Upcoming events at Hackney Libraries
You can find out about regular activities across our Libraries here!
Romance Elsewhere
A workshop with Youjia Qian exploring the Chinese romance novels collected at Hackney Central Library to uncover the hidden diasporic experiences of Chinese-speaking women living in Hackney.
Hackney Libraries Writers Showcase
Join us at Hackney Central Library on Thursday 28 November from 5:30 for a 6pm start for our first Hackney Libraries Writers Showcase!
A Night in Celebration of John Berger
Booker Prize winner, art critic and poet John Berger was a Hackney resident and friend of CLR James, Dalston library’s namesake, and Ken Worpole and Farrukh Dhondy will join us for the evening to speak of their memories of their friendship. We will also be joined by Berger’s biographer, Tom Overton, who has edited several collections on Berger’s work.
A Night in Honour of Gboyega Odubanjo - Readings
Join us for a special night to honour the life and legacy of Gboyega Odubanjo. Includes readings from Kareem Parkins-Brown, Raymond Antrobus, Tice Cin and more.
A Night in Honour of Gboyega Odubanjo - Poetry Workshop
Join Poet and Visual Artist Kareem Parkins-Brown, who will lead a generative poetry workshop using the work of Gboyega as inspiration. All abilities welcome, open to all.
Dr Ronx Presents: How to Save a Life
Award-winning non-binary emergency medicine doctor and TV presenter Dr Ronx is BACK with an essential guide to handle any emergency situation!
Join us for an amazing interactive session, a special guest and even some freebies...
Great for kids of all ages!
An Introduction to Black British Literature
This workshop, An Introduction to Black British Literature, is for anyone wanting to explore some important Black British writers, from ER Braithwaite, Buchi Emecheta, Andrea Levy, and Zadie Smith through to Alex Wheatle.
Mind Book Club with guest Mary Martins
Special session of the Mind Book Club with guest Mary Martins, all welcome! No need to book, just turn up on the day.
What Was Baldwin Doing in Hackney?
Sample the Black History Walks 6-week course on Baldwin showing why he chose to spend time in '85 ungentrified Hackney & the story of his Blue Plaque
Sea Sick: Emily Jones in conversation with author Ruth Taylor
Join Emily Jones in conversation with author Ruth Taylor
Romance Elsewhere
Join this Mandarin Chinese collection workshop at Hackney Central Library
The Last Director of Shoreditch
Join Melanie Parkhill and the Shoreditch Library Reading Group in Conversation with Author Huw Jones
The Spirit of James Baldwin
In this interactive essay presentation, Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa explores the role of Baldwin as a ‘witness’, linked to Baba Esu.
Children’s Black Book Fair 2024
Join the Young Lit Stars’ takeover of Hackney Central Library for the Children’s Black Book Fair!
If Beale Street Could Talk: Rio Screening + Q&A
Jacaranda Books and the Rio present a very special screening of the Barry Jenkins 2018 adaptation on Baldwin's 'If Beale Street Could Talk' plus a post film Q&A
20 Banned Black Films You Need to See: 17 years of African Odysseys
Black History Walks discusses banned Black films screened by African Odysseys since 2007 with facts, statistics and reasons.
Black British Civil Rights, Hackney and GCSE History
An illustrated talk by Black History Walks about the fight for racial equality in Hackney, with links to Notting Hill and James Baldwin
What Will People Think?
Join Hackney Libraries online in conversation with Vedashree Khambete-Sharma for South Asian Heritage Month
Writing the Personal: Powerful stories of empire, race and migration
Join authors Sheela Banerjee and Lucy Fulford in conversation about their books What’s In A Name? and The Exiled.
“Constant Change”: A discussion with the Women’s Group of Headway East London
Join this open conversation about change, and how it affects our lives. Hosted by Headway East London’s Women’s Group.
Dr Ronx Presents: How to Save a Life
Come along to this amazing interactive session with the one and only Dr Ronx!
Headway Writing Group
Come along to this open writing group where the challenge is to try to write a complete story using approximately one hundred words.
Un Amor: Katie Whittemore in conversation with Sara Mesa
Join Sara Mesa and Katie Whittemore for a discussion of Un Amor at Hackney Central Library on Thursday 30 May.
Headway Music Jam
Join a freestyle, spontaneous jam session in the style of Headway East London’s much-loved day centre music groups.
Trans+ History in Hackney
Join poet and librarian Charlotte Geater to discuss Roz Kaveney’s activism and her poetry at Hackney Central Library on Thursday 23 May.
Cecil Gutzmore on novelist Jane Austen
Join Professor Cecil Gutzmore for a compelling lecture on author Jane Austen and the place of slavery in her novel Mansfield Park.
Hackney Impact Presents: Collaborate to Conquer
At this unique event hosted by East End Trades Guild and Hackney Impact, we're flipping the traditional networking script.
If Mi Nuh Laugh Mi Cry! Festival Launch Event
Join us at C.L.R. James Library and Hackney Archives on Thur 4th April, 5 - 7.30pm for the If Mi Nuh Laugh Mi Cry! Festival launch event.
Hazard Night with author Laura Vaughan
Join Laura Vaughan for readings and a Q&A session on her latest fantastic thriller, Hazard Night
Spring Bach: Cellist Pablo Tejedor-Gutiérrez at Stoke Newington Library
Come along for a performance of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach in honour of International Early Music Day, brought to you by the European Early Music Network.
Write Women Into History
Join the Hackney HOWLers at Hackney Central Library for discussions of the local history of women’s liberation.