Central Milton Keynes, Olney, Stony Stratford and Woburn Sands Libraries remain CLOSED but we have expanded our Libraries offer.
The following libraries began our phased re-opening and are OPEN with reduced hours to allow for enhanced preparation and cleaning to be carried out daily.
Bletchley Library
Kingston Library
Newport Pagnell Library
Westcroft Library
Wolverton Library
These libraries will be open 5 days a week: 10am-4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am-12noon on Saturday.
We hope you'll visit this exhibition at the top of the stairs in Central Library and read about the untold and mistold stories of key leaders within the Milton Keynes community.
The exhibition is part of the New Town Heritage Explorers project and aims to highlight and celebrate the stories of Black people who have invested in the social architecture of the city.
You'll find the 'No Corners Here' exhibition in the Event Space on the ground floor at Central Library.
New Town Heritage Explorers teamed up with Global Outreach Foundation to develop a project on the built environment and how it relates to identity and a sense of self for modern day citizens of Milton Keynes.
The New Town Heritage Explorers Project launched on 23 January and is an exciting design and heritage project which develops a New Town Heritage toolkit and brings the city’s design heritage to life with an innovative creative programme.
The project explores and documents the social history of MK – the stories of the people who live here, the impact of the buildings on daily life and what it's really like to live in a city built from scratch.
Join us for drinks, nibbles and crafts on the following Wednesdays between 7-9pm (late arrivals are welcome).
Bring your own craft project and/or enjoy the planned group activity.
Reserve your place at Olney Library (01234 711474). There is a £5 charge to be paid on the evening.
Dates to be confirmed
These evenings are brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO) and all profits will be donated to FoLiO's Craft Clubs and activities.
CRAFTING FOR CHANGE at Stony Stratford Library
Tuesdays 10.30am-12.30pm (term times only)
This is a friendly group, suitable for all ages and abilities, where members use their crafting skills to improve the lives of the local community and support the library.
Come along to the group: get involved with library displays and community events or bring your own project to work on.
Free to attend, although voluntary donations for tea, coffee and biscuits are very welcome!
Children's Hours offer staff led stories, songs and crafts along with educational toys. The libraries are closed to the public during these sessions and are used exclusively for families attending the Children's Hour.
Sessions cost £2 per child on the door and no advance tickets are required.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES at Central Library
Alternate Thursdays ~ 10.30am - 12noon
English conversation classes are for anyone who would like to practise and improve their English as a second language, gain better skills for study or employment, or just get on in everyday life.
Everyone is welcome to join us on the day and you don't need to register. If you'd like to know more you can phone 01908 254050 or speak to library staff.
Dates to be confirmed
Please note that the classes are led by library volunteers and are not part of any ESOL curriculum.
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IELTS is the world's proven English language test and can be accessed online at all Milton Keynes Libraries and from your computer at home. For more information, visit the eLibrary web page.
Free all-round fun with the Lego/Duplo Clubs across the libraries.
We'll provide the bricks and you provide the imagination. Everyone regardless of age is invited to join the fun. No booking is necessary - just turn up on the day.
You can choose from the following clubs and remember that the sessions are drop-in so stay as long as you like.
Tuesdays:
Wolverton Library 3.30-4.30pm
Olney Library 3.30-5pm
Wednesdays:
Bletchley Library 3.30-4.30pm
Thursdays:
Newport Pagnell Library 3.30-4.30pm
Westcroft Library 3.30-4.30pm
Central Library 4-5pm
Fridays:
Kingston Library 3.30-4.30pm
Saturdays:
Olney Library 10.30-11.30am on the first Saturday each month
Remember that the clubs are free and open to everyone. All clubs are term timesonly except for the Tuesday session at Olney Library which happens every week.
Parents and carers must remain with their children throughout the sessions.
Join us for this free club at Woburn Sands Library. It's open to everyone regardless of your chess playing abilities - we can even throw in some tuition if you'd like!
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
Crafts and creativity brought to you by the Friends of the Library in Olney (FoLiO) with a different theme each month.
This craft club has proved so popular that there are now two separate sessions with 12 children at each: 10.15-11am or 11.15am-12pm.
You'll need to book your place in advance by visiting Olney Library or phoning 01234 711474. There is a suggested voluntary contribution of £3 per child payable on the day.
Dates to be confirmed
Crafts and activities are aimed at children aged 3-12 and everyone is welcome to join the fun.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
COMPUTER HELP SESSIONS IT Buddies are waiting to help you
If you'd like a little guidance 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.
Olney Library by phoning 01234 711474 or asking at the desk.
Bletchley Library for Tuesdays 11am-1pm by phoning 01908 372797 or asking at the desk.
Woburn Sands Library by phoning 01908 582033 or asking at the desk.
Wolverton Library for Tuesdays 2-4pm and Wednesdays 11.30am-1.30pm by phoning 01908 312812 or asking at the desk.
We also hold regular drop-in IT Help sessions at Central Library (upstairs by the computers) on Fridays from 1-3pm. No booking needed - just come along.
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:
Dates to be confirmed
For more information, please contact Newport Pagnell Library on 01908 610933. The library is closed on Mondays and group members meet at the Riverside door at 5.30pm for entry.
Expert John Hanson is offering free 20 minute consultations to help you with research into your Family History. Sessions are held on Thursdays between 4.15-7.30pm and need to be booked in advance by phoning 01908 254051 or emailing Central Library.
Dates to be confirmed
Family History sessions always prove very popular and we would recommend booking early!
FoLiO (Friends of the Library in Olney) support Olney Library with many activities and have lined up another amazing programme of talks for 2019. Download your copy of the events (PDF, 135KB) and save the dates.
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 future events - save the dates!
Future dates with more information to follow:
Monica Else will talk about 'What is Cancer?' - Postponed - date to be confirmed.
Darrel Ince - 'Unknown Paris' - Postponed - date to be confirmed.
Visit the Discover MK Showcase area on the first floor at Central Library to see the 'Multicultural New Towns Heritage' exhibition.
In the 1960s, the UK Government decided there was a need for a new towns in the South East of England to accommodate the projected population increase of London.
Milton Keynes was born and early predictions did not estimate how it would boom and become so diverse. The melting pot of newcomers, learning to live together, has been enriched by an increasing influx of migrants. This is a unique story with an important heritage component to share with future generations in Milton Keynes and elsewhere.
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