Practice your email skills at Tudor Drive Library

Pop along to the library in Tudor Drive and practice sending and receiving e-mails and their attachments.  A tutor will be on hand to offer advice and guidance if needed.  The session costs just £1.50 and is on Tuesday 5 October, 10 - 12pm.

London in Bloom award for Kingston

The Royal Borough of Kingston achieved a silver award in the London in Bloom competition this year. A special commendation was awarded for the raised beds in the front of Surbiton Library which this year included a selection of drought-tolerant plants.  The bed was created and maintained by Jeanne, a member of staff at the library.

London in Bloom is the opportunity to show off all that the borough has to offer in terms of public spaces, residential/communal gardens, business premises, nature conservation sites and schools. 

Volunteer roadshow visits Surbiton Library

Interested in volunteering during the 2012 Olympics in London?  Why not visit Surbiton Library next Tuesday (28th) to find out more about it.  A volunteer will be on hand all day to answer any questions you may have.  If you want to apply online, you can access library computers free for one hour per day.  Call in to the branch in Ewell Road, Surbiton.

Introduction to family history online course

New Malden Library is running a short course for people interested in starting their family tree.  Take along some details of family members and the tutor will help you to use the internet to start your genealogical journey.  You should have some experience in internet and computer use to get the most from this course.  Tickets are just £6 and the course runs on Monday 27 September 2 - 4pm.  To book a place telephone 020 8547 6490 or call in to the branch in Kingston Road, New Malden.

How to Google

 Kingston Library is running a session covering the basics of using the Google search engine to find things on the internet.  The sessions will be on  Wednesday 22 September, 9.30- 11.30am and costs just £1.50.  To book a place telephone 020 8547 6400 or call in to the branch at Fairfield Road, Kingston

IT and Biscuits

New Malden and Surbiton libraries are inviting you to attend an IT and Biscuits, which is a drop in session for older library users interested in finding out more about using the library computers. The IT officer will be on hand to give advice about safety online.

Dates are:

New Malden Library (Kingston Road, New Malden): Tuesday 21 September 3 - 4.30pm

Surbiton Library (Ewell Road, Surbiton): Thursday 23 September 10.00-11.30 am.

Internet courses for beginners

Kingston Library is running a taster internet course for novices.  The course covers  what is available via the Internet and the basic features of Internet Explorer.  You will learn how to open a website if you know the address, and how to use a search engine to search for information when you do not know where to start.

The course costs just £1.50 and is on Wednesday 15 September, 9.30 - 11.30am. Contact Kingston Library (Fairfield Road, Kingston, Tel 020 8547 6401) to book a place.

Those wanting a more in depth course may want to attend the Beginners Internet course at Hook Library.  The course is over three weeks starting on Thursday 16 September, 10 - 12noon and costs £18.  This course will cover the basics such as typing in a web address, following links, using a search engine and how to shop safely online.  To book a place telephone 02 8547 6480 or call in to the branch in Hook Road, Chessington.

Trace your family history

 

Hook Library is running a short taster course introducing Ancestry.com.  This is a well-known family history package which is provided free at local libraries, and a tutor will be on hand to guide you through the introduction to the package.  The course is on Tuesday 14 September 3 - 4pm, costs just £3 and booking is advisable.  Telephone 020 8547 6480 or call in to the branch in Hook Road, Chessington.

Heritage open day at New Malden Library

Saturday 11 September, tours start at 11am and 3.30pm

As part of the national Heritage Open Days weekend, all are welcome to a free walk and talk around the library with the library manager pointing out some interesting architectural and historical features of this Grade II building in Kingston Road, New Malden.

Share your love of libraries

A new website has been launched to give people a chance to speak up for their local libraries.  Voices for the Library is a place for everyone who loves libraries to share their stories and experiences of the value of public libraries.

Stories like Mandy’s, who used public library resources to educate herself and build a successful career. Stories like these from Gateshead, where the public library is working in partnerships with a variety of community organisations.

Voices for the Library provides balanced information, and an insight into why librarians are important for the future of the public library.

Visit the website here and read about how libraries have changed people's lives.  And if you have a story to tell let us know and we can pass it on.

It's never too late to learn

Two libraries in the borough are each running  four week computer courses called 'It's never too late to learn' for complete beginners.


The courses cover using a mouse and keyboard, basic word processing, such as creating a document, printing, saving and editing, and beginners Internet, which includes learning how to visit named websites and use a search engine.

Each course cost just £24 and are at the following branches:

Friday 10 September, 10am 12 midday, Old Malden Library, Church Road, Worcester Park, telephone 020 8547 6467

Saturday 11 September, 1.45pm - 3.45pm, Hook Library, Hook Road, Chessington, telephone 020 8547 6480

Learn touch typing at Hook Library

Hook Library is running an introductory session to their online touch typing programme on Tuesday 7 September, 10am - 12 noon.  The session is run by a qualified IT trainer who will gently guide participants through the process.  The session is suitable for all levels, and costs just £1.50.

Telephone 020 8547 6480 or call in to the branch in Hook Road, Chessington.

Word Beginners course at New Malden Library

New Malden Library is running a short beginners course in MS Word.  This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse.  It covers the basics of opening Microsoft Word, creating and saving a document.   Students will also learn how to change the appearance of text  using the features on the formatting toolbar.


The course is on Monday 6 September, 2-4pm and costs just £9 for the complete 3 week course.  You can book at the branch in Kingston Road, New Malden, telephone 020 8547 6400.

Maisy Mouse visits local libraries

Maisy Mouse will be appearing in person at selected local libraries for stories and activities next week.  This is a free event for under fives.   Maisy will be appearing at:
Tudor Drive Library, Monday 6 Sept, 2.15 - 3.15pm
Tolworth Library, Wednesday 8 Sept, 10 - 11.30am
Surbiton Library, Tuesday 7 Sept, 10.15 - 11.15am
Kington Children's Library, Thursday 9 Sept, 10.15 - 11.15am

To find addresses for these branches click here

Under-five Rhyme Times and Story Times will return to the normal timetable next week at our other libraries.  Click here for details of times.