What's on in libraries

​There is always lots going on in our libraries.

All our bookable events can be found listed on Eventbrite.  Our Summer Reading Challenge events for children are now live and open for bookings.

Take a look below to find out more about our regular events and what events are coming up in the next few months.

Regular library events

Story and Rhymetimes: 

• Suitable for children aged 0-4 years.  No need to book, just turn up.
• Berwick Library every Friday 11am till 11.30am.
• Blyth Library every Friday 9.30am till 10am. 
• Hexham Library every Monday during term time 9.45am - 10.15am.  
• Morpeth Library every Wednesday during term time 2pm till 2.30pm.  
• Seaton Valley Library's every Monday at 9.30am - 10am, term time only.

Lego Clubs:

With a different build theme every week drop in to one of our Lego Clubs.

• Bedlington Library every Saturday morning from 10.30am -11.30am.
• Lynemouth Library every Monday afternoon from 3.30pm - 4pm.
• Ashington Library every Saturday morning from 10.30am - 12 noon.  

Other regular activities in libraries include knitting clubs, reading groups and digital champion sessions.  To find out what is available at your library please visit the find my library page. 

There are a variety of events for all ages in our libraries.

At a library near you from October 2018 to May 2019.

Northumberland Libraries have been working with Hexham Book Festival and Arts&Heritage to bring an exciting new space to a Library near you.

Come along and spend time in our new, uniquely designed, quiet space in the library.  Here you can listen to audio books, read a story to your child, or just retreat with a book.

The Library's new Listening Space will be touring Northumberland Libraries and is accessible to all.  It is also possible to pre-book for groups.  The pod is currently at Berwick Library.

The pod has been designed by xsite architects.

The countdown is on for the start of this year's Summer Reading Challenge in libraries across Northumberland.

What is the Summer Reading Challenge?

Every year, thousands of families all over the country take part in the UK's biggest reading event for children in libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge, run by the charity The Reading Agency.  This year's theme is "Space Chase" and the aim of the challenge is to get children to read six books of their choice from their library during the summer holidays.

Enrolling your child

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children aged four to twelve. It is run in every public library in Northumberland and it is completely free.

Saturday 13 July is the official launch date, so you can go to your local library and sign up on that day or any time up to the Saturday 24 August.  Staff will be waiting to welcome you and explain what's involved.  

On joining, your child will be given fun materials to get them started - a space folder to record your progress and stickers.

Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays but the Summer Reading Challenge helps children to keep up their reading skills and confidence.

How does my child complete the challenge?

To complete the challenge children need to visit the library 3 times over the summer holidays and read 6 books.  

• On the first visit children will sign up, borrow 3 books and be given their space folder where they can collect their stickers.  
• On the next visit children will be given 3 mini sheets of collector stickers (one for each book) and they borrow 3 more books.  Some of the stickers are even scratch and sniff!
• On the third visit children will be given 3 mini sheets of collector stickers again and a letter of congratulations for completing the challenge.  This will have details of the presentations of the certificates and medals in September.

Don't worry if you cannot visit the library 3 times over the summer speak with library staff and you can still complete the Challenge.

Pre-School Challenge

Your child can still complete the challenge if they are 3 and under.  They will be given a special pre-school card and can complete the challenge by collecting stickers for the number of books they read.  Pre-school Children completing the challenge will be presented with a Space Chase certificate and a special gold mini Space Chase sticker.

Prizes

We've got some great prizes - children can win a family voucher for Kielder Observatory, and family passes from Active Northumberland for Clip 'n' Climb, Swimming and Bowling.  We will be holding weekly prize draws for these prizes.  

And as usual every child who completes the Challenge will be awarded, a medal and a special certificate.  Every child that has completed the challenge will be entered in to a prize draw to win 1 night bed & breakfast + family ticket to Battlesteads Observatory.

Activities in Libraries

A full programme of themed activities will be taking place in libraries throughout the County. Craft events include the opportunity to make rockets, have a go with our Makey Makey kit, play with Bee-bots and make space crafts.  There will also be author and artist workshops, as part of the popular 'Books and Art' programme.  And a selection of libraries will be holding events with Battlesteads Observatory.  All our events can be found on Eventbrite.  Please note spaces are limited for some events so booking in advance is required.

Find out what about what events are happening over the summer in Northumberland Libraries