Cumbria

Photo: Cumbria - Penrith Library Teenage Area
Libraries in Cumbria are for everyone who lives, works, studies and visits the county.
Amongst a whole host of services we offer:
- 48 libraries with access to PCs
- A fleet of Mobile Libraries
- Over 1.4 million stock items to choose from
- Access to Clic+ Cumbria Libraries' combined online interactive catalogue and information portal
- Free access to online information services for library members
- Localised Children's Services
- Local History and research materials
- A Reading Group Loan collection service offering sets of multiple copies, including a copy in large print and talking book format where available
- Home delivery service
In Cumbria we actively encourage all staff to play their part in enriching and improving the reading experience offered throughout all of our libraries. Displays, promotions and events are the key tools we use to spread the word about reading for pleasure, and to help people find something they will enjoy reading.
We see Reader Development as vital in selling our library services to existing and potential users, through a variety of mediums and we also believe in making new technologies work for us. Cumbria is committed to a professional approach to reader development. We aim to:
- boost the confidence of our staff through ongoing training
- improve and reinvigorate the service we offer to our readers
- promote reading for pleasure
- make the most of our stock
- improve our image
- ...and along the way attract a new generation of users.
For more information on Cumbria libraries visit:
www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries/ or contact:
Helen Towers
Reader Development Officer
Library Service HQ
The Castle
Carlisle
CA3 8UR
Tel: 01228 227 287

Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 23 public library authorities in the region currently support Time To Read.