In 2023 we reached the 10 year milestone since we became a volunteer-run community library, ensuring the continuation of a full library service to our local community in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council.
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Image courtesy of Sarah Barry.
If you're one of the over 60 youngsters taking part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge at Stokenchurch Library (and not one of the 20 or so who have already finished), don't forget you only have until 1pm on Saturday 20th September to complete the Challenge, and qualify for the well-deserved medal and certificate.
Our local photo competition will be judged around the same time.
Local Councillors' Surgeries
On the following dates, between 10.30 and 12.30, the two local councillors representing the Ridgeway West ward on Buckinghamshire Council will be holding drop-in surgeries at Stokenchurch Library:
Saturday December 13th
A great chance to raise any local issues with them. No need to book, just call in between these times.
Dates for 2026 will follow in due course.
If you wish to contact the councillors at other times, here are their e-mail addresses:
***Very sadly, due to volunteer non-availability, our Wednesday morning story reading sessions are currently suspended.***
The 2024 - 2025 season of our popular monthly Key Stage 2 Book Club, for 7-11 year olds, is now over. The schedule to the left tells you what you missed!
We plan to be back in September, so look out for the dates, and an equally engaging programme of themed craft activities, and book chat.
Each month, we have a differently-themed display designed to encourage you to try something a little different!
September's brings together a variety of thrillers, mysteries and crime fiction, all with some sort of numerical reference in their titles.
Our themes are many-and-varied, so drop by to see what it is each month.
As well as all our books, Stokenchurch Library also offers a jigsaw exchange: borrow a jigsaw from our extensive stock for a small donation; once done, return it and swap for another one.
So, whether you're a bit of a jigsaw addict, or fancy trying something new or nostalgic - or if, sadly, someone you know is confined to home for a few days and in need of distraction - we're the place to come. See our opening hours below.
(Thank you, but we are NOT in need of more jigsaws at the moment!)
It's only possible to run the library because of the contribution of volunteers who help in many different ways.
For example, our volunteers:
• Provide the library service to customers - issuing and returning books, stocking shelves, answering queries, and so on. Typically, volunteers offer a four-hour session once a fortnight, although we are flexible.
• Assist with publicity and fundraising, for example through the presence at outside events, activities such as raffles, and similar initiatives that raise our profile.
• Serve on the Management Committee, which oversees the running of the organisation, sets its priorities, and ensures compliance with legal requirements and that the finances are in good shape.
• Help maintain our grounds, and undertake minor DIY tasks.
Or maybe you have something else to offer, or ideas of your own about how you can help us inspire a love of reading, and increase our value as a community facility. For example, offering or arranging talks of interest to library users and the local community; being a library / reading champion, spreading the word in potentially innovative ways about what we offer, and communicating the joys and benefits that reading can bring; joining a rota of story-readers, so we can re-start our story-reading sessions.
If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact us by e-mail to libmanagers.scl@gmail.com with an idea of how you feel you might be able to help, and a phone number so we can give you a call.
We regularly receive brand new books for you to borrow. Here's some recent examples - you can always reserve an item if someone has cheekily beaten you to it!
Opening times
Visit the library
Address
Stokenchurch Community Library
Wycombe Road
Stokenchurch
High Wycombe
HP14 3RG
Contact Stokenchurch Community Library
Telephone: 01296 382415
Email: enquiries.scl@gmail.com
Contact Buckinghamshire Libraries at: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries/contact-library-service
Facilities
Free wifi
Computers and internet access
Jigsaw puzzle exchange - bring in a jigsaw you have done, and swop it for another one, in return for a small donation. Only jigsaws with all pieces present, please.
Local information
Events
Genealogy and Local History Group
When: every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 7 - 9pm
Description: Do you want to research your family tree? Or explore any aspect of local history?
Our experienced amateur genealogists can offer assistance to complete beginners. If you have any information, names or dates, bring it with you and we can point you in the right direction.
If you have been researching for a while they may also be able to help you if you have hit a 'brick wall', using their experience gained unpicking the complexities of old records whilst researching both family and local history.
If possible please bring your laptop/tablet, although we have a restricted number of computers here you can access. We can direct you to many free resources and library members can also access Ancestry for free.
There is no charge for the sessions but a voluntary donation would be welcome.
Any questions call Pat on 01494 571947.
Councillor Surgeries
Regular local councillor surgeries are held in the library or elsewhere in the Ridgeway West ward. See homepage, or displayed posters in the library, for dates and times.
Key Stage 2 Book Club
These free sessions - aimed at 7-11 year olds - include varied activities plus book-related chat on a specific theme.
Last Wednesday of the month (with break at December and in summer), 5pm - 6.30pm
Storytime for under 4s
Prior to Covid, we used to hold a storytime for pre-school children (accompanied by parents or guardians) every Wednesday morning.
Due to the loss of an organiser and other factors we have been unable to resume these post-Covid. However, we would be keen to do so in some form.
If you have pre-school children and might be interested in a partially self-managed informal session of this sort - or even might be interested in joining us a volunteer with a view to organising such sessions - please e-mail libmanagers.scl@gmail.com.
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