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Freshwater Library opened 70 years ago, and was the first purpose built library on the Isle of Wight. In 1904 book collections were sent in boxes from Seely Library in Newport and in turn displayed in West Wight Social Club and local Schools. The library was completed in October 1939, the year war broke out. With 4,000 books, one young borrower was so pleased to be able to touch new books! We now hold 10,000 books and over 15,000 items. To find out more click here.
Services available at this library:
- Books
- DVDs*
- Videos*
- Talking Books on Cassette*
- Large Print
- Reading Group
- Computer facilities
- Internet access
- Word processing
- Scanning facilities
- Printing*
- Photocopying service*
- Fax service *
- Exhibition Gallery*
- Reference Collection
- Local Studies Collection
- Tennyson Collection
- Robert Hooke Collection
- Julia Margaret Cameron Collection
- Newspapers
- Garden Refuse Sacks*
- Local walk leaflets*
- Magnifying Sheets*
- Bus pass applications
- Teenage Area
- Children’s Library
- Homework collection
- Rhyme Time every Friday 10.30 - 11.00am
- Storytime for under 6s every Saturday 11.00 - 11.30am
Freshwater Help Centre
The library now accommodates the West Wight Information Centre. For opening times please click here. Please note the Help Centre is not open on Mondays and Wednesdays during March 2010.
HM Revenue & Customs
On Wednesdays, 9.30-12.30, an Inland Revenue member of staff is available for Inland Revenue enquiries. Click here for their website.
Events at this library
Age Concern visit – 12th March
There will be leaflets and a display about the services Age Concern offer, from Saturday 6th March to Wednesday 10th March. On Friday 12th March there will be an advisor available at 10 am for information, advice, advocacy, shopping service, welfare benefits, befriending service and many more services.
Book Chat – 30th March
Do you love reading? Are you keen to talk to other people about the books you have read, the good and the not so good? Freshwater Library has a “Book Chat” group for people like you. Meeting other group members once a month in the library, you will be able to talk about your favourite books and those books you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy! If you want to, you can read out your favourite passages from the books you’ve read, to inspire the others to read them too.
Bouncy storytime – 7th April
Why not bounce your way to Freshwater Library for bouncy stories, craft and games. The event is for 4-8 year olds on Wednesday 7th April, 2.30-3.45.
The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
Freshwater then and now – 20th May
| A short walk around Freshwater, giving you the chance to share your memories and experiences of life in the village. Meet at Freshwater Library, 10am on Thursday May 20th. This is part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival |  |
Outdoor Arts & Crafts on the lawn – 11th August
Arts & Crafts to enjoy and buy on the lawn, on Wednesday 11th August,
10-4.00. Application forms for a stall available from May.
10-4.00. Application forms for a stall available from May.
New Books
Click here to see a selection of new books added to Freshwater Library
in January 2010.
Click here to see a selection of new books added to Freshwater Library
in February 2010.
in January 2010.
Click here to see a selection of new books added to Freshwater Library
in February 2010.
Try a new book or DVD!
Click the picture for more details and to see if the item is currently in.
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Promotions at this library
Book Chat
Are you keen to recommend books? To celebrate World Book day we are asking our borrowers to recommend books for other people to enjoy. It may be your favourite novel, modern or classic. Or it could be a biography of a favourite person, or a practical and easy to use gardening book
Gardening books
Click here to see a selection of gardening books recently added to Freshwater Library.
Out of this World – short story competition
Out of this world is the title of our short story competition for ages 7-9, 10-13 and 14-16. Great prizes to be won! For more details and an application form ask at your local library or in school. Closing date is 1st April for schools and 6th April for Freshwater Library.
Meet your local Health Trainers
Do you want to improve your health and well being? Don’t know where to start? Need some support and practical ideas? Your local health trainers are visit the library regularly, where they will be available for personal advice and support on your health and wellbeing.
Information, Advice & Guidance
Are you considering returning to learning? Do you need to learn new skills to gain employment but feel unsure of your next move? For a 1-2-1 free and unbiased Advice and Guidance session with Lu Farnsworth for help with your next step, contact Freshwater Library or for further information call 527529. Click here for their website.
Sale Books
We have a selection of withdrawn stock for sale in the library.
Exhibitions
Art Exhibition – March
An exhibition of art work in a variety of media by The Friday Afternoon Art Group, who meet at the Tennyson Suite, Memorial Hall every Friday from 2.30-4.30. They are of mixed abilities who meet to draw and paint for pleasure.
New members welcome or for more information phone Mike on 756729.
New members welcome or for more information phone Mike on 756729.
Go Wild on Wight photography exhibition - April
Come and see the stunning winning and shortlisted entries from the category ‘It’s a Very Small World: Go Wild on Wight’ - part of IW Photographer of the Year 2009 competition.
This exhibition highlights the unique and diverse wildlife of the Island whilst showcasing some of our homegrown photographic talent. It also forms part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity celebrations and is supported by the IW Biodiversity Partnership.
Please see their website
This exhibition highlights the unique and diverse wildlife of the Island whilst showcasing some of our homegrown photographic talent. It also forms part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity celebrations and is supported by the IW Biodiversity Partnership.
Please see their website
Wight Nature Fund – April 3rd –April 17th
2010 is the 20th anniversary of Wight Nature Fund. It was set up in 1990 to purchase and manage land for nature conservation and people. WNF has worked with the local Island community, conservation and other organisations to conserve those parts of the Island threatened by development or neglect.
The Fund, with the help of volunteers, manages four sites across the Island - Alverstone Mead and Youngwoods Copse at Alverstone, Pelham Woods at St Lawrence and Mill Copse at Yarmouth. Please see their website.
Alan Titchmarsh has kindly agreed to be an honorary patron of Wight Nature Fund.
The Fund, with the help of volunteers, manages four sites across the Island - Alverstone Mead and Youngwoods Copse at Alverstone, Pelham Woods at St Lawrence and Mill Copse at Yarmouth. Please see their website.
Alan Titchmarsh has kindly agreed to be an honorary patron of Wight Nature Fund.
Calling all local artists!
Looking for somewhere to exhibit your paintings or photographs? How about Freshwater Library? We have over 6,000 visitors each month, and you will only be asked to pay us a fee (10%) if you sell any of your work. Phone the library on 752377 for availability. To download an art exhibition application form click here.
New – A Community Archive for Freshwater and Totland
The plan is to set up a local archive in the West Wight, recording the history of the area, and providing a valuable resource for the local community. If you would like to join the group, or have photos, documents, maps, news, memories or articles please contact Roger on 755382 or the staff at Freshwater Library. The next meeting will be on Monday 12th April at 10.30 at the Maderia House, the home of West Wight Landscape Partnership.
Past Events
70 years of Freshwater Library – 16th November, 2009
Freshwater Library had their official opening of the new building on 16th November 1939. To celebrate 70 years of service to the people of West Wight, the library put on a display about its history, and events past and present. At 11 am on the 16th itself we shared with our readers a celebratory cake.
E-readers & Audio Downloads – 10th February 2010
We had a demonstration of e-readers from Paul at Waterstones and were shown how to download free audio books from the Library’s website. Please click here for more information.
Courses
Family History Fun
A guided tour of some of the family history sites available on the internet, given by the Island Heritage Librarian. Cost £5.00. Booking essential. Please ask at the counter for further details.
Silver Surfers
If you are over 50 and want to learn how to use the Internet and e-mail, register for a free 2 hour Silver Surfer Session at Freshwater Library. Please ask at the counter for further details.
One to one hourly internet session –
West Wight Training Centre regularly come to Freshwater Library offering free one to one hourly internet sessions. They will give an introduction to using the computers, help with Word, using email and the internet. Booking is essential.
Local Reading Groups are now reading:
West Wight Reading Group: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Good Read Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Jan Toms Reading Group: Sea of poppies by Amitav Ghosh
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Hopeful Reading Group – Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
Red Lion Reading Group – Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
For more details of these groups please ask the staff at Freshwater Library.
The Good Read Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Jan Toms Reading Group: Sea of poppies by Amitav Ghosh
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Hopeful Reading Group – Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
Red Lion Reading Group – Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
For more details of these groups please ask the staff at Freshwater Library.
Useful Information
Service Description: Children’s and adults’ books, large print books, videos, DVDs and talking books on tape, reference collection, newspapers, photocopying, fax service, free internet access, free computer access and a collection of books on Tennyson. Freshwater Library also has a gallery space for art exhibitions.
| Contact Information | |
| Department | Libraries & Information Service |
| Address | Freshwater Library 41 School Green Road Freshwater Isle of Wight PO40 9AP |
| External Phone | 01983 752377 |
| Opening Times | Monday 9.00am - 5.30pm Tuesday 9.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday 9.30am - 6.00pm Thursday CLOSED Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm Sunday CLOSED |
| Contact | Click to contact service |
| Direct Contact | |
| Contact Name | Lois COOPER |
| Job Title | Library & Information Co-ordinator |
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