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Special events
Summer Reading Challenge
Launch event: Book taster picnic and bunting craft
Saturday 5 July from 11am until 12pm.
We're kicking off the Summer Reading Challenge with a book taster picnic, where you'll get to sample a selection of different genres and maybe even choose some of the books you would like to read for the Challenge! You will get the chance to make and decorate some bunting, to really get the summer started.
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
Free to attend. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Official launch of the Summer Reading Challenge
To celebrate the official launch of the Summer Reading Challenge, we have some unique performances on Saturday 5 July:
- Award winning author Lucy Reynolds will entertain families at Guildford Library between 12 noon and 2pm with three inspiring Storytime sessions when she will be reading from her book, We are Family.
Donation requested, suggested £2 per ticket.
Book online or drop in on the day.
Book online for the Summer Reading Challenge Launch Event at Guildford Library
There will also be the following event at Dorking Library:
- Professional Storyteller John Kirk will be hosting three thrilling performances at Dorking Library between 11am and 1.30pm.
Donation requested, suggested £2 per ticket.
Book online or drop in on the day.
Book online for the Summer Reading Challenge Launch Event at Dorking Library
Dinosaurs in the garden
Saturday 12 July from 11am until 12pm.
Ever been digging in the garden and found an interesting object from the past? What if you found a prehistorical fossil...
In this fun craft, we'll be making dinosaur top trump cards and dinosaur masks.
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
£1 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Kite making
Saturday 19 July from 11am until 12pm.
Learn how to make a kite that really flies!
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
£1 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Plant growing
Friday 25 July 2pm until 3pm.
Plant a spider plant you'll get to take home, and watch it grow as you read over the summer!
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
£2 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Badge and bracelet making
Saturday 9 August from 11am until 12pm.
In honour of International Day of Friendship (30 July), we'll be making friendship bracelets and badges you can wear and swap with your friends!
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
£1 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
'Into the garden' craft and storytime
Wednesday 13 August from10.30am until 11.15am.
Enjoy stories about beautiful gardens with our friends from Guildford Museum, and make your own flower to take home.
Suitable for children aged 2 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
Free event, donations welcome. No booking required.
Animals workshop
Monday 18 August from 2pm until 3pm.
Learn all about animals from across the world through fun science, technology engineering and maths activities and crafts.
Suitable for children aged 8 to 11 years, accompanied by an adult.
£4 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Design a treehouse craft
Saturday 23 August from 11am until 12pm.
Inspired by the Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths, learn how to design and make your own pop-up treehouse book!
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
£1 per child. To book please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or ask at the helpdesk.
Drag storytime
Saturday 6 September from 12pm until 1pm.
We're hosting a Guildford Fringe Festival event. Join us for a storytime led by 'That Girl'.
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over, accompanied by an adult.
Free to attend. To book, please visit the Guildford Fringe Festival website.
Finale event
Saturday 13 September from 2pm until 3pm.
Summer Reading Challenge completers are invited to join us for a special celebration festival, featuring Serena Hassan, author of 'The tap-dancing pigeon of Covent Garden'. Serena will be leading a reading of her book followed by a book signing at 2.30pm, and we will have other fun crafts and activities on offer too, such as creating a shoebox garden and making suncatchers.
To register your interest, please enquire when you have completed the Challenge! The event is free to attend, but bookings will be placed through Eventbrite.
Rhymetime and storytime
Pebble rhymetime
- Every Monday at 10.30am and 11:30am
- First Saturday of every month at 10.30am
No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Find out more about Pebble rhymetimes in Surrey libraries.
Storytime
Every Wednesday at 10.30am
No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Nature storytime
Last Saturday of every month, from 10.30am to 11am.
Suitable for ages 2 years old and over, this storytime will cover themes such as animals, nature and the environment.
It is free to attend. No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Cantonese/English Bilingual Storytime
Second Saturday of every month at 2.30pm.
It is free to attend. No booking necessary.
Run in partnership with the Guildford Hongkongers. The events provide a fun and enjoyable introduction to new languages and libraries for young children. Sharing Cantonese and English books and stories with young children can help to build good language, learning and listening skills and give them a head start when they begin school and in life.
Find out more about storytime in Surrey libraries.
Reading groups
LGBTQ+ Reading Friends
First Saturday of the month, from 2.15pm until 3.30pm.
Surrey Libraries, in partnership with The Reading Agency, will be hosting a monthly Reading Friends group at Guildford Library for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together around a shared love of reading.
Run by LGBTQ+ members of staff, the groups will have discussions and recommendations on a different subject each month. They will always be confidential, supportive, and positive spaces. This group is for adults.
You can express an interest in joining this group by completing our online application form or by speaking to a member of staff in Guildford Library.
Find out more about reading groups in Surrey libraries.
Find out about other Reading Friends groups in Surrey libraries.
Other events
Lego club
Every Tuesday from 4pm to 4.45pm.
Cost £1 per child (available to children over 4).
Booking necessary, book in person at the library or by email guildford.library@sureycc.gov.uk.
Poetry hub
Every Thursday, from 10am to 12 noon.
In partnership with the Surrey Poet Laureateship, the group will feature writing challenges and discussions, guest speakers, reading time, poetry games, social time, poetry sharing and feedback.
Beginners welcome.
Free, no booking required, open to all. Located on the first floor of Guildford Library.
Creative writing club
Every Saturday, from 2pm to 3pm.
Developing creative writing skills and a love of storytelling in a fun and supportive environment.
We are proud to say that we are also joining the Blue Peter Book Club to give you the opportunity to earn your Blue Peter book badge!
Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years old. Suggested donation 50p, no booking necessary.
Warhammer club
The last Saturday of every month from 3pm until 4.30pm.
Aimed at children aged 7 and over, open to all regardless of experience.
£1 per child, please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk to book a space.
Crafting circle club
Every Friday, from 11am to 12 noon.
Located on the first floor, fiction room
Open to all, the Crafting Circle is a space for adults of all abilities to bring along their knitting, crochet and embroidery to learn new patterns, develop their skills, and meet new people.
Free, no need to book.
Suitable for ages 16 and over.
Digital support volunteer
For help using your computer or laptop you can book a session with our Digital support volunteer
- Every Monday from 2pm to 4pm.
- Every Tuesday from 2pm until 4pm. Appointment only.
- Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm. Appointment only.
- Every Thursday from:
- 2pm until 4pm
- 5pm until 6pm.
- Every Friday from 2pm to 4pm.
- Every Saturday from 11am to 12 noon.
Appointment only sessions must be booked in advance by emailing guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or in person at the library.
Please see our Digital support volunteer page for more information and to find out which other libraries currently offer a Digital support volunteer service.