Top 10 library events this April

Find out about the exciting events happening at libraries near you

Easter fun in Surrey Libraries

Until Monday 13 April: Godalming Library takes part in the Easter Explore Trail, a family-friendly Easter hunt around Godalming.
Thursday 2 April: Farnham Library, Easter decorative wreaths. From 2.30pm to 3.30pm, for ages 6+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: £3 per child. Book in person or email farnham.library@surreycc.gov.uk
Saturday 4 April: Easter craft for children at Camberley Library. From 11am to 12 noon. Suitable for ages 3+. Cost: £1 per child, to be paid on the day. No need to book, just drop in.
Tuesday 7 April: ‘Create a Creature’ workshop for children aged 5 to 10 years. Find out about endangered animals with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. At Horley Library, 2.30pm start. Free workshop, but you need to book your ticket via Surrey Libraries’ Eventbrite page.

Check out our website for more information to find out what Easter events your local library is hosting or simply pop in.

The Other Library - Storytelling Experience at Woking library

In partnership with Farnham Maltings and the disability-led Freewheelers Theatre Company, we are proud to present The Other Library. This is an innovative installation that celebrates storytelling, told in a variety of ways. The installation can be viewed at Woking Library until Friday 3 April. You can also check out their creative writing workshop:

Thursday 2 April: For 12 to 16 year olds, led by acclaimed author Sara Clifford.mWoking library, 2pm to 3.30pm. Tickets need to be booked via Surrey Libraries' Eventbrite page for a small donation.

Heads and Tails Storytelling sessions at Staines Library – 7 April

Escalate Arts and Surrey Libraries proudly welcome back professional storytellers Andy Copps and John Kirk for a spectacular return. They will bring African animal tales to life with high-energy performances, audience interaction, and plenty of surprises along the way. There will be three sessions at Staines library: Tuesday 7 April: 10am, 11:30am and 2pm.

Events are suitable for children aged 5+ and their grown-ups. Tickets need to be booked via Surrey Libraries’ Eventbrite page for a small donation.

Explore Learning sessions

Surrey Libraries are working again with Explore Learning to host several sessions during the Easter holiday. Explore Learning is a maths and English tuition provider.

Tuesday 7 April: Redhill Library, 11am to 12 noon. “Put a Spring In Your Step” Workshop, designed to work on the most common areas of difficulty in comprehension areas of difficulty: drawing inferences. Tickets free, to be booked via the link above,
Wednesday 8 April: Lightwater Library, 10.30am to 11.30am. "New Discovery - Figurative Language" workshop, using literary devices to enhance the impact of their writing. For children in Year Groups 3 to 6. Tickets free, to be booked by calling Explore Learning on 01483 600903 or email woking@explorelearning.co.uk . Alternatively, speak to a staff member at Lightwater Library.
Thursday 9 April: Merstham Library, 11am to 12 noon. “Maths Wizard” Workshop for those learning their 2, 5 and 10 timetables. Aimed at 5 go 6 year olds. Free workshop, to be booked via the link above.
Thursday 9 April: Camberley Library, 11.30am to 12.30pm. “Creative Writing” Workshop for 6 to 9 year olds. Free workshop, to be booked by calling Explore Learning on 01276 406868 or emailing camberley@explorelearning.co.uk
Thursday 9 April: Camberley Library, 12.30pm to 1.30pm. “SATS Ready” Workshop for Year 6 pupils. Free workshop, to be booked by calling Explore Learning on 01276 406868 or emailing camberley@explorelearning.co.uk
Friday 10 April: Horley Library, 10.30am to 11.30am. “Grand Maths Wizard” Workshop for those learning their 3, 4, 6 and 8 times tables or for older people who need consolidation with times tables. Tickets free, to be booked via the link above.
Friday 10 April: Horley Library, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. “Maths Sorcerer, 9 to 11 year olds” workshop for those who have already learnt all their times tables to 12 at school and would like to practice problem solving. Tickets free, to be booked via the link above.

Adult author talks

Tuesday 7 April: Join Sunday Times bestselling author and The Traitors contestant Harriet Tyce as she discusses her gripping new novel ‘Witch Trail’. At Staines Library, 6.30pm start. Tickets £5.
Saturday 11 April: Author Lucy Weldon will give a talk ‘Jane Austen: The Quiet Radical’ in celebration of the 250 year anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. At Guildford Library, 2.30pm start. Tickets £5.
Wednesday 15 April: An afternoon of Poetry and Prose with actress Carol Royle and some surprise local celebrities. At Hersham Library, 2pm start. Tickets £3.50.
Tuesday 21 April: Join local author Lucy Lyons as she talks about her debut fantasy book ‘The Black Bane’. At Camberley Library, 7.30pm start. Tickets £6.

Please book your tickets for the above events via Surrey Libraries’ Eventbrite page.

National Year of Reading events at Woking Library

We continue to celebrate the National Year of Reading. In April, Woking Library will take centre stage with a full events programme in April:

Tuesday 7 April: Join us for an evening discussion with author Joe Luc Barnes, discussing his debut book ‘Farewell to Russia’. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £3. Book your ticket here.
Saturday 11 and 25 April: LEGO club is back! The LEGO Club has relaunched and will run every fortnight on a Saturday, 2pm to 3.30pm. Costs: £1 per child. 15 tickets per session available from the front desk.
Tuesday 14 April: An evening of conversation between Theakston Crime Novel of the Year winner Sarah Hilary and Abir Mukherjee, multi award winning author of the Wyndham and Banerjee novels. Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £5. Book your ticket here.
Thursday 23 April: Join us for a Literary Quiz Night and put your put your bookish brilliance to the test with an evening of fun, friendly competition. From 5pm to 6.30pm. Free, drop in event.

Woking Library staff will also run some special events for families based on the theme ‘Reading the World’ including Rhymetime and Storytime sessions, crafts events and scavenger hunts. To find out more, please visit Woking library in April or go to Woking library’s events webpage.

Children’s author talk at Merstham Library – 14 April

Tuesday 14 April, 10am to 10.30am, Merstham Library will be welcoming local author and illustrator Paul Wright who will read from his new book ‘Lottie and the Long Way Home’. This charming tale follows the story of Lottie from The Dogs Home as she tries to find her forever home. Suitable for ages 1 to 7. Free event, no booking required.

Horley Community Arts Festival – Horley Library

Horley will be hosting a Community Arts festival from 17 to 25 April. Horley Library also takes part, and will be hosting the following events:

Saturday 18 April

Storytelling with Archway Theatre Actor Gary Edwards, 11am to 12 noon. Suitable for children 8+ and adults. Cost: Adults £2, children £1.Tickets available in branch, or send an email to horleylibraryevents@surreycc.gov.uk
Improv workshop with Dingbats, 1pm to 3pm. Suitable for 16+. Free event, but you need a ticket. Tickets available in branch, or send an email to horleylibraryevents@surreycc.gov.uk
Dingbats Librarian Nights, 7pm start. Expect something playful and surreal as performers from The Obscene (regulars at the monthly Dingbats Improv Shows at the Archway Theatre) bring stories to life. Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets £5. Book via Surrey Libraries’ Eventbrite page.

Week commencing 20 April

Tuesday 21 April: Special Arts Festival Rhymetime, 10.30am start. Free event, but you need a ticket. Tickets available in branch on the day on a first come first served basis.
Thursday 23 April: An Evening with Sci Fi Writer Stafford Vance, 7pm start. Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets available for a small donation. Book via Surrey Libraries’ Eventbrite page.
Friday 24 April: Drawing Trees Workshop, 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Suitable for ages 16+. Tickets £2 per person, all materials supplied. Tickets available in branch, or send an email to horleylibraryevents@surreycc.gov.uk.
Saturday 25 April: Author and illustrator Yeliz Hakki will be reading from her children’s book ‘Flynn’s Window’. From 10.30am to 11.30am. Free family event, donations welcome. No need to book, just turn up.

To find out more, please visit the Horley Library events’ webpage or visit Horley Library in person. For the full list of events for the Festival, please visit the Horley Town Council website.

The Big Book Quiz for World Book Night at Oxted Library - 23 April

Join our wonderful staff at Oxted Library for a Quiz Night to celebrate World Book Night. Non alcoholic drinks provided. Thursday 23 April, from 7pm to 9pm. Cost £4 per person on tables of four to six. You can join as a group, or as an individual. Booking necessary either in person or by emailing oxted.library@surreycc.gov.uk.

New children’s book club – Ewell Library

To celebrate the National Year of Reading, Ewell Library has launched a brand new children’s book club: The Reading Squad.

Join us for stories, colouring and more. Every Friday during term time, from 3.30pm to 4pm. First session in April is on Friday 17 April. Suitable for ages 7 to 10. Free club, no need to book, just turn up.

If you can’t make it to Ewell Library and your child is interested in joining a children’s book club, please check the events’ webpage of your local library or just pop in and speak to a member of staff or volunteer.