Library events aim to spark children’s curiosity

There’s a science and technology theme to many of the events at Bath and North East Somerset’s libraries this summer with sessions on crafting Robots & Rockets and Helicopter & Robot Arms.

It’s all in support of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Gadgeteers, which has been created in partnership with the Science Museum Group and illustrated by top children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford.

The challenge, presented by The Reading Agency and funded by Arts Council England, encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Communities, said: “Our libraries play a key role in our communities especially during the summer holidays when they run a jam-packed programme of events. The sessions organised for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge are a good way to help get children reading over the long summer holidays and spark their imagination and curiosity about the world around them.”

Children can join in the fun at Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and Bath Central libraries.  Events include: Fun Science, Cubing Club, Craft Zoomers & Pinwheel Houses and Pinball Machine. There are also various drop-in sessions: Lego Labs for ages 6+ and Creativity Corner for all ages.

All sessions are free to attend and suitable for children aged 4 to 11. To book places on Gadgeteers events, visit the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 post on the libraries blog and scroll down to the events section.

In collaboration with B&NES Libraries and inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge, Bath Abbey is hosting a free Tower Discovery Day on Friday 25 August, with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Children aged 4 to 11 will be able to try hands-on construction activities in the Learning Room including ‘outdoor’ jenga, an arch construction game and building a tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows. You can find more information and book tickets on Eventbrite.

The mobile library will also be out and about during the summer with the Bath Area Play Project visiting Paulton Memorial Park on 8 August and Alice Park, Bath on 15 August. The sessions will run 1 to 4pm.

The mobile library will also be putting in an appearance at the First Steps Community Nursery, Twerton and Southside Youth Centre for private events on 22 August.
Regular events also continue throughout the summer. The Employment & Skills Drop-In sessions at Bath Central Library every Tuesday in August, 11am to 1pm are for anyone who would like help looking for work, training or starting their own business. Staff from different partners including Bath College, Cool Venture, Clean Slate Training & Employment, Curo or Future Bright attend each week.

Art in the Library will feature work from three local illustrator/artists Kate Davies, Penny Ives and Nadine Wickenden. The free exhibition is suitable for all ages and will run until 8 September.

Keynsham Library will be holding a drop-in Conversation Club and English Support for Ukrainians every Monday in August, 10am to 11.30am. The sessions are free and there is no need to book.

More information on all these events at each of the libraries can be found on the Library and Information Services page on the council website.