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Community activities in libraries

Find a group to learn a new skill, or come along to one of our regular craft fairs.

Club di Conversazione

Practice your Italian in a small group with a native speaker. Come and join the conversation with other learners and enthusiasts and gain confidence under the supervision of native Italian speaking volunteers! Speakers of all levels are invited to participate, although previous knowledge of Italian is helpful.

  • Date:
    • Mixed abilities group meets on the second Wednesday of every month
    • Intermediate and advanced learners group meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month
  • Time: 5 to 6pm
  • Location: Zoom

Free event, booking essential. Email libraryvolunteer@richmond.gov.uk to book a place.

French Conversation Group

Join us and practise your French in a small group with a native speaker. Come and join the conversation with other learners and enthusiasts and gain confidence under the supervision of native French speaking volunteers! Speakers of all levels are invited to participate, although previous knowledge of French is helpful.

Currently closed to new members.

Event details:

  • Date: Every Wednesday
  • Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
  • Location: Whitton Library

Make Do and Mend

Our crafty Make Do and Mend classes take place from 10am to 12 noon every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Charges may apply - contact your local group facilitator for further details.

Novel Steps

Would you like to explore the beautiful borough of Richmond Upon Thames while discussing a range of novels?

We meet each month for a friendly and informal small group stroll to chat about books, life, the universe and everything while getting some fresh air and gentle exercise.

This month, we will discuss Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' as we explore Twickenham Riverside.

Event details:

  • Date: Thursday 28 July 2022
  • Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
  • Location: Twickenham Riverside
  • Price: Free, but booking is essential

Book tickets for Novel Steps

Open Gaming Meetup

Whether you are a board game enthusiast or new to the scene, come and join us for a new monthly open gaming event and have fun, meet new people and try a new game or two. Choose from the dozens of games available or bring along your favourite to share.

Sessions run from 10am to 4pm on the following Saturdays each month:

  • First Saturday - Whitton Library
  • Second Saturday - Twickenham Library
  • Third Saturday - Richmond Old Town Hall, Whittaker Ellis Suite

This event is free and no booking is required. Please contact libraryvolunteer@richmond.gov.uk for more information.

Page Turners

During these uncertain times, Richmond Library Service is here to offer you comfort and connection through great literature. We are working with The Reader to bring literature to life in your home, wherever you are.

Our new Page Turner sessions will bring you a wonderful shared reading experience. There is no need to read anything in advance, just join the sessions ready to explore new stories.

Choose a session to suit you. These take place both online and in libraries. No need to book!

Sessions are on:

  • Tuesdays - 10.45 to 11.45am at Castelnau Library
  • Wednesdays - 2 to 3pm at Whitton Library
  • Thursdays - 2 to 3pm via Zoom

Join Page Turners on Zoom

Reminiscence Café

Are you aged over 65 years and interested in socialising in an informal and friendly setting? Do you enjoy listening to talks on history and local interest topics?

Then our Reminiscence Café is just the right thing for you! Each month the Reminiscence Café provides a space to socialise and enjoy talks on a variety of topics by guest speakers.

An Underground Guide to London Place Names

Join us for a cup of tea while speaker Nick Dobson takes us on a virtual tour of London by tube, stopping off to look at the strange and exciting stories behind London place names.

  • Date: Friday 15 July 2022
  • Time: 11am to 12.15pm
  • Location: Whittaker Ellis Suite, Richmond Old Town Hall
  • Price: Free, no booking required

Transform Work Life

Richmond Libraries are working in collaboration with a Careers Development Institute registered practitioner and mentor to help Richmond residents make the most of their career development opportunities.

Event details:

  • Dates: Tuesday 28 June 2022, Thursday 28 July 2022, Tuesday 27 September 2022, Tuesday 1 November 2022, and Tuesday 6 December 2022
  • Time: 10am to 12 noon
  • Location: Richmond Old Town Hall
  • Price: Free for Richmond residents

Find out more about Transform Work Life

Riverside Poetry Group with Babs Lee

Nurture your love of poetry and have a go at writing your own material under the expert guidance of local published poet Babs Lee.

Each friendly and informal session will explore poetry from different authors, followed by a discussion over tea and biscuits, and the chance to write your own poem.

Event details:

Currently suspended activities

In accordance with government advice to limit the spread of COVID-19, the following activities and events at Richmond upon Thames Libraries are suspended until further notice.

17 Shared words

Take a break at our relaxing monthly sessions as we read a selection of non-fiction material together.

You will be under no pressure to read or participate more than you want, and there's no need to read anything beforehand.

Craft fairs

Join us at our wonderful Craft fairs where local crafters will be selling hand made wares, including ceramics, prints, handmade hair accessories, cards, henna and much more.

There  is a craft for everyone! Take part in a workshop and get creative this Spring.

Knot Just Knitting

Join us at one of our knitting, crocheting and embroidery groups. Each group meets twice a month between 10am and 12 noon. Just turn up with yarn and needles to join in.

Bingo Extravaganza

Need a midweek pick-me-up? Eyes down and have a bit of fun! Weekly prizes to be won.

Library Friends Group events

Ham is where the heart is

'Ham is where the heart is' is an exciting new Heritage Lottery Funded oral history project (also supported by Ham Amenities Group and Petersham United Charities) which needs your help to capture unique and fascinating stories.

We need people to be trained to conduct interviews, suggestions for interviewees; volunteers to undertake background research, donations or loans of photographs and memorabilia for copying; help with establishing a website and setting up a learning resource, and much more.

For more information, please visit the Ham is where the heart is website.

In association with Ham United Group.

Coffee morning

Join us in a friendly and welcoming environment and meet new people, share news, and have a chat over a cup of coffee and a biscuit. If you fancy a change from your usual morning routine then we look forward to meeting you!

Up to: What's on in Richmond libraries

Updated: 01 July 2022

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