Libraries
All Barnsley library branches are currently closed
Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) all of our library branches are currently closed until further notice.
All of our regular activities and events are cancelled.
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 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.
If you prefer, you can get help on a one-to-one basis at a dedicated session.
Monday
| Activity | Venue | Time | Booking required? |
| One-to-one IT | Library @ Darfield | 2.30pm to 4.30pm | Yes - book in the library |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time | Booking required? |
| One-to-one IT | Library @ Royston | 9am to 12.30pm | No - drop-in session |
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time | Booking required? |
| Basic IT course | Library @ the Lightbox | 10am to 11.30am | Yes - book in the library |
| Basic IT course | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 1pm to 3pm | Yes - book in the library |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time | Booking required? |
| One-to-one IT | Library @ Roundhouse | 9.30am to 11.30am | Yes - book in the library |
| Online basics 6 week course | Library @ the Lightbox | 10am to 2pm | Yes - book in library or email our digital champions |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time | Booking required? |
| Basic IT course | Library @ the Lightbox | 2pm to 3.30pm | Yes - book in the library |
| Basic IT course | Library @ Dodworth | 10am to 12pm | Yes - book in the library |
| Basic IT course | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 10am to 12pm | Yes - book in the library |
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.
Monday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ the Lightbox | 9.30am to 11.30am |
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 |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Darfield | 11am to 1pm |
| Needles and pins | Library @ Penistone | 10am to 12.30pm |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Worsbrough | 10am to 12pm |
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 2pm to 4pm |
| Rag rug group | Library @ Penistone | 9.30am to 11.30am (alternate weeks) |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Dodworth | 10.15am to 12.15pm |
| Rag rug group | Library @ Penistone | 1pm to 3pm (alternate weeks) |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Knit and natter | Library @ Cudworth | 2pm to 4pm |
| Craft group | Library @ Goldthorpe | 10am to 12pm |
Job club
If you're searching for work, come along to one of our job clubs. There's help and advice to find jobs online, help with completing application forms, as well as creating or updating your CV.
There's no need to book a place - just drop in.
Monday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ Grimethorpe | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
| Library @ Penistone | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
Tuesday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ the Lightbox | 10am to 12pm |
| Library @ Dodworth | 10am to 12pm |
Wednesday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ Royston | 1pm to 3pm |
Thursday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ Grimethorpe | 9.30am to 11.30am |
| Library @ Roundhouse | 9.30am to 11.30am |
| Library @ Wombwell | 9.30am to 11.30am |
|
Library @ Hoyland |
9.30am to 2pm |
Friday
| Venue | Time |
| Library @ the Lightbox | 9.30am to 11.30am |
|
9.30am to 11.30am
|
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 @ Cudworth | 10am to 11am | First Monday of the month |
| Library @ Dodworth | 11.30am to 1pm | First Monday of the month |
| Library @ Hoyland | 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Third Monday of the month |
| Library @ Penistone | 2pm to 3pm | Fortnightly |
| Library @ Thurnscoe | 10am to 11am | First Monday of the month |
Tuesday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Hoyland | 11am to 12.45pm | Second Tuesday of the month |
| Library @ Roundhouse | 6pm to 7pm | First Tuesday of the month |
Wednesday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Dodworth | 2pm to 4pm | Every four weeks |
| Library @ Royston | 10am to 11am | Last Wednesday of the month |
Thursday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ Goldthorpe | 10am to 11am | First Thursday of the month |
| Library @ Goldthorpe | 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Every four weeks |
| Library @ Grimethorpe | 1.30pm to 2.30pm | First Thursday of the month |
| Library @ Wombwell | 5.45pm to 6.45pm | Every five weeks |
Friday
| Venue | Time | Frequency |
| Library @ the Lightbox | 10am to 12pm | Last Friday of the month |
| Library @ Darfield | 10.30am to 11.30am | Last Friday of the month |
| Library @ Dodworth |
7pm to 9pm |
First Friday of the month |
| Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross | 2pm to 3pm | Second Friday of the month |
| Library @ Wombwell | 1.15pm to 2.15pm |
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.
There's no need to book a place - just drop in and get involved.
Monday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Culture hub - informal chats about cultures, languages and all things travel-related | Library @ the Lightbox | 4pm to 5pm (fortnightly) |
| Culture hub - informal chats about cultures, languages and all things travel-related | Library @ the Lightbox | 5.30pm to 6.30pm (fortnightly) |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Music and memories - music and singing session for people living with dementia and their carers. Supported by Alzheimer's Society. Session dates for 2020 are: 7 and 21 April, 5 and 19 May, 2, 16 and 30 June, 14 and 28 July, 11 and 25 August, 8 and 22 September, 6 and 20 October, 3 and 17 November, 1 and 15 December |
Library @ the Lightbox | 2.30pm to 4pm |
|
Dementia-friendly games - interactive light games that stimulate physical and emotional activity and encourage social interaction |
Library @ the Lightbox | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Thurnscoe | 11am to 12pm |
Wednesday
| Culture hub - informal chats about cultures, languages and all things travel-related | Library @ the Lightbox | 5.30pm to 6.30pm (fortnightly) |
| Activity | Venue | Time |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Pop-in group - coffee and a chat | Library @ the Lightbox | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
| Pop-in group - coffee and a chat with games or crafts | Library @ Darfield | 2pm to 3.30pm |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Goldthorpe | 11am to 12pm |
| Pop-in group - coffee, a chat and bingo | Library @ Worsbrough | 10am to 12pm |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Wombwell | 10.45am to 11.45am |
| Coffee morning | Library @ Worsbrough | 10.30am to 12pm |
Saturday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Board games | Library @ the Lightbox | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
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 |
| Writer's group | Library @ Goldthorpe | 2.30pm to 4pm |
| Poetry reading | Library @ Penistone | 10.30am to 11.30am (first Monday of the month) |
Tuesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Philosophy group | Library @ Penistone | 10.30am to 11.30am (third Tuesday of the month) |
Wednesday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Writer's group | Library @ Penistone | 9.30am to 11.30am (once a month) |
Thursday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Writer's group | Library @ the Lightbox | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
Friday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Critical thinking group | Library @ Penistone | 2pm to 3pm (second Friday of the month) |
Saturday
| Activity | Venue | Time |
| Yu-Gi-Oh group | Library @ the Lightbox | 12pm to 2pm |