16 February to 20 March 2026

For five weeks, we’ll be taking part in BookTrust Storytimes across the libraries. Visit any of our regular storytimes and you’ll hear one of the five chosen books, collect stickers for your sticker book, enjoy activities and rhymes and be able to vote for your favourite! Sessions are free and there’s no need to book.

The five chosen books are:

• Five Enormous Dinosaurs illustrated by Annie Kubler and Sarah Dellow
• Suki Cat Astronaut by Grace Habib
• Superwolf by Helen Docherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty
• The Jellyfish Jiggle by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Nicola Slater
• Tiger, It’s Snowing! By Daishu Ma

You’ll find all the storytime sessions on the website and you can visit the BookTrust website for more information about the programme.

Puppets and Storytelling Mini Shows at Central Library

If you like your tales tall, your fables furry and your stories splendiforous then Gripping Yarns are just what you need! The wonderful Theatre of Widdershins returns to Milton Keynes Libraries with four fabulous shows for ages 4+ and their grown-ups.

Tickets are £5 each. To book, click on the link for the show you'd like and you’ll be taken to Ticketsource.

• Saturday 14 March (2pm to 3pm) - Old Nanny Nibblebeard
• Thursday 9 April (2pm to 3pm) - The Hare and The Hedgehog
• Saturday 2 May (2pm to 3pm) - Granny Dumpling
• Saturday 13 June (2pm to 3pm) - The Day It Rained Chocolate Buttons

To read more about Theatre of Widdershins, visit their fabulous website.

WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL TO SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2026

Milton Keynes Literary Festival 2026 returns this spring with a fabulous programme of events. It's a wonderful festival of books, words, writers and ideas that celebrates everything literary, bookish or wordy.

Events are being held at Central Library, Waterstones MK, The Box Arts Club in Kiln Farm and online. Visit the MK Lit Fest website for tickets and information about all the events.

Events being held at Central Library on Saturday 25 April

11am to 1pm - Demystifying Dialogue: Workshop with Toby Litt

• Does your dialogue seem clunky or embarrassing to you? Do you avoid writing it altogether? In this workshop, experienced Creative Writing tutor Toby Litt will give you advice, ideas, and even some tricks for writing better dialogue, and writing it with greater ease and confidence.
• Book tickets online £20/£15

12pm to 1pm - Matty Long: Draw Along with Croaky! (Age 5+)

• Join Matty Long for a fun drawing workshop and discover how to draw characters from his brilliant Croaky books! You’ll design your own hero, and learn how to start creating all sorts of exciting stories.
• Book tickets online £5 per child / £3 per accompanying adult (required).

12.30pm to 1.30pm - Thrilling Crime: Ruth Mancini

• Bestseller Ruth Mancini’s new novel, The Stranger on the Stairs, is a gripping psychological thriller inspired by a shocking real-life case. Ruth’s background as a solicitor, representing those accused of crimes and navigating courtrooms, adds authenticity to her fiction, and her thrilling reads keep you guessing until the very end.
• Book tickets £10 / £7 or Livestream on Zoom £5.

1.30 to 2.30pm - Ash Bond: Peregrine Quinn and the Battle for Olympus (Age 7+)

• In Ash Bond’s magical, mythical event from the cosmic Peregrine Quinn series, you’ll discover the legends, literature and ancient history that inspired this electrifying series, along with creative activities based on the books! Join us for fantasy, adventure and wit.
• Book tickets online £5 per child / £3 per accompanying adult (required).

1pm to 3pm - Poetry Spotlight: Isabelle Baafi and John McCullough

• Two award-winning poets – Isabelle Baafi and John McCullough  – explore identity, togetherness and separation, and the human search for joy, in two of the most feted and anticipated poetry collections of the last year. Hosted by poet Caroline Davies.
• Book tickets £10 / £7 or Livestream on Zoom £5.

3pm to 4pm - Nizrana Farook: The Boy Who Saved a Bear (Age 9+)

• Nizrana Farook, bestselling author of The Boy Who Saved a Bear and The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, writes stories of courage, daring escape and hidden treasure inspired by her Sri Lankan childhood. Discover her exciting, imaginative tales!
• Book tickets online £5 per child / £3 per accompanying adult (required).

3.30pm to 4.30pm - Fresh Voices: Derek Owusu and Madeleine Dunnigan

• Acclaimed authors Derek Owusu and Madeleine Dunnigan bring fresh takes to the coming of age novel as they follow the lives of young men searching for love and authenticity. Hear them talk about their novels, their inspirations and their writing careers.
• Book tickets £10 / £7 or Livestream on Zoom £5.

Tuesday 7 April at Stony Stratford Library

As part of the Wetland Arc Project, The Parks Trust Milton Keynes will be at Stony Stratford Library for the Junior Playground Architects Workshop on Tuesday 7 April from 10am to 11.30am. 

The workshop is suitable for under 18s and is a FREE activity where you create a mini playground or piece of play equipment on paper or out of recycled resources. All materials will be provided - all you need is your imagination!

Read more and book online via The Parks Trust Wetland Arc Project website.

• COMPUTER HELP SESSIONS WITH OUR IT BUDDIES
  • Sessions are held at several libraries and offer one-to-one help with your devices (phones, laptops, tablets) and online processes like setting up an email or shopping. Visit the Digital Help web page for full details.
• COUNCILLOR DROP-IN SESSIONS - at Woburn Sands Library - First Tuesday each month 10-11am (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Newport Pagnell Library - Friday 2.30-4.30pm (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Olney Library - Tuesday 2.30-4.30pm (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Stony Stratford Library - Thursday 3.45-4.45pm (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (adults only) at Westcroft Library - Thursday 11am-1pm (drop-in)
• GARDENING CLUB - Stony Stratford Library (contact Stony Stratford Library for dates).
• KNIT AND NATTER sessions at various libraries
• LIBRARY COFFEE MORNINGS at Stony Stratford Library with FoSSL on the first and third Wednesdays each month 10-11am. Free to attend, just stop by for tea, coffee, homemade cake and conversation.
• LIBRARY READING GROUPS at various libraries
• MK NANOWRITERS meet on the second Saturday each month at Central Library 2pm to 4pm. It's a social group for writers although they do discuss writing as that's their shared hobby. If you'd like to know more or are interested in joining the group, please email mknanowriters@gmail.com.
• SOCIAL SCRABBLE at Bletchley Library on Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am.

Please note that some activities are term time only.

• CODE CLUB (ages 9-13) at Central Library - Monday 4-5pm
• CRAFT CLUB (ages 3-9) at Olney Library - third Saturday each month 10.30-11.30am
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Newport Pagnell Library - Friday 2.30-4.30pm (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Olney Library - Tuesday 2.30-4.30pm (drop-in)
• GAMES CLUB - (all ages) at Stony Stratford Library - Thursday 3.45-4.45pm (drop-in)
• LEGO AND DUPLO CLUBS at various libraries
• READ AND PLAY sessions at Olney Library - Thursday 2.30-4.30pm
• STAY AND PLAY sessions at Bletchley Library - Tuesday 10.30-11.30am (term time only)
• STAY AND PLAY sessions at Central Library - Wednesday 1.30-2.30pm (term time only)
• STAY AND PLAY sessions at Kingston Library - Friday 10.30-11.30am (term time only)
• STONY MUSIC MAKERS at Stony Stratford Library - Wednesday 9.30-10.15am
• STORIES, SONGS AND RHYMES at various libraries

English conversation club is 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.

Sessions at Central Library

• Everyone is welcome to join us on the day and you don't need to register.
• Conversation club sessions are held at Central Library on Thursday mornings 11am-12pm.
• If you'd like to know more you can phone 01908 254050 or speak to library staff.

The library offers many resources to help those who speak other languages and are looking to learn English as a second language (ESOL). The library also provides a range of material to help you improve your basic language and reading skills.

We offer Family History support from our volunteers:

FIRST STEPS OR PROGRESSING

If you'd like help to start your family tree or to progress your research, our volunteers are here to help.

• at Wolverton Library on the last Wednesday of each month - 2pm to 4pm
• at Newport Pagnell Library on the first Tuesday of each month - 2pm to 4pm

Book your free session by emailing library.enquiries@milton-keynes.gov.uk or visiting the host Library.

EXPERT ADVICE

If you’re having difficulties with your research and need some advice, John will use his years of experience to help you at Central Library.

• Dates to be announced

Book your free 30-minute session by emailing library.enquiries@milton-keynes.gov.uk or calling 01908 254050.

Friends Groups work in partnership with us and closely with local library teams to help support and enhance libraries in our local communities.

They provide an important contribution to support and maintain awareness of a library in a local community.

Folio - Olney Library

Folio (The Friends of the Library in Olney) run a programme of talks which are held 7.30-8.30pm at The Olney Centre, Room 4 and they request that you arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Refreshments are served after each talk.

• 13 April 2026 - Lavender Growing: My Journey - Jennifer Hepworth
• 11 May 2026 - The Ancient History of Milton Keynes - Tabitha Barton
• 1 June 2026 - The Local History of Shoemaking - Rebecca Shawcross
• 7 September 2026 - Health and Wellness with Aloe Vera - Philippa Symes
• 5 October 2026 - The Exciting World of Tea - Mark Lawson and Giles Oakley, Two Spoons

Tickets are £6 in advance and can be booked online at Ticketsource or by phoning Ticketsource on 0333 666 3366.

If you are no longer able to attend or have any questions, please email olneyfoliofriends@gmail.com.

FoSSL - Stony Stratford Library

FoSSL (The Friends of Stony Stratford Library) run regular talks at the library and details for booking tickets for these events will be released closer to the time. If you'd like to join the mailing list to receive news and updates from FoSSL, email fosslmk@gmail.com.

• 26 March 2026 (7pm) - English Coaching Inns - Julian Hunt
• 28 May 2026 (7pm) - The Raging and Dreadful Fire: Stony Stratford's Historic Fires - Gary Marshall
• 22 August 2026 (2pm) - Concealed Shoes - Rebecca Shawcross
• 14 September 2026 (1pm) - Lunchtime talk on Robert Hooke and Willen Church

Bookings for the next talk will open on 3 March 2026. To book, visit the FOSSL website or visit/phone Stony Stratford Library 01908 562562.

Visit the FOSSL website for the latest news and information.

• Several libraries host Knit and Natter groups.
• Beginners and experts are all welcome.
• Admission is free.

• Free all-round fun with Lego/Duplo clubs at several of our libraries.
• We provide the bricks and you provide the imagination.
• Everyone regardless of age is invited to join the fun.
• Parents and carers are responsible for their child's safety.
• Parents and carers must remain with their children throughout the sessions.

Click on the session links to see the dates when clubs are running.

Tuesday

• 3.30-4.30pm at Wolverton Library
• 4-5pm at Central Library

Wednesday

• 3.30-4.30pm at Newport Pagnell Library

Thursday

• 3.30-4.30pm at Bletchley Library
• 3.30-4.30pm at Westcroft Library

Friday

• 3.30-4.30pm at Kingston Library
• 3.30-4.30pm at Olney Library
• 3.30-4.30pm at Stony Stratford Library
• 3.30-4.30pm at Woburn Sands Library

Saturday 

• 10am-12pm at Central Library
• 11am-12pm at Newport Pagnell Library
• 11am-12pm at Stony Stratford Library
• First Saturday of each month - 10.30-11.30am at Olney Library

You can subscribe to library newsletters to hear the latest news or follow us on our various social media pages.

• Facebook (MiltonKeynesLibraries)
• Instagram (MKLibraries)
• Pinterest (MKLibraries)
• YouTube (Milton Keynes Libraries)

Look Again is a guide to Central Milton Keynes’ unique modern heritage, art, architecture and design. Get off the beaten track and discover stories of how creativity is all around you.

Look Again was created by Milton Keynes City Council with the research and collections of the Archive partners. The trail is added to every month, helping to test stories and designs, and enabling everyone to explore our unique design heritage. Throughout the City Centre information panels and artwork plaques have been created with QR Codes that take people to the online information, with a handy Map to explore by area, theme or interest.

Help us expand the trail by giving feedback online - head to the LOOK AGAIN website.

Do you enjoy reading? Would you like to talk about what you have read? Would you like to share your views with an informal group? Then why not join a reading group.

• Several libraries hold storytime sessions.
• We also have many online stories, songs, poems and signed stories on our YouTube Channel.
• Be sure to browse our unlisted stories playlist.

We're excited to bring you the Summer Reading Challenge each year during the summer holidays.

We hope you'll consider joining our team here at the Milton Keynes Libraries. You'll find details of any current vacancies across our libraries on the library vacancies webpage.

• We welcome volunteers at nine of our libraries (excluding Woughton Library).
• There are many interesting opportunities for volunteers within the Milton Keynes libraries and there's bound to be something that suits you.
• Volunteers need to be at least 13 years old.