News and Events in libraries
Self Service Kiosks
Over the next year, we are introducing self service kiosks in some of our libraries. The kiosks issue, return and renew items quickly and easily. Staff will be on hand to show you how they work and answer any questions. You will need to bring your library card every time you visit to renew and issue items using the self service kiosks.
You can check if your local library is going to have a self service kiosk and when it will be installed by looking for updates on the branch library pages, or ask a member of staff.
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - a journey through South America
John Ray is a retired advertising copywriter who's decided it's time to see something more of the world than Sheen. The result has been more amazing than he ever expected. Ancient cultures still survive and he has met people for whom witches and magic spells are part of every day existence. There are places where people still wear fourteenth century clothing, yet produce a mobile phone to chat to friends; and places with birds and beasts which can only be described as fabulous. John enjoys explaining why he finds travelling so fascinating and describing some of the more unlikely situations he has found himself in!
Friday 3 September 3-4.30pm East Sheen Library
Tickets 50p including refreshments.
To book, contact your local library or call 0208 734 3337.
Author Talk- Rosie Alison
A polished and striking debut
- Waterstone's Book Quarterly
Rosie Alison's debut novel grips from start to finish. Without question one of the best debuts I've read in recent years
- John Boyne
Shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2010, The Very Thought of You is a story of love, loss and complicated loyalties, combining a sweeping narrative with subtle psychological observation. Born in 1964, Rosie Alison read English at Oxford. She spent ten years working in television, as a producer-director of arts documentaries. Currently Head of Development at Heyday Films in the UK, she has recently co-produced two films, The boy in the striped pyjamas and the forthcoming film, Is there anybody there?
Thursday 16 September 7-8pm Hampton Library
Tickets £2.00 including refreshments, signed books available for purchase.
To book, contact your local library or call 0208 734 3347
Writing Workshop-Romance is not dead!
Join Mills & Boon editors Lucy Gilmore, Flo Nicoll and Anna Boatman for a rather romantic workshop. Find out up to date information about writing for Mills & Boon, the world's leading romance publishing company, discover what editors are looking for and get inspired to write your own romantic novel.
Mills & Boon are looking for talented new writers, so if you're interested in having a go, why not enter their new voices competition launching in September.
Tuesday 7 September 3-4.30 pm East Sheen Library
Tickets are £5 including refreshments.
Booking is essential, to book a place visit your local library, or call 0208 734 3337.
Itea and Biscuits Week, Richmond Reference Library
As part of Itea and Biscuits Week, a digital inclusion campaign organised by Age UK, Richmond Reference Library will be holding a series of free computer taster sessions for senior citizens. Each hour-long session will be guided by two staff members and will give participants the opportunity to learn about new technology, from computers and the Internet to digital cameras and social networking.
The daily events are as follows:
- Tuesday 21 September from 11am-12noon: Introduction to the Internet
- Tuesday 21 September from 2-3pm: Introduction to Email
- Wednesday 22 September from 11am-12noon: Introduction to Social Networking (Facebook and Twitter)
- Thursday 23 September from 11am-12noon: Using a Digital Camera
- Friday 24 September from 11am-12noon: Introduction to Online Shopping
- Saturday 25 September from 2-3pm: Ancestry and Family History
Following the event, participants can then choose to have further taster sessions at any of Richmond’s public libraries. All sessions are on a first come, first serve basis and are free.
To book a place during Itea and Biscuits Week contact the Reference Library on 020 8734 3308
Author Talk- Jill McGivering
The last Kestrel is a deeply moving and lyrical story of disparete lives- innocent and not so innocent-caught up in the horrors of war. It is a book which will resonate with fans of The Kite Runner and The Bookseller of Kabul. It was inspired by Jill's experiences with British troops in Afganistan where she met some remarkable Afghan women. Jill McGivering is a senior BBC broadcaster, specialising in Asia. Her posts as a BBC correspondent include Hongkong, South Asia and the US State Department.
Thursday 23 September Richmond Lending Library 6.30-7.30pm.
Tickets are £1 including refreshments.
To book, please contact your local library or call 0208 734 3303.
Jewellery Making for beginners
Join us on this 5 week course to discover your creative potential and learn some techniques to use at home. Throughout the course participants will have the opportunity to learn the bead based techniques required to make earrings, bracelets and necklaces, and discover the different types of beads, components and tools used.
As part of the course you will be given a starter kit which will enable you to complete unique pieces of self-made jewellery whilst on the course, and provide you with the essential tools to work with at home afterwards.
Every Tuesday from 5 October to 2 November 1-3pmTwickenham Library
Course costs £50 including starter kit.
Limited places means booking is essential, contact your local library or call 0208 734 3340.
Author Talk- Tim Butcher
Join us for a talk with best selling author of Blood River, Tim Butcher. In his latest book, Chasing the Devil, Tim describes an epic 350 mile journey he completed on foot through war-ravaged Liberia following a route blazed in 1935 by a young Graham Greene, who was then a penniless author anxious to prove himself as a travel writer. Helped by stunning photographs and video, Tim will give a unique ground-level view from a country widely regarded as too dangerous for regular travel and at the same time offer an insight into the mysterious, early career of Greene. Tim is currently based in Cape Town with his family and this talk is part of his UK tour.
Tuesday 19 October 6.30-7.30pm Richmond Library
Tickets are £2 including refreshments.
Book at your local library or call 020 8734 3303.
We regret that we cannot exchange, refund or transfer tickets unless the event in question has been cancelled or rescheduled.
Library mailing list
Join our library mailing list for regular updates and news of forthcoming events.
Children's events
For details of other library events for children and teens, please see the Young People's Library Service news and events page.
Storytime
All libraries hold a storytime for the under-5s once a week; see the Storytime page for details.
Tiny Teddies
Most libraries also hold monthly bounce and rhyme sessions for pre-school children, called Tiny Teddies. These sessions are great fun and include songs, rhyme and stories. All these activities are free of charge.