The PPL is a member of the Independent Libraries Association (ILA). Other members include the Plymouth Athenaeum, the Morrab, Tavistock Sub Library & the DEI. There is the chance to meet them and others at the annual ILA conference. This year it will be held at the Portico Library in Manchester.

Talk: Wed (22nd) at 2pm: a virtual tour of Drake's Island £5/£8 members/non-members This talk provides a virtual walk to discover what remains of the Island's defences, barracks & underground tunnels To guarantee seat, contact library at least 24 hrs before event. Otherwise, simply turn up on day

The PPL is looking forward to having a stall for Plymouth Local Studies Day on Saturday 9th May at the Sherwell Centre. The theme this year is "Spies, Lies and Secret Lives." For programme details and to book places, go to: www.localstudiesday.org

Workshops: Watercolours for Beginners. Tue 28th April: 10.30am-12.30pm. Tue 5th May: 10.30am-12.30pm. Tue 12th May: 10.30am-12.30pm. Cost for each workshop: £5/£8 members/non-members. Refreshments and all material provided. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. PLEASE CONTACT THE LIBRARY TO RESERVE A PLACE.

A quick reminder that the Latin and book groups take place on Monday (20th April) at the normal times.

A quick reminder about tomorrow's film at the PPL. More details at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

A quick reminder about tomorrow's film at the PPL. More details at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

The fifth and last PPL workshop for the Plymouth Poetry Festival takes place on Sunday but there is a lot on elsewhere before then. Check out the programme at: www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com/programme

On Friday (17th April) at 2pm, the PPL Cinema Club will be showing 'Charade' (1963) starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. More details and to book a place, go to: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

Workshops: Watercolours for Beginners Tue 28th Apr: 10.30am-12.30pm. Tue 5th May: 10.30am-12.30pm. Tuesday 12th May: 10.30am-12.30pm. Cost for each: £5/£8: members/non-members. Refreshments & all material provided. BOOKING ESSENTIAL AS PLACES LIMITED. PLEASE CONTACT THE LIBRARY TO RESERVE PLACE.

Many thanks to everyone who provided plants and homemade cakes for the coffee morning on Saturday, and indeed everyone who helped and supported us on the day!

The next talk at the PPL is a virtual tour of Drake's Island Wednesday 22nd April at 2pm. £5 for members. £8 for non-members. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hours before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on the day.

The Plymouth Poetry Festival begins today. The full programme is here: www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com/programme

Our next coffee morning will take place on Sat 11th Apr (10.30am-12.30pm). Homemade cakes include a fruit traybreak & chocolate & ginger flapjacks (pictured). It is open to all: £4 each. There will also be both a book sale inside & a plant sale outside. Hope to see you there.

Many thanks to Janet Sellick for her richly illustrated talk yesterday on church woodcarving in Holbeton church. If you missed it, Janet will be giving the talk again, this time in the church itself. More details and tickets at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/all-saints...

There are still tickets available for SOUND: the Plymouth Poetry Festival. More details at: www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com/home

A reminder that the next talk at the PPL on 'Church Woodcarving' is tomorrow (Wednesday 8th April) at 2pm. £5 for members. £8 for non-members.

Not long now! www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com

In April, the PPL cinema club is showing 'Charade' (1963) starring Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn. It takes place on Friday 17th April at 2pm. For more details, and to book tickets, go to: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

New acquisitions for the library thanks to the generosity of members and supporters. These are all on the new book trolley.

The PPL will be open as normal this coming Saturday (4th Apr, 10am-2pm) but will be closed on the 6th Apr (Easter Monday).

PPL talk: 'Church Woodcarving' - Wed 8th Apr at 2pm. £5/£8: members/non-members. Holbeton church in the South Hams has C19th pews and screens that blend in with those of 1480 -1520. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hours before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on the day.

Do check out SOUND: the Plymouth Poetry Festival: www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com It runs from 10th-19th April in various venues including five workshops at the PPL.

Do spend a moment to look a the garden during your next visit to the library. Thanks to two volunteers, everything is springing into life.

Just arrived at the PPL and available for members to borrow next week. The author's father was on the board of the PPL! (p.42).

A quick reminder about the talk on Wednesday (25th March) at 2pm: A Medieval Garden £5 for members. £8 for non-members. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hours before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on the day.

'Totally Unhinged' is a new production company formed by former Plymouth Laureate (& PPL Patron) Laura Horton, and producer Naomi Turner, to give a platform to original work from the South West. Find out more here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/totally-un... The PPL hopes to host some writing workshops.

The Plymouth Proprietary Library is proud to be hosting a series of workshops in April for SOUND: the Plymouth Poetry Festival. For more details and to book places, go to: www.plymouthpoetryfestival.com/programme

Talk: A Medieval Garden Wed 25th Mar: 2pm £5/£8 members/non-members This talk will look at a variety of gardens from the C12th to C15th, & have a tour of some re-created gardens in England & Wales. To guarantee seat, contact library 24 hrs before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on day.

Plymouth Local Studies Day 2026 presents: "Spies, Lies and Secret Lives" Saturday, 9 May 2026 The Sherwell Centre, Plymouth 09:00 – 17:00. Programme and booking details at: www.localstudiesday.org

A reminder that our monthly coffee morning (with homemade cakes) takes place tomorrow (Saturday) between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Cost £4. See you there.

The next Cinema Club showing will be Charles Chaplin's 'The Great Dictator' on Friday 20th March at 2pm. £5 for members. £8 for non-members. For more details and to reserve seats, go to: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

A quick reminder that on Wednesday (11th March) at 2pm, Owen Ryles will be speaking on "Spanning the Divide: Brunel and the Royal Albert Bridge". £5 for members. £8 for non-members. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hours before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on the day.

Details on the March computer course at the PPL are at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

Poetry Afternoon - Ann Gray and David Woolley Saturday 28th February at 2pm. Free for members. £4 for non-members. Ann Gray and David Woolley have published a dozen volumes of poetry between them. They will read from 'Dear Life' and other works.

The next talk at the PPL is "Post-War Industries of Plymouth" on Wednesday 25th February at 2pm. £5 for members. £8 for non-members. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hours before the event. Otherwise, simply turn up on the day.

Find out more about the PPL watercolour group - open to all! www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMKP...

A reminder about the Cinema Club at the PPL: Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton Friday 20th February at 2pm. £5 for members. £8 for non-members. More details at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

Many thanks to volunteers Sally and Lyndsay who are re-upholstering and re-covering PPL seats that have become worn.

Good to see Jemima Laing at the PPL's monthly coffee morning yesterday. #geddonplymouth2029

Lemon squares and parkin will be two of the homemade cakes available at the coffee morning tomorrow (Saturday): 10.30am to 12.30pm. £4 each - all welcome. There will also be a book sale of unwanted donations and duplicate works.

Check out our events on the Plymouth Culture site: www.plymouthculture.co.uk/whats-on/eve... #geddonplymouth2029 #plymouthculture

Our monthly coffee morning takes place next Saturday (14th Feb) between 10.30am and 12.30pm (£4 each for hot drinks and homemade cakes). There will also be a book sale of unwanted donations and duplicate books.

Available at the PPL for members to borrow. And of course the exhibition is on now at The Box Plymouth. #thebox #plymouthmuseum #BerylCook

Good to hear more about the Plymouth City of Culture bid at Drake's Circus at the weekend. There are now postcards in the library with details on how to get involved. #geddonplymouth2029

Next talk: "Post-War Industries of Plymouth" - Wed 25th Feb at 2pm. £5/£8 members / non-members. This illustrated talk by Alan Bricknell looks at the first 3 large companies to set up in Plymouth after the war, Tecalemit, Berkertex & Bush Radio. To guarantee a seat, contact the library beforehand

A reminder that the next talk is by the Plymouth Coastguard Search & Rescue. Wednesday 28th January at 2pm. £5 £8 members / non-members. Hear about how the service has developed in 200 years. To guarantee a seat, contact the library at least 24 hrs before the event. Otherwise, turn up on the day.

Computers: A Beginner's Guide Next session: Security / Passwords / Folders & Farms Thursday 12th February 2026 Places limited so pre-booking essential. £5 for members. £8 for non-members More details and booking form at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

Cinema Club at the PPL: Charlie Chaplin in 'The Kid' (1921) and Buster Keaton in 'The Goat' (1921) Fri 20th Feb at 2pm. £5 / £7: members / non-members. There are only 30 places available & seating is unallocated on the day. You can book a seat at: www.tickettailor.com/events/plymo...

Writing Workshop with Babs Horton Sat 24th Jan: 2pm - 4pm £10 / £15 members / non-members. Join prizewinning novelist and playwright (and PPL patron) Babs Horton to explore your creativity and hone your writing skills. Please contact the library in advance to book a place. Maximum: 15 places.