Surrey libraries are pleased to be offering a programme of events and activities.
- See what events are taking place at your nearest library
- National Storytelling week events at Surrey Libraries
- Author events
- Women's History month
- Winter Mini Challenge
- Digital Welfare Support
- Frances Burney in Surrey, events and competition
- Living Knowledge Network: Chinese and British exhibition
- Greener future in libraries
- Summer Reading Challenge
- Pebble rhymetime
- Storytime
- Digital events and activities
- Learn coding with Kano
- Poetry blog
- Libraries from home for children and young people
- Libraries from home for adults
- Surrey culture and leisure
Winter Mini Challenge
Winter Mini Challenge: 1 December 2022 to 20 February 2023
This year, The Reading Agency teamed up with Science Museum Group for the Gadgeteers Summer Reading Challenge, inspiring children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects and showing that imagination can unlock endless possibilities.
The Reading Agency is thrilled to announce that they are continuing their partnership with Science Museum Group for the Winter Mini Challenge.
With activity ideas and resources from Science Museum Group, the Winter Mini Challenge will help to spark children's curiosity about the world around them, inspiring them through creativity and invention. The setting for the Winter Mini Challenge is a festive party at the Gadgeteers' community centre. When a sudden snowstorm whirls in, can the Gadgeteers use their ingenuity, creativity and curiosity to keep everyone entertained until the weather brightens?
How does the Winter Mini Challenge work?
The Winter Mini Challenge is run through The Reading Agency's year-round children's website. To take part, children simply read three books or more of their choice. Every time they finish a book, they add it to their Challenge website profile and leave a short book review. Reaching their online reading goal will unlock a special virtual badge and a new wintery Gadgeteers certificate to print off and keep. There are also fun activities, videos, reading recommendations, plus an exciting competition!
Children can visit the Winter Mini Challenge website from 1 December 2022 to start rating and reviewing their books and enjoying the online activities.
Please visit your local library to pick up your books and start reading! Or if you prefer, you can also download eBooks, eAudiobooks and eComics, all reading counts!
Author events
Surrey Libraries are pleased to offer a programme of author events for 2023. Select an event to find out more and how to book.
- Children's Book Festival at Ewell library on Wednesday 15 February.
- Creative writing session: Read with pride with author Sarah Hagger-Holt at Horley Library on Wednesday 15 February.
- Creative writing session: Read with pride with author Sarah Hagger-Holt at Merstham library on Wednesday 15 February.
- I definitely don't like winter storytime with Fiona Barker at Bookham library, for ages 3 to 7 years, on Wednesday 15 February
- Children's author, Susie Darnton at Godalming library on Wednesday 15 February.
- I definitely don't like winter storytime with Fiona Barker at Haslemere library, for ages 3 to 7 years, on Friday 17 February.
- Creative writing for teens with Lisa Williamson at Leatherhead library on Saturday 18 February.
- My Writing life: a talk by local crime author Niki Mackay at Redhill Library on Thursday 23 February
- BASK Book Club with Nikki May at Guildford Library on Saturday 25 February.
- That never happened! An evening with local author Ethan Bale at Oxted Library on Saturday 25 February.
- John Ingham author event at Caterham Valley Library on Thursday 2 March.
- An evening with SJ Bennett at Guildford Library on Thursday 2 March.
- A bad god's guide to taking the blame with Louie Stowell at Egham library on Saturday 4 March, for adults with children aged 8 to 13 years old
- The Tap-Dancing Pigeon with Serena Hassan at Walton Library for ages 3 to 7 years, on Sunday 5 March.
- An afternoon with Nicola May at Woking Library on Saturday 11 March.
- An evening with Kate Thompson at Egham Library on Monday 13 March.
- A Fatal Crossing and more with author Tom Hindle at Esher Library on Monday 20 March.
- An afternoon with Kendra Smith at Godalming library on Wednesday 22 March.
- BASK Book Club with Ayòbámi Adébáyò at Guildford Library on Saturday 25 March.
- Storytime with Yijing Li at Redhill Library on Saturday 25 March.
- An evening with crime author Vaseem Khan at Woking library on Thursday 6 April.
National Storytelling week events at Surrey Libraries
National Storytelling week runs each year, from 28 January until 5 February, to highlight and celebrate the joy of sharing stories and words together. So join us for these fantastic events.
Storytelling with Helen at Reigate Library
- Friday 3 February. Drop in anytime between 2.30pm and 4.30pm
Join us at Reigate Library to celebrate National storytelling week and help create a story. Suitable for children aged 3 and up. No need to book, just drop in. Session is free.
Storytime for grown ups at Redhill Library
Thursday 9 February from 2.30pm until 3.30pm
Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling at Redhill Library. Story times are not just for children. As Valentine's day approaches Emily and Jeremy will be reading stories and poems about friendship, love and romance from Tolkien to Austen.
Booking necessary. Cost: £3. Book in the library or email redhill.library@surreycc.gov.uk
Women's History month
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the the United Kingdom.
Events
Hear my voice: a working woman's fight for the vote, at Camberley Library on Thursday 16 March.
Digital welfare support
The Digital Welfare Support Project is a community outreach program that's closing the digital divide and reducing isolation in Surrey.
We will seek 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 are putting together a programme of events and opportunities to offer foundational knowledge of essential digital skills.
Upcoming events
IT sessions
- Epsom Library on Wednesday 8 February, from 10am until 1pm. See Epsom Library events and activities page for more information.
Digital skills workshops
In collaboration with The Workshop, Camberley, fortnightly Digital Skills workshops for 18 to 24 year olds getting into work.
Would you like support improving your digital skills? Whatever your level we can help you gain digital confidence. Attend a one-off or ongoing workshops, whatever suits you.
Every other Thursday from 2pm until 4pm on the following dates:
- 9 February
- 23 February
Register: theworkshop@surreyheath.gov.uk
Location: The Workshop, Princess of Wales Walk, Camberley, GU15 3SJ
Greener future in libraries
Events in libraries
Visible mending workshops at Haslemere library. Find out more and how to book.
Tree Planting with Surrey County Council
Various dates and locations available until Saturday 25 February: sign up for a tree planting session
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 Sustainable Warmth grant available to Surrey residents.
Sign up to our Greener Matters newsletter to get updates.
Our climate change newsletter – Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
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.
Digital events and activities
We have a range of events and activities available on our YouTube Channel, from cooking ideas to STEM club, and Lego club and crafts, there's something for everyone. Please see: Surrey libraries YouTube channel.
Tom's Rapid reviews
Tom will be reading out a number of book reviews written by staff or himself to help you find your next read!
Alternate Mondays on Facebook from 3pm.
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.