Free Library Events
Join us for some free fun-filled activities throughout the summer!
Join us for family fun at our Core Libraries to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge.
Activities will be linked to the Ready, Set! Read theme of this year's Summer Reading Challenge, to inspire children to participate in reading, sport and play.
Sessions will run from 10.30am - 12.30pm:
- Central Library, Monday 14th August
- Highworth Library, Tuesday 15th August
- West Swindon Library, Friday 18th August
- North Swindon Library, Wednesday 23rd August
- Park Library, Thursday 24th August
No booking required, just drop in.
“Story time you and your children will never forget.”
Enjoy interactive tales with a master storyteller. Full of fun for all the family.
To support children with SEND to engage with the Summer Reading Challenge, Swindon Libraries, with support from Swindon Stories, are running two free, SEND-specific Interactive Story Time events.
Professional storyteller Neil Griffiths is bringing his high energy, interactive storytelling - specially designed to engage all the family. Lots of participation, sensory focus, and lots of fun! Suitable for all ages.
The library will be closed to the public during the performance.
Free refreshments of tea and coffee, squash and biscuits will be available before and after. We encourage families to choose books, socialise with each other and library staff, and find out more about relevant library services and the Summer Reading Challenge.
Places are only available for children with SEND. We are running general Summer Reading Challenge Activity Days for all children, which children with SEND are also very welcome to attend.
Children's places must be booked, tickets will be available here 3 weeks prior to the event
- North Swindon Library, Tuesday 8th August, 11am - 12.30pm
- West Swindon Library, Tuesday 15th August, 3pm - 4.30pm
Doors open half an hour before the shows start at the stated time. The show will be approximately one hour.
Our Queen's Park Story Trail launches on Friday 4th August.
Pages of A Busy Day for Birds by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books) will be displayed throughout the park, as well as an interactive quiz about birds. Scan the QR codes at each point to check your answers.
If you can't access QR codes, the full list of answers is available here.
Copies of A Busy Day for Birds are available to borrow from Swindon Libraries. Share the full story at home together!
More than 30 larger than life balloon dog sculptures - the Swindogs - are being unleashed around town this summer.
20 smaller 1 metre Swinpups will also be showcased in Central, North and West Swindon Libraries.
Show your grown-up your whizzy maths skills.
- Come and play games, complete real-life maths puzzles and have some hands-on maths fun.
- Come and see what your child is learning in school, help build their confidence and have some fun together!
There are 2 courses available, each course will run over 2 sessions:
- West Swindon Library - Monday 24 July & Tuesday 25 July, 10am - 1pm
- North Swindon Library - Monday 31 July, 2pm - 5pm & Wednesday 2 August, 10am - 1pm.
or complete the online booking form here.
The Swindon Museums Team are visiting Central Library this summer and taking you back in time to see what Swindon was like thousands of years ago!
All events are ideal for ages 6+. Children must be accompanied at all times. All events are free but pre-booking is required.
Time Travellers Family Sessions: Surviving the Stone Age!
Thursday 3 August
Travel back in time and visit Stone Age Swindon! Find out what life was like in Swindon 5000 years ago!
Sessions last 45m and take place at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Click HERE to find out more and book your free tickets via Eventbrite
Time Travellers Family Sessions: Meet the Anglo Saxons!
Thursday 17 August
Travel back in time and visit Anglo Saxon Swindon! Find out what life was like in Swindon 1,200 years ago!
Sessions last 45m and take place at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Click HERE to find out more and book your free tickets via Eventbrite
Time Travellers Family Sessions: Explore Archaeology
Thursday 31 August
Help unearth mysteries and discover Swindon’s ancient stories by becoming an archaeologist for the day!
Sessions last 45m and take place at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Click HERE to find out more and book your free tickets via Eventbrite
Activities in community libraries will be advertised on their own websites and social media pages.
A list of additional free or low-cost activities in Swindon will be available on ourresources pagesoon.