What's On in Your Library and Community
- Upcoming Events
- Family History Consultations
- FoSSL Events
- MK50 Events
- Discovering MK App
- Discover MK Exhibitions
- Arts and Heritage
- Regular Children's Library Events
- Regular Library Events
- Community Events
Upcoming Events:
SHAKESPEARE: A Musical Celebration
Tuesday, 17 October ~ 7.30pm at Olney Library
The Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO) bring you an evening of Shakespeare and refreshments. Book your free tickets in advance at Olney Library.
Donations will be welcomed on the night.
LET'S GET YOU KNITTING
Wednesday, 25 October ~ 2-2.45pm at Newport Pagnell Library
The Knit and Natter ladies at Newport Pagnell are ready to help you learn how to knit. All equipment will be provided.
Tickets are £1 in advance from Newport Pagnell Library for children aged 5+. Book early as places are limited.
HALLOWEEN CRAFTS and TRICK OR TREAT HUNT
24-27 October 2017 at Olney Library
Stop by Olney Library for some Halloween crafts during the Half Term week. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and while you're there, don't forget to enter the Trick or Treat hunt (as for an entry form at the library).
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
Saturday, 25 November 2017 ~ 7.30-9.30pm at The Olney Centre
FoLiO (Friends of the Library in Olney) invite you to experience the amazing James Hornsby as he performs 'A Christmas Carol' as a one-man play.
You can book your tickets online or leave your details at Olney Library.
- Adults £10
- Children (U16) £6
- Concessions £8
LEGO and DUPLO CLUB at Olney Library
First Saturday of every month ~ 10.30am-11.30am
FREE Family Fun with this brick building club at Olney Library brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO).
Everyone is welcome to join the fun.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
(Sessions are free to attend but voluntary donations are welcome)
ACTIVITY HATCH SESSIONS at Woburn Sands Library
Saturdays 10am-12noon
Self-service play activities for children of all ages encouraging youngsters to visit and enjoy the library. There will be Duplo, toys, drawing and colouring, books, HappyLand, cutting and sticking ... fun in all shapes and sizes!
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
(Sessions are free to attend but voluntary donations are welcome)
SATURDAY CRAFT CLUB at Olney Library
Second Saturday of every month ~ 10.30am-11.30am
FREE crafts and creativity brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO).
Crafts and activities are aimed at children aged 6-12 with a different theme each month.
- 11 November 2017 - Teacup bulb planters and autumn leaf lights
- 9 December 2017 - Christmas calendars and decorations
Everyone is welcome to join the fun.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
(Sessions are free to attend but voluntary donations are welcome)
READ AND PLAY
Fridays 1-2.30pm at Olney Library
Join us on Fridays when we have books and toys for you to explore with your pre-school age children (suitable for ages 0-4 years).
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
TRANSMISSION MEDITATION
Monthly events at Westcroft Library
Transmission Meditation is very simple but powerful group meditation and everyone is welcome to join these free sessions at Westcroft Library. Previous experience of meditation is not necessary so come along!
Beginning in October, while Westcroft Library is located at Tattenhoe Pavilion these sessions will move to Shenley Brook End Village Hall.
Sessions are 10.15-11.15 am on the following dates:
- 2 November 2017
- 7 December 2017
To learn more about these sessions speak to Tim or Pauline on 07515 710971 or read about transmission meditation online.
COMPUTER HELP SESSIONS
IT Buddies are waiting to help you
If you'd like a little guidance about about using computers, the internet, your iPad, tablet or phone, setting up emails or have any computer related questions you'd like answered, we have amazing volunteers called IT BUDDIES ready to help you.
We have drop-in sessions at Woburn Sands Library on Saturdays 10am-1pm or you can book an appointment at:
- Central Library by phoning 01908 254051 or emailing the reference library.
- Olney Library by phoning 01234 711474 or asking at the desk.
HOOKED ON BOOKS CLUB
11.30am - 12.30pm at Olney Library
If you are between 7-11 years old and love books this is the club for you! Lydia regularly visits Olney Library and has started this free monthly club with all kinds of book related fun with a different theme each month.
* Games and Puzzles * Reading and Reporting * Colouring and Crafts * Investigations * Character Dress-up * Sketching * ... and lots more!
We hope you'll join Lydia at one of the sessions:
- 14 October 2017 - Jeff Kinney
- 11 November 2017 - Comics and Magazines
- 9 December 2017 - Christmas Special
BRING YOUR OWN BOOK!
Monthly Book Chat Group at Newport Pagnell Library
Do you have a book that you would love to share with others? The Book Chat Group meets once a month on a Monday evening at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome - just come along on the night and bring your favourite book! The next meeting dates are:
- 6 November 2017
- 4 December 2017
For more information, please contact Newport Pagnell Library on 01908 610933. The library closes at 5pm and group members meet at the Riverside door at 5.30pm for entry.
We hope to see you soon!
Family History Consultations:
Expert John Hanson is offering free 30 minute consultations to help you with research into your Family History. Sessions need to be booked in advance by phoning 01908 254051 or emailing the Family History department at Central Library.
- Thursday, 19 October 2017 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 16 November 2017 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 18 January 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 15 February 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 15 March 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 17 May 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 28 June 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
- Thursday, 19 July 2018 ~ 4.15-7.30pm
These sessions prove very popular and we would recommend booking early!
FoSSL Events at Stony Stratford Library:
The Friends of Stony Stratford Library bring a variety of activities and events to Stony Stratford Library. Watch this space for the latest updates. More details to follow for these events - save the dates!
FAITHFUL SERVANTS
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
A talk by Rob Gifford looking at some Shakespeare plays through the eyes of characters such as Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra and Kent in King Lear, who, although second-tier figures, provide the moral centre of the play.
CHARLES DICKENS AND THE INVENTION OF CHRISTMAS
December 2017
MK50 Events:
Milton Keynes was 50 on 23 January 2017!
We're celebrating with many events at Central Library throughout the year and we hope you'll join us.
You can visit our MK50 web page to see how we're celebrating.
Be sure to keep your eyes open for these MK50 activities:
- 50 Facts for 50 Years of History
- Top 50 Authors for Adults
- Top 50 Authors for Children
- Young Heritage Hunters Trail
- Art and Heritage Trail
- Discover MK Timeline Exhibition
Discovering MK App
Have some summer fun with this free smartphone app that gives you the power to discover the hidden gems across Milton Keynes.
Inspired by the Pokémon Go craze, the Discovering MK app reveals an interactive trail that takes you out and about in Milton Keynes to unlock information about the development of our city, historic landmarks and buildings, public art, woodlands and parks. At each of 50 locations, you and your family can challenge yourselves to a mini quiz and upload a selfie to show how you're Discovering MK!
- After downloading the app from Apple Store or Google Play, select one of the zones to visit.
- Within each zone is a list of locations, pick any one that akes your fancy or pick a zone and work your way through them all.
- You won't be able to unlock a location until you're actually there, so get moving!
- Using geofencing (app location wizardry) the app will know when you're at a location. Once you're there and unlock it, you'll discover things you never knew about MK.
Follow Discovering MK for latest updates using the #DiscoveringMK tag for your chance to win prizes throughout the year.
- Facebook - DiscoveringMK
- Instagram - @DiscoveringMK
- Twitter - @DiscoveringMK
Discover MK Exhibitions:
More exhibitions coming soon ...
Arts and Heritage
Are you aged 4-14? Join the Heritage Hunt around Central Library and discover famous paintings and facts about the past in Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes Libraries have worked in partnership with Living Archive and Milton Keynes Heritage Association to design this trail just for you. Full details are on the Young Heritage Hunters web page.
Self Guided Art and Heritage Trail
During opening hours at Central Library you can follow this Art and Heritage Trail that celebrates the Grade II Listed status of the building and introduces you to the many artworks we have in and around Central Library. Collect your guide and map and begin your tour.
Children's Library Events:
- Weekly Stories, Songs and Rhymetimes at various Libraries.
- Songs and Rhymetimes for the Under 2s four weekly at Central Library.
- Children's Hours at various Libraries (£2 per child).
- Monthly 'Hooked on Books Club' for 7-11 year olds at Olney Library.
- Weekly Music Bugs sessions on Fridays 10am and 11am at Central Library.
- Weekly Stories and Rhymes for pre-schoolers at Woburn Sands Library.
- LEGO and DUPLO CLUB - First Saturday of each month at Olney Library 10.30am-11.30am.
- Saturday Craft Club - Second Saturday of each month at Olney Library 10.30-11.30am.
- Weekly Activity Hatch sessions on Saturdays at Woburn Sands Library 10am-12noon.
- Weekly Read and Play sessions on Fridays at Olney Library 1-2.30pm.
- Weekly Code Club for 8-12 year olds at Central Library during term time.
Regular Library Events:
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Westcroft Library (Wednesday).
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Kingston Library (Wednesday).
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Bletchley Library (Wednesday).
- Weekly table top games and activities at Olney Library (Thursday afternoons).
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Newport Pagnell Library (Wednesday).
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Stony Stratford Library (Wednesday).
- Monthly Knit and Natter and Stitch sessions at Wolverton Library (Tuesday).
- Monthly Reading Groups.
- Weekly Job Clubs at Wolverton Library.
- Monthly informal Book Chat Group at Newport Pagnell Library - contact Newport Pagnell Library for details.
Community Events:
You might find the COIN Community Information Database useful when looking for local groups or support.
- First Friday of the Month (10am-12.30pm) Action on Hearing Loss (RNID) Drop-in at Bletchley Library.
- Tuesdays (10am-12noon) Age UK Milton Keynes Drop-in at Woburn Sands Library.
- Second Tuesday of the Month (6-7pm) (excluding August) Art Hour at Woburn Sands Library.
- Wednesdays (10am-12noon) Senior Friends Get Together at Woburn Sands Library.
- Saturdays (10am-1pm) IT Buddy Drop-in sessions at Woburn Sands Library offering help with your computer skills.
Last Updated: 16 October 2017
