Wolverhampton’s libraries are hosting a packed programme of free activities this autumn.
They include history talks, poetry readings, art workshops, storytelling and craft sessions, coffee mornings, digital skills support, book clubs, and themed events for Black History Month, World Mental Health Day, and Green Libraries Week.
A special exhibition will be unveiled at Low Hill Library on Wednesday (1 October) to celebrate 100 years of the Low Hill estate. A launch event will run from 2pm to 6pm, with the Friends of Wolverhampton Archives presenting a talk on the estate’s history at 3pm, followed by a reading by local poet Emma Purshouse in honour of National Poetry Day. There will also be an art workshop and a celebration of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge winners.
On Saturday (4 October), Central Children’s Library will host an ‘African Tales’ story and craft session for families, bringing Black History Month to life through interactive storytelling.
Throughout October, there will also be a display of adult and children’s books celebrating Black history at Central, while on Thursday 16 October, the Memories of Bilston Local History Social Group will be taking a trip to the Reminiscence Chatty Café to visit its replica front room, a marker of 1960s Britain.
To mark World Mental Health Day next week, 3 ‘Tea and Talk’ mornings will be held to encourage open conversation over a cuppa. Finchfield Library will welcome visitors on Tuesday 7 October from 10.30am to 12.30pm, Tettenhall Library on Friday 10 October from 10am to 11.45am, and Penn Library on Tuesday 14 October from 10am to 11.45am. All are welcome.
Meanwhile, a new Baby Book Time will launch at East Park Library next Tuesday (7 October). Designed for babies in arms through to pre-schoolers, these relaxed 30 minute sessions of rhymes, songs and sensory play will take place every Tuesday from 11.30am to 12pm.
It is Get Online Week from 20 to 26 October, and adults are invited to take part in an Online Craft Club and a Book and a Brew Club at Central Library on Monday 20 October from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Drop-in IT help sessions with Secret Angels will be held at Wednesfield Library on Tuesday 21 October from 10.30am to 12.30pm, Warstones Library on Tuesday 21 October from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, the Bob Jones Community Hub on Wednesday 22 October from 10.30am to 12.30pm and Whitmore Reans Library on Wednesday 22 October from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Central Library will also host a SkillUp! workshop in maths, English and digital skills on Tuesday 21 October from 12pm to 2.30pm, a Digital Help session with TLC College on Wednesday 22 October from 10am to 1pm and its regular Digital Skills drop-ins held every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm.
For younger tech enthusiasts aged 7 to 12, Central Children’s Library Code Club will meet on Monday 20 October – booking essential.
Families can look forward to Halloween themed fun at Central Children’s Library, where a Halloween Havoc Story and Craft session for children aged 5 and over will take place on Tuesday 28 October from 2pm to 3.30pm, and there will be a Halloween Special Lego Workshop for ages 6 and over on Thursday 30 October from 2pm to 3.30pm. Both events are ticketed with limited spaces; bookings can be made by calling 01902 552023.
Finally, Green Libraries Week returns from 27 October to 2 November, and Wolverhampton’s libraries will celebrate sustainability with an online quiz on Tuesday 28 October from 5.30 pm to 6.30pm, a tabletop games night at Bilston Library on Wednesday 29 October from 5pm to 7pm, and a poetry performance by Emma Purshouse at Penn Library on Friday 31 October from 11.40am to 12.40pm.
All events are free and open to everyone.
Councillor Bhupinder Ghakal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “Our libraries are more than books – they’re places where stories are shared, skills are grown, and everyone is welcome. This autumn, we’re proud to offer a wide range of free events that celebrate heritage, creativity and wellbeing, so please come along and join in the fun.”