Libraries Week: Libraries Change Lives 2025
This year Libraries Week: Libraries Change Lives is running from Monday 2 June to Sunday 8 June 2025, and celebrates the vital role libraries play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.
To showcase just how much our libraries in Blaenau Gwent are supporting and strengthening our local communities, we are highlighting how Abertillery Book Club and the Online Book Club BG has had a positive impact on our library members.
After listening to feedback from our members at Abertillery Library, and gauging general interest, we discovered there was a want and a need for a local book club in the area, so we set about organising one. Abertillery Book Club started in April 2024, with 5 members and now, just over a year later, our participant numbers have doubled. The group meets every month to discuss numerous genres and styles of books and to enjoy the relaxed, friendly environment we offer at the library.
According to Book Club Hub via the Reading Agency, 94% of people felt more connected to others thanks to their reading group.
This is felt strongly at Abertillery Library with members saying; "We love the book club, so inviting, inclusive and always a good laugh."
Another participant said; “I love going to book club. Not many of my friends are into reading so it’s fun to be around people who enjoy it, and all have different opinions on the same book. I’ve been able to read different genres I wouldn’t normally read in the few months I’ve been going to book club. Slowly expanding my horizons of book genres."
Another participant added; "I’ve loved book club. It’s great socialising with lovely like-minded people every month. We share lots of different books we love, as well as discussing the latest choice with a few random topics thrown in for good measure. It has encouraged me to prioritise my reading and in turn prioritise time for myself."
We wanted to establish a community space for local people who love books and who want to share their passion with other likeminded people, and we feel that we have achieved that.
The success of Abertillery Book Club has been very well received within the community, however, we did become aware of some feedback from people who were unable to attend the book club sessions during the day at the library. Our response to this dilemma was to establish an online book club in June 2024 that could be accessed via a private Facebook group. Our Online Book Club BG now has 72 members from all over Blaenau Gwent who want to discuss books but cannot meet in person. The online group reads the same book as the in-person group - the only difference is that they discuss their views and opinions online. The group also shares book recommendations, has discussed day trip plans and also take part in fun quizzes. It’s open 24/7 for people to post about their love of books.
As we move forward into the second year with both Abertillery Book Club and the Online Book Club BG, we want to keep engaging with our community and demonstrate the value libraries have on wellbeing.
For more information on Abertillery Book Club or the Online Book Club BG call 01495 369608
Book clubs are also available at our other libraries - ask the staff at your local branch for more information. For more information on our libraries and services visit our Libraries page here.
