Library Events and What's new

Notice board for library events.

Events taking place in local libraries:-

See the right hand links for T-Zones, Reading Groups and Story time events.

Summer Reading Challenge 2010 - Space Hop

Welcome to Space Hop, the 2010 national Summer Reading Challenge in libraries.

The Summer Reading Challenge is the biggest national reading initiative. It runs in libraries throughout the summer holidays, with incentives, activities and events designed to create a real buzz around children's reading. The challenge is simple - to read six or more library books over the summer.  Download details of all the events taking place in Havering Libaries for the Space Hop   Space Party [3Mb] Space Craft & Stories [7Mb] Meerkat Mayhem [8Mb]

Summer Fun in Libraries

There are lots of fun events taking place in Havering Libraries over the summer with Mr. Ballooney and Mr. Custard.  Download details of all the activities here  Summer fun [6Mb]

Human Libraries

Our new Human Library events will give you a chance to meet real people with interesting life stories - look at the Human Library catalogue at your local library and reserve a place to read a person instead of a book.

The links below will take you to each library's special & regular events: 

• Collier Row Library
• Elm Park Library
• Gidea Park Library
• Harold Hill Library
• Harold Wood Library
• Hornchurch Library
• Rainham Library
• South Hornchurch Library & Children's Centre
• Upminster Library

Collier Row Library     

Regular Events:

Paper Craft Club - Make beautiful cards, name cards, table decorations and much more.  Learn new techniques, suitable for all abilities - 3rd Monday of the month.  6-8pm.

Saturday Club - a fun club for children aged 6-11 years every Saturday 2-3pm.  Each week will have a different theme such as Book Club, Craft week, Creative writing or Games week.   £1 a session - ring or visit the library to book a place.

Yu Gi Oh! club - A fun club for children ages 8-13 every Friday 3.30-4.45pm. Join in this collectible card trading game. 

Collier Row cast offs - this is held alternate Fridays - 11am - 2pm, and we knit, crochet and take part in other needle craft (cross stitch, sewing etc).

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Tuesdays 2.15pm

Young at Heart Club for 55+ yrs. 3rd Wednesday of the month 2.30pm.  Starting 21 April 2.30pm

Special Events:

August

Adult Art Classes - Wednesdays 4 & 11 August.  A two part art class with local artist.  Learn how to sketch and paint.  2-4pm - £20 for both sessions.

Space Craft & Stories - Friday 13 August - 11am-12 noon - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs. Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Space Party - for Astronauts - Monday 16 August - 11am-12.30pm - £2 - Ages 6-11 yrs.

Community Day with Wellgate Community Farm - Tuesday 17 August - 10am-4pm - Tickets £3.50 per child. Face painting/Jewellery/Crafts/Henna Tattooing/Plants

Elm Park Library

Regular Events:

An adult Craft Club has recently started at Elm Park Library.  It meets every Thursday afternoon at 2pm (term time only).  If you enjoy crafts and a cup of tea, why not come along and enjoy the club.  This is a free event.  For further information please contact the Elm Park Library on 01708 434919.  Please note there is no Craft Club on Thurs 20 May.

Two new Reading Groups have restarted:  The Daytime group meets the first Thursday of the month 11am-12pm and the Evening Group meets on the first Monday of the month 6.30-7.30pm. Please see Reading Groups page for further information.

Young at Heart Club - Last Wednesday of the month 2-4pm

Saturday Club - for children ages 5-10 yrs. Entry £1

Baby Bounce - for children under 2 years of age. Music and words of favourite nursery rhymes and actions to go with them. Every Wednesday morning at 11.30am. (term-time only)

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Fridays 2pm

Creative Writing Group - The next meeting is on Wed 9 June, 10.30am - 12noon.  Contact Kathy on 01708 434903 or Frances on 01708 434931 or turn up on the day. Free Event.

Special Events:

August

Jungle Hand Puppets - Thurday 5 August - 2-3.30pm - Tickets £4 - For children ages 5+ yrs (Children under 8 yrs to be accompanied by an adult)

Braiding Workshop - Tuesday 10 august - 2-3pm - Tickets £2 in advance from Elm Park Library. For ages 6+ yrs. (Children under 8 yrs to be accompanied by an adult). Suitable for boys and girls. Learn to make braiding which can be turned into bracelets or mobile phone charms, keyring fobs...and many more items.

Space Craft & Stories - Thursday 12 August - 11am-12 noon - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories. 

Space Party for Astronauts - Wednesday 18 August 4-5.30pm - £2 - Ages 6-11 yrs. Fun, food and games.

Gidea Park Library

Regular Events:

User Group - Gidea Park Library user Group meets twice a year to discuss what you want from your library.  Refreshments provided.  Please ask staff for further information.

Reading Groups - Fridays monthly 2-3pm and Thursdays monthly 6.45pm.  Please see Reading Groups page for further information.

Special Agents Reading Group - For children aged between 8 and 12 years old.  The group meets once a month on Tuesdays between 4-5 pm to discuss books, make videos, do activities based on books and write reviews. Contact the library if you would like to book a place.  Next meeting - 30 Mar 2010.

Knit and Natter club for Adults - Do you like knitting and sewing or would you like to learn? This is a self help group of like minded people who enjoy needle crafts and would like to meet for a chat and a chance to pass on their skills or learn new ones.  Please bring your own materials, for more information contact the library.  The club meets every week on Thursday 10.30am - 12pm, the same time each week.  Very informal. Come along and get knitting and nattering.  

T-Zone - T-Zones take place every alternate Tues from 6-7pm for ages 11-15.  See the T- Zone page for more details.

Reading Buddies - Does your child need a little extra bit of help with their reading?  Now we have dedicated helpers who can listen to, and assist with your child's reading skills. 

Baby Bounce - for children under 2 years of age. Music and words of favourite nursery rhymes and actions to go with them. Every Monday 2.15-2.45pm (term-time only)

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Tuesdays 2.15pm

Special Events:

August

Book and Bake Sale - Saturday 28 August - 10am-3.30pm - All ages. Ex library stock to be sold off, along with tasty bakes.

Meerkat Mayhem - Creative Writing Workshop - Wed 31 August - 10-11.30am - Free. Please book tickets in advance - 5-10 yrs. Create your own Space Hop Adventure.  Meet the pesky meerkats and our brave astronauts.

Space Craft & Stories - Tuesday 10 August - 3-4pm - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Space Party for Astronauts - Tuesday 17 August - 4-5.30pm - £2 - Ages 6-11 yrs. Fun, food and games.

Hornchurch Library

Regular Events:

Love Poetry? - Join our Poetry group for adults. If you love poetry and want to get together with other people who share this interest then come along to our Poetry group meetings at Hornchurch library. Wednesdays monthly at 4.30pm. 
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 7 July 4.30-6pm and the theme will be 'Travel and Holidays'.

Needlecraft group - Every Wednesday 4-5pm term-time only.  Learn new skills like how to knit; crochet; tapestry and make friendship bracelets.  For young people aged 8-12 years.  Each session will cost 50p and some materials will be provided. 

Warhammer Club - This has moved to Rainham Library

Ancestry Advice - If you are tracing your family tree you can now use ANCESTRY at Hornchurch and Upminster libraries.  It's available on any of the People's Network machines there using your library card.  Researching from home?  Vouchers for use on www.1901censusonline.com and www.findmypast.com can be purchased from Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster libraries.  A volunteer is at hand to help on Mondays 10.30-11.30am at Hornchurch.

Reading Buddies - Does your child need a little extra bit of help with their reading?  Remember how successful the Summer Reading Scheme was? Now we have dedicated helpers who can listen to and assist with your child's reading skills.  Please contact Hornchurch Library on 01708 434903. It is essential to book in advance.

Baby Bounce - for children under 2 years of age. Music and words of favourite nursery rhymes and actions to go with them. Wednesdays 1.45pm & 2.45pm 

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Tuesdays 2.15pm

Reading Group - For adults. First Monday of the month 2.15pm.

DABD Job Club - Wednesdays 2-5pm

Computer Classes - Tuesdays 10am-12pm and 1.30-3.30pm)  term-time only
                                 Fridays 10am-12pm                                )

Citizens Advice Bureau - Mon/Tues/Thurs,Fri/Sat - 10am-2pm
                                         Thurs 5-8pm

PASC - Mondays & Fridays 9.30am - 4.30pm - appointments only)

Special Events:

Space Craft & Stories - Wednesday 11 August - 11am-12 noon - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Space Party for Astronauts - Wednesday 18 August - 11am-12.30pm - £2 - Ages 6-11 yrs. Fun, food and games.

Harold Hill Library

Regular Events:

Young at Heart Club - Last Tuesday of month 11am - 12 noon.  For all those aged 55 yrs and over.
'Book Bite' followed by 'Human Library' - To launch a new magazine, Viv Hill hosts 'Book Bite' and afterwards invites you to check out a 'living book'. Tuesday 27 April 11am - 2pm. Free Event.

Reading Buddies - Tuesdays 4-5pm (term-time only). Free but please book.

Young at Heart 'Art Group' - Wednesdays 2-4pm (term-time only). Small charge applies.

Reading Group - 1st Tuesday of month 6.30pm

Knit & Chat - Knitting Group for older children. Thursday 4.30-6pm. 50p per session

Baby Bounce - for children under 2 years of age. Music and words of favourite nursery rhymes and actions to go with them. Tuesdays 2pm  (term-time only) Free Event.

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Fridays 2.15 pm. Free event.

Citizens Advice Bureau - with effect from 1 April 2010 the days will be Monday 10am-2pm and Thursdays 10am-2pm.

Special Events:

August

Space Craft & Stories - Friday 13 August - 3-4pm - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Space Party for Astronauts - Friday 20 August - 11-12.30pm - £2 - Ages 6-11 yrs. Fun, food and games.

Meerkat Mayhem - Creative Writing - Tuesday 31 August - 12-1.30pm - Free - please book tickets in advance.  For ages 5-10 yrs. Create your own Space Hop Adventure.  Meet the pesky meerkats and our brave astronauts.

Harold Wood Library

Regular Events:

Knit & Natter - for Adults.  Every Monday at 2.30pm

Read & Rhyme - Every Wednesday (term time only) 2.15pm

Young at Heart club - Every 2nd Wed of the month 11am - 12 noon (speakers arranged for each meeting)

Computer classes - Every Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm. Please contact Harold Wood Library on 01708 342071 for further information

Reading Group - Monthly on a Thursday at 6.30pm

Baby Bounce - Every two weeks on a Friday 11am

Reading buddies - Every Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday 4pm (term-time only). Please contact Harold Wood Library 01708 342071 for availability

After School Club 6-11 yrs. Every Thursday 4pm. £1 (includes refreshments)

Kidz Zone - Every Thursday 4-5pm. For ages 7-11 yrs. Entry £1.  First meeting will be a space-themed craft making planets and rockets for the library Summer Reading Scheme display, as well as games.

Creative Writing - Have you ever wanted to tell your story or try your hand at writing a fictional story?  Our new Creative Writing group at Harold Wood Library may be the place to pick up some hints and tips in getting those thoughts onto paper.  If you already write, or have never tried but would like to, come along and meet like-minded people in a friendly setting. Free event.

Special Events

July

Bumper Book Sale - Fiction, Crime, Sci-Fi, Horror, Romance, Family Adventure, Non-Fiction, Adults, Junior.  Saturday 24 July - 10am - 3pm.

August

Adult Art Classes - a series of four workshops for people who have just begun to draw and paint.  You will need to provide your own paint supplies for the paint sessions, including paintbrushes.  Tuesday 3 August at 12 noon.  £4 for each workshop.

Space Craft & Stories - Stories and lunar craft. Monday 9 August - 11am-12noon. Free Event. For ages 3-5 yrs.

Mr. Ballooney - Puppet Show.  Tuesday 10 August - 10.30am. £3. For ages 3-11 yrs.

Space Party - Party Games.  Friday 20 August - 3-4.30pm.  £2. For ages 6-11 yrs.

Meerkat Mayhem - Creative Writing for children based on space theme. Tuesday 31 August - 2.30-4pm. Free Event. Create your own Space Hop Adventure.  Meet the pesky meerkats and our brave astronauts.

Rainham Library

Regular Events:

Senior Moments - A new club for the over 55's.  Every 1st Thursday of the month 2-4pm.  Free entry.  A great afternoon of events, quizzes, tea and coffee and great conversation. 
6 May - talk by Chris Hipperson
3 June - talk by Doreen itchings (Cockney Rhyming Slang)

Needles and Pins Group for Adults - At Rainham library - do you enjoy knitting, sewing, crochet or cross stitch?  Then come along and join our group to enjoy a social afternoon with other 'crafters' on a Tuesday afternoon 2-4pm.

Saturday Club - Every other Saturday for ages 7-11.  The club starts at 11am and finishes at 12 noon and involves crafts, games and various activities.  There is a charge of 50p each session.

Baby Bounce - for children under 2 years of age. Music and words of favourite nursery rhymes and actions to go with them. Mondays 10.30pm 

Read & Rhyme - Story and rhyme sessions for pre-school children between 2 & 5 years of age. (term-time only) Fridays 11am.

Warhammer Club - Every Tuesday 3.45-5pm. £1. for under 20yrs. Play Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000 or Lord of the Rings.

Special Events:

August

Diver Sculpture Exhibition - Week beginning Monday 2 August for the whole month - Free - For all ages.
Photos and drawings of the famous Diver Sculpture situated in Rainham.  Noew one of the top 100 landmarks.

Space Craft & Stories - Monday 9 August - 11am-12 noon - £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Diver Sculpture Event - Saturday 14 August - 2-4pm - £2.50 - All ages.  Come and enjoy the story and history of the Diver Sculpture. 

Author Talk - Tess Gerritsen - Thursday 19 August - 7.30pm. Tickets £5.  Popular American crime author, Tess Gerritsen will be visiting Rainham Library to talk about her life and career as a successful author.  Tess Gerritsen will be doing a book signing on the evening after the event has finished.  Her books will also be on sale.

Space Party for Astronauts - Friday 20 August - 3-4.30pm - £2 - For ages 6-11 yrs. Fun, food and games. 

Summer Festival - Saturday 21 August - 10am-3pm. Cards & Craft/Healing Gems/Cakes & Chocolates/Photographs/Knitted Products/Handmade Cards/Jewellery/Flowers/Jams & Chutneys/African themed products.

South Hornchurch Library and Children's Centre

Regular Events:

Computer Advice drop in sessions - there is a volunteer to help you use the People's Network computers every Friday 3-4pm.  So if you want to have a go at surfing the net, sending emails or creating CVs drop in.  Book your session. You will need your library card and PIN number. 

Tiny Teds - Tuesdays 10-11.30am.  Pre Walkers Stay and Play group.  For more details contact 07983 883 733.

Mama & Mia - Lunchtime Breast Feeding Cafe. Mondays 12-1.30pm.  Drop in for a chat and advice.  For more details contact 07983 883 733.

Sleep Clinic - Tuesdays 10am - 12pm.  Come and chat about your children's sleep problems.  For more details contact 07983 883 733.

Citizens Advice Bureau - Tuesdays and Fridays 10am - 2pm.

Prospects (Connexions) - Teenage Parents, advice and support with education, training and job search.
One to one meetings arranged.  To book call 01708 746 401.

Sing & Rhyme -Under 2 yrs. Altrnate Tuesdays 2-2.45pm.

Parent & Baby Group. Under 2 yrs. Every Monday 1-2.30pm. Free

Kids Craft Club 5-11 yrs. Every Saturday 11am-12 noon. 50p

Special Events

August

Space Craft & Stories - Thursday 12 August - 3-4pm- £2 - For ages 3-5 yrs.  Design your own lunar landscape with aliens and a space ship and then explore space through stories.

Space Party for Astronauts - Thursday 19 August - 4-5.30pm - £2 - For ages 6-11 yrs.

Meerkat Mayhem - Creative Writing - Tuesday 24 August - 1.30-3pm - Free but please book tickets in advance. For ages 5-10 yrs.

Upminster Library

Regular Events:

Parents & Toddlers Group for Upminster Eczema Support Group 1st Saturday in the month 2-3pm (term-time only)

NEW Evening Reading Group  Please contact Upminster Library 01708 434933 if you are interested. 

Daytime Reading Group - First Tuesday and last Wednesday of the month 2pm

Family History Beginners Course - Starting 12 February 12 sessions.  Fridays 2-4pm.  Booking essential.  Cost & Information from the library.

Ancestry Drop-in - Wednesdays 6.30-7.30pm.

Baby Bounce - Every Monday 1.30pm and 2.15pm. (term-time only)
Real Nappies - A talk about the use of real nappies will take place before the start of our two Baby Bounce sessions 1.10pm and 2pm.Monday 26 April.

Read & Rhyme - Every Wednesday 11.30am - 12pm (term-time only)

Wiggle & Giggle - Thursdays 10.30-11pm. Term-time only

Stitch 'n Time - Wednesday 2-4pm.

Young at Heart Club - Starting 7 June 2010.  First Monday of the month, 2-4pm. Free Event.  For 55+ yrs. For further information please contact Upminster Library 01708 434933

Special Events:

August

Young at Heart - Victoria & Albert Museum - Monday 2 August - 2-4pm - Free - 50+ yrs.  Come along to our Young at Heart group and find out about objects from the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Havering Community Police Drop-in - Friday 6 August 10am - 12 noon and Monday 17 August - 2-4pm - Free - For Adults.  Come along and meet your local Neighbourhood Police Team.

Space Stories - Monday 9 August - 3-4pmn - £2 booking essential - 3yrs.  Join us for games, craft, party food and lots more.

Space Mission Workshop - Thursday 12 August - 11am - 12 noon - Free - 7-12 yrs. Join our space mission and discover the planets with this Explore Learning Workshop.

Meerkat Mayhem - Creative Writing.  Tuesday 24 August - 1.30-3pm - Free but please book tickets in advance. For ages 5-10 yrs. Create your own Space Hop Adventure.  Meet the pesky meerkats and our brave astronauts.