@southendlibraries.bsky.social
More than just books! Six libraries serving the city of Southend-on-Sea.
Southend Libraries are thrilled to be hosting two FREE workshop events this forthcoming #BlackHistoryMonth.
Writing Historical Fiction Workshop with Ola Awonubi
Wednesday 14 October
Little Authors & Illustrators: Make Your Own Kala Book!
Monday 26 October
Book at: pentoprint.org/about/events/
Writing Historical Fiction Workshop with Ola Awonubi
Wednesday 14 October
Little Authors & Illustrators: Make Your Own Kala Book!
Monday 26 October
Book at: pentoprint.org/about/events/
September 25, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Southend Libraries are thrilled to be hosting two FREE workshop events this forthcoming #BlackHistoryMonth.
Writing Historical Fiction Workshop with Ola Awonubi
Wednesday 14 October
Little Authors & Illustrators: Make Your Own Kala Book!
Monday 26 October
Book at: pentoprint.org/about/events/
Writing Historical Fiction Workshop with Ola Awonubi
Wednesday 14 October
Little Authors & Illustrators: Make Your Own Kala Book!
Monday 26 October
Book at: pentoprint.org/about/events/
Have Your Say on the Future of Southchurch Library - Community Drop In Sessions Announced!
Please come along to one of the supporting Drop In Sessions to join the conversation.
The online survey is available at: tinyurl.com/52uhs4uy until Sunday 4th October.
Please come along to one of the supporting Drop In Sessions to join the conversation.
The online survey is available at: tinyurl.com/52uhs4uy until Sunday 4th October.
September 23, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Have Your Say on the Future of Southchurch Library - Community Drop In Sessions Announced!
Please come along to one of the supporting Drop In Sessions to join the conversation.
The online survey is available at: tinyurl.com/52uhs4uy until Sunday 4th October.
Please come along to one of the supporting Drop In Sessions to join the conversation.
The online survey is available at: tinyurl.com/52uhs4uy until Sunday 4th October.
For those who enjoy good company when they craft... Crafty Crusaders sessions are held each Tuesday at #Southchurch Library, offering an opportunity to #Knit, #Stitch, #Crochet & #Embroider your personal craft projects in the warm, relaxing atmosphere of the library. Just come along from 10am - 1pm.
September 23, 2026 at 11:18 AM
For those who enjoy good company when they craft... Crafty Crusaders sessions are held each Tuesday at #Southchurch Library, offering an opportunity to #Knit, #Stitch, #Crochet & #Embroider your personal craft projects in the warm, relaxing atmosphere of the library. Just come along from 10am - 1pm.
Another month, another 'Knitting Together' session to look forward to!
All are welcome to attend, whatever your experience or ability.
📆 Thursday 24th September, 2pm-4pm (& every last Thursday of the month)
📍 Kent Elms Library, 1 Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UU
All are welcome to attend, whatever your experience or ability.
📆 Thursday 24th September, 2pm-4pm (& every last Thursday of the month)
📍 Kent Elms Library, 1 Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UU
September 18, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Another month, another 'Knitting Together' session to look forward to!
All are welcome to attend, whatever your experience or ability.
📆 Thursday 24th September, 2pm-4pm (& every last Thursday of the month)
📍 Kent Elms Library, 1 Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UU
All are welcome to attend, whatever your experience or ability.
📆 Thursday 24th September, 2pm-4pm (& every last Thursday of the month)
📍 Kent Elms Library, 1 Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5UU
#Bibliophiles and #Ailurophiles rejoice! 🐱 Head over to #Shoeburyness Library for the purrfect display to satisfy both passions.
#CatLovers #CatFictionForAdults #CatsBetweenTheCovers #ShoeburynessLibrary
#CatLovers #CatFictionForAdults #CatsBetweenTheCovers #ShoeburynessLibrary
September 8, 2026 at 11:24 AM
#Bibliophiles and #Ailurophiles rejoice! 🐱 Head over to #Shoeburyness Library for the purrfect display to satisfy both passions.
#CatLovers #CatFictionForAdults #CatsBetweenTheCovers #ShoeburynessLibrary
#CatLovers #CatFictionForAdults #CatsBetweenTheCovers #ShoeburynessLibrary
We set the challenge and once again the children of our city rose to meet it, with unfailing enthusiasm, humour, determination and a demonstrable love of reading!
✨✨✨
Here is a before and after comparison of The Forum's Summer Reading Challenge Completer's Board. Well done everyone! 👏👏👏
✨✨✨
Here is a before and after comparison of The Forum's Summer Reading Challenge Completer's Board. Well done everyone! 👏👏👏
September 3, 2026 at 11:31 AM
We set the challenge and once again the children of our city rose to meet it, with unfailing enthusiasm, humour, determination and a demonstrable love of reading!
✨✨✨
Here is a before and after comparison of The Forum's Summer Reading Challenge Completer's Board. Well done everyone! 👏👏👏
✨✨✨
Here is a before and after comparison of The Forum's Summer Reading Challenge Completer's Board. Well done everyone! 👏👏👏
Always funny, incisive and full of insight, a high point of our summer is reading your wonderful #SummerReadingChallenge reviews!
Here are four three-star reviews from Mathilda and Astrid, who are taking the challenge at #Leigh Library.
Yay - full marks! 💯🥰 #KeepReading!
Here are four three-star reviews from Mathilda and Astrid, who are taking the challenge at #Leigh Library.
Yay - full marks! 💯🥰 #KeepReading!
August 27, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Always funny, incisive and full of insight, a high point of our summer is reading your wonderful #SummerReadingChallenge reviews!
Here are four three-star reviews from Mathilda and Astrid, who are taking the challenge at #Leigh Library.
Yay - full marks! 💯🥰 #KeepReading!
Here are four three-star reviews from Mathilda and Astrid, who are taking the challenge at #Leigh Library.
Yay - full marks! 💯🥰 #KeepReading!
A lovely photo of Rose, aged 10, who recently completed her Summer Reading Challenge 2026 by only reading books about owls! You can see her dear friend 'Orange Owl' completed the challenge too! Twit-twoo! 🦉
Congratulations Rose and Orange Owl! ✨✨✨
Congratulations Rose and Orange Owl! ✨✨✨
August 26, 2026 at 5:48 PM
A lovely photo of Rose, aged 10, who recently completed her Summer Reading Challenge 2026 by only reading books about owls! You can see her dear friend 'Orange Owl' completed the challenge too! Twit-twoo! 🦉
Congratulations Rose and Orange Owl! ✨✨✨
Congratulations Rose and Orange Owl! ✨✨✨
Reposted
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. Dolly understood the transformative power of books and through her Imagination Library shared that passion with millions of children around the world. She will be greatly missed across the library and literacy sectors.
August 26, 2026 at 8:47 AM
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. Dolly understood the transformative power of books and through her Imagination Library shared that passion with millions of children around the world. She will be greatly missed across the library and literacy sectors.
A previously unrecognised Butterfly colony passed through The Forum on Saturday, all dazzling, dashing and characterful, and puzzling even the most experienced entomologists! 🦋🦋🦋
Such wonderful creativity! Thank you to all the children who came along and created these beautiful creatures. ✨✨✨
Such wonderful creativity! Thank you to all the children who came along and created these beautiful creatures. ✨✨✨
August 25, 2026 at 10:18 AM
A previously unrecognised Butterfly colony passed through The Forum on Saturday, all dazzling, dashing and characterful, and puzzling even the most experienced entomologists! 🦋🦋🦋
Such wonderful creativity! Thank you to all the children who came along and created these beautiful creatures. ✨✨✨
Such wonderful creativity! Thank you to all the children who came along and created these beautiful creatures. ✨✨✨
FREE Replacement #HearingAid batteries are available to collect from Southend Libraries.
Please visit your local Southend Library and bring your NHS Hearing Aid Battery Book/Card with you.
Hand in your old batteries for disposal too!
Please visit your local Southend Library and bring your NHS Hearing Aid Battery Book/Card with you.
Hand in your old batteries for disposal too!
August 21, 2026 at 10:10 AM
FREE Replacement #HearingAid batteries are available to collect from Southend Libraries.
Please visit your local Southend Library and bring your NHS Hearing Aid Battery Book/Card with you.
Hand in your old batteries for disposal too!
Please visit your local Southend Library and bring your NHS Hearing Aid Battery Book/Card with you.
Hand in your old batteries for disposal too!
Have you discovered our BorrowBox highlighted titles for August?
Available throughout the month for immediate download, two gripping tales on eAudio:
Cormac McCarthy's 'The Passenger'
Kristin Hannah 'The Great Alone'
Follow the BorrowBox link at: southend.spydus.co.uk and start listening today!
Available throughout the month for immediate download, two gripping tales on eAudio:
Cormac McCarthy's 'The Passenger'
Kristin Hannah 'The Great Alone'
Follow the BorrowBox link at: southend.spydus.co.uk and start listening today!
August 20, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Have you discovered our BorrowBox highlighted titles for August?
Available throughout the month for immediate download, two gripping tales on eAudio:
Cormac McCarthy's 'The Passenger'
Kristin Hannah 'The Great Alone'
Follow the BorrowBox link at: southend.spydus.co.uk and start listening today!
Available throughout the month for immediate download, two gripping tales on eAudio:
Cormac McCarthy's 'The Passenger'
Kristin Hannah 'The Great Alone'
Follow the BorrowBox link at: southend.spydus.co.uk and start listening today!
If you would like to 'Slow Down and #Stitch' along with likeminded #Crafters, next month's dates for this #Calming session at #Westcliff Library are: Wednesday 2nd & 23rd September.
This lovely relaxing session is for stitchers to progress their projects - please bring your materials with you.
This lovely relaxing session is for stitchers to progress their projects - please bring your materials with you.
August 20, 2026 at 6:49 PM
If you would like to 'Slow Down and #Stitch' along with likeminded #Crafters, next month's dates for this #Calming session at #Westcliff Library are: Wednesday 2nd & 23rd September.
This lovely relaxing session is for stitchers to progress their projects - please bring your materials with you.
This lovely relaxing session is for stitchers to progress their projects - please bring your materials with you.
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
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
January 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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
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
Thank you for a great 2025 from everyone at #SouthendLibraries
December 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM
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
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
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
December 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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
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! 🎄
You all made such lovely decorations - we hope you enjoy displaying them! 🎄
December 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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! 🎄
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
Visit The #ChildrensLibrary at The Forum to see our enchanting Christmas #ToyShop display in full effect!
#LibraryDisplay #ChristmasDisplay #ForumSouthend
December 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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
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!🎄
The beautiful Christmas decorations you see are all made from pages of old books, destined solely to be recycled!🎄
December 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
👀 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!🎄
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
You'll find new stock amongst the selections, so why not read to the theme this weekend! 🏴
#StAndrewsDay #Fiction #NonFiction #ChildrensLibrary
November 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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
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.
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.
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
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.
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
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
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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
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! 🧱🧱🧱
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! 🧱🧱🧱
November 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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! 🧱🧱🧱
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.
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.
November 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
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.
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.