Top 10 library events this October

Take action with Green Libraries Week

This month, libraries across Surrey will be buzzing with activities and events that celebrate our commitment to the environment and sustainability. Green Libraries Week is not just about books; it's about bringing the community together to learn, create and take action for a greener future.

Throughout Green Libraries Week, you can look forward to events tailored for all ages. Whether you're interested in crafting with recycled materials, listening to inspiring stories, or learning new ways to live sustainably, there's something for everyone. Joining the library is easy, do it online or pop in and speak to our friendly library staff.

There is always something exciting happening in your local library, so read on for our top 10 library events in October.

There's always something exciting happening in libraries across Surrey, so keep reading for our top 10 events in libraries happening this October.

Green Libraries Week

Green Libraries Week will run from 7 to 13 October, celebrating libraries with a focus on the climate and sustainability. Our libraries will be hosting lots of events this week, including:

  • Adult Coffee and Stories event with Geraldine Moffatt at Hersham Library on 7 October
  • Wardrobe Worriers at Godalming Library on 9 October. All ages welcome
  • Family Recycled Jar-scape Craft event at Camberley Library on 9 October
  • A special 'Green' Craft and Stories event on 10 October and a Crafternoon event making a Tote Bag out of an old t-shirt on 12 October at Oxted Library
  • 'Sow a Bean' children's craft event at Horley Library on 12 October

Find your local library and check out what they are doing for Green Libraries Week.


Author events for children

  • Pied Piper Theatre Company are bringing 'Dig!' for a gentle first theatre experience, perfect for young ones. Come join us at Haslemere Library on Saturday 12 October to hear a story about growing plants, busy bugs, wriggling worms and ever-changing weather! Book your ticket (donation requested) via Eventbrite.
  • Author Kate Hopkins is hosting a special Halloween themed workshop for children at Banstead Library on 26 October from 3.15pm. Tickets are free. Sign up at Banstead Library's helpdesk to reserve your place.

Author events for adults

  • The Cyber Circuit: author talk by James Bore at Ewell Library on 2 October from 2pm. Tickets are free. To reserve your place, please email ewell.library@surreycc.gov.uk or sign up at Ewell Library's helpdesk.
  • Autumn Breezes: an afternoon of prose, poetry and stories with actress Rachel Fielding at Esher Library on 3 October from 2pm. Tickets £3.50.
  • Author Matt Graydon will talk about his new World War 2 inspired book 'Leaving Fatherland' on 18 October at Godalming Library from 2.30pm and Ash Library from 6pm. Tickets £5.
  • BASK Book Club with Onyi Nwabineli at Guildford Library on 26 October from 2pm. Tickets £4.

To book your tickets, please visit our Eventbrite.


Banstead Dementia Awareness event at Banstead Library

Banstead Primary Care Network and Surrey County Council are working with residents and businesses in Banstead to support families and friends living with dementia.

If you would like to find out more about dementia and how you can support those living with it, please join us for a free, informal Dementia Awareness Session at Banstead Library on 2 October from 11am to 1pm. No need to book; everyone is welcome.

For more information, visit the Banstead Library events page.


Surrey Youth Arts and Cultural Festival at Camberley Library

Surrey based cultural organisations, creative industries and education providers will come together to deliver this festival this October half term. At the festival, there will be free workshops and performances for young people aged 11 – 16. The events will take place at Camberley Library and Camberley Theatre on 1 and 2 November. Events include:

  • DJing workshop with Surrey Arts
  • Virtual Reality Storytelling
  • Open Mic sessions
  • Mosaic workshop
  • Craft events

For the full programme please visit Surrey Youth Arts and Culture Festival programme.


Farnham Craft Month Events at Farnham Library

October is Farnham Craft Month, an annual month-long celebration of the crafts that are part of the cultural life of Farnham. Farnham Library will be hosting several free events to celebrate all things 'crafty'. Events include:

  • Stich and Chat session on 4 October
  • Craft Non-Fiction Friday book discussion on 4 October
  • Lantern Festival workshop on 31 October

To book your places, please visit the Farnham Craft Town events page or visit Farnham Library.


Mrs Armitage on Wheels at Staines Library

Quentin Blake's Mrs Armitage on Wheels, an interactive, energetic show celebrating the joy of getting outdoors and being active, is coming to Staines Library on Thursday 30 October. The show features live music, puppetry and physical comedy. Book your ticket online.


Guildford Book Festival – Books Beyond Words event at Guildford Library

Books Beyond Words is a charity co-creating word-free stories, empowering people with learning disabilities through pictures. They will be hosting two sessions at Guildford Library on 8 October. This event is part of the Guildford Book Festival. Tickets £5.

To book your ticket, visit Books Beyond Words event page.


Halloween events

Many of our libraries are hosting Halloween events this October half term, including:

  • Special Storytime with local author Laurel Rafferty at Caterham Valley Library on 31 October
  • Make a Halloween Bat craft event at Farnham Library on 30 October
  • Crafternoon events at Oxted Library on 26 and 31 October
  • Halloween Kids event at Redhill Library on 31 October

Find your local library and check out what they are doing for Halloween.


New 'Fit Kit' added to Library of Things at Guildford Library

You can host your own 'sporty' event now, borrowing for free the newly added sports and exercise equipment to our Library of Things at Guildford Library. This includes tennis rackets (with balls), rounders kit, cricket set, table tennis kit and a boccia set. Available from 7 October.

We also will be launching a brand-new Library of Things at Dorking on 7 October at the start of Green Libraries Week. We already have two established Library of Things at Godalming and Haslemere Libraries.

To find out more, visit our events and activities page.

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