Get ready for an exciting autumn filled with dance, storytelling, and author events at Richmond Council's libraries, including Teddington Library.

Whether you're a fiction enthusiast or a non-fiction aficionado, there'll be something special for you to get stuck into.

 The programme of live events includes storytellers, best-selling authors, workshops, crafts, dance and more.

You'll also find lots of activity on the libraries' social media channels to keep the celebrations going, and help you discover reading communities both locally and online. 

 These exciting events are happening across libraries in the borough, and everyone is welcome.

Island Movements

Watch Island Movements perform at the Richmond Library Annexe (Credit: Google Maps)

This is a unique opportunity to see Black British Ballet's epic new performance exploring the impact of Windrush.

Through a pulsating mix of reggae, calypso, and contemporary Black British music, this show follows the story of a young Caribbean soldier in WW2 Britain and their experience of life in the UK.

The 60-minute show includes a Q&A with the dancers and creators.

It is on Saturday 5 October at the Richmond Library Annexe from 5.30pm to 6.45pm.

Tickets are £4.50 for the full price and £1 for concession.

However, the event has sold out.

Psychological suspense at its finest - Louise Candlish in conversation

Louise Candlish will be giving a talk at Richmond Library (Credit: Google Maps)

What better way to celebrate Libraries Week than with award-winning author Louise Candlish?

 Join Richmond Council for an enthralling evening as Candlish explores the intricate themes of family and friendship in her latest thriller Our Holiday.

Set against a picturesque Dorset coastline, this suspenseful tale features murder and betrayal.

Candlish will be joined by the insightful Nikki Smith, podcaster, and author of The Guests.

The discussion will be followed by a book signing in partnership with Books on the Rise. 

The event will be held on Thursday 10 October at Richmond Library from 7pm – 8pm.

Tickets are £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Get Online Week

Get Online Week is Good Things Foundation's annual digital inclusion campaign.

The aim is to help people get online in just one week.

Whether people want to start managing their health online, learn about online safety or learn all about AI, free events are being held across Richmond's libraries for people to get connected.

Get Online Week is running daily from Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October.

Find out more here.

Quality of Love

Author Ariane Bankes will be discussing the extraordinary life of her mother and her aunt, the remarkable Paget sisters in an event about her book The Quality of Love on Saturday 19 October at Twickenham Library.

The Quality of Love is a sparkling portrait of the deep connection between spirited siblings.

In this book, Bankes weaves the story of these captivating identical twins and their friends and lovers, including Albert Camus, Sartre, and George Orwell.

A book signing follows this event in partnership with Books on the Rise.

The event will be running from 2pm – 3pm and tickets are £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Digital drop-ins tour

If you'd like assistance using your tablet or mobile phone, bring it along to one of the council's drop-in sessions.

Staff will be on hand to give you tips so that you can get the most out of your device.

The drop-ins will run daily from Monday 21 October to Friday 25 October.

Find out more information here.

Book Club for Super Spies

Angel Exit Theatre's new interactive performance is coming to Whitton and Teddington libraries this half-term.

The super-secret book club is looking for new recruits to help solve a mystery.

Can you figure out who has been stealing the happy endings from our books?

It's a show full of music, mystery, and mayhem with songs, puppetry, and puzzles, and is the perfect event for 5-to11-year-olds and their families.

The performance will take place on Saturday 26 October from 11am – 12pm at Whitton Library and 2.20 – 3.30pm at Teddington Library.

Tickets are free, but booking is essential

Book Whitton Book club tickets

Book Teddington Book club tickets

An evening with Clare Chambers

Richmond Library is hosting  enchanting evening with Clare Chambers in conversation with Emily Rhodes on Tuesday 5 November.

At this event, you will discover the magic behind her celebrated writing career, including her latest novel Shy Creatures.

This life-affirming story explores themes of love, family, freedom and the transformative power of kindness.

After the conversation, there will be a book signing in collaboration with Books on the Rise.

The event will run from 7pm – 8pm and tickets are £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Greek Myths brought to life - Storytelling for grown-ups

Learn about Greek legends with Wendy Shearer at Twickenham Library (Credit: Google Maps)

Embark on a mythical journey with storytelling virtuoso Wendy Shearer on Friday 8 November at Twickenham Library as she breathes life into Greek legends.

Join Shearer for a mesmerizing evening where the Mediterranean's winds and waves guide you to a realm of gods, goddesses, and heroic figures battling formidable beasts.

At this event, you will experience the magic of one of Britain's finest storytellers live and let your imagination sail to another world. 

The event is suitable for ages 14 and over and will run from 7pm-8pm.

Tickets are £4.50

Book your tickets here.

Crime writing workshop with Vaseem Khan

Do you have a story idea itching to become a novel?

This interactive workshop, led by award-winning author Vaseem Khan, is your chance to dive into the world of crime fiction.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 9 November at East Sheen Library and will run from 10.30am – 12pm.

What you'll discover:

• The essential ingredients for crafting gripping crime stories
• Practical tips for creating and editing your work
• Strategies to make your work shine when submitting it to agents and publishers

Tickets are £8.

Book your tickets here.

Fall of Civilizations

Paul Cooper will be at Teddington Library in November (Credit: Google Maps)

Historian and broadcaster, Paul Cooper, has captivated millions with his Fall of Civilizations podcast. 

In his new book Fall of Civilisation, Cooper's meticulous research and empathetic storytelling paints a vivid picture of societies triumphs and collapses.

Explore history's most profound lessons at this unmissable event in Teddington Library on Thursday 14 November.

A book signing follows this event, in partnership with Books on the Rise.

"Cooper is a phenomenon…a mastery of anecdotage and accessible storytelling'" said the Sunday Times' Max Hastings.

The event will run from 7pm - 8pm and tickets cost £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Conjuring up the past - Elizabeth Macneal and AJ West in conversation

Join Sunday Times bestselling author Elizabeth Macneal and award-winning AJ West for an enthralling exploration of their latest historical fiction masterpieces at Twickenham Library on Saturday 16 November.

This is your chance to peek behind the curtain and discover how literary magicians conjure up worlds so vivid, you'll swear you've travelled through time.

A book signing follows this event, in partnership with Books on the Rise.

The event will run from 2-3pm and tickets are £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Craft your own unique decorations

There will be workshop on Tuesday 19 November at Hampton Library.

At this event, you can learn to make stunning Christmas decorations from recycled books and embrace the joy of crafting with green, sustainable, and reusable materials. 

Led by professional artist Gill Smith who will guide you through the creative process, you'll take home a beautiful, self-made decoration.

All material is provided, and no experience is required, so you can relax and enjoy this gentle and inspiring workshop. 

The event is for ages 18 and over and will run from 10.30am-12pm with tickets costing £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

There will also be another workshop at East Sheen Library on Thursday 21 November at the same time.

Book your tickets here.

And another workshop will be held at Whitton Library on Tuesday 26 November, again running at the same time.

Book your tickets here.

The path to publishing

Aspiring authors and those interested in publishing are invited to attend an insightful panel discussion with industry experts at Twickenham Library on Saturday 23 November.

The event will feature a commissioning editor, literary agent, campaign director and a self-published author.

The panel will offer insights on finding an agent, exploring the publishing process and understanding what to expect at each step of your journey.

A short question and answer session with the professionals will close the session.

The event will run from 1.30-2.45pm and tickets are £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Secrets of the book industry

Dive into the fascinating world of publishing with a panel of experts on Saturday 23 November at Twickenham Library.

Whether you're a budding writer, book enthusiast or simply curious about the inner workings of the industry, you'll love hearing from this experienced panel of professionals.

The panel includes a diverse range of voices, from authors who've navigated the publishing world, designers who craft eye catching covers and the marketing experts behind compelling campaigns. 

The vent will run from 3.30pm - 4.45pm and tickets cost £4.50.

Book your tickets here.

Audiobooks on BorrowBox

Especially for Richmond Reads, the council has hand-picked a fantastic collection of instantly downloadable audiobooks exclusively for Richmond library members.

Romantics can listen to Krystle Zara Appiah's poignant debut Rootless.

If you prefer a more established literary work, Kazuo Ishiguro's Booker nominated Klara and the Sun might be for you.

Non-fiction aficionados might choose Katherine Rundell's award winning Super-Infinite, exploring the extraordinary life of John Donne.

Or for those of you wanting to know more about the Windrush generation (and Playschool babies), you can download Baroness Floella Benjamin's fascinating biography What are you doing here?.

Alternatively, you can download all four books for free. 

Log in to BorrowBox with your library membership details to explore the available audiobooks.