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

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! 🥰

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

We hope you'll waddle over to The Forum this weekend! We have a pen of delightful young penguins designed by local schools, plus a large Penguin on The Forum concourse, as part of Waddle-on-Sea. 🐧🐧🐧 Collect your Waddle-on-Sea map at our Reception desk, to complete the trail! #SouthendOnSea

We are recruiting! Southend Libraries welcomes applications for two permanent part-time Library Officer vacancies, primarily based at Leigh Library. For full details, please visit: southend-borough-council.job-essentials.com

This month #Leigh Library #Chess Mates will meet on Saturday 12th July & Saturday 26th July. Just us for a game from 11am-1pm! All adults and children over 5 welcome. ☺️

#Volunteer with us! ❤️💛💙💚 The deadline for applications has been extended to Sunday 15th June. Interested? Aged 14+? Collect an application form from your local #Southend Library, or email: [email protected] #SummerReadingChallenge2025

Love to puzzle? 10 classic puzzles including #Codewords, #Crosswords and #Sudoku have been added to the PressReader platform. Next time you're reading the dailies or your favourite magazine, why not check them out? southend.spydus.co.uk

'The Crafty Ones' is a friendly crochet group who meet every Thursday between 11am - 3pm at The Forum. If you love to #Knit or #Crochet, or would love to learn, but need more assistance than youtube tutorials can offer - why not drop by? A warm welcome from Dennis and the gang is guaranteed!

Customer Notice Kent Elms Library will close at 1pm today, Friday 30th May, due to unforeseen circumstances. Usual opening will resume tomorrow. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Could you, or someone you know, benefit from #FreeMobileData? The Forum is a distribution point for free sim cards to those in the community who may be experiencing digital exclusion. No booking required - simply visit The Forum on Wednesdays or Thursdays, from 3pm - 5pm. #ForumSouthend

Your perfect #Genealogy research tool - a searchable online archive of over 10 billion records, Find My Past encompasses everything from parish & school records to migration & military collections from across the globe; including access to the 1921 Census & the 1939 Register. Available in-library.

Dates for your diary, #Chess fans! The next #Leigh Chess Mates dates are: ♟ Saturday 31st May ♟ Saturday 14th June ♟ Saturday 28th June Boards are provided - just come along and play! 🥰 Suitable for all adults and children aged 5+. #LeighLibrary #ChessPlayer #FreePlay

This month, we offer two brilliant Borrowbox Books of the Month for your delectation! In eAudio format is an extraordinary debut: 'Grief is the Thing with Feathers' by Max Porter. In eBook format, a suspenseful, twist-filled novel: 'The Love Letter' by Lucinda Riley. southend.spydus.co.uk

Brick-building play can enhance a child's motor skills, spatial awareness and imagination, and improve their problem-solving and plan-making abilities. Above all, it's fun! 🥰 Every Saturday four libraries in Southend offer free Brick-building play sessions. Please drop by!

Did you know you can view a collection of 20 spellbinding performances, from Greek Tragedy & Shakespeare, to modern plays, for FREE at your local Southend Library? The National Theatre Collection 3 is available via the People's Network computers. View the trailers at: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

The Borrowbox charts for April have been published! How many have you read? And what did you think? 🤔 Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

The next #Hearing Help Essex support session at #Southchurch Library will be held on Monday 12th May, 10am - 12pm. Book your free appointment by calling the team on 01245 496347 if you would like assistance and advice for the maintenance and cleaning of your #HearingAid.

After a busy week we all deserve a play day! 😃 Saturday Brick Building is available at four libraries every week: ✨ Kent Elms Library ✨ Leigh Library ✨ Shoeburyness Library ✨ Southchurch Library Drop by between 10am-12pm. Suitable for ages 4+ (parent/carer supervision required).

Photos from our last Southend Libraries Presents event, held at Leigh Library on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to local author Mike Lamborn for his company and for sharing his creativity, and to the enthusiastic audience who came along on a sunny afternoon! ☀

If you're aged 14+ and would like to help local children keep reading over the summer holidays, #Volunteer with Southend Libraries! Collect an application form from your local #Southend Library, or email: [email protected]

A big thank you to Ken Worpole and Tim Burrows for a fantastic evening of conversation, at #Westcliff Library last Thursday. A truly fascinating and entertaining discussion! Thank you also to the lovely audience who enjoyed Ken’s insights into #Essex and #Southend through the years.

Do we have your email address? By email we can remind you of upcoming return dates and let you know when your reservations are available to collect. Please speak to a member of staff when you next visit the library. 😊

#QuickReads from @readingagency are short, powerful books by bestselling authors - perfect for ESOL learners, busy lives, or those getting back into reading. Find your next read with Southend Libraries or online. 📚 Find out more: bit.ly/3G04zIv

Say hello to Pip, A Better Start Southend's friendly mascot, introducing local children to 'Let's Get Ready for School' bags - which can be borrowed from any Southend Library. Book bags contain 3 books and activity sheets to help children feel confident about #StartingSchool.