Our Reading Group Service caters for groups from all backgrounds and with all tastes, and as a subscription based service offers year-round support and a wide choice of books.
We also offer a range of reading and writing activities for adults, including some which are suitable for visually impaired readers, people affected by dementia, and people wanting to improve their mental health.
Shared Reading
Shared reading gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a good story, or discover poetry without the need to read ahead. Each group has a Reader Leader who reads aloud, with anyone welcome to explore, discuss and comment as the story unfolds. Pioneered by The Reader, shared reading is for everyone, from well-read to never-read.
Shared Reading Groups in Dorset
| Library | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bridport Library |
Last Wednesday of the month |
3pm to 4:30pm |
| Dorchester Library and Learning Centre |
First Monday of the month (starting 10 July) |
10:15am to midday |
| Littlemoor Library |
First Wednesday of the month |
2pm to 3pm |
| Lyme Regis Library |
Every Wednesday |
2pm to 3:30pm |
| Portland Tophill Library |
Every Thursday |
10.30am to midday |
| Weymouth Library |
Every Wednesday |
10:30am to midday |
| Wimborne Library |
First Thursday of the month |
10:30am to midday |
Reading Groups
Many libraries offer opportunities to meet others and have a chat about books. Relax and share a story or poem in a small group, or join with others to discuss the books you've read and a variety of other topics in a friendly and informal atmosphere.
| Library | Name of Group | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blandford Library | Reading Group | Last Monday in the month | 2pm to 3:15pm |
| Bridport Library | Silent Book Club | Every Friday | 2pm to 3:30pm |
|
Corfe Mullen Library |
Reading Group | First Wednesday of the month - all are welcome | 2pm to 3pm |
|
Crossways Library |
Reading Group | Third Wednesday of the month Second Thursday of the month |
Morning Evening |
| Dorchester Library and Learning Centre | Reading Group | Last Thursday of the month First Saturday of the month |
10am to 11am and 2pm to 3pm 10:30am to 11:30am |
| Gillingham Library | Visually Impaired Reading Group | Friday morning every 6 weeks. Please contact library for dates. | 11am to midday |
| Gillingham Library | Book Group | Saturdays monthly | 2:30pm to 3:30pm |
| Littlemoor Library | A Littlemoor Reading Group | Second Wednesday of the month | 10:30am to 11:45am |
| Sherborne Library | Feel better with a book | Every Monday (restarts Monday 2 September 2019) | 2pm to 3:30pm |
| Sturminster Newton Library | Friends Reading Group | Fourth Monday of the month | 2:30pm (a small charge of £1 applies) |
| Swanage Library | Books and More | Wednesdays monthly (mid month) | 10:30am to 11:30am |
| Wareham Library | Book Chat | Second and fourth Mondays of the month | 10:30am to 11:30am |
| Weymouth Library | Books and More | Fourth Thursday of the month | 2:30pm to 3:30pm |
| Wimborne Library | Play-Reading Group | Every Monday | 2:15pm to 3:30pm |
| Wimborne Library |
Book Chat |
First Tuesday of the month | 10:30am to 11:30am |
| Wyke Regis Library |
Friends of Wyke Reading Group |
Last Monday of the month | 11:15am to 12:15pm |
Writing Groups
Libraries also offer the opportunity to try your hand at writing too, with groups for different ages and abilities meeting regularly.
| Library | Name of Group | Frequency | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridport Library | The Stringers Creative Writing Group |
Saturdays on the following dates |
10:30am to midday |
| Crossways Library | Creative Writing Group | Every Thursday | 10am to midday |
| Littlemoor Library | Off the Cuff Writing Group | Every Monday | 10am to midday |
| Shaftesbury Library | Creative Writing for Wellbeing | Every Monday | 2pm to 3pm |
| Sherborne Library | Sherborne Library Scribes | Every Thursday (restarts Thursday 12 September 2019) | 1:30pm to 2:30pm |