The Reading Agency has a quick survey for you if you are aged 13-24 years. It's gathering information about how libraries can improve the ways they work with young people. Answers are anonymous and confidential.
WINTER MINI CHALLENGE
1 December 2018 - 11 January 2019
The Reading Agency has teamed up with Nosy Crow to bring you a Winter Mini Challenge inspired by 'There's a Yeti in the Playground!' - it's going to be SNOW MUCH FUN!
All you need to do is read three books between these dates. Rate and review the books on the Reading Agency website to unlock rewards, including a virtual badge and a certificate to print and keep.
Copies of 'There's a Yeti in the Playground' as well as other titles by the author Pamela Butchart are available to borrow.
CULTURAL ROUTES PASSPORT
1 December 2018 - 6 January 2019
Discover the art and heritage around Milton Keynes and win yourself some fantastic prizes this Christmas with Pedalling Culture’s Cultural Routes Passport - and it's open to all ages.
Once you've got your passport, you just need to visit 4 places on the cultural route and complete the green challenge to earn your passport stamp. There are 17 venues to choose from - and 8 of those are Milton Keynes Libraries where our challenge is all about the 'Milton Keynes Monster'!
When you've collected 4 stamps, you can return your passport by email or to any of the Milton Keynes Libraries.
You'll find full details on the Pedalling Culture website including links to download your passport and register online, together with venue information, FAQs and prizes on offer.
The robots will be taking over the Event Space at Central Library from 15 December!
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'.
From 15 December 2018 you'll be able to:
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 9am - 3.30pm on Saturdays, 9am-4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 9am-6.30pm on Thursdays when the library is open.
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.
Join us for drinks, nibbles and crafts on the following Wednesdays between 7-9pm (late arrivals are welcome):
28 November 2018
No sessions for December, January or February
27 March 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, but you can register your interest by phoning 01908 254050 or speaking to library staff.
13 December
10 January
24 January
7 February
21 February
7 March
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)
WRITERS' CIRCLE
First Wednesday of every month ~ 7.30-8.30pm
The Writers' Circle was formed at Olney Library but now meet at The Wildleaf Cafe in Olney. Local authors meet to share, promote and support each other's work.
We hope you'll join us. If you'd like to know more information, ask at the desk in Olney Library or email the FoLiO organiser.
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:
7 January 2019
4 February 2019
4 March 2019
8 April 2019
6 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 the Family History department at Central Library.
17 January 2019
21 February 2019
21 March 2019
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, 134KB) and save the dates.
NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Monday, 7 January 2019 ~ 7.30pm
Join us at The Olney Centre and Library for a fascinating talk brought to you by the Friends of Olney Library.
Peter Gage will be speaking about Native American History.
Contact Olney Library in advance to register and secure your place (01234 711474).
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!
STONY PLAY READERS
Stony Play Readers is a group, formed by Stony Stratford Theatre Society, to read plays in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Scripts will be provided and no acting experience is necesssary.
Readings are held at Stony Stratford Library.
To find out more, contact the library in person or phone 01908 562562.
AN EVENING WITH M. R. CAREY
Tuesday, 29 January 2019 ~ 7pm
Mike Carey, the author of 'The Girl with All the Gifts', 'Fellside' and 'Someone Like Me' will be speaking about his novels, screenplays and comics.
The talk is brought to you by Friends of Stony Stratford Library in conjunction with Stony Words 2019. We hope you'll join us.
Tickets are available from Stony Stratford Library from Tuesday, 8 January 2019.
Future dates with more information to follow:
Suzanne Campbell-Jones talk - Wednesday, 6 March 2019
EXPLORE YOUR ARCHIVE
20 November 2018 - 20 January 2019 at Central Library
Visit the Discover MK Showcase on the first floor at Central Library to see this exhibition by Living Archive.
Explore Your Archive is a campaign that showcases the best of archives and archive services in the UK and Ireland. It celebrates the unique potential of archives to excite people, bring communities together and tell amazing stories.
This exhibition showcases some of the archive collections held by members of Milton Keynes Heritage Association. It features exhibits from The Open University, Cowper and Newton Museum, Living Archive MK and MK City Discovery Centre.
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