Libraries
What's on
We run a range of regular activities in our libraries for adults, including IT sessions to help you get online, job clubs to offer support searching and applying for work, and social groups if you'd like to pop in for coffee and a chat.
We host regular readers' groups as well, so if you're an avid reader why not come along and join us?
Computers and internet
Learn how to use a computer and the internet by joining one of our free basic IT courses. Using Learn My Way you'll find out how to use a keyboard and mouse, as well as getting online to find information and send emails.
The Learn My Way online computer courses are available at some of our libraries. See our events at our libraries page for more information and to book a place.
Other digital sessions
Our digital champions also run a range of sessions across our branches, including one-to-one help to get online and increase your confidence using the internet and email, as well as using online council services to apply, report or pay for something.
Find out more about our digital champion sessions.
Conversation cafe
Our conversation cafe sessions are informal drop-ins to help people develop their language skills and improve their spoken English.
The sessions include discussions around topical subjects, as well as about life in Barnsley. Sessions take place every Monday 10am to 11.30am at Library @ the Lightbox.
Crafts
If you're into knitting, crocheting, sewing and more, join us at one of our craft sessions. It doesn't matter whether you're a complete beginner or a skilled crafter, everyone's welcome.
There's no need to book a place - just drop-in.
Monday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Stitches | Library @ Darfield | 10am to 12pm |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Dodworth | 10am to 12pm |
| Sewing group | Library @ Penistone | 10am to 12.30pm |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Wombwell | 10am to 11am |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Adult crafts | Library @ Hoyland | 1pm to 3pm |
| Adult crafts | Library @ Thurnscoe | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
| New Swaine Women's Institute open craft group | Library @ Penistone | 10am to 12pm, second Tuesday of the month |
| Crafts 'n' chat | Library @ Worsbrough | 10am to 12pm |
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 2pm to 4pm |
| Adult crafts | Library @ Penistone | 9.30am to 11.45am |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Rag rug group | Library @ Penistone | 1pm to 3pm |
| Felting group | Library @ Penistone | 1pm to 3pm |
| Patch workers | Library @ Penistone | 2pm to 4pm, fortnightly |
| Craft 'n' chat | Library @ the Lightbox | 10am to 11.30am |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Cudworth | 2pm to 4pm |
Readers' groups
Our readers' groups give you the opportunity to discuss books, authors and genres with others, in a friendly and informal group. They're open to anyone who is, or would like to become, a member of the library.
New members are always welcome and there's no need to book a place - just drop in.
Monday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Hoyland | 5pm to 6pm | First Monday of the month |
| Library @ Penistone | 2pm to 3.30pm | Fortnightly |
Tuesday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Hoyland | 11am to 12.45pm | Second Tuesday of the month |
| Library @ Roundhouse | 3.30pm to 4.30pm | First Tuesday of the month |
| Library @ Thurnscoe | 2pm to 3pm | First Tuesday of the month |
Wednesday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Cudworth | 10am to 11.30am | Last Wednesday of the month |
| Library @ Royston | 10am to 11am | Last Wednesday of the month |
Thursday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Dodworth | 2pm to 3pm | Second Thursday of the month |
| Library @ Wombwell | 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Every four weeks |
Friday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Darfield | 10.30am to 11.30am | Last Friday of the month |
| Library @ the Lightbox | 10.30am to 12pm | Last Friday of the month |
| Library @ Wombwell | 1.30pm to 2.30pm | Third Friday of the month |
| Library @ Worsbrough | 2.30pm to 3.30pm | Last Friday of the month |
Social activities
Our social activities include a range of coffee mornings and games groups where everyone's welcome.
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Roundhouse | 10.30am to 11.30am |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Pop-in group - coffee and a chat with games or crafts | Library @ Darfield | 2pm to 4pm |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Goldthorpe | 11am to 12pm |
| Adult games and Company Club (Public living room) | Library @ Thurnscoe | 2pm to 3.30pm |
Saturday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Yu-Gi-Oh group | Library @ the Lightbox | 12pm to 3.45pm |
Employment support
Would you like to learn new skills, get help looking for a job, or do you want to change your current role?
Through skills and employability support, you can explore opportunities for learning and working that are right for you. By speaking to an adviser, we can help you to achieve your ambitions by creating a personalised plan for your next steps.
Our support is free and available to Barnsley residents from the age of 18 right up to retirement; we have options to suit any age. Please complete the booking form online to reserve your place with an adviser. The first appointments will take 30 minutes and ongoing support is flexible.
Sessions run from 10am to 1pm. Venues and dates are as follows:
- Library @ the Lightbox - Wednesday
- Library @ Cudworth - Friday
- Library @ Roundhouse - Tuesday
- Library @ Wombwell - Monday
To book please email employmentsupport@barnsley.gov.uk or telephone (01226) 775100.
Other activities
Our other activities include writer's groups and exercise sessions.
There's no need to book a place at any of the sessions - just drop in.
Monday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Mindfulness colouring | Library @ Roundhouse | 10.30am to 11.30am |
| Barnsley U3A | Library @ Worsbrough | 12pm to 1pm, second Monday of the month |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Darfield History Society | Library @ Darfield | 10am to 12pm |
| Family history | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 1pm to 3pm |
| Philosophy group | Library @ Penistone | 10.30am to 11.30am, third Tuesday of the month |
| Poetry group | Library @ Penistone | 10.30am to 11.30am, first Tuesday of the month |
| Tai Chi | Library @ Wombwell | 12pm to 2pm |
| Ancestry group | Library @ Worsbrough | 10am to 12.45pm |
| Business information databases and intellectual property support | Library @ the Lightbox | Book a one-to-one BIPC session online |
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Cudworth Local History Group | Library @ Cudworth | 10am to 12pm |
| Writer's group | Library @ Penistone | 9.30am to 11.30am, every fortnight |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Worsbrough Heritage Group | Library @ Worsbrough | 10am |
| Colouring and board games club | Library @ Cudworth | 3pm to 4.30pm |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Mindfulness colouring | Library @ Goldthorpe | 10am to 11am |
| Family history | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 10am to 12pm |
| Worsbrough Local History Group | Library @ Worsbrough | 2pm to 4pm |
| Family history | Library @ Darfield | 10am to 12pm |
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