What’s on in Hackney libraries

Clapton Library​

Regular events

Under 5s session

Mondays, 11am-12 noon

Stories, games and toys for children and a place for parents and carers to make new friends.

Science with University of the 3rd Age

First Monday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm

U3A is a continuously evolving self-help group for people who are no longer in full-time employment, but believe that ‘learning is for life’.

Chatterbooks reading group

Third Tuesday of the month, 4pm-5pm

Are you aged 8-12? Do you like reading, talking about books, and meeting new kids? Join Chatterbooks. Come along and join the fun. Contact cordula.vonderassen@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 7480 for more information.

University of the 3rd Age (book group)

Fourth Tuesday of the month, 2pm-4pm

U3A is a continuously evolving self-help group for people who are no longer in full-time employment, but believe that ‘learning is for life’.

Reading group for adults

First Thursday of the month, 6.30pm-8pm

Find out what we’re reading on Clapton Library reading group’s blog. To join the group please email cordula.vonderassen@hackney.gov.uk, call 020 8356 7480 or come in to the library.

Philosophy with University of the 3rd Age

First and third Friday of the month, 2pm-4pm

U3A is a continuously evolving self-help group for people who are no longer in full-time employment but believe that ‘learning is for life’.7

Regular class visits from local schools

If your school’s interested in regular class visits, contact Clapton Library to speak to a member of library staff.

Dalston CLR James Library

TEDx – Inspiring talks about things that matter

Free screenings of pre-recorded talks followed by group discussion with topics covering identity, the environment, bias, luck, feminism and resilience.

• Thursday 14 November, 6-8pm – Conscious and unconscious bias
• Thursday 21 November, 6-8pm – How lucky are you?
• Thursday 29 November, 6-8pm – Power to the people – Can we influence society?
• Thursday 5 December, 6-8pm – Me too, what next?
• Thursday 12 December, 6-8pm – Dare to fail

Book your place. For more information email monica.sever@hackney.gov.uk.

Regular events

Ping pong for over 50s – advanced players

Monday, 11am-12.30pm

Fun and fitness in this weekly session.

Backgammon social club

First Monday of every month, 5.45-7.45pm

Whether you’re an advanced player or want to learn, come along to our monthly backgammon session. Over 25s, free, drop-in event.

Dalston creative writing group

Every other Tuesday, 6-7.45pm

Whatever your stage, style or genre, join our friendly mutual support group for aspiring creative writers. We undertake themed writing exercises, arrange critique sessions and regularly host visiting authors. Recent speakers include Laura Purcell, Nick Clark Windo, Matthew De Abaitua and James Oswald. For more info contact jon.fortgang@hackney.gov.uk.

Dalston Comic Club

Last Monday of every month (Excluding bank holidays), 6.30-7.45pm, ages 18+

Do you make your own comics, or want to start? Get feedback from your peers, share ideas and find like-minded people to collaborate with. For more info email dalstoncomicgroup@hackney.gov.uk.

Hackney Community Law Centre

Free legal advice for consumer and debt issues. Call 020 7633 4531, and leave a message with your name and contact details to book a place.

Chatterbooks reading group

Fourth Tuesday of the month, 4.30pm-5.30pm

A reading group for 8-12 year olds with quizzes, competitions and prizes.

Creative writing with AMBA African and Caribbean Heritage Writers’ Group

Fourth Tuesday of the month, 5.45pm-7.45pm

This mutual support group welcomes novelists, short-story writers, playwrights, poets and other creative writers of all abilities and experience. Free. 18+. Facilitated by Ngoma Bishop. Contact: houseofamau@gmail.com.

Ping pong for over 50s – beginners

Wednesdays, 11am-12.30pm

Fun and fitness in this weekly session.

Creative writing for children

First Wednesday of the month, 4.30pm-5.30pm

Are you aged between 7-14 years old? Why not join our fun writing group? See staff for further details.

Four Aces reading group

Last Wednesday of the month, 6.45-7.45pm, education room

A reading group for adults. Come along to discuss this month’s book. Refreshments provided.

Story time for under 5s

Thursdays, 11am-12 noon

Storytelling with music and refreshments.

Code Club

Thursdays 5-6pm, term-time only, ages 7 to 11

Dalston CLR James Library Code Club is back. To register please email catherine.de-abaitua@hackney.gov.uk.

Councillors’ surgeries – Shacklewell ward

First Friday of the month, 6pm-7pm.

Monthly roving surgeries or meetings booked in advance.

Toy library for under 5s

Fridays, 10.30am-12 noon

A wide range of toys to play with and borrow.

Children’s games club

Fridays, 4pm-6pm

Try out board games and have fun in this exciting club for children 5+. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Councillors’ surgeries – Dalston ward

Third Friday of the month, 6.30pm-7.30pm

Held on a rota basis. Drop-in.

Baby Rhyme Time

Saturdays, 11am-12 noon

Storytelling and rhyme with toys and musical instruments.

Creative Kids’ Lego Club

Saturdays, 2-4pm

Fancy yourself as a mini master builder? Join us weekly, have fun, make friends and use your imagination to disappear into a world beyond the children’s library. All ages welcome. Please see staff for further details.

Councillors’ surgeries

Second Saturday of the month, 3pm-4pm

Held on a rota basis. Drop-in.

Hackney Central Library

Regular events

Free debt advice with Toynbee Hall

Mondays, 1pm-3pm

Free, confidential, face-to-face advice to anyone concerned about debt and money problems. Toynbee Hall‘s expert advisors can help you with all types of financial problems, in complete confidence. Call 020 7392 2953 or email: advice@toynbeehall.org.uk for more information.

Hackney Community Law Centre pop-up shop

Mondays, 3.30pm-5.30pm

Speak to qualified advisors about your housing issues such as rent arrears, landlord issues, eviction notices and more. The sessions are kindly sponsored by the Council and Matrix chambers. No appointment necessary. Free. Residents only.

Toy library

Tuesdays, 10am-12 noon, term-time only, ages 5 and under

A wide range of toys to play with and borrow. Just turn up. Run by the Ann Tayler Children’s Centre.

National Careers Service

Mondays, 11.30am-3pm

The National Careers Service’s advisors provide free, up to date, impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, job search, CV writing, training, skills and the labour market and much more. This is a drop-in service and sessions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Knitting club

Wednesdays, 10.30am-12 noon

Meets every other Wednesday starting 25 July. Come along to learn and share your skills with others. All levels of abilities welcome.

Positive East, HIV and STI tests

First Wednesday of the month, 11am-2pm

Easy, free, fast and totally confidential. No appointment necessary.

Reading Lane Book Group

Third Wednesday of the month, 6.15pm-7.30pm

A lively book group discussing exciting fiction in a friendly and informal library space. Everyone welcome.

Chatterbooks Reading Dragons

Third Thursday of the month, 4pm-5pm

Are you aged between 8-12 years old? Do you enjoy books and reading? Do you like quizzes, competitions and games? Do you want to have fun with people your own age and talk about the books you like? A reading group for boys only.

Story time for under 5s

Fridays, 11am-12 noon

A fun storytelling and toys session for under 5s in the children’s library. Come and listen to stories, music, play, participate in simple activities and meet other parents and children. Just turn up.

Victoria ward advice surgeries with Cllr Clare Joseph

First Saturday of the month, 10-11am

Meet your local councillor to discuss issues affecting your area.

Chess and games club

Monthly on a Saturday, 2-4pm – 16 November, 11 January, 8 February, 7 March

Are you aged between 7 and 14 years old? Do you like playing fun board and card games? Want to learn?

Arts and crafts club

Monthly on a Saturday, 2-4pm – 2 November, 30 November, 25 January, 22 February, 21 March

Are you aged between 6 and 13 years old? Do you like drawing? Creating arts and crafts? Want to learn? Come along to Hackney Central Library.

Exhibitions at Central Library

Did you know the Central Library has exhibition space available for the use of local people, community groups and organisations? If you are interested in putting on an exhibition or for further details please contact anthony.kane@hackney.gov.uk.

Homerton Library

Regular events

Adult reading group

Third Monday of the month​, 6.30pm, first floor

Story time for under 5s

Tuesdays, 11am-12 noon

A fun storytelling and toys session for under 5s in the children’s library. Come and listen to stories, music, play, participate in simple activities and meet other parents and children. Just turn up. Contact: Homerton Library on 020 8356 3000.

Chatterbooks reading group

First Thursday of the month, 4-5pm, ages 8-12

If you’re 8-12 years old and enjoy reading, why not come and join our Chatterbooks reading group? For more information contact Homerton Library on 020 8356 3000 or email myrna.glaze@hackney.gov.uk.

Fab family film club

First Saturday of the month, 2-4pm

Free film screenings. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Shoreditch Library​

Returns and Renewals

British artist Sara MacKillop has a practice that is immersed in the world of paper, pens, print and all the trappings and ephemera of the printing and stationery industries. Her dual site exhibition, Returns and Renewals, is on show at both PEER Gallery until 21 December and Shoreditch Library (across the street from PEER) until 1 February.

Found pop-up book workshop

Tuesday 12 November, 4-7pm

Join artist Sara MacKillop to create your own pop-up books using found materials while taking inspiration from the exhibition. All welcome.

Bind your own book workshop

Saturday 30 November, 2-5.30pm

In this fun and casual introductory workshop with experts from the London Centre for Book Arts, participants will learn how to make and take home a hand-made notebook and have the chance to create a foil-blocked bookmark. Great for a special holiday gift. All welcome.

Show and Tell: Objects from Home workshop

Wednesday 22 January, 2-4pm, adults

Why do we keep objects when they are of no more use to us? What can they teach us about our past, present and future? This workshop invites participants to bring a book or object to share its story and collectively consider our relationship to everyday objects and their importance in our lives.

Regular events

Games club (Board games and more)

Mondays, 4-5pm, all ages

Chatterbooks reading group

First Tuesday of the month, 4pm-5pm

Are you aged between 8-12 years old? Do you enjoy books and reading? Do you like quizzes, competitions and games? Then why not join Chatterbooks? Contact the library for more information.

Code Club

Every Wednesday, 4.30-5.30pm, term time only, ages 7-11

Under 5s story time ‘n’ play

Wednesdays, 2pm-3pm

Join us for a storytelling and baby rhyme sessions with toys and musical instruments. Refreshment provided.

Homework club

Wednesdays 4-5pm, ages 6-12

Mini-Builders

Thursdays, 10.30am-11.30am

New pre-school play session at Shoreditch Library for under 5s and their parents, guardians and carers. Make friends while you build towns, farms and animals or robots from Duplo. Free event during term-time.

Writing club

First Friday of the month, 4-5pm, ages 6-13

Come along and craft stories and improve your writing skills.

Hoxton East and Shoreditch ward councillors’ surgery

First Saturday of the month, 10.30-11.30am

Meet your local councillors to discuss issues affecting your area.

Hoxton West ward councillors’ surgery

Fourth Saturday of the Month 10-11.30am

Meet your local councillors to discuss issues affecting your area.

Monthly craft club

Second and fourth Saturday of the month, 2pm-4pm, ages 4-12

Come join us for a variety of creative activities at our drop in craft club.

Stamford Hill Library

Regular events

Dance, drama and creative writing

Mondays, 10.30am-2pm

From the University of the 3rd Age, a self help group that believes that ‘learning is for life’.

Pilates and Tai Chi

Mondays, 2-4.30pm

From the University of the 3rd Age.

Chatterbooks reading group

Third Tuesday of the month, 4.30-5.30pm

A fun reading group for children aged 8-12. For more information see the Chatterbooks website or contact michelle.gardner@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 1964.

Springfield and New River wards councillors’ surgeries

Second Monday of the month, 4-5pm

Meet your local councillors to discuss issues affecting your area.

Stay and play

Tuesdays, 10am-3pm. First floor

With toy library.

Under 5s session

Wednesdays, 2pm-3pm

Join us for a storytelling and baby rhyme sessions with toys and musical instruments. Participate in simple activities and meet other parents and children. Just turn up.

Folk dancing

First Wednesday of the month, 10.30am-12.30pm

From U3A.

Adult reading group

First Thursday of the month, 6.30-7.30pm

For more information please contact michelle.gardner@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 1964.

Meditation for 18+ with Amarjit

Fridays, 1.30-2.30pm

Learn how to relax and reduce stress with free meditation and yoga sessions.

Springfield ward councillors’ surgeries

Last Sunday of the month 1-2pm

Meet your local councillors to discuss issues affecting your area.

Stoke Newington Library

Regular events

Poetry appreciation group

Once a month, 6-7.30pm

An informal and friendly group meets once a month to read and discuss a range of poetry. For more information please ask library staff or email calum.docherty@hackney.gov.uk.

Classical music group

Last Monday of the month, 6.30-7.30pm

An opportunity to listen to and discuss a range of classical music. All welcome and no specialist knowledge required – just curiosity.

Adult reading group

Second Tuesday of the month, 7-9pm

If you’re interested in joining the group, please contact calum.docherty@hackney.gov.uk

Story time for under 5s

Wednesdays, 2-3pm, children’s library, term time only

Stories, games, toys and musical instruments for little ones and a place for parents and carers to have a chat and make new friends. Refreshments are provided. Collect four Bookcrawl stickers for a certificate.

Chatterbooks reading group

Third Thursday of the month, 4-5pm

Are you aged 8-12? Do you enjoy reading and meeting new people? Borrow this month’s book from the library and join in the discussion. Refreshments provided. For more information, please call the library on 020 8356 5235.

Rhyme time for under 5s

Saturdays, 11am-12 noon, children’s library

Stories, toys and musical instruments for little ones and a place for parents and carers to make new friends. Come, learn new rhymes and songs and sing along. Refreshments are provided. Collect four Bookcrawl stickers for a certificate.

Woodberry Down Library

There are no events scheduled.