What’s on at Bishop’s Stortford Library in September
Manager Ben Holden and his team are ready to welcome people to Bishop’s Stortford Library for a range of events this autumn
Who else gets a nervous feeling in their tummy when it gets to September?
We all know that for our children and young people returning to school can be either exciting or daunting or both.
And for those of us who long ago ceased doing slides along the polished tiles of our primary and secondary schools, the sharpness of the air in September and the leaves on the chestnut trees turning brown are enough to give us a few butterflies of sympathetic schoolgoing (a psychology term I just invented).
Luckily, we here at the library know how to be that beacon of light and warmth set just across from those browning leaves in Castle Park. We have all the imaginative fare you and your family need when it comes to reading for pleasure.
We’re talking fiction here, in ebook, paperback and hardback form. Audiobooks in CD and digital form. Magazines, newspapers, periodicals, maps, travel guides, language books, citizenship tests, driving manuals and study skills books.
How about picture books (think Alice Hemming’s The Leaf Thief), chapter books, best-sellers, classics, “banned” books, poetry collections and LGBT books.
We’ve got car manuals, aerospace books, health books, cookery books, graphic novels, biographies, self-help books and mental health books.
There are books on Hertfordshire, books on Bishop’s Stortford, books read by our magical staff and displayed colourfully for you to pick up, read the blurb and carry off with you.
Yep, we know just how to escort you safely into autumn. So now tell me that September isn’t your favourite month of the year. It almost merits going back to school!
Here's what we have on at the library in September.
Craft Club - Monday September 9, 10.30am-noon. Free, donations welcome.
Everyone welcome! Bring along a craft or project and have a chat, plus enjoy tea and biscuits.
Why not bring along knitting, crochet, paper crafts, drawing, collage or something else!
This ‘n’ That - Wednesday September 11, 10.30am-11.30am. Free, donations welcome.
Spectacular snails! Library assistant Lizzie discusses her passion for collecting large and exotic snails.
Join us for a cuppa, a cake and a bit of a chat.
Cubetto coding sessions - Wednesday September 18, 4pm-5pm and Sunday September 22, 2.30pm-3.30pm. Free, donations welcome. Drop in.
Learn the basics of computer coding through play, story creation and fun challenges. Suitable for children aged four to eight and their parents/carers.
Art journalling workshop - Wednesday September 25, 4pm-6pm. Free, donations welcome.
A creative workshop for people aged 14 to 24 with professional artist Hazel Russell. Last few places available!
Crafty Creatures - Sunday September 29, 2.30pm-3.30pm. £4, please book in the library.
Design, create and discuss shapes, colours, textures and parts of the body as you use your creativity and imagination to create a creature!
Suitable for children aged three to seven and their parents/carers.
NEW! Teen Book Group - Every Saturday from September 28, 3pm-4pm.
What have you been reading recently? Bring along anything you want to talk about or just come along for a chat.
Snacks will be available. Run by teens FOR teens!
And just into October….
Poetry open mic and reading with Rory Waterman - Thursday October 3, 7pm. £7, tickets available online and in the library.
Celebrate National Poetry Day at Bishop’s Stortford Library with an open mic session followed by a poetry reading with Rory Waterman.
The highly acclaimed poet has published four poetry collections, most of which have been shortlisted for or awarded various poetry prizes.
His latest collection, Come Here to This Gate, has been described by the Guardian as “a wise and deeply satisfying book”. The Sunday Times wrote: “Poets often write about grief, but rarely so well about its complexity. Moving but never sentimental.”
First half of the evening is an open mic session, so bring a poem or two to share!
