What's on in Coventry Libraries - Print version

We hold regular events and activities for adults and children in all of our libraries. These range from events for toddlers and pre-school children such as rhymetime and stay and play, to events for older people such as friendship groups. All of our events are free to attend unless otherwise stated.

View a full list of what's on in Coventry Libraries [https://librarycatalogue.coventry.gov.uk/whats-on#/]

Event feedback

Please take a few moments to provide us with some important feedback about the event you have just attended. This information will be used to improve future events in libraries. Please also include events you would like to see in a library.

Complete our event feedback form [/libraryeventfeedbackandsuggestion]

Newsletter

Want to be kept up to date with all things Coventry Libraries? Subscribe to our newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_291]

How to join the library

1. Go to the online catalogue [/onlinelibrarycatalogue]
2. You will need to confirm security details (name, address, date of birth)
3. You must provide us with a valid email address
4. The Library Service will action your request and send you a Library card number and pin number. These details can then be used to access our wide range of virtual services.
5. Once done, you will be able to visit a library and collect your physical Library card and be able to access our full range of services. At this visit you will need to show one form of identification which contains both your full name and current address.

Reading, play reading, poetry and writing groups

For a list of Poetry Groups, Readers Groups or Writers Groups, please visit the What's on in Libraries [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/whatsonlibraries] page

Readers' groups (16+)

Do you love reading and long to discuss the books you have read? Whether you loved or loathed a book, why not join one of Coventry Libraries Readers' Groups to share your opinions.

• Free to attend
• Suitable for adults (16+)
• Open to everyone

Readers' groups are great places to meet other people who love to read, talk about books and discover new authors and genres that you may not have thought of trying. Our groups across libraries in Coventry are friendly and informal. New members are always welcome. You do not need any literary knowledge to join a readers' group, you just need to enjoy reading! There is no need to worry if you haven't finished the book or didn't like it, you can still come along and join in. Please contact your local library [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/findalibrary] for more details of their Readers' Group.

Some Groups read the same title as each other to discuss at their meeting each month; others read something different each time. You don't have to be an expert, just willing to chat about what you've read. We are sometimes able to arrange for authors to visit readers' groups to talk about their books. We also keep group members up to date about book news and author events with our regular email.

We have a readers' pack [/downloads/download/1117/readers_pack] for you to take a look at if you would like to set up your own readers' group. Library based readers' groups are not always run by staff but you can use the library as your meeting place. We will promote your group in the list below and on our monthly events [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/whatsonlibraries] leaflets.

If you would like to share your thoughts about a particular book from one of your meetings, you can submit a review by emailing libraries247@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:libraries247@coventry.gov.uk]

Register your readers' group

If you would like to receive titles from our readers' group collection, you will need to register your readers' group with us. Titles you request will be delivered to the library of your choice for collection.

• Complete the online form [/librariesformreadersgroups]
• Contact your local library [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/findalibrary] 

Titles available for loan to readers' groups

There are over 150 titles available for the exclusive use of readers' groups registered with the library service. Books are usually supplied as mixed sets of hardback and paperback copies. Other formats are available on request but please note that these formats will be loaned from normal circulating stock and may already be out on loan.

View the book list [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1/events-in-Coventry-libraries/4]

Request a title for your next readers' group

If you are registered with us you can request any title from the readers' group collection. You should ensure you have submitted your request at least two weeks before your next meeting to ensure we can supply your title on time. You should also provide us with at least two titles so we can ensure we can supply one of them and will be in contact if we cannot supply either title.

If your group reads a mixture of titles at each meeting you can borrow titles from the general library stock, check the catalogue and reserve your title [/onlinelibrarycatalogue]. Struggling to find an author? Check out "Who Else Writes Like" [/info/126/libraries/3215/e-resources/18] or browse through our booklists at Discover More Reads [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1/discover-reads]

You will need to provide the author, title and number of copies for two books along with the date of your next meeting.

• Complete the online form [/librariesformreadersgroups]
• Contact your local library [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/findalibrary]

Earlsdon Literary Magazine

 Earlsdon Literary Magazine is the monthly newsletter of the Avid Readers at Earlsdon Library.

• Download editions of Earlsdon Literary Magazine [/downloads/download/2291/earlsdon_literary_magazine]

Readers' groups online

Can't make it to any of these readers' groups? You can chat about your favourite books and review them online by joining the following free book group forum Goodreads groups [https://www.goodreads.com/group]. You can also suggest new titles to other readers groups and apply for offers for your group through Readers Groups for Everyone [http://readinggroups.org/groups], you will need a special code to do so, once you have signed up for a free account.

If you are a Facebook user, join the Coventry Libraries Online Readers Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoventryLibrariesOnlineReadersGroup]

For specialist reader development advice, contact our Reading and Literacy Coordinator, Lesley Martin: lesley.martin@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:lesley.martin@coventry.gov.uk] or call 024 7697 2677

For general Readers Group enquiries please email libraries247@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:libraries247@coventry.gov.uk]

Play readers' groups (16+)

The play readers’ groups based in libraries are open to everyone, free to attend, with new members always welcome.

Register your play readers’ group

If you would like to register your play readers’ group, you can do so online or in person. You will have access to the playset collection held at Central Library for the exclusive use of play readers’ groups. The library service can also help promote community-based groups, who do not meet at their local library.

• Complete the play readers' online form [/librariesformreadersgroups]
• Contact your local library [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/findalibrary]

Request a title for your next play readers’ group

If you would like to request titles from us for your next play readers’ group, you can do so online, over the phone or in person. You will need to provide the playwright, title, number of copies required and the date of your next meeting

• Complete the play readers' online form [/librariesformreadersgroups]
• Contact your local library [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/findalibrary]

Titles available for play readers’ groups to loan

View the play readers' list [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1/events-in-Coventry-libraries/5]

Poetry Groups

Poetry Workshops at Central Library on the last Sunday of the month 1pm - 3.10pm. Coventry's own Poet Laureate, Emilie Lauren Jones, leads this poetry session consisting of fun writing activities inspired by example poems, with time for sharing your written poems. Whether you have been writing for a long time or are new to writing, why not join this friendly and inclusive group? For more details contact Emilie by telephone on 07805 104743 or e-mail [mailto:emilielaurenwriter@gmail.com]. These sessions are supported by the Positive Images Festival.

Creative Writing Groups

If you enjoy writing, join one of our creative writing groups where you can share your passion for telling stories, in a supportive environment, with like-minded people.

Readers' Group book collection

Play Readers' Group collection

Live music in your library

Get it Loud in Libraries

Coventry Libraries have been hosting live music events since 2016 when Spring King, a post-punk band from Manchester, played Central Library. Since then, the library has hosted many more emerging and established music acts, such as Idles, Fontaines DC, Sam Fender, VANT and Jorja Smith. The bands are generally on the cusp of breaking through into mainstream and are also an ideal event for young people and families. These fantastic gigs are all part of the unique award-winning Get It Loud In Libraries project, designed to give people who love music the chance to see top-notch artists in their local library. As part of the project, the library also hosted an evening with lead singer of The Charlatans, Tim Burgess.

Take a look at photos and videos from previous gigs:

• So what's a library gig actually like? GILIL Academy video [https://youtu.be/1fWp5epiK7o]
• A pre-gig cha with The Amazons [https://youtu.be/_Xejq-yHD1c]
• An interview with The Big Moon [https://youtu.be/vMGT6lT9Xlo]
• Behind-the-scenes at Central Library during Dream Wife's gig video [https://youtu.be/Sqizt69Yrq4]
• An interview with Fontaines D.C [https://youtu.be/G76HQBpfCUA]. ahead of their sell-out gig
• An interview with IDLES [https://youtu.be/cVo_YSSWW4U]
• Jorja Smith at Central Library video [https://youtu.be/JMQCadMbht8]
• An interview with Spring King [https://youtu.be/0F3YpM9pYPg]
• 'Vant blow the doors off Coventry Library' gig review [https://counteract.co/music/reviews/live/review-vant-blow-the-doors-off-coventry-library/]

Get tickets for forthcoming acts and read more information [http://getitloudinlibraries.com/].

If you would like to be informed about future events email libraries247@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:libraries247@coventry.gov.uk] to be added to the mailing list.

Check out other events and library newsletter [https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCOVENTRY/subscriber/new?topic_id=UKCOVENTRY_291].

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @covlibraries.

Get Online Week

Coventry Libraries host events across Coventry as part of Get Online Week, the UK’s biggest annual digital inclusion campaign, run by Good Things Foundation [https://uk.getonlineweek.com/]

Why is Get Online Week important? 

Source: Good Things Foundation

• 2.9 billion people are digitally excluded worldwide (ITU, 2021)
• 10.2 million people lack the basic digital skills needed to use the internet (Lloyds Consumer Digital Index, 2022)
• 6.9 million people in the UK will remain digitally excluded if nothing is done to help them (Cebr, 2018)
• 1 in 5 people have stopped using products or services because they’re only available online
• Three quarters of people would feel cut off from society if they didn’t have access to the internet

Outside of Get Online Week, digital events can be found alongside all Coventry Libraries and Information Service events [http://librarycatalogue.coventry.gov.uk/whats-on].