News & Events

What’s so good about audiobooks?

Actor Gordon Griffin and publisher Simon Cox will be at Reading Central Library on Wednesday July 22nd at 2.30pm to talk about how they create fantastic audiobooks.

“I’ve performed in everything from Shakespeare to rock musicals. Once I presented Play School and I’m one of the people telling you to Mind the Gap on London Underground!” says Gordon Griffin who has recorded well over 400 books, many of which are stocked in Reading Libraries. Readers who borrow audiobooks narrated by him will echo the critical acclaim he has received and will be able to ask questions at this engaging session.

This event is part of Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight when libraries promote the services they offer to visually-impaired people (VIPs). Reading Libraries runs two reading groups for VIPs. For further information, contact Jacky Mathewson. Tickets for the above event cost £1 but are free for VIPs.

Coffee Mornings at Whitley Library

Come and hear fun and lively speakers, meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and have a chat - all free at Whitley Library
The dates so far are :

Tuesday 30th June- Healthy Eating with local Health Activists
Tuesday 28th July- Reading Festival of Crime Writing Talk

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.
Date: monthly on Thursdays 10.00 to 11.00
For further information contact Palmer Park Library on 0118 5106

Thursday 16th July
Do you remember this?
with Margaret Hatton, Reading Museum.

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.
The next ones are : -

Refugee Week 15 - 21 June
"Home at last?"
Date : Tuesday 9 July 2009
Time : 11.30-12.30
Place : Ground Floor, Reading Central Library

What would make you leave your home for an unknown country, with no address or job to go to, and to live among strangers?
Come and hear the personal stories of some people who have made that journey and have sought asylum in Reading. They will appreciate meeting you.

You will also have the chance to meet some of those who work for the Refugee Group here in Reading, who will be delighted to tell you more about that work.

Exhibition
If you cannot make the coffee morning, come and read the stories instead, on display all week in the 2nd floor exhibition area in Reading Central Library, and also at the Civic Centre.

***

"Holiday Reads"
Find out the best books to read this summer with Sarah Pearce, Librarian.

Date : Monday 20th July
Time : 10.30 - 11.30
Place : Reading Central Library.

Book Sales at Reading Central Library

The dates for 2009 are as follows:
July 4th 2009
August 1st 2009
September 5th to 12th 2009
October 3rd 2009
November 7th 2009
December 5th to 12th 2009

The event is held on the second floor of Reading Central LIbrary.
A selection of videos, DVDs and CDs will also be available.

Rhymetimes & Storytimes

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 : Friday 2.15-2.45
Southcote : Thursday 11.00-11.30 (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 : Thursday and Friday, 10.30-11.00
Caversham** : Tuesday, 10.15-10.45, 11.15-11.45
Palmer Park : Tuesday 10.00-10.30 
Reading Central : Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday all at 10.30-11.00
NB There is no rhymetime at Reading on Saturday 27th June 2009.
Southcote** : Friday, 10.30-11.00
Tilehurst : Monday, 10.30-11.00
Whitley : Tuesday, 2.15-2.45

** 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.