A PROGRAMME of free events is taking place in libraries across the county over the coming weeks.
Adults and children are being invited to visit their local library this winter to enjoy festive craft activities, songs and story sessions, author events and storytelling experiences.
On various dates leading up to Christmas, children can enjoy free drop-in craft sessions in many libraries across East Sussex to make mosaic snowmen, festive tree cards, paper plate baubles, or brussel sprout pom poms.
Festive treasure hunts and colouring sessions will be held on 20 December, and younger children can also enjoy festive songs and stories on selected dates in the run up to Christmas.
For a special Christmas treat, adults and children can enjoy a magical midwinter storytelling and candle craft session with eco storyteller Joanna Gilar on Saturday, 13 December at Uckfield Library.
On Saturday, 20 December, people are invited to embrace the Christmas spirit and join the Eastbourne and Hastings library teams for abridged readings of the Charles Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’.
The crafting fun continues after Christmas with thank you cards, wintery paperchain animals, and new year crown sessions in selected libraires on Monday, 29 and Tuesday, 30 December and Friday, 2 and Saturday, 3 January.
Events in the new year include Garlic Theatre’s fresh and funny version of the three little pigs, set in Paris. The 3 Little Pig Tails will be staged at Heathfield and Uckfield libraries on 17 January.
Join authors in conversation in February and March. At Lewes library on 18 February, journalist and author Ciar Byrne discusses her novel A Deadly Discovery, which is set in the town in the 1920s.
And at Bexhill library, Luke Smith, Formula 1 and motorsport journalist, talks about the glamour and the stress of motor racing on 28 February, while author Chris Bridges, whose debut novel Sick to Death was shortlisted for the 2025 McDermid Debut Awards, is in conversation on 24 March.
Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and the environment at East Sussex County Council, said: “As the days get colder, we hope to bring a warm glow to residents and visitors with our wonderful programme of free library events.
“I would encourage everyone to visit their local library over the coming weeks to enjoy what’s on offer this winter. You don’t have to be a library member to attend an event, however you are welcome to join your library, for free, during your visit.”
Library membership also gives access to a wide range of e-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines online.
Cllr Dowling continues: “With your membership, you can stay cosy at home and still enjoy the benefits of your local library online via BorrowBox, Libby, and PressReader.”
Library events are free but booking may be required. For more information on the events taking place over the coming weeks, visit the Winter Events section on eastsussex.spydus.co.uk.
To join your local library online today and start reading for free visit eastsussex.gov.uk/DiscoverLibraries.