals affected by macular disease or macular degeneration. The group meets at Codsall Library on the first Friday of each month from 1.30pm to 3pm. This group is open to anyone affected by macular disease or central vision loss, providing a space for support, information, and community.
For more information or to join the group, you can visit the Macular Society’s website or contact them directly. The Macular Society is dedicated to helping people with sight loss caused by macular disease and offers a range of services to improve lives and fund medical research.

Codsall Library
First Friday of each month
1.30pm-3pm

Contact Hazel on 07773755005 for more information or just pop in.
Visit https://www.macularsociety.org/

Have you been affected by cancer or are simply wanting to improve your wellbeing?
A friendly and free Wellbeing Drop-In service, with Seisdon Primary Care Network, is here for you. Come along for a relaxed chat If you would like to understand the early signs and symptoms of cancer or are simply looking for ways to feel better, cope more easily, or would like to take charge of your health.
We’re here to support you.
Perton Library – Thurs 19th March 10am-12pm
Wombourne Library – Tues 24th March 11am – 1pm
Codsall Library – Tuesday 14th April 1:30pm-3:30pm
Please contact Perton Library 01902 506050 or email [email protected] or Codsall Library on 01902 506060 or e-mail [email protected] or Wombourne Library on 01902 506055 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Join the team of Library Volunteers at Wombourne Library
We are looking for people who would like to give some time back to their community by volunteering at Wombourne Library.
Roles available:
Baby Bounce and Rhyme Support Volunteer – to sing nursery rhymes to parents and babies at weekly sessions
Storytime Volunteer – reading stories to young children on a weekly basis
IT Buddy – to support people getting online, especially Ancestry
Other roles may be available or you may have ideas how you would like to volunteer so just ask at the desk or email [email protected] , or [email protected]
Free Computer Courses for Staffordshire Residents in South Staffordshire
Staffordshire Community Learning are looking to branch out into South Staffordshire and would like to offer FREE courses to begin at Codsall and/or Perton Library in the Autumn
After the Wombourne Library refurbishment we hope to offer courses there also!
They are offering
• Beginner Digital Skills (for those with little or no experience)
• Digital Internet Skills
• Digital Office Skills
Please register your interest NOW either by letting us know at your local library or by contacting Community Learning directly at 01543 334537 or by e-mail at [email protected]
You can also visit their website at www.staffordshirecommunitylearning.org.uk
Please state the Library you would like to attend a course at and your preference. (Courses can only run if 5 people or more sign up.)
Compton Care – Bereavement Hub
Pop in and have a chat with the team from Compton Care. There will be NO session in January, but they will start again in February

Codsall Library
First Monday of the month
11am-12.30pm

Perton Library
Every First Thursday of the month
10am – 12pm

Discover your past with Ancestry Library Edition.
Now with the 1921 England and Wales Census available for the first time!
Weekly Ancestry sessions available at Perton Library 5pm – 7pm
To express your interest please speak to a member of
staff or call 01902 506050 or email: [email protected]
1-2-1 sessions are also available at Codsall Library. Please call 01902 506060 or e-mail [email protected] to book.

Improving access to online health services through libraries

Did you know that you can use the NHS App services online at Perton & Wombourne Library?

Use our library computers to log into your NHS Account, where you can order repeat prescriptions, view your GP record and much more.

You can also use the free Wi-Fi that libraries provide to use the NHS App on your smart phone. www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/account/

Perton Mums

The first day of starting school is a milestone that can fill both parent and child with a mix of excitement and anxiety. For the parent, there is now time to meet new friends and discover ‘my time’. That’s why I have started Perton Mums which meets in the Wrottesley Room at Perton Library on Monday mornings in term time from 9 until 11. Come along for a cuppa and chat, biscuits included of course. Enjoy a couple of hours without the children, relax, chat, and discover new opportunities. Ann Everitt, Coordinator, Perton Mums

Perton Library
Mondays 9am – 11am

Recycle at Your Library
Staffordshire Libraries in South Staffordshire are teaming up with Waste Savvy Staffs to expand a bra recycling scheme that also helps to support the ‘Against Breast Cancer’ Charity.

Bra recycling banks are onsite at Codsall, Perton, Wombourne Library and Kinver Community Library and we hope to roll out this offer elsewhere as well.

You can also find ink cartridge recycling points and battery boxes at Codsall, Perton and Wombourne to dispose of those unwanted ink cartridges and batteries.

To find out more contact your local library or search for Waste Savvy Staffs on Facebook.

Perton Library Astronomy Club

Pop along to our next meeting for informal chat, presentations and observing if the skies are clear. Bring your own telescope or binoculars if you have them and get help in making the most of them.
Beginners welcome!
Thursday 19th February
7:00pm-9:00pm (usually every third Thursday of the Month)

Need advice on Wills and Power of Attorney
Thornes Solicitors will be offering free pop-up advice sessions.
Codsall Library – Every Third Thursday of the month at 10am – 11:30am
Perton Library – Every First Wednesday of the month at 10am – 1130am
Contact Perton Library on 01902 506050 or Codsall Library on 01902 506060 for more information.

IT Buddy available at Wombourne Library

Every Wednesday
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Free-Bookable slots
Please contact Wombourne Library for more information or to book on 01902 506055.

IT Buddy available at Perton Library
Free – Bookable slots, check for availability
Call 01902 506050 for details or to book.

Hour Shakespeare at Perton Library 2026

Hour Shakespeare at Wombourne Library 2026

Wombourne 2026 poster