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Events and activities in libraries - Surrey County Council

Events and activities in libraries

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Thousand year tree book competition at Surrey Libraries

Saturday 1 June to Wednesday 4 September.

An exciting competition kicks off across Surrey on Saturday 1 June to encourage young people to celebrate ancient trees and have their artwork featured in a new children's book, 'The Thousand Year Tree'. Children aged between 4 and 11 are encouraged to head to their local Surrey library to pick up a template and create artwork for the inside covers (known as 'end papers') of the new book. Any art medium can be used, and artwork should be themed around trees and nature.

Find your nearest library.

As England's most wooded county, Surrey is home to some of our nation's oldest trees – many are over one thousand years old! To celebrate these trees, local author Lucy Reynolds and illustrator Katie Hickey, are working with a group of budding book creators from a Guildford primary school. The children have already been involved in a series of creative workshops, school assemblies and educational visits to Newlands Corner, in the Surrey Hills National Landscape where they got to experience the wonder of ancient yew trees up close. The children, guided by the experts will create poems and timelines charting the history of ancient trees which will culminate in the creation of a captivating children's book. The book will be distributed across libraries and schools in Surrey, inviting readers of all ages to delve into the enchanting world of these age-old giants.

The competition runs from Saturday 1 June to Wednesday 4 September and templates can be collected and returned to any Surrey Library.

Further details on how you can get involved and the competition and terms and conditions are available on the Surrey Hills Society website.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Surrey Hills Society, Surrey Hills National Landscape, Surrey County Council and Surrey Libraries and funded through the Surrey Hills Access for All fund, enabling everyone to love and protect Surrey's National Landscape.

Imagination Spaces

We are excited to let you know about some fantastic events coming to Surrey Libraries over the next few months.

In the Margins art exhibition – touring Surrey Libraries

Working in partnership with Disability Arts in Surrey (DAiSY), Artist Jon Adams, and several of DAiSY's member organisations (Art Matters, Bloomin' Arts and The Orpheus Centre), they created a fantastic collection of artworks that were installed at Reigate Library for over 2 months. 'In the Margins' aims to empower marginalised disabled artists and share their life experiences. The project tells their life stories, explores their passions, and highlights places where they feel a sense of belonging. Visitors are invited to explore these stories, promoting understanding, empathy, and inclusion.

DAiSY and the project "In The Margins"

After the successful exhibition at Reigate library, we are very excited to let you know that the "In the Margins Art Exhibition" will be touring around other libraries across Surrey.

Dates and locations to be confirmed.

Greener future in libraries

The Remarkable World of Trees Exhibition

Dorking and Leatherhead Libraries from 28 May 2024 to 31 August 2024.

Dorking and Leatherhead Libraries are excited to be able to host this fantastic exhibition, brought to us by The Surrey Tree Warden Network, The Tree Council, creator Kate Bretherton and Surrey Libraries.

Inspired by Kate Bretherton's book, The Remarkable Trees of St Albans, this exhibition was originally displayed in St Albans Museum, and explores the world of trees from the soil they grow in, to the insects, birds, and animals that call them home. Visit the exhibition and events to get lots of ideas of how you can help trees, hedgerows, and our whole environment.

The exhibition at Dorking Library includes collaborative artwork, author talks and book signings, and interactive art and craft workshops and activities for children. We also have a world of trees photographic display from the Dorking Camera Club.

At Leatherhead Library, we have a display of paintings by artist and illustrator Judit Matthews, as well as a variety of activities and events for adults and children.

Paintings by Judit Matthews will be available to buy at Leatherhead Library, and additional items from authors and artists will be available to buy at both Dorking and Leatherhead libraries.

Dorking and Leatherhead libraries will be holding the following events in support of the Exhibition. Select an event to find out more and how to book if required.

Dorking Library

Leatherhead

Hedgerow Craft, Saturday 29 June, from 10am to 12 noon.

Regular green events in libraries

Monthly Tuesdays:

Cranleigh Climate Action and Cranleigh Library climate cafe will be available to provide energy advice and see what financial support is available to help with energy bills.

Every Wednesday:

What next? Wednesdays at Godalming library. Volunteers from What Next? charity will be on-hand to provide advice, guidance and helpful tips in what you can do to support our local environment.

Saturdays:

Weekly Woking Environment Action (WEAct) advice sessions at Woking library. Volunteers from WEAct climate action group will be on hand to offer advice each week.

Monthly Nature storytime at Guildford library. Suitable for 2 years old and over.

Green reads

We've specially selected some titles exploring the natural world, environmental issues and sustainability.

World around us eBooks on Libby

Step into nature eAudio books on BorrowBox

Biodegradable eco library cards

Crafted from environmentally friendly materials, these cards not only reduce waste but also contribute to the preservation of our planet. By opting for these compostable and recyclable cards, library-goers become part of a growing movement to protect the environment and foster sustainable practices.

Read more about our new eco library cards.

Surrey's greener future

The Surrey Energy advice tool, will help you by asking a series of short questions and depending on the answers will offer tailored information on grants, support and advice, and non-financial help on a range of topics

Find out more about Surrey's Greener Future, Surrey County Council's climate change strategy.
Surrey's Greener Future

Grants of up to £25,000 are now available for eligible Surrey residents to help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. Read more about the grant funding available to Surrey residents.

Sign up to our Greener Matters newsletter to get updates.
Our climate change newsletter

Author events

Surrey Libraries are pleased to offer a programme of author events for 2024. Select an event to find out more and how to book.

Pebble rhymetime

Rhymetimes are now running in most libraries. Spaces may be limited and booking may be necessary, please check individual library event pages for details.

Storytime

Storytimes are currently back up and running in most libraries. Spaces may be limited and booking may be necessary, please check individual library event pages for details.

Learn coding with Kano

Open the door to coding with Surrey Libraries and iamtheCODE! Start your coding adventure now.

All you need is your library card number, and you can reserve Kano free of charge to collect from your local library!

Reserve Kano and let the fun begin

All our Kanos have been kindly donated by iamtheCODE.

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