2025 Summer Library Programme

‌ r e m m u S Summer

H o li d a y P ro g ra m m e

2025‌ 2025

Castlebay Lionacleit Tarbert Stornoway Full summer programme: www.wilibraries.org.uk/events&news

Get ready for a magical summer of reading, exploring and imagination! The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to keep reading during the summer, ensuring they are ready for a great start in the new school year. Children set a reading goal and collect rewards for reading anything they enjoy. Ages 3-12.

Sign up for FREE at your local library: Saturday 21 June to Monday 10 August

Summer Reading Party

Create It!

Celebrate completing your Summer Reading Challenge. Ask your local library for dates.

Hands-on craft activities designed to get kids exploring books and talking about their favourite stories.

Ages 5+. Some bookings required.

Various dates All libraries BOOK NOW

Activity Stations Drop-in to your local library for Do-ItYourself activities and challenges. Bring a friend & get crafty together!

Ages 5-12 years. No booking required.

Sat 28 June - Mon 10 Aug All libraries

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME - IMPORTANT INFORMATION Children under 10 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Dates and times correct at time of printing. Bookings required for most activities [via Eventbrite or contact your library]. If you can no longer attend, please be kind & cancel your booking online or by phone.

Samhradh Gàidhlig Leugh Còmhla | Read Together

Guided Reading for Gaelic learners Challenge yourself this summer & read your first Gaelic book - join our guided reading club for Gaelic learners.

A1/A2 level.

Wednesdays 5.15-6pm, Stornoway Library Join us for family-friendly Gaelic learning.

Read Gaelic children's books & learn together. Ideal for families with children in GME or who are starting. Parents don’t need Gaelic - come along to learn stories & rhymes, meet other parent learners & build your confidence for the new school year.

Saturdays 2-3pm, Stornoway Library

Learners drop-in Pop in for an informal chat in Gaelic with support from fluent speakers. Whether you’re wondering how pronounce “Ciamar a tha thu?” or want to test your conversation skills, this is your chance. Friendly setting, no silly questions & a chance to meet other learners.

Saturdays 10.30-11.30am, Stornoway Library

Cuimhneachain Alba | Memories Scotland Launching across all our libraries this summer. Join us for tea and conversations to spark memories inspired by historic photos, articles and stories from the library collection.

More information about Memories Scotland: https://memories.scot or ask library staff.

Stornoway Library: Fri 25 Jul, 11am-12pm [English] & 2-3pm [Gaelic] Tarbert Library: Tue 1 Jul, 2-3pm [Gaelic] Lionaclete Library: Wed 9 & 30 Jul, 2.30-4pm [Gaelic & English] Castlebay Library: Thu 31 Jul, 11am-12pm [English]

’S e prògram nàiseanta a th’ ann an Cuimhneachain Alba le buidhnean a’ coinneachadh ann an leabharlannan air feadh na dùthcha. Bidh sinn a’ cur air dòigh na seiseanan againn fhèin anns na leabharlannan gu lèir a bhios a’ gabhail àite san Iuchar agus a’ coimhead air Samhradh na h-Òige mar chuspair.

Ma tha thu dèidheil air cabadaich agus cuimhneachadh air seann làithean, no dìreach airson coinneachadh ri daoine ùra agus na sgeulachdan aca a chluinntinn, thigibh a-steach do na coinneamhan Cuimhneachain Alba againn.

Castlebay Library Thu 3 Jul, 10.30-11.30am Thu 10 Jul, 10-11am BOOK NOW

Lionacleit Library Tue 15 Jul, 11am-12.30pm Tue 22 Jul, 11am-12.30pm BOOK NOW

Tarbert Library Tue 1 Jul, 4-5.30pm [Gaelic] Tue 8 Jul, 11am-12pm Tue 15 Jul, 3-4.30pm Tue 12 Aug, 3-4.30pm [Gaelic] BOOK NOW

Stornoway Library

Thursdays - Gaelic 3, 10, 17 + 24 Jul & 7 Aug 2-3.30pm Fridays - Teens 4, 11, 18 + 25 Jul 2-4pm Saturdays - Gaelic & English 5, 12, 19 + 26 Jul 2-3.30pm BOOK NOW

Castlebay Zines: Citizen Science Find out about the amazing bees of the Outer Hebrides & why they matter to our environment. Learn how to be a Citizen Scientist & make your own zine.

Create, fold, & share!

Ages 5+

Thu 3 Jul, 10:30-11:30am Thu 10 Jul, 10-11am

Ranger talk with Kirsty Marshall Join us at the library for a story and talk with Barra and Vatersay Seasonal Outdoor Ranger, Kirsty Marshall. Discover wildlife secrets and nature tips, and ask questions—perfect for curious kids and families. Free and educational.

Ages 5+ Supported by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service BOOK NOW

Sat 12 Jul, 11:15am

Storytime Activity Stations

Join us for a magical time in the story garden with fun tales and songs for your little ones.

Be inspired by your favourite stories and turn bits and pieces into something cool. What will you make? All ages.

Ages 0-5

Drop-in, no bookings required.

Thu 17 Jul, 10am

Tue 15 Jul, 10.30am-12pm Tue 22 Jul, 10.30am-12pm

Read these!

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Lionacleit Zines: Citizen Science Find out about the amazing bees of the Outer Hebrides & why they matter to our environment. Learn how to be a Citizen Scientist & make your own zine.

Create, fold, & share!

Tue 15 Jul, 11am-12.30pm (Ages 5+) Tue 22 Jul, 11am-12.30pm (Teens)

Story Garden: Art & Seed Planting Join us in the Story Garden for stories and art, and help us plant seeds for growing our library window garden. A hands-on, creative activity for kids and families to explore nature, reading, and art together. All materials provided. Ages 3+

Storytime & Craft Bring your friends for a magical time in the Story Garden with stories, craft & fun.

Ages 3+ Sat 12 Jul, 11am-1.30pm Tue 5 Aug, 2-3.30pm

Bookbug Join us for a magical time in the story garden with fun tales and songs for your little ones. Ages 0-5 Wed 9, 11, 30 Jul & 6 Aug, 11am Sat 26 Jul, 11.30am

Read these!

Tue 29 Jul, 10.30am-12.30pm

Activity Stations Be inspired by your favourite stories and turn bits and pieces into something cool. What will you make?

All ages.

Drop-in, no bookings required.

Tue 8 & Tue 15 Jul, 2-3.30pm Sat 19 Jul, 11am-2.30pm Sat 2 & Sat 9 Aug, 11am-2.30pm

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Tarbert Zines

Gàidhlig

Join our zine making workshop and express your ideas through art and words. Create, fold, and share your unique voice. Ages 6+

Thigibh còmhla ri Sean, Jamie agus Jana airson seiseanan beòthail, cruthachail is spòrsail Gàidhlig tron ​t-samhradh.

Cruthaich, faigh a-mach agus ionnsaich mu nàdar, fiadh-bheatha agus an àrainneachd.

Tue 1 Jul, 4-5.30pm [Gaelic] Tue 8 Jul, 11am-12pm [Bilingual] Tue 15 Jul, 3-430pm [Fantastic Creatures]

Create It!

Tue 1 Jul 11am-12pm: Create a bug hotel, 5+ 4-5.30pm: Zine-making workshop, 6+ Tue 15 Jul, 11am-12pm: Interactive Storytelling, 6+ Mon 7 Jul, 3pm: Rock painting, 5+

Be inspired by your favourite stories and turn bits and pieces into something cool.

What will you make?

Bookbug

Mon 30 Jun, 12-1pm Meditative Drawing, 5+ Mon 30 June, 2-3pm Storyworld: Map Drawing, 6+ Thu 3 Jul, 11am-12pm Crochet for Beginners with Katherine Smailes Sat 5 Jul, 11am-1pm Mad Hatter Tea Party Mask Making, 3+ Tue 8 Jul, 3-4pm Puppet Making, 6+ Thu 10 Jul, 11am Storytime & Craft with Irene Goodfellow, 3+ Thu 10 Jul, 3-4pm Recycled Craft, 6+ Sat 12 Jul, 10am-1pm Story Garden: Scavenger Hunt, 3+ Mon 14 Jul, 3-4.30pm Papier Mache Magical Creature, 6+ Sat 19 Jul, 12-1pm Louisa Macdougall Dragons Thu 7 Aug, 3-5pm De Tha Dol Cover Design Mon 11 Aug, 11.30am-1pm Papermaking, 6+ Tue 12 Aug, 2-3pm Lego Competition, 3+

Mondays, 11am 7 & 14 July, 11 Aug

Teens Get creative this summer and join us for chilled, creative art workshops and hands-on projects for teens only.

Thu 17 Jul, 3-4.30pm Printmaking, 8+ Thu 7 Aug, 10am-12pm De Tha Dol Cover Design Thu 7 Aug, 10.30am-12pm Book-binding, 14+

Read these!

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Stornoway Zines: Citizen Science

Gàidhlig

Join our bilingual Zine making workshops & express your ideas through art and words.

Create, fold, and share!

Become a Citizen Scientist & help save the bees. Ages 6+

Thigibh còmhla rinn airson seiseanan beòthail, cruthachail is spòrsail Gàidhlig tron ​ t-samhradh. Cruthaich, faigh a-machagus ionnsaich mu nàdar, fiadh-bheatha agus an àrainneachd.

Diardaoin 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Iuchar, 2-4f [Zines] Diardaoin 7 Lùnastail, 2-4f [Zines] Dimàirt 5 Lùnastail, 2-4f [Storytelling]

Sat 5, 12, 19, 26 Jul, 2:3:30pm Sat 2, 9 Aug 2-3:30pm

Leugh Còmhla | Read Together

Create It!

Get ready for GME! Family Gaelic learning read together with a fluent guide, meet other parent learners & build your confidence for the new school year.

Be inspired by your favourite stories and turn bits & pieces into something cool. What will you make?

Wed 9 Jul, 2-4pm [Bilingual] 3+ Bug Hotels Fri 25 Jul, 2-4pm 3+ Make your own Fairy House Fri 6 Aug, 2-3:30pm 6+ Illustrating & Character Making

Teens Get creative this summer & join us for chilled, creative Zine workshops for teens only.

Dihaoine/Friday, 2-4pm 4, 11, 18, 25 Iuchar/July 8 Lùnastail/August

Saturdays 2-3pm, Stornoway Library

Story Garden Join us for a magical time in the story garden with fun tales, crafts & games for your little ones. Ages 3 - 10 Tue 1 Jul, 2-3:30pm 3+ Story Garden Storytime & Bookmarks Tue 8 Jul, 2-3:30pm Ages 6+ Storytime (Superworm) & Insect POV writing Wed 16 Jul 11-12:30pm Ages 3+ Storytime & Flower Origami/Flower Crowns Tue 22 Jul 2-4pm Ages 3+ Storytime with Author Louisa Macdougall Tue 29 Jul 2-3:30pm Ages 3+ Fairy Storytime & Fairy Scavenger Hunt Bookbug, Thursdays, 11am

Read these!

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Adults PSrougmrammemr e‌ Summer

e Programm

Guided Reading for Gaelic Learners

Memories Scotland Launching across libraries this summer - join us for tea & conversation to spark memories inspired by historic photos, articles & stories from the library collection.

July theme - Childhood Summer

Challenge yourself this summer by reading your first Gaelic book! join our guided reading club for Gaelic learners.

A1/A2 level.

Stornoway Library: Fri 25 Jul, 11am-12pm [English] & 2-3pm [Gaelic] BOOK NOW

Wednesdays 5.15-6pm, Stornoway Library

Tarbert Library: Tue 1 Jul, 2-3pm [G] Lionaclete Library: Wed 9 Jul, 2.30-4pm [G+E] Wed 30 Jul, 2.30-4pm [G+E] Castlebay Library: Thu 31 Jul, 11am-12pm [E]

Our Freedom: Then & Now WWII Film Screening

Join us for a screening of Battle of the Atlantic to launch Our Freedom project commemorating women of the Hebrides during WWII.

Introduction to Family History Thinking of delving into your family history?

Discover the resources available at your library, guided by experienced family history researcher, Karen Roach. Bookings essential.

BOOK NOW

Stornoway Library Thu 10 Jul, 2-3pm Tue 19 Aug, 11am-12pm Tarbert Library

Read these!

Mon 18 Aug, 2-3pm

Opening with Gaelic songs performed by the Hebridean Women Collective, the postfilm discussion will be facilitated by Kelly Macdonald from the Harris Tweed Authority.

Wed 16 Jul, 5.30pm, Stornoway Library

BOOK NOW

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FAM

ILY HISTORY

New to family history research? Get started with a wide range of free library resources, including access to Find My Past, census records, newspapers, crofting histories & historic maps.

Libraries hold a wide range of records to aid your local & family history research: Newspapers and periodicals Bound volumes and/or on microfilm: Stornoway Gazette Highlands News (West Coast Edition) West Highland Free Press Gairm Eilean an Fhraoich Annuals Nicolson Institute Annuals Am Paipear Historical Records We hold Old Parochial Registers (christenings and marriages pre-1855), Census Returns 1841 to 1901, School Log Books, Croft Histories by Bill Lawson, the Seaforth Monuments documents, Rental and Valuation Rolls.

Maps Stornoway Library hold Ordnance Survey maps of various scales and dates from the First Edition 6-inch issue of 1848, as well as older maps and Admiralty Charts.

Postcards and Photographs Albums of old postcards and photographs are available for reference.

FREE DATABASES

We recommend the following free databases to get you started. Access from home or the library:

Scotland’s People With over 100 million records, one of the largest online sources of original genealogical information. scotlandspeople.gov.uk National Library of Scotland The National Library of Scotland has a wide range of genealogical resources. nls.uk/family-history