Dorset libraries online activities and events

Supporting Sturminster Newton Literary Festival

Two top authors with Dorset connections will be giving online talks about their latest books at the 2021 Sturminster Newton Literary festival. 

Festival organiser Michaela Knowles said: “We are delighted Libby and Lucy will be headlining the 2021 festival programme and thank our partners, Dorset Libraries and the Friends of Sturminster Newton Library, for their support.

Virtual event with Lucy Clarke - 14 June 7pm

Lucy Clarke is the bestselling author of six psychological thrillers. Her debut novel was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. She is a passionate traveller, beach hut dweller, and fresh air enthusiast! Lucy will be talking about her writing and reading from her latest novel The Castaways on 14 June at 7pm.  This virtual event is open to all, across Dorset and beyond.  Book your free ticket now

Virtual event with Libby Page - 17 June 7pm

Libby Page is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lido, The 24-Hour Café and The Island (out June 2021).  Libby will be in conversation with Dorset Libraries about her writing and reading habits and her latest book, with occasional forays into wild swimming on 17 June at 7pm.  Book your free ticket now

Arts Award Discover

Are you aged 7+ , and do you enjoy finding out about, and taking part in Art activities?  Then our new virtual Arts Award group is perfect for you.  The group runs for 5 consecutive weeks, and children need to attend each session to achieve Arts Award Discover.

Arts Award Discover is an introductory award from Trinity College London. To achieve an Arts Award Discover, children and young people collect evidence in an individual arts log of their experiences of:

• finding out about different types of art
• participating in arts activities
• researching artists and their work
• sharing their arts discoveries

Our new group starts on Thursday 29 April 4pm-4.45pm.  Places are limited, and need to be booked in advance.

We use Microsoft Teams for our sessions, and instructions will be sent to participants ahead of the first session. You will need a computer or tablet with a camera facility and microphone/speaker facility.

Dorset Libraries Favourite Fiction

We asked you to nominate your 5 best loved books so that we could compile Dorset Libraries favourite fiction titles.  You accepted the challenge and nominated 349 individual titles by 348 different authors! The results are in and the winner is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  The authors with the most nominations are Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens with 5 titles each.  Terry Pratchett, Jane Austen, JRR Tolkien, Elena Ferrante and Agatha Christie followed closely behind with 4 titles nominated. 

How many have you read? How many will you try? 

Activities for wellbeing

Dorset Libraries winter online activity schedule

Throughout the week you’ll find library news and updates on Facebook and Twitter, plus ideas for reading, writing and getting creative.

We have the following regular online activities every week:

Monday

Start the week with Shared Reading

Brought to you on Zoom from Dorchester Library – every Monday at 10am. Contact Dorchester Library.

Tuesday

Book chat for adults

Join us on Facebook for an informal chat about books that you've enjoyed with a different theme each week. Share your love of books with others, get ideas of what to try next, and let us know your favourite books.

Rhymetime

Join in with Rhymetime on Facebook and sing some rhymes with your children at home.

Virtual Rhymetime at Weymouth Library - join us for pre-school fun and entertainment. Every Tuesday 10am to 10.30am. Book your free place

Wednesday

Facebook Lego challenge

There’s a different themed challenge each week, so have fun being creative with your Lego. You can share your creations on Facebook, we’d love to see them.

Shared reading

Join Ferndown library on Zoom for Shared Reading online at 2pm Contact Ferndown library 

Thursday

Monthly -  Live chat reading group for adults (10am – 11am)

If you like to connect with others and chat about your book experiences, why not join our live chat Reading Group. For joining instructions, please email DLSLibrarians@dorsetcc.gov.uk 

Friday

Story time for early years

Watch library staff reading some wonderful stories on Facebook while you’re at home. Thanks to all the publishers who are giving permission to libraries for using their books.

Contact us