Isle of Wight Council Library Service

28/10/2026

Your feedback will help shape the future of the New Islander Gold and Silver card scheme 🗣️

From October 23 until November 20, the Isle of Wight Council is inviting residents to take part in a consultation on the Island's discretionary concessionary travel scheme.

The consultation is being carried out because the council wants to better understand how the New Islander Gold and Silver cards are used, the benefits they provide and the potential impact any future changes could have on those who rely on them.

This is a review of the discretionary element of the scheme only. The national free travel entitlement for older and disabled residents is not changing and is not part of this consultation.

The New Islander Gold Card supports eligible residents with severe and enduring mental health conditions, while the Silver Card supports residents who are unable to use public bus services without a companion. These are additional local benefits funded by the council.

The review follows a committee decision made in November 2025 to examine the Island's discretionary concessions. Since then, officers have explored options, but before any proposals are developed or decisions made, the council wants to hear directly from the people who use the scheme and those affected by it.

The feedback gathered will help the council understand travel patterns, journey purposes and how changes could affect everyday activities including healthcare appointments, employment, education, shopping, leisure and maintaining social connections.

Residents are being encouraged to share their views as the council looks for ways to protect essential services and launches a consultation on its "New Islander" Gold and Silver card.

This consultation is not about the national free travel entitlement for older and disabled residents, which will remain unchanged.

No decisions have been made, and the consultation is designed to help the council better understand how the concessions are used, the difference they make to residents' daily lives and the potential impact of any future changes.

📅 Consultation period: October 23 – November 20

For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/s1g850ZYqhn

27/10/2026

Meet the rangers from Bird Aware Solent at Ryde Library this Friday. Pop in between 10.00am and 12.00pm and learn about the birds that visit Ryde over the winter months

26/10/2026

Advance notice of a system upgrade on Wednesday 11 November. You will need to bring your library card with you when visiting our libraries on this date.

26/10/2026

Young people aged 9 to 13 years can book a place to create sugar skull masks at Lord Louis Library this Friday (30). Call the library on 823823 to reserve a place now!

24/10/2026

Children can get dressed up in their fancy dress and come along to Ryde Library for this special Halloween story time and craft on Saturday 31 October.

22/10/2026

The Great Nut Hunt starts on Monday 26 October! Isle of Wight National Landscape need your help with their citizen science project - collecting gnawed nuts! Pick up a Great Nut Hunt pack from one of the collection points (including Lord Louis, Ryde, Sandown, Freshwater, Ventnor and Cowes libraries). The pack includes a guide to help you find gnawed nuts and identify which animals have nibbled them! You can return your finds to a collection point where they will be gathered up by IW National Landscape.

There are two fantastic workshops taking place at Lord Louis Library and Ryde Library with artist Lucia Para, where children and families can drop-in to make arty greetings cards.

22/10/2026

Make monster magnets at Ventnor Library! Book your children (aged 4+) a place to make marvellous monster magnets this by calling the library on 852039

21/10/2026

Children can make Halloween and Christmas decorations from book pages next Wednesday (28) at Freshwater Library. No need to book, just pop along and have fun!

20/10/2026

Telephone Ventnor Library on 852039 to reserve your place now for this author event on Friday 30 October!

Published: 20 October 2026

20/10/2026

Children can have a go at making a spooky portrait at Cowes Library this There's no need to book just head to the library and get . Please note there are currently no toilet facilities at the library.