News & Events

Reading Libraries Events Calendar

Use our events calendar to find out what is going on in your local library.

You can find different types of events by using the drop down menu and even add them to your own Google calendar!

National Libraries Day

Events and activities will be taking place at each branch in celebration of National Libraries Day on Saturday 4 February.

Library Crawl - 4th February - 11th February

Visit each Reading Libraries branch to claim a FREE DVD issue!
To take part collect a Library Crawl form from any of our branches and ask for a sticker from each branch you visit. Collect all 7 library stickers within a week and you can earn a DVD token.

Forms and stickers will be available from all libraries from Saturday 4 February.

Be a winner, join the library!

Anyone who joins Reading Libraries on National Libraries Day will be entered in a prize draw for £20 worth of book tokens.

Join a friend and win a prize!

Anyone who brings a friend to join the library on Saturday 4 February will also be entered into our prize draw!

Events at Reading Central Library

10.30 - 11am Rhymetime.
Free event, places limited to first 70 families only.

1.30-2.30pm The HIstory of Reading Libraries
Local Historian David Cliffe will be talking about the fascinating history of Reading Libraries. Free event, ticket required. Email libraryevents@reading.gov.uk or collect from Reading Central Library.

3-4pm Talk by Lynn Shepherd author of Tom-All-Alone's
Celebrating both National Libraries Day and Charles Dickens' Bicentennary, author Lynn Shepherd will be talking about her book Tom-All-Alone's. It is a new and gripping Victorian murder mystery inspired by Charles Dickens' masterpiece Bleak House.
Free Event, ticket required. Email libraryevents@reading.gov.uk or collect from Reading Central Library.

Events at Whitley Library

9.30-1pm - Coffee Morning Drop in. All welcome.

2.30-3pm - Rhymetime

All Day - Children's Treasure Hunt with a small gift for those who complete it on National Libraries Day.

Events at Palmer Park Library

9.30-1pm - Coffee Morning Drop in. All welcome.

All Day - Children's Craft Drop in session - Make a bookmark.

Events at Tilehurst Library

10-10.30am - Rhymetime

Events at Caversham Library

Monday 30 January - Saturday 4 February - Join us during the week of 30th Jan – 4th Feb to add your comments to our ‘Why I love my library’ display. Children are invited to colour pictures for the display showing what they love to do in the library.

Saturday 4 February All Day - Craft activity for children - Make your own bookmark.

Events at Battle Library

All Day - Join us for a Children's Treasure Hunt.

Events at Southcote LIbrary

2-3.30pm - From National Libraries Day on 4th February the Toy Library will also be opening Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Why not come along and find out more.

All Day - Join us for a Children's Treasure Hunt.

All Day - Take a look into the past with our display about the history of Southcote Library.

www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk

Making Change Your Best Friend

Are you having trouble dealing with change? Why not come along and find out simple techniques to help you deal with it?
Following his popular talk on anger management last year, local author and trainer Peter Burton is back to talk about all things change.

Location : Reading Central Library
Date : Thursday 9th February 2012
Time : 7.30 - 8.30pm

Tickets: £3/ £2

Email: libraryevents@reading.gov.uk

Rare and Unique Scenes from Ancient Egyptian Tombs

Paolo Scremin is the deputy director of the Oxford Expedition to Egypt. He will be talking about his work: photographing and recording wall paintings and carvings in tombs which are at risk from damage by tourists and environmental changes.

Location : Reading Central Library
Date : Monday 27th February 2012
Time : 7.00 - 9.00pm

Tickets: £3/£2

Email: libraryevents@reading.gov.uk

Crime writing workshop with Emlyn Rees and Danny Miller

Reading Library presents a unique opportunity to take part in a Crime Writing workshop with popular authors Danny Miller and Emlyn Rees.

Debut novelist Danny Miller is author of noir thriller Kiss Me Quick. He is also a playwright and scriptwriter, working on Spooks, Holby City and EastEnders. Emlyn Rees has co-authored 7 novels with wife Josie Lloyd but has recently returned to thriller writing with pacey thriller Hunted.

An event not to be missed!

Location:Reading Central Library
Date:Wednesday 14th March
Time: 7pm start

Tickets £3/2 library members

For tickets email libraryevents@reading.gov.uk, phone 0118 901 5950 or collect from Reading Central Library

Celebrate Jubilee Year 2012 with Shelley Harris

Marlow author Shelley Harris will be talking about her acclaimed debut novel Jubilee 1977, The Queen’s Silver Jubilee, a photographer captures a street party with bunting and Union Jacks fluttering in the breeze. Right in the centre an Asian boy stares into the camera…

'A new novelist whose next book you are already impatient to read' – The Guardian

Tea and cakes will be served.

Location: Reading Central Library
Date: Thursday 22 March
Time: 7.30pm start

Tickets £3/2 library members

For tickets email libraryevents@reading.gov.uk, phone 0118 901 5950 or collect from Reading Central Library.

Craft and Chat Session

Craft and Chat sessions at Reading Central Library

Free drop-in sessions being held at Reading Library on the 2nd floor - come along and join in!

Bring your own knitting, sewing or craft on the following dates:

Wednesday 29th February @ 3pm
Wednesday 28th March @ 3pm
Wednesday 25th April @ 3pm

Relax, meet people and share ideas - its free and open to everyone!

Children's events - February half-term 2012

ALL EVENTS FREE OF CHARGE!

During half-term (13th - 17th February) there will be craft activities in all Reading Libraries:

Monday 13th February
Palmer Park Library - 10.00-11.00
Birds on a Wire - come and make a collage for the Library
For children age 4+.
Places are limited - please call 0118 9015106 to book.

Tuesday 14th February
Tilehurst Library - 3.00-4.00
Hearts
For children aged 6-11 years
Please call 0118 9015112 for further details

Thursday 16th February
Caversham Library - 2.15-3.15
Birdy Boxes - create your own bird nest supply box
For children age 5+.
Please call 0118 9015103 for further details

Southcote Library - 2.30-3.30
Birdy Gliders
For children age 6+.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - Please call 0118 9015109 for further details

Friday 17th February
Reading Central Library - 10.30-11.15
Horrible Histories
For children up to age 10 years
Please call 0118 9373449 for further details.

Whitley Library - 10.30-11.30
Jumbo ties
For children up to 9 years.
Please call 0118 9015115 for further details

Battle Library - 2.30-3.30
Fantastic Fish
For children aged 5-11
Please call 0118 9015100 for further details

Battle Bookworms

This is a new after school club for children age 5 - 11 yrs. Come along and hear some stories and share with everyone what you're reading.

We'll meet every 1st, 2nd and 4th Friday of the month 3.45 - 4.15pm
(Term time only)

Starts Friday 3rd February at Battle Library!

**Don't forget the Board Games club which meets on the 3rd Friday of the month**

Arts and Crafts for the Under 5s - Battle Library

Come and join us for a half-term arts & crafts session at Battle Library

Fantastic Fish!

This event is suitable for 5 - 11 yr olds - no need to book

Date : Friday 17th February 2012
Time : 2.30-3.30pm

Family Craft Sessions

Come and join us at our new monthly family craft sessions at Battle Library.

The sessions will be held on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 10am and are open to children 0-7yrs and their parents/carers.

The first one is Saturday 29th January - come and make a funky frame! Don't forget to bring along a picture to go into your creation!

Saturday 25th February - activity to be confirmed

Saturday 31st March - session to be held at the Open Hands Open Space studios

Polish Rhymetime

Come and join our Polish Rhymetime session at Battle Library

We'll be holding a Polish Rhymetime (with guitar accompaniment!) on Monday 13th February at 10.30am in the Childrens Library at Battle Library - all welcome to join us at this free event.

Arts and Crafts for the under 5's

Come along and join us at Palmer Park Library!

We hold a monthly storytime and crafts session for under 5's on the 2nd Friday of every month - come and have fun, hear a story and be creative.

Time : 2.15-3pm

Dates :
Friday 13th January - Make a Tickling Tiger finger puppet
Friday 10th February - Make a Hungry Harry Frog picnic picture
Friday 9th March - Make a Sparkly Monster
Friday 13th April - Decorate an Easter Chick & Easter Egg Frieze to take home!
Friday 11th May - Make your own Diamond Jubilee crown
Friday 8th June - Make a Snappy Paper Folding Crocodile
Friday 13th July - Draw your own Treasure Hunt map
Friday 10th August - Make Pirate flags
Friday 14th September - TBC
Friday 12th October - TBC
Friday 9th November - TBC
Friday 14th DEcember - TBC

Coffee mornings at Palmer Park Library

Come and hear fun and lively speakers, meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and have a chat - all free at Palmer Park Library.

Coming up :

Down Memory Lane

Take a trip with us as we delve into the memorabilia in Reading Museums memory boxes

Thursday 19th January : 10-11am

Ancient Egypt

Come back in time with Librarian Ann Smith as she explores the history of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt

Thursday 16 February : 10-11am

History Beneath our Feet

A fascinating talk by Colin Hennell on the life and finds of a metal detectorist

Thursday 15th March : 10-11am

Coffee and Mince Pies

Drop in for a festive coffee and mince pie between 9.30 and 12.30

Monday 10th December

All welcome at these free events!

Book Group at Palmer Park Library

Join our Book Group at Palmer Park Library

Come along and join our Book Group which meets at Palmer Park Library on the 4th Thursday of each month 10.30-11.30am.
Refreshments will be served and the group will choose what titles they want to read from a selection of Library Bestsellers.

The group will meet on:

Thursday 29th March 2012

Contact Palmer Park Library on 0118 9015106 or email info@readinglibraries.org.uk

Coffee mornings at Reading Central Library

Come and hear fun and lively speakers, meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and have a chat - all free at Reading Central Library.

“Air Raids in Reading in World War 2.”

Reading was bombed at least ten times in WW2. Former librarian and local historian Mike Cooper will talk about all the raids, illustrating this with archive photographs from the Library, Museum and national collections.

Date : Monday 23rd January 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30am

“Thackrays Way”

Thackray’s Way – An illustrated talk by local transport historian Paul Lacey. Paul will be talking about the Thackray family who were involved in transport in Reading over three generations from 1860 to 1959.

Date : Monday 20th February 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30am

Further adventures in Family History

A talk by Katie Amos, Local Studies Assistant - in this talk Katie looks beyond the basic record such as census returns to other sources for finding out about your family’s past.

Date : Monday 19th March 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30am

Everyone is very welcome to join us at this free event.

Coffee and Crafts at Battle Library

Battle Library Coffee & Crafts

Every Tuesday 9.30 - 10.30am

Join us at Battle Library and enjoy a chat and a cup of coffee.

Bring your knitting, sewing, crochet, tapestry or exchange cookery and gardening tips.

Perhaps learn a new skill or share your skills and talents with others!

Russian Crafts & Storytime sessions

Children's stories and crafts in Russian

Please note - the October session will be held on Thursday 13th October

Stories, rhymes and crafts for children 3 - 8 years old.
Sessions will be run by New Directions and will be held in the children's section at Reading Central Library on the first Thursday of the month.
They are aimed at Russian speakers but anyone is welcome to attend these free sessions!

Location : Reading Central Library
Date : 1st Thursday of each month
Time : 4pm

Board Games Club

Board Games Club at Battle Library

If you're 5 - 9 years old and like playing games after school come and try our Board Games Club at Battle Library.

Its held on the 2nd Friday of every month, from 3.30 - 4.30pm and we have fun with Snakes & Ladders, Ludo, Dominos, Scrabble and Monopoly or you can play card games or pen and pencil games.

The next two dates are:

Friday 16th March 3.30 - 4.30pm

Friday 20th April 3.30 - 4.30pm

Coffee mornings at Battle Library

Come and hear fun and lively speakers, meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and have a chat - all free at Battle Library.

“Spanish Civil War”

Former librarian and local historian Mike Cooper will talk about all the Spanish Civil War, illustrating this with archive photographs from the Library, Museum and national collections.
Date : Thursday 16th February 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30

John Cahill - a 20th Century Collector
Date : Thursday 15th March 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30

Experiences of a London Blue Badge Guide
Date : Thursday 19th April 2012
Time : 10.30-11.30

It's free, it's fun and everybody is welcome

Reading Libraries Writing Group

Reading Libraries Writing Group

The group meets on the first Saturday of every month at 10am, Reading Central Library, 3rd floor.

Writers of all genres and abilities welcome.

The group is currently full but if you would like to join the waiting list, please email info@readinglibraries.org.uk

Rhymetimes & Storytimes

All the following events are free

Storytimes
Our libraries offer storytimes for the under-fives, where experienced members of staff will read to children and bring all sorts of characters and pictures to life! Sessions currently are :
Battle : Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-3.00
Caversham : Thursday 2.15-2.45
Palmer Park : Monday 2.15-2.45
Reading Central Library : Last Friday of the month 2.15-2.45
From the beginning of January 2012, storytime for the under 5s at Central will be on the last Friday of the month only, 2.15 – 3.00, and will include a simple craft activity.
Southcote : Thursday 2.15-2.45 (with rhymes)
Tilehurst : Thursday 2.30 - 3.00

Rhymetimes
Rhymetimes are fun sessions for babies, toddlers and their caregivers - come along and join in with nursery rhymes, action songs and much more. Sessions currently are :

Battle : Tuesday and Friday 10.30-11.00
Caversham** : Tuesday 10.15-10.45 and 11.15-11.45 and Wednesday 2.15-2.45
Palmer Park : Tuesday 10.00-10.30 and Friday 10.30-11.00
Reading Central : Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday all at 10.30-11.00
Southcote** : Friday 10.30-11.00
Tilehurst : Monday 9.30-10.00 & 10.45-11.15 & Friday 10.30- 11
Whitley : Tuesday 2.15-2.45 & Thursday 11.15 11.45

Reading Central Library now has a limit to places available - click here for info.

Monthly Stories with Crafts sessions for the under 5s
Reading Central : Last Friday of the month at 2.15-3.00
Tilehurst Library : First Tuesday of the month at 9.30-10.30

** The sessions at Caversham and Southcote libraries need to be booked in advance - please contact the library concerned to confirm your place.
Southcote Library also runs a Dads only rhymetime session - please contact the library for more information.