200 MILLION MINUTES - Reading Challenge
7 March - 2 April 2019
The 200 Million Minutes Reading Challenge aims to encourage children across England and Wales - at schools, libraries, playgroups, etc - to collectively read for 200 million minutes within the challenge time frame. We're thrilled to say that Milton Keynes Libraries has signed up for this.
Children and teens are invited to collect a bookmark from any of the libraries and record the time you've spent reading between 7 March and 2 April. Hand your bookmarks to staff at any of the libraries and your minutes will be included alongside our storytimes, children's hours and school/group visits when we register the totals online.
We hope you'll help us make the challenge a success!
The robots have taken over the Event Space at Central Library and we're thrilled to announce that they will be with us until the end of March 2019!
Amy and her robot friends will be with us thanks to Robotazia. Robotazia is a unique collection of sci-fi robots and props - creativity from all disciplines under the theme of 'robots'.
You can:
Visit the mini museum of amazing Robotazia creations made from recycled materials - including unique robots and famous robots you'll recognise.
Speak with staff who know all about the robots.
Meet robot waitress "Amy" in the sci-fi themed coffee shop, where you can enjoy tasty drinks and snacks.
Enter the 'Name the Robot' competition.
Watch robot short movies on the big screen.
Visit the Robotazia shop for robot gifts and goodies.
The cafe will be open from 10am-4pm on Saturdays, 10.30am-4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 10.30am-6.30pm on Thursdays whenever the library is open.
MILTON KEYNES SCALE MODEL CLUB
Every Saturday in March 2019
The MK Scale Model Club will be at Central Library (upstairs by the Children's Library) every Saturday during March to display their models and talk to anyone interested in modelling.
Milton Keynes Scale Model Club will also be presenting their modelling showcase at the Marshall Arena (AKA Arena MK) on Sunday 28 April 2019 alongside 80 other modelling clubs and organisations who will also be exhibiting their stunning models from all disciplines, interests and genres from across the years - everything from working model railways through to science fiction and fantasy monsters.
BRITISH WEST INDIES REGIMENT & KINGS AFRICAN RIFLES IN THE GREAT WAR
6 March - 27 April 2019 at Central Library
This free photographic exhibition is on the first floor at Central Library and is brought to you by Learning Through the Arts. It commemorates the contributions and sacrifices of soldiers who served in the King's African Rifles and British West Indies Regiment during the Great War (1914 - 1918).
Saturday, 27 April 3-4.30pm at Central Library
You are invited to join us as we unpick the exhibition to learn about the contributions and sacrifices of the men of the British West Indies Regiment and King’s African Rifles in the Great War during an interactive presentation.
MK JOB SHOW
Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 March 2019
The MK Job Show showcases thousands of employment and training opportunities – from part time to full time, entry level to senior executive, apprenticeships to graduate positions – there is something for everyone at the MK Job Show.
If you're looking for job opportunities, then go along to Middleton Hall, the Centre:MK between 10am-6pm.
We'll be at the show and hope you'll stop by to say hello.
MILTON KEYNES ARCHIVES is a group made up of Milton Keynes Council, the City Discovery Centre, Living Archive MK and Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies.
MK Archives wants to know if you would be interested in using a service which brought together local archives within the Central Library.
Alfie James Productions brings you an exciting new project starting at Central Library - funded by Milton Keynes Community Foundation.
The Story Box Theatre project is designed specifically for adults aged 50 and over and provides a free 8 week project.
Through weekly workshops and special one off events, the group explores the art of oral storytelling through fun, practical performance techniques before working towards regular small public performances.
If you'd like to find out more about the project or are interested in being involved, you can email Alfie James or phone 07858 625622.
The first performance by the group is 'Room on the Broom' at Central Library on Saturday, 30 March 2-2.30pm. SORRY BUT THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT.
Please note that the Children's Library will be closed to the public between 1-3pm for this performance.
Join us for drinks, nibbles and crafts on the following Wednesdays between 7-9pm (late arrivals are welcome):
27 March 2019
24 April 2019
29 May 2019
26 June 2019
Bring your own craft project and/or enjoy the planned group activity.
Reserve your place at Olney Library - there's a £5 charge to be paid on the evening.
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.
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.
21 March
4 April
18 April
2 May
16 May
30 May
13 June
27 June
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.
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)
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.
HOOKED ON BOOKS CLUB
11.30am - 12.30pm at Olney Library
If you are between 7-13 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!
The club sessions run on the third Saturday of each month and we hope you'll join us at one of the sessions:
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:
8 April 2019
13 May 2019
3 June 2019
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.
21 March 2019
18 April 2019
23 May 2019
20 June 2019
Family History sessions always prove very popular and we would recommend booking early!
John has extended his sessions to include other libraries and is also offering free 20 minute consultations on Tuesdays between 10.30am and 1.30pm at the following libraries:
9 April 2019 - Bletchley Library (Book on 01908 372797)
11 June 2019 - Wolverton Library (Book on 01908 312812)
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, 134KB) and save the dates.
ORCHIDS AND OWLS NOT CONCRETE COWS
Monday, 1 April 2019 ~ 7.30pm
April's talk brought to you by the Friends of Olney Library is delivered by Chris Ward who explores the flora and fauna around Milton Keynes.
Contact Olney Library in advance to register and secure your place (01234 711474) or book online.
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!
If you love your garden, then you may want to come along to this horticultural talk arranged by Stony Stratford in Bloom and presented by Theresa Wedderburn of Branch-out MK.
The talk will be held at Stony Stratford Library and is a free event, but donations are warmly welcomed. To book a place email judith.deveson@gmail.com or phone 01908 562876.
NEW TOWN NOSTALGIA - MK at Play, Back in the Day
12 March - 30 April 2019 at Central Library
Visit the Discover MK Showcase on the first floor at Central Library to see this exhibition by Living Archive.
This latest exhibition is a nostalgic celebration of how Milton Keynes had fun in the 80s and 90s. And it’s all about YOU!
Are you of the generation whose idea of a good night out was pre-drinking at The Barn or the City Duck followed by a boogie at The Point? Did you go shopping in Woolworths and C&A? What about rollerskating at the Agora?
We think this exhibition will bring back some fond memories – festivals, nightclubs, roller discos, big gigs at the Bowl, street parties, carnivals and much much more.
Stop by Central Library and see if you can spot yourself in the photos!
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