Events and activities in libraries

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National Year of Reading 2026

"Whatever you're into, read into it"

The National Year of Reading is a national campaign initiated by the Department of Education. Library services across the country are joining forces with partners to get everyone into reading in 2026. We know that reading supports success in school, work, and life. It boosts wellbeing, brings people together, and increases empathy.

Libraries are not just for ‘bookworms’ and students, they are destinations for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to meet and explore their passions. They are places to connect, discover, and bond. Places to meet other parents, or others who share your passions, in your own community – for free.

So Go All In and discover what is happening in your local Surrey library. Listen to an audio book, join a book club, attend an event, chat to a librarian and discover your next great read – or just simply sit and browse a book about gaming, gardening or Georgian architecture, your library is the perfect place to explore your passions!

Each month, one of our libraries will step into the spotlight with a flagship event linked to the national campaign. Meanwhile, every branch will host themed workshops, family-friendly sessions and creative activities to inspire readers of every age and interest. Explore the flagship libraries lined up for each month below!

Monthly schedule of flagship libraries:

  • April: Woking
  • May: Epsom
  • June: Dorking
  • July: Camberley
  • August: Weybridge
  • September: Godalming
  • October: Guildford
  • November: Walton
  • December: Horley

You can keep an eye on what is happening in your local library, please check individual library event pages for details.

Watch the video: If you’re into it, read into it: Go All In (National Literacy Trust and Go All In).

Surrey library quest

Surrey Library Quest launched on Thursday 5 March 2026.

Get ready to explore new stories, ideas, and adventures with the Surrey Library Quest. A fun challenge created to celebrate the National Year of Reading. Pick up your Quest leaflet from any Surrey library branch and complete 6 out of 8 simple reading and library related tasks. Once you have finished, return your completed leaflet to any Surrey library branch and you will be entered into a prize draw to win fantastic rewards, from National Book Tokens to an electronic tablet.

Please read the Surrey library quest competition terms and conditions.

Escalate Arts

Escalate Arts Spelthorne is an Arts Council England funded initiative, designed to transform how people work, design, enjoy and participate in the arts in Spelthorne.

The project has been developed in partnership between Surrey County Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Artswork and Ashford Youth Club. For more information about the initiative please see the Escalate Arts webpage.

News and events

Gathering Place 360 Workshops: Made by Katie Green

Explore Surrey’s rich past, watch four immersive Virtual Reality 360 films, and make your own artwork in this unique creative history experience with Escalate Arts and Spelthorne Museum. Step back in time with Made By Katie Green as you journey through the Bronze Age, Medieval, Tudor and First World War archaeology of Surrey, guided by re‑imagined characters brought to life through virtual reality. Then get hands-on with a clay workshop inspired by the stories you’ve discovered. This free event offers a rare chance to uncover hidden histories and create your own piece of art, all supported by Escalate Arts. Join us for an inspiring blend of heritage, technology and creativity.

This event offers limited spaces, with 8 bookable slots per session, so early booking is essential. Please reserve one ticket per person and allow around 2 hours for the full experience. The activity is suitable for ages 9+, with accompanying adults required for children. If you have questions about accessibility, younger participants, or booking changes, please email katie@madebykatiegreen.co.uk

This event will be taking place at:

For the latest news and details about upcoming events including those taking place at the Staines Library Hub, please see the Escalates Arts News and Events page.

Imagination Spaces

As part of our ongoing commitment to connect with our community, Surrey Libraries are proud to present the Imagination Spaces Cultural Programme, a vibrant celebration of creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. Through a rich mix of events, exhibitions, tours, and workshops hosted in libraries across the county, we invite you to explore inspiring cultural experiences that bring people together.

Take a look below to discover what events are coming up in the next few months!

Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet exhibition

The Exhibition is free to view and will be at Woking Library from Saturday 2 May until Thursday 28 May (during the library staffed opening times).  

Surrey Libraries are proud to host Into the Light, an inspiring exhibition shining a spotlight on the presence and contribution of Black British Ballet pioneer dancers whose stories have been largely forgotten.

The exhibition celebrates their lives, and brings together archive photography, film and news items alongside new interviews with the dancers themselves. It will be free to view.

The exhibition was created as part of the Black British Ballet project.

Legend of Heart Library - interactive show and workshop for children

Join Binta Butterfly on her musical, magical quest in Heart Library, she needs your help!

Inspired by West African Folktales, this interactive performance with original music and movement invites children to help decipher clues, follow trails, and find stories to help Binta find her sisters and write her next chapter.

The performance will be followed by a fun creative workshop.

This event is suitable for families with children 5 to 9 years old.

Performances at:

Lewis Carroll travelling display

Surrey History Centre’s Lewis Carroll collection has been growing for over 75 years. In 2025, marking 160 years since the first publication of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, the Centre celebrated the archives of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832–1898)—better known by his enchanting pen name, Lewis Carroll—with a free foyer display and a cabinet exhibition in their search room.

We are thrilled to announce that the fascinating display will now be touring six Surrey libraries, giving you the chance to discover more about one of childhood’s most beloved authors!

For more information about Lewis Carroll at Surrey History Centre and to view from the Lewis Carroll collection, simply book a place in the Surrey History Centre search room and let them know you wish to see items from the collection.

To book your visit or to check the Surrey History opening hours see our webpage Visiting Surrey History Centre.

Greener future in libraries

Reduce your carbon footprint by borrowing library books

Borrowing books from you local library saves the environment by reducing the demand for new book production, saving paper, ink, transport, and packaging, all of which have a carbon cost. Find out how much you save by using our carbon saving calculator below.

Your green libraries impact

Enter the number of books you borrowed from Surrey libraries in the last year:

Your estimated CO₂ savings will appear here.

* Based on an estimated 0.7 kg CO₂e saved per book borrowed instead of bought new.

Regular green events in libraries

Every Wednesday:

What next? Wednesdays at Godalming library. Volunteers from What Next? charity will be on-hand to provide advice, guidance and helpful tips in what you can do to support our local environment.

Monthly Tuesdays:

Cranleigh Climate Action and Cranleigh Library climate cafe will be available to provide energy advice and see what financial support is available to help with energy bills.

Monthly Saturdays:

Green reads

We've specially selected some titles exploring the natural world, environmental issues and sustainability.

World around us eBooks on Libby

Step into nature eAudio books on BorrowBox

Library of Things

Why buy when you can borrow!

We are pleased to support a number of Libraries of Things across our network. Allowing users to borrow everything from garden tools, sports and exercise equipment, table top games to camping equipment

Each library is run by a local environmental organisation and hosted in the library, providing easy access to this great service.

You can find a Library of Things in the following locations:

Green Library Hub , Guildford library

Green Library Hubs logo, white background, green, black and orange image and wording. Surrey Libraries have secured funding as part of a successful National Lottery bid led by  Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) to deliver Green Library Hubs across the United Kingdom (UK).Green Library Hub logo, white background, green and orange image and wording.

Guildford Library aims to foster climate-conscious communities and provide trusted environmental information aligned with the council’s sustainability strategy.

As a Green Library Hub, Guildford Library will host key events such as children's workshops and adult talks encouraging climate action and supporting the local economy.

Find out what's happening at Guildford Green Library Hub

Biodegradable eco library cards

Crafted from environmentally friendly materials, these cards not only reduce waste but also contribute to the preservation of our planet. By opting for these compostable and recyclable cards, library-goers become part of a growing movement to protect the environment and foster sustainable practices.

Surrey's greener future

The Surrey Energy advice tool, will help you by asking a series of short questions and depending on the answers will offer tailored information on grants, support and advice, and non-financial help on a range of topics

Find out more about Surrey's Greener Future, Surrey County Council's climate change strategy.

Surrey's Greener Future

Sign up to our Greener Matters newsletter to get updates.

Our climate change newsletter

Author events

Surrey Libraries are pleased to offer a programme of author events. Select an event to find out more and how to book.

Digital welfare support

The Digital Welfare Support Project is a community outreach program that is closing the digital divide and reducing isolation in Surrey.

We aim to do this by identifying and targeting areas of the county where digital deprivation is highest, cultivating community links and providing IT skills sessions to those most in need. Our experienced and dedicated Digital Welfare Support Officers, Alys and Eleanor, are putting together a programme of events and opportunities to offer foundational knowledge of essential digital skills.

Upcoming events

Independent skills workshop: digital skills

Find the online world a bit overwhelming? Want to become more confident at navigating it?

Come along to our free Independent Skills session on Digital Skills.

In this two hour workshop, Surrey Libraries Digital Welfare Support Officers Alys and Eleanor will help you identify your level of digital skills and share top tips for using the internet and your devices safely.

Sessions are free but spaces are limited so booking necessary.

Workshops are being held at the following libraries, dates, times and booking details: Further dates and locations to be confirmed.

Pebble rhymetime

Rhymetimes are now running in most libraries. Spaces may be limited and booking may be necessary, please check individual library event pages for details

Storytime

Storytimes are now running in most libraries. Spaces may be limited and booking may be necessary, please check individual library event pages for details.

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