Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Begin in City’s Libraries

Wolverhampton's libraries are celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a host of events over the next three weeks.

All libraries are participating in the national Big Jubilee Read, organised by the BBC and The Reading Agency. An expert panel of librarians, booksellers and literature specialists have chosen 70 titles from a "readers' choice" longlist with 10 books for each decade of Her Majesty’s reign.

A book display at Central Library from Monday 23 May to Monday 6 June charts the Queen's life through the decades, while from today until Friday 10 June the Bob Jones Community Hub in Blakenhall is displaying a timeline of the Queen's life.

Wednesfield History Society presents a display of the Queen's life and times from her coronation to the present day at Ashmore Park Library next Monday (30 May) and Long Knowle Library on Tuesday 31 May.

There will be Jubilee fete at Warstones Library next Monday (30 May), including a Teddy Bears Picnic, Punch & Judy, face painting, hook a duck, a raffle, crafts and magic.

Children and adults will even be able to have a "selfie" taken with the Queen thanks to the latest green screen technology which will be visiting Warstones Library on Monday 30 May from noon-4pm, Wednesfield Library on Tuesday 31 May from 10am-noon and Central Library on Wednesday 1 June from 10am-1pm.

The Bob Jones Community Hub will be holding a Platinum Jubilee Party and Afternoon Tea on Wednesday 1 June from 12.30pm.

Meanwhile, the regular Story and Rhyme time sessions taking place over the next couple of weeks will have a Jubilee theme. Rhyme Time sessions for under fours take place at Bilston Library on Wednesdays from 11-11.30am, Low Hill Library on Fridays from 12.45-1.15pm, Pendeford Library on Tuesdays from 2.30-3pm and Tettenhall Library on Fridays from 10.30-11am.

Storytime sessions for under fours take place at Ashmore Park Library on Mondays from 11-11.30am, while there are sessions for the under fives at Warstones Library on Tuesdays from 2.30-3pm, and those for over fours on Saturdays at East Park Library from 11.30am-noon and Central Library from 12.15-1pm. Please note, libraries will be closed on Bank Holiday Thursday and Friday, 2 and 3 June.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is a momentous event in our nation's history and our libraries are keen to celebrate it with a range of activities for all the family.

"There are Jubilee-themed Story Time and Rhyme Time sessions for youngsters. We've also got history displays, including one in partnership with Wednesfield History Society, special family activities and even a chance to get your photo taken with the Queen thanks to our special green screen."

It's free to join Wolverhampton's libraries – to find out more, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries, call 01902 552025 or follow the library service on social media at www.facebook.com/wolveslibraries and www.twitter.com/wolveslibraries.