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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
Colour photocopying
Now at Freshwater Library!
Freshwater Help Centre
The library now accommodates the West Wight Information Centre. For opening times please click here.
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.
New Books
Click here to see a selection of new books added to Freshwater Library
in December 2009.
Click here to see a selection of new books added to Freshwater Library
in January 2009.
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
Misery Memoirs
Back in the 1990s, Dave Pelzer’s account of his appalling childhood “A boy called it” launched a publishing phenomenon, the misery memoir. If you enjoy reading about the triumph of the human spirit over extreme adversity, if you want your emotions to be stirred and your heartstrings pulled, the collection of personal childhood memoirs will really appeal.
Good beginnings, bad endings
Not every novel has a Hollywood happy ending with the hero or heroine skipping carefree into the sunset. Some stories do not end so well, and Freshwater Library has put together a collection of novels in which things do not go to plan, and disappointment or tragedy are the unwanted results. Bad endings do sometimes made a good read though!
Gardening books
Outdoor Arts & Crafts – 16th August
Here are some photos!
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Reminiscences day – 6th OctoberWe had an enjoyable morning looking at photos, newspaper cuttings and listening and sharing stories of West Wight. |  |  |
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70 years of Freshwater Library – 16th November
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.
Freshwater Library
Three score and ten. Three score and ten.
The Bible’s stated age for men.
Sometimes exceeded, sometimes thwarted;
Fate consigned or fortune courted.
Life can be fickle, kind or cruel.
What be our ending; sage or fool?
Three score and ten. Three score and ten.
What for a public building then?
Conceived in peace, but born in war,
It serves the rich and serves the poor
And holds its gift by word and letter,
And just gets better, better, better.
©Ruth Twyman Lockyer November 2009
The Bible’s stated age for men.
Sometimes exceeded, sometimes thwarted;
Fate consigned or fortune courted.
Life can be fickle, kind or cruel.
What be our ending; sage or fool?
Three score and ten. Three score and ten.
What for a public building then?
Conceived in peace, but born in war,
It serves the rich and serves the poor
And holds its gift by word and letter,
And just gets better, better, better.
©Ruth Twyman Lockyer November 2009
Events at this library
Meet your local Health Trainers – 10th February
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 visiting the library on Wednesday 10th February, 10am to 12noon, where they will be available for personal advice and support on your health and wellbeing.
Reading in the 21st Century – 10th February
If you would like to find out how to download ebooks, or are confused about which ebook reader to buy, help is at hand. Paul Armfield, manager of Newport’s Waterstones book shop will giving a free talk at Freshwater Library at 6.30pm on Wednesday 10th February.
At the talk, you can also find out how to download an exciting range of talking books free of charge from the Library Service website.
At the talk, you can also find out how to download an exciting range of talking books free of charge from the Library Service website.
Yucky Stories – 17th February
Find out the most “yucky” stories in our library by coming to a yucky storytime!
Stories, games and craft for the 4-9 year olds on Wednesday 17th February, 2.30-3.45.
Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
Stories, games and craft for the 4-9 year olds on Wednesday 17th February, 2.30-3.45.
Under 5s must be accompanied by an adult throughout.
Book Chat – 23rd February
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.
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.
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:
Portrait Exhibition – February
An exhibition of portrait paintings by John Fulford from Isle of Wight people of all ages in oil, pastel and watercolour
SCAMNESTY 2010 – February
The Council is working with the Office of Fair Trading in a nationwide Scamnesty campaign which aims to encourage consumers to help crack down on scammers by dropping mail into local Scamnesty collection points located around the Island.
Anyone can be affected by a scam. Scams are customised to fit the profile of the person being targeted. The majority of victims are aged between 35 and 44. However, older consumers, those aged 55 plus, lose the most money to scams, and are more likely to become ‘chronic scam victims’. The Council has experience of instances where Island residents have used their life savings in the hope of winning a large sum of money.
We are placing a small bin in Freshwater Library during February to encourage the community to respond to the appeal to drop any scams you receive through the post into the bin. These will then be collected, the particulars will collated however, the confidentiality of the person involved is paramount and no personal details will be divulged by this Service.
In this way we can collate particulars of scammers from all over the country and assist the Office of Fair Trading in their work of trying to prevent these scams reaching our residents.
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.
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 at Freshwater Library on Monday 22nd February at 11am.
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: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
The Good Read Group: The Present Tense by Catherine Hyde
Jan Toms Reading Group: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Hopeful Reading Group – Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
For more details of these groups please ask the staff at Freshwater Library.
The Good Read Group: The Present Tense by Catherine Hyde
Jan Toms Reading Group: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
The Yarmouth WI Reading Group: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Hopeful Reading Group – Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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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