Events and activities in libraries

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Imagination Spaces

We are excited to let you know about some fantastic events coming to Surrey Libraries over the next few months.

New Adventures: Swan Lake LGBTQ+ Community Performance Project

Are you a member of the LGBTQ+ community living or working in Surrey? Are you interested in taking part in creating and performing a movement piece with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures? Then look no further.

Last year, Surrey Libraries collaborated with New Adventures, along with Farnham Maltings and Woking Borough Council, to be part of a new LGBTQ+ community dance performance project. Members from the LGBTQ+ community were offered the opportunity to create an original movement piece based on Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands which was then performed at locations in Surrey, including Working Library, in February this year.

Watch and listen to some of the participants talk about what the experience meant to them: When you are truly seen: Community Response Piece 2024 video on YouTube.

Because of its success, we are very excited to confirm that New Adventures have asked to work with Surrey Libraries and Farnham Maltings again to run another LGBTQ+ community project, this time to create a new dance performance based on themes explored in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake which has recently gone on tour in the UK.

Please note that a background in dance is not necessary, and disabled participants are encouraged to take part.

To register your interest you need to complete an application form on the New Adventures website.

Complete the application form on the New Adventures website

In the Margins art exhibition – touring Surrey Libraries

Dates and locations to be confirmed.

Working in partnership with Disability Arts in Surrey (DAiSY), Artist Jon Adams, and several of DAiSY's member organisations (Art Matters, Bloomin' Arts and The Orpheus Centre), they created a fantastic collection of artworks that were installed at Reigate Library for over 2 months. 'In the Margins' aims to empower marginalised disabled artists and share their life experiences. The project tells their life stories, explores their passions, and highlights places where they feel a sense of belonging. Visitors are invited to explore these stories, promoting understanding, empathy, and inclusion.

DAiSY and the project "In The Margins"

After the successful exhibition at Reigate library, we are very excited to let you know that the "In the Margins Art Exhibition" will be touring around other libraries across Surrey.

Greener future in libraries

Regular green events in libraries

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.

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.

Saturdays:

Monthly Nature storytime at Guildford library. Suitable for 2 years old and over.

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:

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.

Read more about our new eco library cards.

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

Grants of up to £25,000 are now available for eligible Surrey residents to help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. Read more about the grant funding available to Surrey residents.

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 for 2024. 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

Digital tools to help you stay well this winter roadshow

Digital Welfare Support Officers Eleanor and Alys will be visiting libraries across Surrey this winter as part of the Warm Welcome scheme to introduce you to a range of online tools that can help you save money on your energy bills and stay well this winter. Simply drop-in for a chat.

Upcoming sessions: Godalming library: Monday 16 December, from 10am to 4pm.

Next session 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 currently back up and running in most libraries. Spaces may be limited and booking may be necessary, please check individual library event pages for details.

Learn coding with Kano

Open the door to coding with Surrey Libraries and iamtheCODE! Start your coding adventure now.

All you need is your library card number, and you can reserve Kano free of charge to collect from your local library!

Reserve Kano and let the fun begin

All our Kanos have been kindly donated by iamtheCODE.

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