What's on?

There's something for everyone at our libraries. We offer regular fun activities for children and babies, from story time for toddlers to craft sessions for all ages. Adults can join a range of sessions too – from IT sessions to help you get online, to friendly social groups where you can pop in for coffee and a chat. If you’re an avid reader, why not join one of our regular readers’ groups?

Activities for children

Crafts

Our fun children's craft sessions include activities such as drawing, painting and the chance to make things.

You can drop-in at any of the weekly sessions listed below, or go to the events at our libraries webpage to find our other craft sessions where you need to book a place to attend.

Venue Days and times
Thurnscoe Library Tuesdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Royston Library Wednesdays 11:30am to 12pm
For children under 5 years

Games

Activity Venue Days and times
Board games Royston Library Thursdays 4pm to 6pm
Saturdays 10am to 12pm
Board games Roundhouse Library Mondays 3pm to 4:30pm
Wednesdays 3pm to 4:30pm
Chess club - for ages 8 and over Goldthorpe Library Mondays 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Games club Wombwell Library Saturdays 10am to 12pm 
Games club Thurnscoe Library Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Lego club

Our Lego clubs are the perfect place to develop your creativity and build new friendships.

We provide the Lego, you just need to bring your imagination!

Venue Days and times
Library @ the Lightbox Saturdays 10am to 11:15am
Cudworth Library Saturdays 10am to 11:15am
Darfield Library Saturdays 10am to 11:30am
Dodworth Library Saturdays 10am to 12pm
Goldthorpe Library Saturdays 10am to 11:30am
Grimethorpe Library Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:45pm 
Term time only
Hoyland Library Saturdays 10am to 11am
Mapplewell and Staincross Library Monday 3pm to 4:30pm
Saturdays 10am to 11:30am
Penistone Library Tuesdays 3pm to 4:30pm
Roundhouse Library Mondays 3pm to 4:30pm
Wednesday 3pm to 4:30pm
Royston Library Thursdays 4pm to 6pm
Saturdays 10am to 12pm
Thurnscoe Library Saturdays 10am to 11:30am
Wombwell Library Thursdays 3:30pm to 5pm
Saturdays 10am to 11:30am
Worsbrough Library Saturdays 10am to 11:30am

Reading groups 

Library @ the Lightbox Young adult book club

The club meets twice a month to read, chat and build new friendships with fellow bookworms!

Visit Library @ the Lightbox to pick up our next book and join the club. Meetings last about an hour and you don't need to book a place to attend, just drop-in.

Age guidance is 14+, but all are welcome.
First and third Wednesday of the month 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Venue Group information  Days and times

Story and rhyme

Barnsley Libraries have signed up to the Family Arts Standards – a national accreditation for organisations committed to providing excellent family experiences.

The sessions are aimed at young children and toddlers from 0 to 4 years old and usually last between 30 and 40 minutes. They are free, relaxed spaces for meeting like-minded parents, grandparents, childminders and other carers, supported by the libraries' helpful and friendly staff. Watch our video about story and rhyme sessions.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Venue Days and times
Library @ the Lightbox Mondays 11am
Tuesdays 10am
Thursdays 2pm
Fridays 10am
Cudworth Library Mondays 2pm
Cudworth Library Thursdays 10am to 10:45am
Darfield Library Thursdays 10:30am
Dodworth Library Fridays 11am
Goldthorpe Library Tuesdays 1:30pm
Grimethorpe Library Fridays 10:30am to 11:30am 
term time only
Hoyland Library Mondays 10am
Thursdays 10am
Mapplewell and Staincross Library Wednesdays 10am
Fridays 10am
Penistone Library Thursdays 10am
Royston Library Wednesdays 11am
Thursdays 11am
Roundhouse Library Mondays 2pm
Thursdays 10am
Thurnscoe Library Mondays 2pm
Wombwell Library Tuesdays 10am
Wombwell Library Every Friday at 10am
Worsbrough Library Mondays 2pm

Other activities

Activity Venue Days and times Additional information
Code club Library @ the Lightbox Saturdays
10am to 11:30am

Giving young people aged 9 to 13 the opportunity to make their first steps into the world of coding in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Colouring club Thurnscoe Library Saturdays
10am to 11:30am
 
Colouring club Grimethorpe Library Thursdays
3:30pm to 4:45pm 
Term time only. 
Home schooling group Thurnscoe Library Mondays
10am to 1pm
Group for home schooling families to meet up with each other.
Homework club Dodworth Library Mondays
3:30pm to 4:30pm
For children aged 11 or over.
Sensory play time Hoyland Library Tuesdays
10am to 11am
 
Beginners crochet club Library @ the Lightbox Every two weeks on Wednesdays 4pm to 5pm  A session for under 16s teaching the basics of crochet. 

Activities for adults

Computers and internet

Learn how to use a computer and the internet by signing up for a free Learn My Way self-paced course. 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 online. You can access the website at home or use one of our Public PCs to access the modules at any time. Pre-booking a computer is advised via Netloan, just log in with your library membership number and PIN.

Alternatively, if you prefer to learn with a group, join a weekly drop-in session at any of the following libraries:

Venue Day  Time
Library @ the Lightbox
Meet in IT suite
Wednesday  10am to 11:30am

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 Darfield Library 10am to 12pm
Knit and natter Dodworth Library 10am to 12pm
Ladies who craft Thurnscoe Library 10am to 12pm
Sewing group Penistone Library 10am to 12:30pm
Knit and natter Wombwell Library 10am to 11am
Adult art group Cudworth Library 3pm to 5pm
Knit and natter Roundhouse Library 10am to 12pm

Tuesday

Activity Venue Time
Adult crafts Hoyland Library 1pm to 3pm
Crafts 'n' chat  Worsbrough Library 10am to 12pm
Crafty chat Royston Library 10am to 11:30am
Crochet group Mapplewell and Staincross Library 5pm to 6:45pm. Every first and third Tuesday of the month

Wednesday

Activity Venue Time
Knit and natter Mapplewell and Staincross Library 2pm to 4pm
Adult crafts Penistone Library 9:30am to 11:45am

Thursday

Activity Venue Time
Rag rug group Penistone Library 1pm to 3pm
Ladies who craft Thurnscoe Library 10am to 12pm
Patch workers Penistone Library 2pm to 4pm, fortnightly 
Craft 'n' chat Library @ the Lightbox 10am to 11:30am
Chat and craft group Grimethorpe Library 9:15am to 12pm in term time
Adult art group Wombwell Library 10am to 11:30am 

Friday

Activity Venue Time
Knit and natter Cudworth Library 12pm to 3pm
Adult art club Hoyland Library 1:30pm to 3:30pm, fortnightly
Embroidery session Penistone Library 10am to 11:30am. Every first and third Friday of the month

History groups

Monday

Activity Venue Time
Hoyland Local History Group Hoyland Library 5pm to 7pm every third Monday of the month

Tuesday

Activity Venue Time
Darfield History Society Darfield Library 10am to 12pm
Family history  Mapplewell and Staincross Library 10am to 12pm 
Wombwell Heritage Group Wombwell Library 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday

Activity Venue Time
Cudworth Local History Group Cudworth Library 10am to 12pm

Thursday

Activity Venue Time
Worsbrough Heritage Group Worsbrough Library 10am

Friday

Activity Venue Time
Family history  Mapplewell and Staincross Library 10am to 12pm
Worsbrough Local History Group Worsbrough Library 2pm to 4pm
Family history Darfield Library 10am to 12pm
Royston Local History Group Royston Library 10am to 12:30pm, fortnightly

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
Hoyland Library 3pm to 4pm First Monday of the month
Penistone Library 2pm to 3:30pm Fortnightly

Tuesday

Venue Time Frequency
Hoyland Library 11am to 12:45pm Second Tuesday of the month
Roundhouse Library 3:30pm to 4:30pm First Tuesday of the month
Thurnscoe Library 10am to 11am First Tuesday of the month
Mapplewell and Staincross Library 4pm to 5pm  Last Tuesday of the month 

Wednesday

Venue Time Frequency
Cudworth Library 10am to 12pm First Wednesday of the month
Royston Library 10am to 11am Last Wednesday of the month
Library @ the Lightbox 5:45pm to 6:45pm Third Wednesday of the month

Thursday

Venue Time Frequency
Dodworth Library 2pm to 3pm Second Thursday of the month
Wombwell Library 5:30pm to 6:30pm Every four weeks
Goldthorpe Library 5:30pm to 6:30pm First Thursday of the month

Friday

Venue Time Frequency
Darfield Library 10:30am to 11:30am Last Friday of the month
Library @ the Lightbox 10:30am to 12pm Last Friday of the month
Wombwell Library 1:30pm to 2:30pm Third Friday of the month
Worsbrough Library 2:30pm to 3:30pm Last Friday of the month

Mindfulness

Bring your attention to the present moment with our mindfulness classes and activities.

Wednesday

Activity Venue Time

Mindfulness session

Goldthorpe Library

11am to 12pm

Friday

Activity Venue Time

Mindfulness colouring

Goldthorpe Library

10am to 11am

Social activities

Our social activities include a range of coffee mornings and games groups where everyone's welcome.

Monday 

Activity Venue Time
Darfield gardening club

Darfield Library

3:30pm to 4:30pm

Parent social group

Goldthorpe Library

9:30am to 10:30am

Quiz, games and coffee session

Goldthorpe Library

11am to 12pm 

Hoyland gardening club

Hoyland Library

4:30pm to 6:30pm, every second Monday of the month

Board game afternoon Penistone Library

1:30pm to 3:30pm, fortnightly

Board games drop-in Library @ the Lightbox

4:30pm to 6:30pm

Board games

Cudworth Library

5pm to 6:30pm

Tuesday

Activity Venue Time
Music and Memories Library @ the Lightbox 2pm to 3:30pm, every second Tuesday of the month

Wednesday 

Activity Venue Time
Dungeons and Dragons Club Library @ the Lightbox Every fortnight 4:30pm to 6:30pm. 
Dive into a world of imagination and excitement in our Dungeons and Dragons groups! Whether you're a first time player eager to explore the basics or a seasoned adventurer read for new challenges, our sessions are designed to welcome everyone.  
Beyond Words Book Club Library @ the Lightbox Every Wednesday 11am to 12pm.
This is a book club for adults with learning disabilities and their carers. No reading ability is required and all are welcome.

Thursday

Activity Venue Time
Pop-in group with games and crafts Darfield Library 2pm to 4pm
Coffee morning Goldthorpe Library 11am to 12pm

Friday

Activity Venue Time
Novel Voices Library @ the Lightbox 10:15am to 11:30am. A group to enjoy the joys of singing with new people. No experience needed and all adults welcome.

Saturday

Activity Venue Time
Yu-Gi-Oh group Library @ the Lightbox 12pm to 3:45pm

 

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
Barnsley U3A Worsbrough Library 12pm to 1pm, second Monday of the month

Tuesday

Activity Venue Time
Philosophy group Penistone Library 10:30am to 11:30am, third Tuesday of the month
Poetry group Penistone Library 10:30am to 11:30am, first Tuesday of the month
Tai Chi Wombwell Library 12pm to 2pm
Ancestry group Worsbrough Library 10am to 12:45pm

Wednesday

Activity Venue Time
Writer's group Penistone Library 9:30am to 11:30am, fortnightly
Green Fingers Gardening Social Club Royston Library 2pm to 4pm, fortnightly
Citizens Advice drop in Penistone Library 9am to 12pm, first and third Wednesday of the month 
Shush book club (silent reading) Library @ the Lightbox 5pm to 6:45pm, first Wednesday of the month

Friday

Activity Venue Time
Home schooling group Thurnscoe Library 10am to 1pm