What’s on in Hackney libraries
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read books
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charge your phone
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access free wifi
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browse the internet
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pick up or donate a warm coat for someone who needs one at one of our Kind Coat Libraries – Stoke Newington Library (open) and coming soon to Shoreditch, Stamford Hill, Homerton, Dalston CLR James, Hackney Central and Clapton
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access free debt and money advice at Dalston CLR James Library
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take part in free storytelling, writing, digital skills and craft sessions at all our libraries
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Four Aces Book Club
Chatterbooks children’s reading group
Chess Club
Ages: 7 plus
Every Sunday 2pm to 3pm.
Join the club of one of the oldest games in the world. It teaches strategic thinking, logic and it’s fun too.
No booking required.
Open to any skill level.
Art & Crafts
Ages: 5 plus
First Wednesday of the month 4pm to 5.30pm.
A fun and creative club where children can freely express themselves.
Learn new skills and have fun with paper/card, pencils, pens, paint and printed images.
All materials provided.
Lego Club
Ages: 6 plus
Every Saturday 2pm to 3.30pm.
Helping children to develop and reinforce play and social skills.
Join the club, no booking required.
Philosophy Club
Ages: 13 plus
Last Monday of the month 4pm to 6pm.
Open discussion with everyone, focussing on broad subject matters every session.
No booking required.
Dalston Writing Group
Every 4 weeks on Thursday 6pm to 7.30pm
Dalston Writing Group is a thriving and diverse community of local writers that meets once a month on a Thursday at Dalston CLR James Library. This is a place to share inspiration and meet like-minded locals. Every session is themed, and facilitator Jon provides prompts to get you going.
We also run open-mic sessions where regulars can bring along longer pieces for feedback.
Contact jon.fortgang@hackney.gov.uk or visit our blog, where you will find some of our work and details of upcoming meetings.
Digital Buddies
Every Monday 2pm to 3.30pm and every Wednesday 1pm to 4pm.
Do you know how to connect to WiFi? Are you able to create and manage email accounts? Do you know how to browse the internet? Can you download & install applications?
If you struggle with any of these pop in and speak to our Digital Buddies who offer general help and advice with any digital issue.
How to Sew a Draught Excluder workshop
Thursday 26 January, 4pm to 7pm
Celebrate national storytelling week with storyteller and musician Paul Rubinstein
31 January 2023, 1pm to 1.45pm and 4pm to 4.45pm.
Paul is a professional storyteller and musician for children and families.
Paul’s work is interactive and performed with great care, love and attention to detail.
His passion is connecting with children and adults through storytelling and music.
To reserve a space visit Eventbrite.
Under 5s Rhyme and Storytime
Every Friday from 11am to 12pm starting 13 May.
Join us for a fun story and rhyme session for the little ones.
No need to book and spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Chatterbooks
Join us at the library to talk about books, meet new people and discover your next favourite read.
Ages 6 to 12.
Dates and times:
- 14 February 2023, 4pm to 5pm
Knit & Natter
All levels welcome. Bring your own project or try out some of our needles and wool.
Dates and times:
- Wednesday 18 January 11am to 12pm
- Wednesday 1 February 11am to 12pm
Board Games Club
Board games provided – first come first served.
Ages 5 plus
Dates and times:
- 19 January, 4pm to 5.30pm
- 2 February, 4pm to 5:30pm
Get Crafty
Arts and crafts for children ages 5 plus.
All materials provided.
Dates and times:
- 4 February, 2pm to 3pm
Ann Tayler Toy Library
Every Tuesday in term time 10am to 11.30am
Free toys for children to play with and borrow for two weeks.
To borrow toys bring proof of address or your child’s red book.
Celebrate national storytelling week with Pantomime Dame Mama G
30 January, 4pm to 4.45pm.
Mama G is coming to Hackney. Get ready for fabulous singing, wonderful storytelling and lots of terrible jokes.
Mama G’s stories are all about being who you want and loving who you are.
Meet some of Mama G’s best creations, ranging from Stanley the stick person, to Eunice the Unicorn, feuding fairies and a bunny who lost her bounce.
The event is free.
To reserve a place visit Eventbrite.
Author Ben Aaronovitch joins us at Hackney Central Library
27 February, 6.30pm to 8pm.
Come and listen to Ben Aaronvitch discuss his career as an author and his latest novel.
This event is free.
To reserve a space visit Eventbrite.
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Chatterbooks children’s reading group
First Thursday of each month from 4pm to 5pm
Ages 8 to 12
Join us at the library to talk about books, meet new people and discover your next favourite read!
Adult Reading Group
Adult Reading Group author event
Tuesday 17 January 2023, 6.30pm
Listen to local author Tamara von Werthern read from her debut novel ‘Only the Lonely’. Join us for refreshments, lively chat and an opportunity to get a signed copy of the book.
Family Film Club
Every other Saturday.
Board Games Club
First session is 7 January from 2:30pm to 4pm
Saturdays from 2:30pm to 4pm
Children aged 5+.
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Holocaust Memorial Day
Monday 23 January, 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Join us for an interactive craft activity to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
Make a leaf and write or draw a message for our tree of hope.
All welcome.
Under ‘s Rhyme and Storytime
Adult reading group
Second Wednesday of each month, 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Do you enjoy reading and meeting new people? Why not borrow this month’s book from the library and join in the discussion.
For further information contact stokenewington.library@hackney.gov.uk.
Stokey Chatterbooks
Last Thursday of each month from 4pm to 5pm.
Are you aged between 8 to 12 years old? Do you enjoy reading and meeting new people? Why not borrow this month’s book from the library and join in the discussion.
Light refreshments provided.
For further information contact stokenewington.library@hackney.gov.uk.
Digital Buddies
Every Wednesday 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Do you know how to connect to WiFi? Are you able to create and manage email accounts? Do you know how to browse the internet? Can you download & install applications?
If you struggle with any of these why not pop in and speak to our Digital Buddies who offer general help and advice with any digital issue.
For further information contact stokenewington.library@hackney.gov.uk.
Clothes swap shop
Under 5’s Rhyme and Storytime
Are you 12 to 17 years old?
Looking for something to do this summer? Want to give back to your community? Do you like reading? Looking for great skills and experience for your personal statement or CV? Volunteer with us at the Library.
There are loads of different ways you can help with the challenge. Some of the things volunteers help with include:
- helping staff to run the Summer Reading Challenge
- talking to children about the books they’ve been reading
- helping children to choose new books
- helping with summer activities like craft sessions
- helping to create displays in libraries
What will you get out of the experience?
- a reference for employment
- the opportunity to develop confidence, social skills, employment opportunities and literacy skills
- the opportunity to make a positive contribution to your community
- a chance to make new friends
- valuable work experience
Online quizzes
- how big a Star Wars fan are you? Try our Star Wars quiz and see if you can beat the timer
- spelling bee time – can you correctly spell the names of the planets in our solar system?
- this Mental Health Awareness Week, try our mental health quiz for adults. You may be surprised what you learn
Virtual jigsaw puzzles
- this jigsaw puzzle features an image of Braidwood’s Academy, the first deaf school in Britain. This academy was built in the 18th century and stood at what is now 36 Chatham Place
- the more things change, the more things stay the same. Solve this jigsaw puzzle and take a look at a school class visiting Hackney Central Library in 1958
- Elmer’s birthday is at the end of May, so we’ve made a jigsaw puzzle featuring everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant.
Lockdown Poetry Group
- every Tuesday – 11am to 12pm
- every Thursday – 6pm to 7pm
To join email jack.houston@hackney.gov.uk
Poetry is the only artform anyone able to write can join in with, and the only one anyone who can read can understand without any training, but writing good poetry and getting everything a poet has to say isn’t always easy.
At the Hackney Libraries Lockdown Poetry Workshops we have been discussing published works, and writing and sharing our own poetry since March 2020.
Open to experienced wordsmiths and beginners alike, our online workshops on Tuesday mornings and Thursday evening are where you can find out how you, too, might become a poet, a poetry lover, or someone who just signs up to enjoy the poetry sent by email twice a week.
Nurseries and schools should contact monica.sever@hackney.gov.uk to arrange school class visits and teachers library cards.
Social media
Follow Hackney Libraries on social media to take part in our virtual events. From craft sessions to storytimes, our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are jam packed with activities to keep you and your family entertained.
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Address
Telephone
- Renewals020 8356 2539
Opening times
- Renewals and information line open Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm