Autumn Programme At the Library

As the days start to feel a little shorter and the weather a little cooler, we are pleased to share our Autumn-Winter season programme of creative events and activities to help us to re-connect and keep spirits lifted, as we start to be able to come together again.  With a theme of wellbeing, the programme includes a mixture of online sessions and activities that can be enjoyed at home, walks and talks and outdoor meet-ups. 

Everyone is welcome and everything is free.

Freshly Cut Grass

Dates: 14 September | 12 October | 9 November 

Take a few minutes  out to create a guided imaginary journey led by artist Frances Disley. Over three workshops, Disley will help guide you to use online resources to escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life, and drift off for a bit – without leaving the house, and preferably with a brew in hand. 

Available for everyone to access from the At the Library website, you don’t need to attend the workshops to take part, and you can access the journeys whenever you like. A series of questions will direct you to the theme that is best-suited for you, and there will be sessions dedicated to learning how to create their own experience, playing with practices such as meditation. A pack of herbal teas, bespoke scents and materials and printed versions of all the journeys, is available for the first 15 people signing up.

Click here to join the first workshop.

Remedies for Resistance 

Dates: 23 October

What knowledge do we have within our communities to help us care for ourselves or each other? Do we have our own medical knowledge and natural remedies that have been passed along through family, kinship or through social networks?

During a time when access to methods of care and wellbeing are vital, artist Raju Rage invites you to share your stories or remedies which you use to keep you and your loved ones well. Our At the Library team will lead workshops and conversations to gather local knowledge within the community for a zine reflecting on collective care. Join us for a chat about the things we do to look after ourselves. 

Click here to join the conversation.

The Kitchen Table Collective 

Dates: 2 October | 16 October | 30 October | 4 December 

Have you ever wanted to try making with clay? We have been working with artist Aliyah Hussain to create a collaborative dinner service that you can take part in from the comfort of your own home. We will provide you with the clay, tools, and instructions – as well as access to our Clay Hotline for guidance on making. Through the autumn, you will be able to create your own tableware and other ceramic objects that we use when cooking, eating or growing food.  Together we will make two functional sets – one to be used at home and one in the library.

Click here to join the first workshop.

Chopping Club 

Dates: 7 September | 5 October | 2 November | 7 December | Guest Artists TBC 

Every month we will be bringing you Chopping Club hosted by Niamh and Greg with guest artists. Join us for recipe sharing, cook-a-longs, discussions and walks focusing on seasonal ingredients, adaptable and accessible recipes, and storytelling around food. 

For September’s Chopping Club, we are joined by artist and educator Navi Kaur, who will be talking through her practice and sharing some films with us before we all have a friendly and informal chat. Bootle & Crosby residents will be able to get a free limited edition recipe card designed in collaboration with Liverpool-based artist Sumuyya Khader.

Click here to join us for Chopping Club this month.

Soft Sanctuary 

Dates: 10 October

Last autumn, Bella Milroy created a series of special events celebrating the role of the library in supporting good mental health.  This year between World Mental Health Day and Blue Monday we are delighted to share Soft Sanctuary online. Watch out for podcasts, recipes and online resources that will support you to create your own sanctuary and space for self-care.

Save the date here.

The L Shaped Garden 

After working with Harun Morrison and local residents to imagine a new garden for Bootle Library, we’ll be laying the ground works over the next few weeks so that collaborative designing, planting, digging and working can resume this Autumn, making a space for library-goers, families and gardeners to enjoy. The design of the garden will take gardens in literature as a starting point for planting.

Everything is free and everyone is welcome!

If you want to book a place on a workshop, get involved, or have any questions, send us an email hello@atthelibrary.co.uk or phone/text/whatsapp us on 07751240427. We’re always happy to chat over the phone and provide assistance when getting you set up on digital workshops. 

Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get regular updates about our events. 

Interested in an event and want to keep updated? Follow us on Facebook and stay in touch. All our scheduled events can be found here.