If you can help by donating any LEGO or DUPLO it can be dropped off at any of our libraries.
Upcoming Events:
MISCHIEF MAKER CRAFTS at Olney Library
FREE Mischief Maker Summer Reading Challenge activities will be available at Olney Library throughout the holidays for everyone to enjoy. Just stop by during opening hours.
FoLiO (Friends of Olney Library) are offering craft sessions for children aged 5-14 on Thursday, 16 August. There will be noise makers, slime and much more!
Book your tickets in advance at Olney Library for one of the sessions:
10-11am
11.30am-12.30pm
1-2pm
Tickets are free with a suggested voluntary donation of £3 on the day.
Please note that parents/carers must remain with their children during this activity.
2018 is the thirteenth year that the Milton Keynes area will celebrate Heritage Open Days. This year there are 90 events to showcase our distinctive and world class heritage, arts and culture and eight of those are hosted at Milton Keynes Libraries.
WOMEN WHO MADE MILTON KEYNES
Exhibition at Central Library
MK Fawcett Group's exhibition showcases the lives and legacy of 10 pioneering wormen who wer einfluential in the development of MK. Visit the first floor at Central Library to learn more.
MAKE PROTEST SIGNS
Thursday, 6 September ~ 4.30-6.30pm at Central Library
The Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies will be in the foyer at Central Library to lead this activity.
2018 marks one hundred years since the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1918, the piece of legislation that enabled many women to vote in general elections for the first time. Families are invited to mark this by making protest signs like those used at the suffrage rallies and marches. (Suitable for ages 8+)
Visit the Discover MK Showcase on the first floor at Central Library to see this exhibition by Living Archive.
Before 1918 women were not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections and many women and men participated in suffrage rallies and marches. This exhibition looks back at the last 100 years and showcases stories of women who have been effective in making change.
'SHE GOT THE VOTE: Stories of Bucks women who were first able to vote in 1918' Talk
Thursday, 6 September 2018 ~ 6.30-7.15pm at Central Library
Throughout 2018, to mark the centenary of many women getting the vote, volunteers and staff at The Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies have been asking the question "What was life like for women in 1918?" During this talk, you will hear some of the stories that were uncovered.
'WATLING STREET - Travels through Britain and its ever-present past' Thursday, 6 September 2018 ~ 7pm at Stony Stratford Library
StonyWords brings you an illustrated talk by John Higgs about Watling Street and its path through Milton Keynes from Fenny to Stony Stratford.
John is the author of a book by the same name and copies will be offered for sale at the event.
Book your place for this talk by contacting Rob and Liz Gifford on 01908 562025 or by emailing gifford11@btinternet.com.
MEET THE KEEPER AND HIS MYSTERY OBJECTS
Will Phillips, Keeper of Social History at Bucks County Museum, has chosen some mystery objects from the Museum's collection that are connected with women. He will have you scratching your head and challenges you to come along and see if you can guess what they are!
Friday 7 September 10am-2pm - Central Library
Friday 14 September 10am-2pm - Bletchley Library
FAMILY HISTORY SESSIONS with John Hanson
Thursday, 13 September ~ 11am-3pm at Newport Pagnell Library
Expert John Hanson is ready to help you with your family history research. These sessions are free and last 20 minutes. You'll need to book your place in advance by contacting Newport Pagnell Library by email or by phoning 01908 610933.
MK Archives presents a series of lunchtime lectures at Central Library which all run from 1.15-1.45pm. Tickets are available from Central Library for £3 each.
23 August - MK and Developing International New Town Networks ~ Shane Downer
Where does Milton Keynes fit in with other New Towns around the world? Find out how relationships are being built and networks formed.
13 September - Women Who Built MK ~ MK Fawcett Society
In conjunction with MK Fawcett Society, you can discover more about some of the women who played a key role in the creation of Milton Keynes.
11 October - Rifleman Albert French ~ Roger Kitchen
Discover the tragic story of New Bradwell's Albert French. He served in the army during the First World War and wrote letters home to his father and sister.
WESTBURY MANOR EXHIBITION
10 July -13 August 2018 at Central Library
Westbury in Shenley Wood, hundreds of years old at the time of the Normal Conquest, was a 14th century moated manor, a farm and now a thriving local arts centre. Discover its fascinating story!
This exhibition has been created by the Westbury Arts Centre and can be found on the first floor at Central Library; entry is free.
STORYLINES by Phil Smith
24 literary walking adventures around Milton Keynes
Storylines was part of the Digitalis project which helped to celebrate Milton Keynes' 50th Birthday.
Phil Smith, The Mythographer, set out to explore Milton Keynes and write a series of guides which weave a library book into the geography, signage and history of our amazing city.
Books on sale for only £2.
(Keep your eyes open for this display as it moves around the libraries.)
WOMEN WHO MADE MILTON KEYNES
April - September 2018
Visit the community libraries across Milton Keynes to see the Fawcett Society's Snapshot Exhibitions about the 10 pioneering women who helped to shape Milton Keynes.
July - Woburn Sands Library
August - Kingston Library
September - Olney Library
The full exhibition 'Women Who Made MK' will also be hosted at Central Library in September 2018.
BUSINESS ADVICE CLINIC
Wednesday, 19 September 2018 ~ 10am-2pm
If you're looking for FREE advice about starting your own business, then drop in to Central Library on 19 September; a representative from Building Business will be in the foyer to help you from 10am until 2pm.
Drop in on the day or call 01908 254050 for an appointment.
Tickets for all events need to be booked in advance at the host library.
BLETCHLEY LIBRARY
Thursday 16 August
10-11.30am
Mischief Makers Crafts - Community Learning staff will lead you through this craft session while you get creative with the Loch Ness monster, a pom-pom Gnasher, pirates or cowboys - the choice is yours. Tickets £2 (Ages 3+)
Thursday 23 August
11am-3pm
Scrabble! - The MK Reader Service invites you to drop-in to this Scrabble session and make an impression. You can attempt the challenge to make the highest scoring word or just have a game. FREE (All Ages)
Scrabble! - The MK Reader Service invites you to drop-in to this Scrabble session and make an impression. You can attempt the challenge to make the highest scoring word or just have a game. FREE (All Ages)
Thursday 16 August
6.15-7.15pm
Swimming with Ichthyosaurs - Explore the Caldecotte Ichthyosaur from 150 million years ago to the present day and discover other marine animals that lived alongside it. Talk and Q&A session by Mike Palmer, Keeper of Natural History at Bucks County Museum. Tickets £2 (Ages 9+ and Adults)
Wednesday 22 August
2-3.30pm
Step by Step Origami - Get creative with paper and choose which fantastic masterpiece you'd like to make. Will it be a crane, a swan, a collapsible box or a paper plane? Tickets £2 (Ages 6+)
Tuesday 28 August
10.30-11am
To the Moon and Back! - Join us for stories, songs and rhymes. Book your FREE tickets in advance. (Ages 4+)
Silly Snakes! - Make a slithery, sliding fold up snake to scare your siblings silly. Tickets £1 (Ages 4+)
Thursday 23 August
10-11am
Curious Creature Bookmarks - Would you prefer a menacing monster or an adorable animal to mark your page? Whichever one you choose, you'll never lose your place again with these corner bookmarks. Tickets £1 (Ages 4+)
Thursday 30 August
10-11am
Chatterboxes - Make scary shark and bouncy bear chatterboxes to scare and share with your friends. Tickets £1 (Ages 4+)
Code Breaking! - Tom Briggs from Bletchley Park will lead this 'cracking' session and you can get your hands on a real working Enigma machine from World War II. Tickets £1 (Ages 8+)
Step by Step Origami - Get creative with paper and choose which fantastic masterpiece you'd like to make. Will it be a crane, a swan, a collapsible box or a paper plane? Tickets £2 (Ages 6+)
Wednesday 29 August
10.30-11am
Summer Fun! - Join us for stories, songs and rhymes. Book your FREE tickets in advance. (Ages 4-7)
Code Breaking! - Tom Briggs from Bletchley Park will lead this 'cracking' session and you can get your hands on a real working Enigma machine from World War II. Tickets £1 (Ages 8+)
Saturday 18 August
11am-12.30pm
ELMER the Elephant - Make your own 3D model of Elmer with this colourful craft session. Tickets £2 (Ages 6+)
Tuesday 21 August
10.30-11.30am
Drawing Cartoons - Learn to draw cartoon characters as inspired by Beano comics. Tickets £2 (Ages 6+) [Session supported by Woburn Sands Town Council]
Saturday 1 Sep
11am-1pm
Let's Get Organised! - Make and personalise your own decorated noticeboard ready for the new school term. Tickets £2 (Ages 6+)
Saturday 8 Sep
11am-12.30pm
You - In Another Time or In Another Place - Storytelling from the classics with Rob and Liz Gifford. Tickets £2 (Ages 9-13)
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.
Join us for drinks, nibbles and crafts on the following Wednesdays between 7-9pm (late arrivals are welcome):
26 September
31 October
28 November
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.
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.
23 August
6 September
20 September
4 October
18 October
1 November
15 November
29 November
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.
We have drop-in sessions at:
Woburn Sands Library on Saturdays 10am-1pm
Bletchley Library on Tuesdays and Fridays 11am-1pm
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!
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:
3 September 2018
1 October 2018
5 November 2018
3 December 2018
(Note: there is no meeting in July)
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.
Expert John Hanson is offering free 30 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.
20 September 2018
18 October 2018
15 November 2018
17 January 2019
21 February 2019
21 March 2019
We're also holding 20 minute sessions at Newport Pagnell Library 11am-3pm on:
FoLiO (Friends of the Library in Olney) support Olney Library with many activities and have lined up an amazing programme of talks for 2018. Download your copy of the events (PDF, 101KB) and save the dates.
HONEYBEES Thursday, 6 September 2018 ~ 7.30pm
Fred Daynes will delight us all with this talk about Honeybees! Join us at The Olney Centre and 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 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.
The first play reading is J B Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' and will be held at Stony Stratford Library.
To find out more, contact the library in person or phone 01908 562562.
ULTIMATE EIGHTIES - Milton Keynes Bands of the 1980s
July 2018 at Central Library
Visit the Discover MK Showcase on the first floor at Central Library during April and you're sure to find something (or someone) to jog your memory and take you back to your favourite 80s band.
This exhibition features just a small sample of bands from the era and Living Archive are always looking for more memorabilia.
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