Lambeth Libraries events and activities for August 2024

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

We're well and truly into the summer and we hope, by now, your children have joined The Summer Reading Challenge, are reading with gusto and coming in to talk to our Librarians about the new worlds they're discovering. Don't forget, we give out stickers and rewards for every two books read, and a medal and certificate once the challenge has been completed.

If they haven't yet enrolled, children can still sign up; it’s free, helps motivate children to keep reading over the long break from school, and sets them up for a successful start to the new academic year. Oh, and did we mention all the fun and creative events we have lined up, with a party to celebrate your child's achievement in September? Read on...

We're still looking for older teenagers interested in volunteering this summer to help with the Summer Reading Challenge for younger children. To find out more ask at your local library.

Couch to 5k for reading!

Lambeth Libraries have teamed up with librarians across the capital to launch a new app called Read On that takes inspiration from the Couch to 5k fitness plan to get people reading more. Give it a try, set your own reading target, find your local library, try a book quiz and discovery new books that will soon become your old favourites! Download the free app from your usual app store.

Events for Adults

Survivor Forum: Have your Say on Lambeth at Night

Tuesday 6 August, 6pm
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite

Meet with other survivors and share your views on how we can make Lambeth a safe, welcoming, equitable and accessible place at night!
Feedback will be used to shape Lambeth's new Night-Time Strategy. This event will be led by survivors from Lambeth’s new Gender-Based Violence Expert Experience Panel. Refreshments provided.

Our Holiday with author Louise Candlish

Tuesday 13 August, 7pm
Carnegie Library, SE24 0DG
Booking via Eventbrite

Join Louise Candlish to discuss her latest novel - a psychological suspense crime thriller beach read new for summer 2024

Louise Candlish is the Sunday Times and internationally bestselling author of 17 novels and she is published all over the world. Her brand-new crime drama Our Holiday, set among holiday-home owners on the English south coast, is out now and is a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.

This event is organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library

Write Club.

Monday 19 August, 6.30pm to 8pm
Carnegie Library, SE24 0AG
Third Monday of the month

Women's writing club for those interested in journaling, life writing and memoir. Open to all levels. Each session will introduce 2-3 prompts as an inspiration with time for share and discussion at the end.

Inspired by the work of Julia Cameron and Cathy Rentzenbrink.

Wikimedia Meetup

Tuesday 27 August, 6pm to 8pm
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite

This is a monthly meetup at Brixton Library led by the library's Wikimedian Librarians, open to all editors; established, slightly confident and even the very new.

Lambeth LGBTQ+ Reading group discuss: Fabulosa!

Friday 30 August, 7pm
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ and Online
Booking via Eventbrite

Join Lambeth LGBTQ+ Reading Group to discuss the funny, filthy and ingenious language that is Fabulosa!: The Story of Polari, Britain’s Secret Gay Language by Paul Baker.

Exhibitions

SketchPad Artists Exhibition

Sketchpad image cc Daniel Clarke

Showing until 7 September .
Carnegie Library, SE24 0AG
Exhibition available during Library opening hours

An exhibition of Life Drawings by artists at SketchPad Drawing. Sketches from poses lasting 2 to 10 minutes.

SketchPad Drawing is run by Lisa Brown, upstairs at The Prince Regent Pub, Herne Hill, where it has been for nearly 20 years. Instagram: @sketchpaddrawing

Jeorge Asare Djan: Drawing on Silk

Showing 31 July to 31 August
Brixton Library. SW2 1JQ
Exhibition available during Library opening hours

Portraits, paintings and designs celebrating over 20 years of artistic passions and endeavours, reflecting upon key influences that have inspired Asare-Djan throughout his life. He is an Artist and illustrator, who has worked in many diverse creative fields for over 20 years. He worked in the fashion industry and ran lectures and workshops on Intuition and Spirituality.

BYOB drinks reception:
Thursday 8 August, 6pm to 8pm

Showcasing Historic and Comtemporary African Women

Showing 1 to 31 August.
Lambeth Archives, SW2 1ET.
Exhibition available during Archives opening hours.

A fabulous exhibition showcasing historic and contemporary African Women, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Meet the curators, Kede and Esosa Aihie: Monday 5 August, 5.30pm to 7.45pm

Sam Dodson: The Mystery Reveal

c Sam Dodson

Showing 5 to 27 August.
Durning Library. SE11 4HF
Exhibition available during library opening hours.

Sam Dodson is a professional artist and former musician in Loop Guru and the Transmitters. His art explores collage in varying forms with intervention and construction. Sam’s works have been featured in approximately twenty Dada and Surrealism books and magazines. His works have also appeared on album sleeves. Further information: @samcollaged

Private View:
Wednesday 7 August, 6pm to 8pm
Booking via Eventbrite

Events for Children and Young People

Summer Reading Challenge - Marvellous Makers activities

Every week throughout the summer holidays at all Lambeth libraries

All Lambeth libraries are welcoming Summer Reading Challengers to come to our free Marvellous Makers activities.

It's all about creativity: from slime to drawing, junk modelling to puppet shows... there’s something for everyone!

Here are a few activities to whet your appetite. Contact your local library to find out what marvellous making will take place near you or check the Lambeth Events page!

Some highlights...

Make a Lava Lamp
Monday 5 August, 2.30pm
Streatham Library, SW16 1PN

Come and experiment with baking soda, oil, and vinegar to make a lava lamp, as well as conducting a Density Column experiment, dropping different objects into a test tube filled with different fluids to see what happens! Ages 7+

Children's Gallery Wall
Tuesday 6 August, 2pm
Durning Library, SE11 4HF

Look out for our new gallery wall, organised by the Friends of Durning Library in the children's library. The gallery wall will show original artwork from well known children's books, kindly donated by authors and illustrators. Pick your favourite artwork and find the books on our special shelf. Join us on Tuesday 6th August for the unveiling and pick up a free arty gift for children.

3D Buzzy Bee Making
Wednesday 7 August, 2pm
Durning Library, SE11 4HF

Come and make a Buzzy Bee 3D model. Ages 5-11

Crafternoon
Friday 9 August, 2pm
South Lambeth Library, SW8 1QP

Join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts.
Everyone is welcome to join our drop in session. Organised by the Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library.

Slime School
Wednesday 14 August, 2pm
South Lambeth Library, SW8 1QP

Our famous slime in the library workshop is back! Come and make slime of many marvellous colours. Ages 4 to 11.

Summer Reading Challenge Poetry Workshop with Laura Henry-Allain MBE
Friday 16 August, 2pm to 3pm
Brixton Library, SW2 1JQ
Booking via Eventbrite

Laura Henry-Allain MBE, creator of JoJo and Gran Gran, will lead a free workshop, sharing her Representation Poem that is featured in A Year of Black Joy, curated by Jamia Wilson and illustrated by Jade Orlando. A Year of Black Joy has been selected as one of The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge titles!
Laura will also read some of her other stories and poems, and children will have the opportunity to write and share their poetry. Ages 7 to 11 years old.

Clay Modelling Workshop
Wednesday 21 August, 2.30pm
Minet Library, SE5 9QY

Get crafty with air-drying clay and take home your marvellous creation. Ages 4 to 11.

Good Night My Sweet Island

Tuesday 20 August, 3pm
Online event with Live screenings in many Lambeth Libraries

Join the author and illustrator of Good Night My Sweet Island for an inspiring talk about the book. LIVE from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Barbados. Ask at your local library which libraries will be doing a live screening or watch from home via the Zoom link - Book a ticket on Eventbrite. Ages 4 to 11

Me and My Monster Competition

Competition closes 31 August 2024

This Summer, Monster Fun – the UK’s most epic children’s comic – is giving children the chance to Star in their very own comic strip! In the Me and My Monster Competition, children and young people (up to 16+) simply need to grab the entry form, draw themselves and a monster, then have an adult email their entry in to hello@monsterfun.co.uk for their chance to win a huge Monster Fun prize bundle!

Other Library Activities

South Asian Heritage Month

Running until 17 August
All Libraries

This year, the theme of South Asian Heritage Month is “Free to Be Me” and we’re excited to celebrate the beauty of simply being yourself in Lambeth Libraries. Drop into your local library and enjoy book collections, storytimes and activities celebrating South Asian heritage!

The Lambeth Libraries App is here!

If you are in a bookshop and have the Lambeth Library app on your phone you can scan the barcode on the back of a book and it will let you know if you can borrow the book from one of our libraries instead. Do load the Lambeth Library App on your phone if you have not already done so, it has lots of good features and is a handy way to store your library card.

Free e-book and e-audiobook, magazine and comic downloads

With your library card you can use our e-library for free, just go to www.lambeth.gov.uk/LibraryServicesOnline. When logging in use all letters in your library card number 'LMP'.

We've got thousands of e-books, audiobooks, magazines and comics to download and they're all free. Get the Libby app on your phone, iPad or tablet, or access the website on a PC or laptop and start listening or reading straight away!

We now subscribe to BorrowBox and Libby App so you have more eBook and eAudiobook choices - all delivered directly to your device. Download the apps from your app store now and enjoy a feast of free listening!

Lambeth Archives

Visit the new Lambeth Archives at 16, Brixton Hill, SW2 1ET. No appointment is necessary. You can see exhibits from the Great Exhibition that was held in Crystal Palace and from 5 August the fabulous exhibition showcasing historic and contemporary African Women.

You can email us at archives@lambeth.gov.uk or call us on 020 7926 6076

Looking to hire space?

Looking to hire space for a work meeting, run a class, give a talk or hold an event? Lambeth Libraries and Archives have a great range of rooms to hire: from the beautifully restored Gallery Room at Durning, to newly air-conditioned rooms at Streatham, from very modern rooms at the stunning Clapham Library or Lambeth Archives, to sound proof booths and the new meeting space at Brixton Library.

Join the Library online

If you do not have a library membership, just join online at
www.lambeth.gov.uk/jointhelibrary and contact the library you wish to collect your library card from. Alternatively, call 020 7926 0750 or email as above and we will enrol you.

Follow Lambeth Libraries on Twitter @lamlibs and on Instagram @Lambeth_Libraries

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