Libraries are superb places to visit all year round but during October, with its darker days and inclement weather, these warm, welcoming community hubs become especially inviting.

There’s lots happening in North Somerset libraries this October too – let’s take a look…

Black History Month – October

National celebrations will take place throughout the month to honour the too-often unheralded accomplishments of Black Britons in every area of endeavour throughout our history. In North Somerset, Black History Month displays of books by Black authors and about Black history will be in most libraries including Nailsea, Portishead and Yatton libraries.

Green Libraries Week – Monday, October 2 to Sunday, October 8

North Somerset libraries are joining in with ‘Green Libraries Week’, a national celebration of all the positive work around sustainability and climate change happening in libraries across the country. People of all ages can get involved in a host of free, themed events taking place during the week, including special environmentally themed Rhymetime and Storytime sessions. Drop in to Yatton library on Monday, October 2, to get tips from the council’s waste minimisation team.

North Somerset Times: I am Bird by Marie KlimisI am Bird by Marie Klimis

Weston Lit Fest – Thursday, October 5 to Sunday, October 8

Pop over to Weston library on Saturday, October 7 and join in with the Weston-super-Mare Literary Festival – see more at https://superculture.org.uk/listings/weston-lit-fest. You’ll be able to visit a ‘Radical Book Stall’ being hosted by the LGBTQ+ forum between 10am and 1pm. Pre-book to take part in the immersive experience ‘I am Bird’ by writer, storyteller and theatre designer Marie Klimis between 1pm and 4pm. In this special one-off free event, be transported on an adventure across the library, following the extraordinary story of a young bird migrating from West Africa to the UK.

Get Online Week – Monday, October 16 to Sunday, October 22

Free appointments can be booked with Digital Buddies in all of North Somerset libraries for those looking to improve their IT skills and knowledge. Are you having gadget and device issues? If so, to mark the national Get Online Week, stop by at the Gadget Club at Portishead library on Thursday, October 19 between 2.30pm and 4pm to get free help. See https://uk.getonlineweek.com.

North Somerset Times: The new children's area in Yatton libraryThe new children's area in Yatton library

School half term – Monday, October 23 to Friday, October 27

Free family-friendly activities will be on offer in North Somerset libraries throughout the school half term week. For young people interested in Lego, clubs are held regularly at libraries in Nailsea, Pill, Portishead, Worle, Yatton and Weston. Any budding coders of the future should check out Portishead library Coding Club which takes place on Fridays between 3.45pm and 4.45pm. Why not visit Yatton library’s newly refurbished areas for children and young people? In the heart of the village, on the High Street, younger visitors can have fun in the sensory hideaway and discovery cabinets. Or call in to the new library in Nailsea, which relocated to its new home in Colliers Walk in July. To discover more about Nailsea’s new library, visit: https://n-somerset.gov.uk/news/nailsea-library-move

More information about events taking place in libraries across North Somerset can be found on North Somerset Council's website (www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraries) and on social media accounts – Facebook @nslibraries, Twitter @nsomlibraries and Instagram @northsomersetlibraries.