A Mystery at Leigh Library!
Mysterious Golden Beans were found at Leigh library this morning by staff.
As of yet, no one has been able to identify them. Could this be in connection with Go All In to Fantasy this February? #BeanstalkUpdate #GoAllIntoFantasy #LeighLibrary

Check out your Reading Roundup #Southend ... we loved sharing our library with you almost as much as you loved @richardosman1.bsky.social !📚
Thank you for a great 2025 from everyone at #SouthendLibraries

In the New Year Southend Libraries will host our first Death Café.
This is an opportunity to come together and share your experience, over tea, coffee and cake.

📅 Wednesday 14th January at 11am
📍 Westcliff Library, 649 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 9PD

Thank you to everyone who came along to #Southchurch Library's first 'Countdown to Christmas' craft session!
You all made such lovely decorations - we hope you enjoy displaying them! 🎄

There's nothing more exciting than a little winter #WindowShopping! Which gift would you wish to receive? 🎁
Visit The #ChildrensLibrary at The Forum to see our enchanting Christmas #ToyShop display in full effect!
#LibraryDisplay #ChristmasDisplay #ForumSouthend

👀 Take a look inside Southchurch Library - transformed to celebrate the season! ❄
The beautiful Christmas decorations you see are all made from pages of old books, destined solely to be recycled!🎄

Drop by The Forum for Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction and Children's displays, all celebrating St. Andrew's Day, this coming Sunday.
You'll find new stock amongst the selections, so why not read to the theme this weekend! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
#StAndrewsDay #Fiction #NonFiction #ChildrensLibrary

We think you'll love this Christmas crafting activity at #KentElms library!
Join us as we create Santa, Elf and Snowman hanging decorations.
🎅 ❄ 🧝‍♀️ ❄ ⛄
Saturday 6th December & Saturday 20th December
Suitable for ages 4+ with supervision. £1 per child.
No booking required.

Bob Mays will be visiting Southend Libraries to discuss his personal journey with #ParkinsonsDisease.
There will be a Q&A session plus the opportunity to donate to Parkinson’s UK.
Monday 24th Nov, 2-3.30pm at The Forum
Tickets are FREE, at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/southend-l... or call: 01702 534111

The weekend is almost here and so is the time for some wholesome play! 🎉🎉🎉
Studies have found that Brick-Building play can improve spatial awareness, problem-solving and motor skills and can boost a child's imagination and concentration. So, let's get building! 🧱🧱🧱

Customer Notice

All Southend Library venues will be closed on the morning of Thursday 4th December for staff training.

The Forum will open at 1.30pm
Branch Libraries will open at 2pm

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you like to listen to music, you'll love to listen to these!
🎤🎸🥁
Titles recently added to our BorrowBox collection include 'The Drums' by Mike Joyce, 'Ozzy & Me' by Stephen Rea and 'The Life and Trials of Cliff Richard' by Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne.
Listen at: southend.borrowbox.com

Hello, Just to let you know we have expanded capacity for this event. If you would like to reserve a place, please email: library@southend.gov.uk with your name, email address and mobile phone number. Best wishes.

Please remember, each Southend Library venue offers you a Warm Space this winter and beyond.
Our libraries are safe, non-judgmental venues - whatever your reason for visiting, you will always be guaranteed a #WarmSpace and a warm welcome.
#WarmHub #SouthendonSea
@southendcityc.bsky.social

Will you be watching? Why not contextualise your viewing with a bit of reading?
Another series of the beloved celebrity show kicks off on Sunday night and we have a selection of associated reads at The Forum, each crying 'Get me out of here!'...
Please borrow and oblige. 🐍

Raining outside? 🌧 Come play inside! ☀️
Brick-Building play will be held at five of our libraries tomorrow morning from 10am - 12pm:
Kent Elms, Leigh, Shoeburyness, Southchurch and Westcliff Libraries.
A great way to begin your weekend - just drop by! 🥰

Hello! I'm afraid we do not have a waiting list. You are more than welcome to come along on the day in case there are cancellations (not guaranteed) and do keep an eye on our Eventbrite page for the same. We love your passion! 💗 Best wishes.

Bob Mays will be visiting Southend Libraries to discuss his personal journey with #ParkinsonsDisease. Includes a Q&A session.
Monday 24th November, 2-3.30pm at The Forum
Tickets are FREE and can be reserved from:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/southend-l..., or call The Forum on: 01702 534111

Have you visited your local Southend Library lately? We are always adding new stock to our bookshelves - check us out for the latest releases and classic reads!
#KeepReading #LoveYourLibrary #FeedYourReadingHabit #StockRoom

The Booker Prizes have announced 'Flesh' by David Szalay as the winner of the Booker Prize 2025!

'Written in spare prose, Flesh is a propulsive novel about a man who is unravelled by a series of events beyond his grasp.'

Place your reservations at: southend.spydus.co.uk

No tricks only treats in our #HalloweenFiction displays at The Forum! 🎃
We have four themed selections, catering to every ghoulish taste this spooky season.
'Dracula' 🧛‍♂️
'Ghosts' 👻
'Witches' 🧙‍♀️
'Just Plain Spooky'! 💀

You'll find new titles in each of our displays!

#HalloweenReads #FearsomeFiction

We deduce that fans of 'Murder, She Wrote' will not want to miss our next Southend Libraries Presents event: 'Murder, She Ate!' with author Jenny Hammerton.
Please note: tickets are FREE and will be available from 1st November from The Forum Reception and from our Eventbrite page. Stay tuned!

Another lovely example of the creativity of the 'Crafty Kids' at Southchurch Library. Don't these Autumnal Animals look snug with their scarves on - beautiful! 👏👏👏
Crafty Kids meet on the first Saturday of the month - look out for news of November's activity - coming soon!

We're already some way through the Autumn term of Storyrhymes sessions!
Check out the booking day for your preferred branch and reserve your spot. Storyrhymes is a free 30 minute session of fun for the under 5s. See you there!

Customer Notice

The People’s Network - Email Access
Due to technical issues, customers may be unable to access email accounts from the following providers: Gmail, Yahoo and AOL.

Our IT Team are currently working to resolve this issue.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Here are some of the beautiful Milk Bottle Planters created by the talented #CraftyKids who came along to #Southchurch Library's crafting session on Saturday!
Aren't they lovely! 🎍✨🎍✨🎍

Join Historic England to "Help Us Find #Southend's Hidden Heritage".
Discover local heritage, contribute photos and stories, and learn how to nominate buildings for the National Heritage List for England. Bring your device to take part. Reserve your place: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...

Southend Libraries welcomes applications for a permanent full time Senior Library Manager post, primarily based at The Forum.
For full details, please visit: tinyurl.com/bdz8yfx2

#SouthendOnSea #SouthendLibraries #SouthEssex #Essex
#Libraries #LibraryVacancy

From mystical pawnshops to ancient kingdoms, the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize shortlist has been announced! Discover more at:
www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/index.php/pr...
All shortlisted titles are in stock, or on order at Southend Libraries.

Enter the Story Garden at Kent Elms Library! 🌼🚪🌼
The scene is set for a summer of unbound imaginations and adventures in reading! 🥰 Look forward to fun activities and competitions - more details coming soon! 👀
#KentElmsLibrary 🌸 #SummerReadingChallenge 🌸 #ComingSoon