@readinglibrary

Reading Borough Public Libraries

 Reading, Berkshire, UK
reading.gov.uk/libraries
Joined July 2009
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The western end of Marlborough Avenue, Reading, seen from the corner of Redlands Road, c. 1910. On the north side, Nos. 1 and 3, 5 and 7, 9 and 11, and 13, 15, and 17 are visible. A P. O. Collier postcard this time! #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of old houses. There is a lamp standard in the foreground.

ALT A black and white photo of old houses. There is a lamp standard in the foreground.

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Central Library Coffee Morning Monday 19th October 11am to 12pm. Come and join us for our friendly coffee morning and hear all about Caversham Court Gardens and the Friends! All welcome, free event.
Promotional flyer for a Coffee Morning at Reading Central Library on 19 October, featuring a row of colourful mugs.

ALT Promotional flyer for a Coffee Morning at Reading Central Library on 19 October, featuring a row of colourful mugs.

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Join us at the Central library on Thursday 29th October for a FREE Digital Drop-in session.
Promotional flyer for a free digital skills drop-in session at Reading Central Library, featuring laptop, tablet, and phone.

ALT Promotional flyer for a free digital skills drop-in session at Reading Central Library, featuring laptop, tablet, and phone.

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Looking for half-term fun? Farnham Maltings is proud to present a bold new adaptation of The Tailor of Gloucester inspired by the tale by Beatrix Potter. Reading Central library, Wed 28 Oct, 11:30 & 14:30 Book at rdguk.info/cKcCJ For 4+, all must be seated.
A promotional poster for a musical version of The Tailor of Gloucester featuring a mouse playing a pink electric guitar.

ALT A promotional poster for a musical version of The Tailor of Gloucester featuring a mouse playing a pink electric guitar.

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This is Grasmere Avenue, in the Kentwood area of Tilehurst, Reading, c. 1935, looking south-eastwards - another of H.A. Giles' postcards. The houses haven't changed much, but there is plenty of parking to be had in this photo! #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of an avenue, identical houses line both sides.

ALT A black and white photo of an avenue, identical houses line both sides.

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Palmer Park Library will be closed Saturday 10 October due to staff shortages.  Any books that are due back will be renewed.
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Help our Central library celebrate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh today with Storytime and Crafting sessions every Friday through October! 9 Oct 3.45- 4.15pm, 16 Oct 3.30-4.30pm, 23 Oct 3.45-4.15pm, 30 Oct 11-12pm + 2.00-3.00pm. Drop-in. #PoohTurns100 #AAMilne #HundredAcreWood
A plush Winnie-the-Pooh bear sitting by a tree in a forest, promoting a 100-year celebration at Reading Central Library.

ALT A plush Winnie-the-Pooh bear sitting by a tree in a forest, promoting a 100-year celebration at Reading Central Library.

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Rhymetime at 10.30am is cancelled at Palmer Park library tomorrow, Thursday 8th October. Other Thursday morning drop-in sessions are at Southcote library 9.45am, Reading Central library at 10.15am and 11.15am and Whitley library at 11am. We apologise for any inconvenience.
A group of children with hands raised in a library setting, with text announcing the cancellation of Rhymetime.

ALT A group of children with hands raised in a library setting, with text announcing the cancellation of Rhymetime.

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This month we will be walking up the avenue(s!) in and around Reading, starting with Morecambe Avenue, Caversham, c. 1930, looking eastwards from Conisboro Avenue to Kidmore Road. A postcard by H. A. Giles. #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of a road, with houses either side. There are grass verges and two people stand to the right.

ALT A black and white photo of a road, with houses either side. There are grass verges and two people stand to the right.

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Activities will be taking place at Reading Libraries as we hold our annual Fun Palace event on Saturday 3rd October. All events will be drop in so no need to book. Check out details here rdguk.info/Fun_Palaces_IjMnb @FunPalaces
A woman and two children drawing colourful messages and hearts on a large wooden wall in a Reading library.

ALT A woman and two children drawing colourful messages and hearts on a large wooden wall in a Reading library.

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Help our Central library celebrate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh with Storytime and Crafting sessions every Friday through October! 9 Oct 3.45- 4.15pm, 16 Oct 3.30-4.30pm, 23 Oct 3.45-4.15pm, 30 Oct 11-12pm + 2.00-3.00pm. FREE, drop-in. #PoohTurns100 #AAMilne #HundredAcreWood
A plush Winnie-the-Pooh bear sitting by a tree in a forest, promoting a 100-year celebration at Reading Central Library.

ALT A plush Winnie-the-Pooh bear sitting by a tree in a forest, promoting a 100-year celebration at Reading Central Library.

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Saturday 3rd October. Central library. From 11.00am -12.30pm. Black British Ballet presentation by Dr Sandie Bourne. Free - Drop in. Find out more about the history of Black British ballet from 1940s to today. @BlackBritishBallet @OxygenArtsUK @LibrariesConnected
A Black woman presenting at a Black History Month talk in front of a screen showing ballet videos.

ALT A Black woman presenting at a Black History Month talk in front of a screen showing ballet videos.

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And finally - a look at alleys wouldn't be complete without Union Street or "Smelly Alley", taken c. 1975 (now less 'fragrant' than it used to be). The sign of H. Samuel, jeweller, can be seen to the left, Friar St is at the far end. Photo Peter Southerton. #ReadingLocalHistory
A grainy, black-and-white street scene of a busy Reading shopping arcade with pedestrians walking away from the camera.

ALT A grainy, black-and-white street scene of a busy Reading shopping arcade with pedestrians walking away from the camera.

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Join us at Tilehurst library tomorrow for this event to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
Flyer for an Ovacome ovarian cancer awareness event at Tilehurst Library on 24 September 2026, 3pm to 5pm.

ALT Flyer for an Ovacome ovarian cancer awareness event at Tilehurst Library on 24 September 2026, 3pm to 5pm.

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This is one of a series of images we have of the mural Between Two Waters by Commando Jugendstil, also referred to as the Holy Brook Nook. The mural includes historical scenes and local wildlife. It is under the A33 near Brook Street west. #ReadingLocalHistory
A mural titled 'Between Two Waters' on the wall of a lit pedestrian underpass.

ALT A mural titled 'Between Two Waters' on the wall of a lit pedestrian underpass.

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Looking for half-term fun? Farnham Maltings is proud to present a bold new adaptation of The Tailor of Gloucester inspired by the tale by Beatrix Potter. Reading Central library, Wed 28 Oct, 11:30 & 14:30 Book at rdguk.info/0S5Yt For 4+, all must be seated.
A promotional poster for a musical version of The Tailor of Gloucester featuring a mouse playing a pink electric guitar.

ALT A promotional poster for a musical version of The Tailor of Gloucester featuring a mouse playing a pink electric guitar.

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Part of No. 2 Mount Pleasant, Reading, The Greyhound public house. Then comes the yard, with a pathway leading to Hawk Cottages, and to the right is the side of No. 68 Silver Street, occupied by The Fairway Press. Taken in the 1980s by Terry Allsop. #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white street scene featuring a car driving past buildings and a wooden fence

ALT A black and white street scene featuring a car driving past buildings and a wooden fence

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Family Ballet Workshop Saturday 19th Sept - 11-11.45 Reading Central Library Join us for this fun workshop for 3-5 year olds. BOOK NOW! Celebrating Black British Ballet. Email [email protected] to book. Successful bookings will receive a confirmation email.
A group of children and adults sitting on a library floor participating in a family ballet stretching workshop.

ALT A group of children and adults sitting on a library floor participating in a family ballet stretching workshop.

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Rhymetime at 10.30am is cancelled at Palmer Park library this morning. As an alternative there are drop-in sessions at the Central library at 10.15am and 11.15am. We apologise for any inconvenience.
A group of children with hands raised in a library setting, with text announcing the cancellation of Rhymetime.

ALT A group of children with hands raised in a library setting, with text announcing the cancellation of Rhymetime.

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We are wandering round a few alleys and underpasses this month starting with a sign that can be still be seen (under some graffiti these days) in an alleyway off West Street, near no. 11. Fortescues started their business around 1897. #ReadingLocalHistory
A faded vintage sign on a red brick wall reading 'FORTESCUE BROS LTD CYCLE MAKERS'.

ALT A faded vintage sign on a red brick wall reading 'FORTESCUE BROS LTD CYCLE MAKERS'.

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