What's On in Your Library and Community
- Animal Agents, Summer Reading Challenge 2017
- MK50 Events
- Digitalis Events
- Upcoming Events
- Family History Consultations
- FoSSL Events
- Discover MK Exhibitions
- Arts and Heritage
- Regular Children's Library Events
- Regular Library Events
- Community Events
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Keep active in Milton Keynes with a variety of activities for you to try with the new 'Keep Active MK' programme! Age doesn't matter - there's something for everyone! |
Celebrating twenty years of Harry Potter magic!
The 26 June 2017 marks the 20th Anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the UK. Library users will be able to celebrate 20 years of Harry Potter by re-reading the magic or discovering it for the first time.
For a two week period starting from the anniversary 26 June and finishing on the 9 July library users will be able to gain unfettered digital access to The Philosopher's Stone, Book One from the Harry Potter series, in eBook format.
Animal Agents, Summer Reading Challenge 2017
If you are aged between 13-25 you could be our next champion. We're looking for volunteers to help over the summer with our next exciting Summer Reading Challenge. Full details are on the Summer Reading Challenge web page.
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
Digitalis Events:
JOHN SEARS PRESENTS BABBLING BEASTS
Saturday, 1 July at Central Library
Come on an adventure with one of Milton Keynes’ famous concrete cows! Create your own story and bring it to life using digital technology to make markers that trigger your tale in the library. Get udderly creative!
- 10am-12noon - for families
- 1.30pm-3.30pm - suitable for ages 16+
Book your place on this FREE activity by visiting the Enquiry Desk, first floor at Central Library or the Digitalis website.
PHIL SMITH PRESENTS STORYLINES
Adventures at Central Library
Join artist and mythographer Phil Smith to creatively explor Milton Keynes in a new light and discover the echoes of art and literature in its architecture.
Create your own personalised storyline and map of Milton Keynes using books, stories and poems from Milton Keynes Central Library as well as the geography of the city.
- Wednesday, 5 July ~ 11.30am-1.30pm
- Friday, 7 July ~ 11am-1pm
Book your place on this FREE activity (suitable for ages 16+) by visiting the Enquiry Desk, first floor at Central Library or the Digitalis website.
MEET THE ARTIST PHIL SMITH
Thursday, 6 July ~ 6-7pm at Central Library
Meet artist, mythographer, writer and ambulatory researcher, Phil Smith as he shares his progression from theatre to site-specific performance as well as his interest in walking and mythogeography.
Discover how he has been working within Milton Keynes, some of the work he has already created for the city, and how you can get involved.
Book your place on this FREE activity (suitable for ages 16+) by visiting the Enquiry Desk, first floor at Central Library or the Digitalis website.
Upcoming Events:
MILTON KEYNES: A LIVING LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION
6 June - 6 July 2017 at Central Library
Landscape can be thought of as a green framework, the ‘glue’ that holds our magnificent new city, Milton Keynes, together.
Forming part of the MK50 anniversary celebrations, this exhibition celebrates the landscape we all share and enjoy – its creation, its growth into the place we know today, and what we might expect for the future.
The exhibition has been produced by the Fred Roche Foundation with the generous support of their sponsors.
Half Term Activities: Milton Keynes Central Library
AFTERNOON TEA AND A TALK
Thursday, 29 June 2017 ~ 2-3.30pm at Central Library
Join Sunday Times bestselling author Trisha Ashley as she shares the ups and downs of a writer's life and her new book.
Tickets are £3 per person in advance from the Enquiry Desk on the first floor at Central Library or telephone 01908 254050.
Copies of Trisha's new book 'The Little Teashop of Lost and Found' will be available for sale and signing.
LEGO and DUPLO CLUB at Olney Library
First Saturday of every month ~ 10.30am-11.30am
FREE Family Fun with this new 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.
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!
Sessions are 10.15-11.15 am on the following dates:
- 3 August 2017
- 7 September 2017
- 5 October 2017
- 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 several libraries (no appointment necessary) or you can book an appointment at Central Library by phoning 01908 254051 or emailing the reference library.
- Woburn Sands Library - Saturdays 10am-1pm
- Wolverton Library - Saturdays 10am-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!
We hope you'll join Lydia at one of the sessions:
- 8 July 2017 - Holly Webb
- [No meeting in August]
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 July 2017 (meeting at reception in The Swan Revived Hotel)
- 7 August 2017
- 4 September 2017
- 2 October 2017
- 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, 27 July 2017 ~ 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!
BUILDING A NEW TOWN IN AN OLD COUNTRY
Wednesday, 5 July 2017 ~ 7pm
Peter Waterman will speak about the creation of Milton Keynes; a fitting subject to help celebrate this fiftieth anniversary of its creation.
Peter's talk will cover some of the physical and environmental issues that were important in the early days of the new city, but will concentrate particularly on the development of MK's social infrastructure of buildings, services and organisations, in which residents themselves played an enormous role.
Tickets are available from Stony Stratford Library from Wednesday, 14 June (Telephone: 01908 562562).
More details will follow for these upcoming events:
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
Discover MK Exhibitions:
MAGDALEN EXHIBITION
June 2017 at Central Library
This exhibition explores the 13th century church of St Mary Magdalen in Stony Stratford and the many ways it has influenced the community and history of the area. Keep up to date with all news and events by visiting the Magdalen Tower website.
We hope you'll stop by the Discover MK showcase on the first floor and take a look.
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.
- LEGO and DUPLO CLUB - First Saturday of each month at Olney Library 10.30am-11.30am.
- 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 Knit and Natter sessions at Woburn Sands Library (Thursday).
- Weekly table top games and activities at Olney Library (Thursday afternoons).
- Weekly Knit and Natter sessions at Newport Pagnell Library (Wednesday).
- Monthly Knit and Natter and Stitch sessions at Wolverton Library (Tuesday).
- Monthly Reading Groups.
- Weekly Job Clubs at Central Library and 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.
- Mondays (10.30am-12.30pm) IT support at Woburn Sands Library using your own devices and WiFi with Stef Muzz of 'Love Woburn Sands'.
- 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) Art Hour at Woburn Sands Library.
- Wednesdays (10am-12noon) Senior Friends Get Together at Woburn Sands Library.
- Second Thursday of the month (7.30-9pm) Adult Storytelling evening at Woburn Sands Library.
- Saturdays (10am-1pm) IT Buddy Drop-in sessions at Wolverton Library offering help with your computer skills.
- Saturdays (10am-1pm) IT Buddy Drop-in sessions at Woburn Sands Library offering help with your computer skills.
