Hackney Libraries

🎨 Free Artist Talk
📍 Homerton Library
🗓️ Tuesday 21 April 2026 11am-12.30pm

Join Hackney u3a and Hackney Libraries for a talk by audiovisual artist Jonathan Hogg. Find out about his creativity and fascinating processes, and have a go at making something!

Celebrate World Poetry Day by joining Hackney poets who’ve already submitted their poems to LondonVerse.

LondonVerse is a city-wide celebration of poetry spanning all 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

Share your voice, tell your story, and be part of something extraordinary.

Londoners of all ages are invited to submit poetry and help create a powerful snapshot of the city through words.

You can submit a poem in any language and on any topic you choose.

Need inspiration? The website includes theme prompts to help you get started.

Selected poems will be featured in libraries across your borough and at events throughout the year.

Celebrating the rich, diverse voices of London’s communities in verse.

Visit https://londonverse.org/ to submit your poem.

🎶🎹🎵 Our generous partners have gifted us a brand new hybrid, digital piano for users to play!

It’s free to use, has two headphone jacks (so you can play in pairs), and library members can borrow headphones and music scores from the reception desk.

….its also free to join the library, so what are you waiting for! …you could be the next 🎵🎹🎶

*Deschanel Gordon is a prominent Jazz pianist, born and raised in Hackney, and discovered today by the library team when making this post!

Full STEAM Ahead ⚙️🔬🎭💿

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics: This year we celebrate Women’s History Month with ten books about women who lead, open doors and break conventions in male-dominated fields.

https://www.lovehackney.uk/reading-lists/full-steam-ahead

We are officially OPEN! 🎉 Hackney Central Library has reopened its doors and the response has been incredible!

A huge thanks to the 150 people who attended our grand reopening on Thursday, and a massive welcome to the 300 people who have signed up to join the library since it reopened!

Alongside all the beautiful books, the new library also features plants, murals, exhibitions, and artworks, and even a mini grand piano. 🎹

A special shout-out to the talented artists and the children from and House, who helped create the inspiring mural, which was celebrated by the and TV personality

Thank you to for reading the James Berry poem ‘To Travel This Ship’ that also gives the name to the incredible mural by .

It was wonderful to have local and national legends , , , and attend, many taking to the mic to share their personal stories about the power of libraries.

The Mayor and Councillors delivered a passionate speech before cutting the ribbon surrounded by our wonderful community.

Thank you to all our partners for joining the celebration, including as well as colleagues from across the and representatives from Lewisham, Sutton, Bexley, Waltham Forest, Camden and Essex Library services.

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous funding and donations at Casio and finally, to who delivered our vision for the new library so beautifully.

Come visit us soon! 📚

Half term is here and Hackney Libraries have a packed schedule of free events – starting today!

Come along for…
🫟 Creative craft sessions
🗺️ Storytimes and reading groups
📖 Study & reading spaces for everyone

📍 All Hackney library branches (Clapton, Dalston CLR James, Hackney Central, Homerton, Shoreditch, Stamford Hill and Woodberry Down)
📅 Starting today, throughout half term
💰 Free

❄️ What’s on at your local library over the holidays? No need to book, just come along!

Stamford Hill Library N16 6SB

💌 Make a Christmas Card
Monday 22 December 2pm – 3pm

🎄Make a Christmas Bauble
Tuesday 23 December 2pm – 3pm

🎲 Festive Games Club
Wednesday 24 December 12pm – 2pm
Saturday 27 December 12pm – 2pm

💙 For our full programme visit lovehackney.uk/hackney-libraries

☕️ Looking for a cup of tea or coffee to warm up your December mornings?

🏫 Lots of our libraries are hosting coffee mornings from 10.30am–12pm – send us a message or go to lovehackney.uk/hackney-libraries to find out where your next local coffee morning is!

❄️ What’s on at your local library over the holidays? No need to book, just come along!

Shoreditch Library N1 6LP

🎄 Make a Christmas Decoration
Saturday 20 December 4pm – 5pm

🐻 Make a Festive Puppet
Monday 22 December 2pm – 3pm

💌 Make a Christmas Card
Tuesday 23 December 2pm – 3pm