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Special events
Tree giveaway
Saturday 7 February.
In support of ßÙßÇÂþ»’s 1.2m Tree Strategy, to plant one tree for every ßÙßÇÂþ» resident by 2030, ßÙßÇÂþ» Libraries are pleased to be giving away free trees at the following libraries:
- Banstead Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Byfleet Library 10am to 12 noon
- Egham Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Ewell Court Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Guildford Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Redhill Library 9.30am to 12 noon
- Virginia Water Library 10am to 12 noon
The trees are native, broad-leaved species and come with a stake and guard, ready for garden planting. We will also provide a leaflet containing information on how to plant and care for your tree to give it the best start in its new home.
Available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dungeons and Dragons starter session
Saturday 14 February at 2.30pm
Learn the basics of the fantasy table-top roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons and make your very own character!
Ages: 9 to 14 years old. Tickets are £1 per child and can be booked by email to guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk.
Spanish workshop for children
Saturday 21 February from 11am to 12pm.
Learn some Spanish, listen to bilingual Spanish/English stories and have fun!
There is a session suitable for beginners at 11am, for which no knowledge of Spanish is necessary.
At 11:30am, there is a session aimed at bilingual children. However, children are welcome to attend both sessions if they would like.
Suitable for children aged 4 to 7 years old.
Cost is £1 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited so please sign up at the library or email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk.
Lewis Carroll travelling display
The display will be at Guildford Library in March.
ßÙßÇÂþ» History Centre’s Lewis Carroll collection has been growing for over 75 years. In 2025, marking 160 years since the first publication of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, the Centre celebrated the archives of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832–1898)—better known by his enchanting pen name, Lewis Carroll—with a free foyer display and a cabinet exhibition in their search room.
We are thrilled to announce that the fascinating display will now be touring six ßÙßÇÂþ» libraries, giving you the chance to discover more
For other libraries on the tour, please see the section Lewis Carroll travelling display on our Events and activities in libraries webpage.
For more information about Lewis Carroll at ßÙßÇÂþ» History Centre and to view from the Lewis Carroll collection, simply book a place in the ßÙßÇÂþ» History Centre search room and let them know you wish to see items from the collection.
To book your visit or to check the ßÙßÇÂþ» History opening hours see our webpage Visiting ßÙßÇÂþ» History Centre.
Jerry Timmins
Thursday 26 February, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
ßÙßÇÂþ» Author, Jerry Timmins will be hosting a talk and question and answer session about his book 'An Elusive Truth'.
Talk will be held in the Seminar Room (2nd floor).
Cost: £5 per ticket. Refreshments included.
To book, please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk
Victorian Britain Day by Day with Nicholas Travers
Saturday 14 March, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Step back into the most remarkable era in British history with Daily Life in Victorian Britain. Join us for an engaging talk with the author, exploring how the Victorians transformed society forever. Learn about Dickens, Darwin, entertainment, empire, and more!
Jane Austen: The Quiet Radical
Saturday 11 April at 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
Join author Lucy Weldon for her talk on the life and novels of the quiet radical, Jane Austen, one of our greatest writers.
Booking necessary: Tickets cost £5.
If unable to book online, please book in Guildford library.
Rhymetime and storytime
Pebble rhymetime
- Every Monday at 10.30am and 11:30am
- First Saturday of every month at 10.30am. Please note: Rhymetime on Saturday 7 February will be taking place in the Seminar Room on the second floor. This is due to the Children's library being closed from 4pm on Friday 6 February and to 1pm on Saturday 7 February.
No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Find out more about Pebble rhymetimes in ßÙßÇÂþ» libraries.
Storytime
Every Wednesday at 10.30am
No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Nature storytime
Last Saturday of every month, from 10.30am to 11am.
Suitable for ages 2 years old and over, this storytime will cover themes such as animals, nature and the environment. It is free to attend. No booking necessary. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Cantonese/English Bilingual Storytime
Second Saturday of every month at 2.30pm.
It is free to attend. No booking necessary.
A fun and enjoyable introduction to new languages and libraries for young children. Sharing Cantonese and English books and stories with young children can help to build good language, learning and listening skills and give them a head start when they begin school and in life.
Find out more about storytime in ßÙßÇÂþ» libraries.
Reading groups
LGBTQ+ Reading Friends
First Saturday of the month, from 2.15pm until 3.30pm.
ßÙßÇÂþ» Libraries, in partnership with The Reading Agency, will be hosting a monthly Reading Friends group at Guildford Library for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together around a shared love of reading.
Run by LGBTQ+ members of staff, the groups will have discussions and recommendations on a different subject each month. They will always be confidential, supportive, and positive spaces. This group is for adults.
You can express an interest in joining this group by completing our or by speaking to a member of staff in Guildford Library.
Find out more about reading groups in ßÙßÇÂþ» libraries.
Find out about other Reading Friends groups in ßÙßÇÂþ» libraries.
Book groups
- Guildford Library Tuesday Book Group: Last Tuesday of each month, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the first floor.
- Guildford Library Thursday Book Group: Last Thursday of each month, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the first floor
Both are members only, we are currently looking for new members so please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk to enquire.
Other events
Lego club
Every Tuesday from 4pm to 4.45pm.
Cost £1 per child (available to children over 4). Booking necessary, book in person at the library or by email guildford.library@sureycc.gov.uk.
Games nights
Every Thursday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
To coincide with our Warm welcome drinks offering, please join us for new and classic board games, puzzles, scrabble and more.
Free, no booking required.
Poetry hub
Every Thursday, from 10am to 12 noon.
In partnership with the ßÙßÇÂþ» Poet Laureateship, the group will feature writing challenges and discussions, guest speakers, reading time, poetry games, social time, poetry sharing and feedback. Beginners welcome.
Free, no booking required, open to all. Located on the first floor of Guildford Library.
Crafting circle club
Every Friday, from 11am to 12 noon.
Located on the first floor fiction room. Open to all, the Crafting Circle is a space for adults of all abilities to bring along their knitting, crochet and embroidery to learn new patterns, develop their skills, and meet new people.
Free, no need to book.
Suitable for ages 16 and over.
Dungeons & Dragons club
Aimed at ages 9 to 14.
Our first taster session is on Saturday 14 February at 2.30pm. The club will then run monthly, on the second Saturday of the month from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.
At our first session, attendees will be making their characters, getting to know each other, and learning the basics of Dungeons & Dragons.
All sessions will be £1 per child, and all equipment required will be available at the library (such as dice, character sheets and stationary).
Registration is advised due to the popularity of the club. Those interested in joining us should email: guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk .
Creative writing club
Every Saturday, from 2pm to 3pm.
Developing creative writing skills and a love of storytelling in a fun and supportive environment.
We are proud to say that we are also joining the Blue Peter Book Club to give you the opportunity to earn your Blue Peter book badge!
Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years old. Suggested donation 50p, no booking necessary.
Warhammer club
The last Saturday of every month from 3pm until 4.30pm. Next session: 31 January.
Aimed at children aged 7 and over, open to all regardless of experience.
£1 per child, please email guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk to book a space.
Digital support volunteer
For help using your computer or laptop you can book a session with our Digital support volunteer
- Every Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm.
- Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm. Appointment only.
- Every Thursday from 2pm until 4pm.
- Every Friday from 2pm to 4pm.
- Every Saturday from 11am to 12 noon.
Appointment only sessions must be booked in advance by emailing guildford.library@surreycc.gov.uk or in person at the library.
Please see our Digital support volunteer page for more information and to find out which other libraries currently offer a Digital support volunteer service.