Advance bookings required for most events
WHAT’S ON
Sept 2024 – Jan 2025
A seasonal programme of FREE events from Brent Libraries, Arts and Heritage
UNDER 5 s BOOKTRUST STORY AND RHYME TIME
EXHIBITIONS
The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition
Until Thursday 31 October
Harlesden Library Free
Curated by historical musicologist Kwaku, this exhibition provides an opportunity to see a range of reggae album covers shot at locations across Brent.
Becoming Brent –Decolonising the collection
Saturday 26 October
–Friday 31 January 2025
The Library at Willesden Green Free
This community led project delivered by Brent Museum and Archives explores our collections relating to the British Empire Exhibition of 1924/25 and the ongoing legacies of the British Empire in Brent.
BOOKING
All events are free. Unless stated as drop in, all events require advance booking via the Brent Libraries, Arts and Heritage Eventbrite page. All events take place at library sites unless otherwise stated. To book or for more information scan QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/3jb8zma7
Weekly story and rhyme time sessions for children under 5. Drop in.
Kingsbury Library Wednesdays, 10.45 – 11.15am
The Library at Willesden Green Wednesdays, 11 – 11.30am
Ealing Road Library Thursdays, 11 – 11.30am
Harlesden Library Thursdays, 11 – 11.30am
All sessions take place at these times, unless otherwise stated.
All sessions are drop in unless advanced booking stated.
Kilburn Library Tuesdays, 11 – 11.30am – library due to close for refurbishment late 2024
Wembley Library Fridays, 11 – 11.30am – currently closed for redevelopment, due to reopen late 2024
Please look out for notices in libraries advertising changes to these sessions.
SPECIAL BOOKTRUST STORYTIME AND RHYME SESSIONS
National Libraries Week Sessions in week beginning Monday 7 October
Booktrust Storytime Prize 2024 launches National Libraries Week! 7 – 13 October. This prize, which is in its fifth year, celebrates and promotes the best books for sharing with young children and is part of the BookTrust Storytime pilot. Join us for special activities and freebies,
plus vote for your favourite book for the 2024 prize.
Handa’s Surprise Sessions start the week beginning Monday 14 October
Celebrate Black History Month with a special rhyme time.
Relaxed Booktrust Story and Rhyme time sessions
The Library at Willesden Green Fridays: 4 October, 8 November, 6 December 9.30 – 10am
These bookable relaxed sessions are aimed at families with children under five who need a quieter, calmer environment to explore the library, enjoy storytelling, nursery rhymes and craft activities.
CBeebies BookTrust story and rhyme time
The Library at Willesden Green
Saturday 19 October 1 – 3pm
See full listing on page 10
Booktrust Story and Rhyme time community language sessions:
Gujarati story and rhyme times
Ealing Road Library
Tuesdays: 8 October and 12 November, 11 – 11.30am
Portuguese story and rhyme times
Harlesden Library
Tuesdays: 29 October and 26 November, 11 – 11.30am
Romanian story and rhyme times
Kingsbury Library
Tuesday 15 October and Tuesday 19 November 10.45 – 11.15am
SPECIAL BOOKTRUST STORYTIME AND RHYME SESSIONS (CONT.)
Booktrust Story and Rhyme time Oral health and packed lunch sessions
Learn about the importance of happy health teeth with Maggie the Dragon and her friends, plus find out how to make your child a healthy packed lunch.
Kilburn Library Tuesday
10 September, 11 – 11.30am
Kingsbury Library
Wednesday 11 September, 10.45 – 11.15am
Ealing Road Library
Thursday 26 September, 11 – 11.30am
The Library at Willesden Green
Wednesday 30 October, 11 – 11.30am
Booktrust Story and Rhyme time Speech and language sessions
A speech and language therapist will show you how to use everyday conversations, play and daily routines to support communication and social development in your child.
Kilburn Library
Tuesday 24 September, 11 – 11.30am
The Library at Willesden Green Wednesday 25 September, 11 – 11.30am
Ealing Road Library
Thursday 3 October, 11 – 11.30am
Harlesden Library
Thursday 3 October, 11 – 11.30am
HIGHLIGHTS
Becoming Brent 2024 and 2025
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Brent Council, the Becoming Brent project offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact of the British Empire, marking the centenary of the 1924-1925 British Empire Exhibition in Wembley. Throughout 2024 and 2025 there are opportunities for you to explore Brent’s rich
Kingsbury Library
Wednesday 9 October, 10.45 – 11.15am
National Rhyme Week Sessions in week beginning Monday 11 November Celebrate with your favourite nursery rhyme character!
Christmas Rhyme Times Come and meet Father Christmas!
Kingsbury Library
Wednesday 11 December, 10.45 – 11.15am
Harlesden Library Thursday 12 December, 11 – 11.30am
The Library at Willesden
Green Wednesday 18 December, 11 – 11.30am
Ealing Road Library
Thursday 19 December, 11 – 11.30am
Wembley Library
Friday 20 December, 11 – 11.30am
history and diverse culture - whether its reconnecting with roots or discovering new stories, this project encourages community engagement, learning, and activism for all, across Brent. For more information, visit brentpeoplesmuseum.org or scan the booking QR code on page 2.
Contact the team at becomingbrent @brent.gov.uk
Low Impact Exercise Classes
include yoga, stretch and strength-building. Suitable for people aged 16+. Scan QR code or visit https://tinyurl. com/ytzbyy25 to book.
Unlocking the world of the eLibrary:
A beginner’s guide to accessing Brent Libraries on your smartphone
Join library staff for an interactive eLibrary digital workshop where you’ll discover the range of books and resources the eLibrary can offer. Plus, we’ll support you to download apps to access the eLibrary quickly and easily from your device. Drop in or ask for more details in the library.
Kilburn Library Tuesdays, 22 and 29 October, 2 – 3pm
Harlesden Library Tuesdays, 10 September and 15 October, 2 – 3pm
Ealing Road Library
Ealing Road Library
KUMON
Fun Maths Marathon
Saturdays
5 October 2 – 3pm
26 October 2 – 3pm
9 November 3 – 4pm
Join a Mathathon day for timed challenges and a times table quiz with prizes to be won! For ages 4+.
Coffee Morning
Getting to know the garden
Thursday 10 October 11.30am – 1pm
To book please email wembleycentral@ kumoncentre.co.uk or call 07512 064164
Please provide the following details:
• Dates and events you’d like to attend
• Child’s name
• Child’s age
• Parent/guardian contact number and email address. Out of Sri Lanka Saturday 28 September 2 – 3.30pm
Monday 16 September and Tuesdays, 15 October, 5 and 26 November, 10 and 17 December, 2 – 3pm Kingsbury Library Mondays, 7 October, 4 November, 2 December, 11am – 12noon
Make exercise and movement part of your routine! Join a free Our Parks class at your local Brent library. Classes are designed for people new to or returning to exercise. Classes
The Library at Willesden Green Wednesdays, 9 October, 6 November 2 – 3pm
Boost your mental and physical health while learning techniques to help you save money in the garden. You’ll have the opportunity to take home something to grow, as well as enjoying part of the session working in the library’s garden.
Join Brent Libraries for captivating poetry readings and discussion centred on the groundbreaking anthology of Sri Lankan and diasporic poetry.
STEM CLUB
Wednesdays 4–5.30pm Science, Technology, engineering and mathematics workshops for children aged 8 – 11.
Build a ladybug with flashing eyes!
25 September
Build a bug hotel or trainline
Delivered by HS2 STEM Team
30 October
Creepy craft fun
Tuesday 22 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Come and create a scary monster!
For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
ZooLab: African explorer
Wednesday 23 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
A ZooLab ranger will take you on safari around Africa’s varied habitats. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Family Learning Festival
5 October – 3 November
Build a bridge and learn about engineering
Delivered by HS2 STEM Team
27 November
House of Wisdom
Early Islamic civilization fun STEM workshop
18 December
Family Learning Festival: Gardening workshop
Monday 21 October
11.30am – 1pm
Learn fun garden techniques and help develop Ealing Road Library’s garden into a green space for the local community. For children aged 5 – 11 and carers.
The Family Learning Festival is an annual celebration of the joy of learning together as a family.
Celebrating Black History
Month: Textile creative mask-making fun
Thursday 24 October 10.45am – 1pm
A fun, simple, hands-on workshop from Brent Start. For parents/carers and children aged 5 – 11.
Maximum of two children per adult. Reserve your place at the library.
Spirit of Africa
Sunday 27 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Craft activity delivered by Learning Through The Arts. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Ealing Road Library FILM CLUB
Despicable 3
Thursday 2 January, 2 – 4pm
Animated film screening for ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Harlesden
Library
Coffee Morning
A Harlesden photographer at the British Empire Exhibition
Tuesday 8 October 11am – 12noon
In 1924, individuals from diverse backgrounds journeyed to Wembley to represent their countries at the British Empire Exhibition. Among them were officials and traders from islands in the Caribbean. More than 70 years later a collection of photographs showcasing
them, taken at the time by a local Harlesden photographer, has been rediscovered.
This event is part of the Becoming Brent programme.
The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition curator talks
Monday 14 October
6.30 – 8.30pm
Spirit of Africa
Wednesday 23 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Craft activity delivered by Learning Through The Arts. For ages 5 – 11.
Drop in.
Family Learning Festival
The Family Learning Festival is an annual celebration of the joy of learning together as a family.
Kilburn Library
Coffee Morning
A Peal of Socialism
Wednesday 9 October 11am – 12noon
Monthly evening talks, with an opportunity to hear expert special guests and share your local Brent musical memories. Bring along your own reggae albums with a Brent connection for discussion. Drop in, all welcome.
Creepy craft fun
Thursday 24 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Celebrating Black History Month: Make a fabric rosette
Tuesday 22 October
2.30 – 4.45pm
A fun, simple, hands-on workshop from Brent Start. For parents/carers and children aged 5 – 11. Maximum of two children per adult. Reserve your place at the library.
Come and create a scary monster! For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Coffee Morning
Introduction to digital banking
Tuesday 12 November 11am – 12noon
Join staff from HSBC bank to discover the benefits of digital banking and to learn how to protect yourself against fraud.
A Brent resident for over 40 years, Graham Durham has set his first novel A Peal of Socialism in Cricklewood, Willesden and Kilburn. Covering 1936-45, it examines themes of war, trade unionism, Empire, betrayal, and love through the eyes of five young people.
AIM Literary Festival
2024: Mindfulness and art journaling
Thursday 10 October
3.30 – 5.30pm
Join this hands-on adult workshop led by awardwinning artist and author, Ashima Kumar for an enriching evening where literature meets mindfulness and creativity.
Part of the AIM Literary Festival 2024. aimlitfestival.com
Kilburn Repair Club:
Textile upcycling workshop
Saturday 12 October 12noon – 3pm
Join the Kilburn Repair Club to learn how to transform old clothes and textiles into unique pieces, using sewing, embroidery, and crochet techniques. All materials provided. Please Scan QR code or visit https://tinyurl. com/3bakd7wr to book.
The Catalyst: book launch
Thursday 17 October 4 – 6pm
Join author Stephen C. Lawley for a discussion to celebrate the launch of his thrilling young adult Sci-Fi debut novel, The Catalyst.
Following The Catalyst book launch, join us for: Workshop: Talking to kids about tough topics
Learn practical strategies to discuss difficult topics with your children, inspired by a heart-warming picture book aimed at helping families cope with adversity.
Creepy craft fun
Tuesday 22 October 11am – 12noon
Come and create a scary monster! For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Kingsbury Library
Coffee Morning
Art from the Land of High Mountains
Monday 30 September 11am – 12.30pm
For East and South East Asian Heritage Month 2024 join Art Responders to discover the work of some contemporary Korean artists. Experiment with the ink drawing technique of Elaine Ildan Choi, integrating traditional Korean brushwork with your own personal mark-making.
Spirit of Africa
Tuesday 22 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Craft activity delivered by Learning Through The Arts. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Creepy craft fun
Wednesday 23 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Come and create a scary monster! For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Family Learning Festival
The Family Learning Festival is an annual celebration of the joy of learning together as a family.
Celebrating Black History
Month: Textile creative mask-making fun
Thursday 24 October
2.30 – 4.45pm
A fun, simple, hands-on workshop from Brent Start. For parents/carers and children aged 5 – 11. Maximum of two children per adult. Reserve your place at the library.
African flags and bunting
Friday 25 October 2.30 – 3.30pm
Craft activity delivered by Learning Through The Arts. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Coffee Morning
Introduction to digital banking
Monday 28 October 11am - 12noon
Join staff from HSBC bank to discover the benefits of digital banking and to learn how to protect yourself against fraud.
Coffee Morning
Prostate cancer; know the facts
Monday 18 November 11am – 12noon
For Movember join Orchid
Cancer to learn about prostate conditions, risk factors, signs and symptoms and diagnostic pathways. All welcome.
The Library at Willesden Green
Getting back into work with Shaw Trust
Thursdays 3 October, 7 November, 5 December 11am – 12noon
Join one of our information sessions to find out how the Shaw Trust can help you join the 13,000 people they have supported back into work so far. Drop in.
Unlocking the power of ChatGPT for professional content creation workshop
Wembley
Librar y
Getting back into work with Shaw Trust
Mondays 11 November, 9 December 11am – 12noon
Join one of our information sessions to find out how the Shaw Trust can help you join the 13,000 people they have supported back into work so far. Drop in.
Thursday 3 October 6.30 – 7.30pm
Discover the basics of ChatGPT, a powerful AI tool by OpenAI that is transforming the way we create content. Find out how you can use it to help with writing projects, social media content and CV creation. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop.
Let’s dance - West Africa and the Caribbean
Thursday 17 October
1.30 – 2.30pm
Join Tanya Campbell for a lively and playful exploration of movement influenced by traditional West African and Caribbean dance. Come in light clothing, barefoot or sports shoes.
FAMILY FUN !
Brent Libraries BookTrust cosy CBeebies corner celebration
Saturday 19 October 1 – 3pm
As part of our work with BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, The Library at Willesden Green now has its very own CBeebies corner! Come and take a seat (and a selfie) in the big yellow CBeebies chair and get cosy with a good book.
Spirit of Africa
Monday 21 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Craft activity delivered by Learning Through The Arts. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Family Learning Festival
The Family Learning Festival is an annual celebration of the joy of learning together as a family.
Celebrating Black History
Month: Make a fabric rosette
Tuesday 22 October 10.45am – 1pm
A fun, simple, hands-on workshop from Brent Start. For parents/carers and children aged 5 - 11. Maximum of two children per adult. Reserve your place at the library.
ZooLab: African explorer
Explore Learning: Handwriting zoo workshop
Thursday 24 October
11.30am – 12.30pm
Let our cheeky animals help you with your handwriting!
For ages 4 – 17.
Drop in.
Creepy craft fun
Thursday 24 October
2.30 – 3.30pm
Come and create a scary monster! For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Explore Learning:
Superhero shapes workshop
Friday 25 October
11.30am – 12.30pm
the library for a limited number of children aged 3 – 15. With quieter space to take part in a craft activity, borrow books, explore the museum and the Becoming Brent exhibition.
Family craft workshop:
Becoming Brent
2.30 – 4.30pm
Tull-Warnock; from orphan to pioneering dental surgeon, champion golfer, singer and footballer player, as well as NHS campaigner and member of the Socialist Medical Association, Edward’s life embodies the Black Atlantic history of the Caribbean diaspora in the UK.
The event will feature storytelling fun, including live readings and animated rhymes, craft workshop fun, plus a range of stalls and giveaways. Find out more about how Brent Libraries and BookTrust can support your child’s reading development.
Wednesday 23 October 11am – 12noon
A ZooLab ranger will take you on safari around Africa’s varied habitats. For ages 5 – 11. Drop in.
Help us save the day by using 2D and 3D shapes to create superheroes! For ages 4 – 16. Drop in.
BECOMING BRENT COMMUNIT Y DAY
– a community constantly changing and growing
Friday 25 October
Becoming Brent - Autism-friendly early opening
9.30 – 10.30am
Enjoy an early opening of
Learn why 27 million people visited the British Empire Exhibition one hundred years ago, at what is now Wembley Park. Discover the impact of the British Empire on Brent communities past and present and create a colourful artwork. For ages 3+. Drop in.
Gathering memories:
Becoming Brent
2.30 – 4.30pm
Visit the Brent Archives search room on the 2nd floor to share your memories and experiences about how the British Empire has impacted you. Drop in. For ages 12+ but families welcome.
Edward Tull-Warnock Tuesday 29 October 6.30-7.30pm
Discover the life of Edward
Remembrance Day:
The Unknown Soldier
Thursday 7 November 11am – 12noon
Telling the stories of men and women of Black British Heritage who fought in WWI and WWII, Alison Ray, choreographer, discusses this poignant piece of forgotten history and shares film clips from her own creative work The Unknown Soldier, an interdisciplinary mixed-media performance.
Black History Month
celebrations with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tuesday 19 November 12noon – 1pm
Bluebelle Trio do live music and vocals with jazz classics!
Thursday 12 December 6.30 – 7.30pm Jazz up your party season! With a combination of vocals, violin, clarinet and piano, the Bluebelle Trio has a stylish and lively approach to the music of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, putting a dash of festive spirit into some of the most universally loved jazz classics and adding swing to your favourite Christmas melodies.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Black musical heritage performed by musicians of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reflecting on the immense contributions that Black artists and composers have brought to the world of music.
E-library
Join Brent Libraries to access e-audio and e-books, e-newspapers, magazines, comics, reference and study materials on your device.
Libby Borrowbox
uLibrar y
Pressreader
Contact
Website: brent.gov.uk/libraries
Email: libraries@brent.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8937 3400
@WeLoveBrentLibraries
@BrentLibraries
@BrentCultureSer vice
If you would like to request this information in a different language or format, such as accessible PDF, large print, easy read, BSL, audio recording or braille, email design@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 1234.