Top 10 library events this September

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Find out about the exciting events happening at libraries near you

Summer Reading Challenge – Finale celebrations events 13 September

Celebrate your child reading six books this summer and completing the Summer Reading Challenge, by joining us at one of our free 11 celebration events on Saturday 13 September. You can also nominate your child for a Special Achievement certificate. Whether a child has devoured dozens of books or bravely finished their very first one as part of their Summer Reading Challenge, these 'Special Achievement' certificates honour children who have achieved something meaningful through reading, no matter how big or small.

This is the Celebration Programme of events:

award winning poet will be at Molesey Library (am) and at the brand new Staines Library Hub (pm)
passionate will be at Epsom Library (am) and Reigate Library (pm)
award winning author will be at Dorking Library (am) and Guildford Library (pm)
popular author will be at Woking Library
illustrator and author returns to Godalming Library after her successful Living Knowledge Network event
the ever so popular will host a poetry event at Camberley Library
community Interest Company will put on a buzzing pollinator workshop at Farnham Library
our partner will keep the kids busy with some wild(life) garden craft at Horley Library

You can register your interest for one of these by completing the by 10 September.

To find out more including times of the events, please visit our Summer Reading Challenge website.

Celebrating 250 year of Jane Austen at Farnham and Cranleigh libraries

2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Join us for two unique events to celebrate her life and novels.

Join Author Dr Christopher Herbert who will discuss his book ‘Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry’. Her favourite brother, Henry, may have provided inspiration for some of Jane Austen’s plots and characters! Farnham Library on Tuesday 9 September from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Tickets £5.
Award-winning writer Lucy Weldon will share captivating insights into Jane Austen’s life and works. This event will highlight how her keen observations on the limitations society placed on women made her a quiet revolutionary and an enduring role model for women everywhere. Cranleigh Library on Saturday 27 September from 2pm to 3pm. Event is suitable for adults. Tickets £5.

To book your ticket, please visit .

Living Knowledge Network exhibition and Author Talk at Farnham Library

�й�Pվ Libraries are proud to be one of the Living Knowledge Network Libraries across the UK that will be hosting the inspiring Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exhibition. This exhibition focuses on gardens, plants and sustainability. The exhibition will be at Farnham Library until 6 September, then move to Cranleigh Library from 10 September to 4 October.

To celebrate this unique exhibition, join us to hear author Francis Gooding talk about his new book The Script of the Stones, part natural history and part memoir. Farnham Library on Friday 5 September from 10:30am to 11:30am. Suitable for adults. Tickets £3, bookable at Farnham Library or via our Eventbrite page.

To find out more about this exhibition and other events, please visit our Living Knowledge Network webpage.

Dementia Awareness event at Banstead Library

Banstead Primary Care Network and �й�Pվ have formed a network with others in Banstead to create a more dementia friendly community in the village. The network aims to raise awareness of dementia and how it can impact on people living with the condition, so they and their carers are better understood and supported in the local community. To help make Banstead more Dementia Friendly, the network is holding a free Dementia Awareness drop-in Information Event. Banstead Library on Wednesday 24 September 2025 from 10.30am to 2pm.

Murder Mystery evening at Oxted Library

Join the Oxted Players Fringe for an interactive Murder Mystery evening. Can you solve the murder at Sweetener’s Sweet Things? Oxted Library on Thursday 11 September from 7.30pm. Groups of up to six per table, individuals are welcome. £5 per person including non-alcoholic refreshments. Book at the library help desk or by emailing oxted.library@surreycc.gov.uk. Free parking in Tandridge District Council Car Park.

Heritage Open Days family events

Every September across England events are organised to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore. Some of our libraries are also taking part including:

A ‘Map Fantastic’ event is happening in Dorking Library! A ‘Map Fantastic’ event is happening! A chance to examine maps from Dorking Museum's collection and explore the wonders of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) with the amazing ' Side by Side Map Viewer'. What was there before your house or school? Dorking mysteries will be revealed using LIDAR. You'll be able to create your own treasure map in collaboration with Arts Society Dorking. Saturday 20 September from 10am to 2pm.
Leatherhead Library is housed in The Mansion, a Grade 2 listed building built on the site of a Tudor Mansion. The site has an interesting and varied history which will be explored in a display set up in the library. A second display will show how Leatherhead was impacted by World War 2, including a map detailing the areas targeted by bombing campaigns. Displays from 12 September to 20 September.

Explore the art of poetry

Our libraries are open, welcoming spaces, where people come together to celebrate poetry every month. Join fellow poetry enthusiast in a variety of poetry activities and engaging writing challenges in the following libraries:

Dorking Library - every other Monday from 10am to 12pm. Next dates are 1, 15 and 29 September
Esher Library - every other Thursday from 2pm. Next dates are 11 and 25 September
Farnham Library - every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm
Guildford Library - every Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm
Staines Library - every Monday from 11am to 1pm
Woking Library - every Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm

No experience needed to join these free poetry sessions. To find out how to take part, please visit the library and speak to a member of staff.

Roald Dahl Story Day

Roald Dahl Day is an annual celebration in September to mark his birthday and celebrate Roald Dahl's stories. Some libraries will be organising events to honour the wonderful books and stories he wrote. One of them is at Oxted Library, where staff will be hosting a special Storytime event with Craft and Duplo, on Thursday 11 September from 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Free event, no booking necessary.

Please check with your local library if they are also celebrate Roald Dahl Day with a special event.

Health and Activity Tracker smartwatches

We offer plenty of our events and activities to keep you moving and support your health and wellbeing. So why not borrow one of our Health and Activity Trackers to keep an eye on your fitness and health and wellbeing? The trackers are Amazfit GT2 smart watches and include 70+ different features including heart rate monitoring, sleep quality monitoring and step count. The trackers are free to borrow and free to reserve. For more information, please visit our health and activity trackers webpage.

To reserve your tracker, please visit our

The Ghosts of Hawkthorn – children’s author event at Walton Library

Join author Stephanie Cotela for a fun author talk. Stephanie will talk about her book, The Ghosts of Hawkthorn, followed by some creative writing activities. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12. Saturday 13 September from 11am to 12 noon. Tickets cost £2. Places can be booked at the help desk at Walton Library.

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