Darlington Libraries

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

📚Coming up this Saturday 6 June as part of Crossing the Tees Book Festival!

Found in the Stack: Reading and Writing the Self at Darlington Library
Join Darlington Library’s Reader-in-Residence Louise Logan-Smith to discover the wealth of material in the archives.

We’ll write in response to archive images. We’ll make found poems and blackout poetry from the library’s own texts. We’ll arrange book spines into something that means something. And at the end, you’ll annotate a historical map of Darlington with your own words, and take it home.

You’ll also leave with a reading journal you’ve already started, and the chance to have your work included in a display here at the library afterwards.

No reading or writing experience needed. You just need curiosity and a willingness to be surprised by what you find!

Click below to book your slot👇
https://www.ticketsource.com/crossingthetees/t-ejjgoad

Photo credit Richard Gaunt, courtesy of Centre for Local Studies at Darlington Library.

Saturday 6 June | 11.00am | Darlington Library

30/05/2026

From the Silver Screen to your Family Tree!

Did you know that silent film icon Charlie Chaplin was of Romani heritage? Like many, his roots were a source of pride and creativity. Ever wondered about the stories hidden in your own family history? Whether you have GRT heritage or are just curious, we can help.
Visit us to use Find My Past & Ancestry for free and start mapping your history
For GRT Family History Enquiries every Friday starting 12th- 26th June 9-4.30pm Centre for Local Studies

30/05/2026

We wanted to share with you some of the amazing resources you can access in our collection in The Centre for Local Studies at Darlington Library so we came up with 'The A-Z of Local Studies'!
We're as far as O, which is for... O is for the Owen Wicksteed Collection.

We expect many of you will recognise this iconic photo of Alex Martino and his ice cream cart on Abbey Road but did you know it was taken by Owen Wicksteed? Owen worked as a dentist but was a very keen amateur photographer and we are privileged to look after his wonderful collection of more than 500 photos of Darlington spanning the 1930s to the 1970s.
You can see them in the library or, thanks to our wonderful volunteers who worked hard to digitise them, you can also view them from the comfort of your own home. Just head to 54196835@N04/collections," rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/54196835@N04/collections, and enjoy!

O is also for Ordnance Survey Maps, Online Resources and Open Days, O yes it is.

www2.darlington.gov.uk/local-studies

29/05/2026

It's nearly June, which means it's nearly time for Crossing the Tees Book Festival!

📚Taking place from 11 - 29 June across the Tees Valley (with some extra events in the build up), including Stockton-on-Tees Libraries, Hartlepool Community Hubs, Middlesbrough Libraries, Redcar & Cleveland Libraries and right here in Darlington Libraries!

Take a look at the line-up in Darlington for the festival ⬇️

Found in the Stack: Reading and Writing the Self
🗓️ Saturday 6 June
⏰11am - 2pm
🎫 Free

Stone Lands with Fiona Robertson
🗓️ Tuesday 16 June
⏰6pm - 7.30pm
🎫 £6/£4 (concession)

Planting poetry workshop
🗓️ Saturday 20 June
⏰10am - 1pm
🎫 Free

An evening with Wes Markin and Helen Cox
🗓️ Monday 22 June
⏰6.30pm - 8pm
🎫 £6/£4 (concession)

Local Author Showcase
🗓️ Thursday 25 June
⏰6.30pm - 8.30pm
🎫 Free

Secure your space and book your ticket online at https://www.crossingthetees.org/whats-on/

29/05/2026

🌟Rhymetime tickets for next half term are now live! Sessions restart next week from Monday 1 June🌟

🎵Cockerton Rhymetime slots are free but booking is necessary ⬇️
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rhymetimes-cockerton-library-tickets-1990384886776?aff=oddtdtcreator

📖Rhymetimes at Darlington Library do not need to be booked. Just turn up and sign in with your library card number

If you do not yet have a library card, you can sign up in advance via this link👇

https://www2.darlington.gov.uk/protected/join-the-library

28/05/2026

There is not long left to take part in the Darlington Mind free mental health awareness trail in Darlington town centre.

Created in celebration of the National Year of Reading by local primary schools and Darlington Mind clients, the trail features familiar Mr. Men and Little Miss characters in shop windows across the town, including our beautiful library!

Each display challenges the labels and stigma often attached to mental health.

- Mr Lazy might be overwhelmed.
- Mr Grumpy might be anxious.
- Little Miss Busy might simply need a rest.

The trail encourages us to look beyond first impressions and show more understanding to the people around us.

For more information and to download a trail map, please visit the website: darlingtonmind.com/events/trail

28/05/2026

🌟Rhymetime sessions restart next week from Monday 1 June and tickets will go live tomorrow morning at 8am (Friday 29 May 2026)🌟

🎵Cockerton Rhymetime slots will be available from 8am on Eventbrite. Spaces are free but booking is necessary.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rhymetimes-cockerton-library-tickets-1990384886776?aff=oddtdtcreator (link will only work from 8am Friday 29 May 2026)

📖Rhymetimes at Darlington Library do not need to be booked. Just turn up and sign in with your library card number

If you do not yet have a library card, you can sign up in advance via this link👇

https://www2.darlington.gov.uk/protected/join-the-library

26/05/2026

🔔The closing date for entries to the Children's Booker Prize child judge competition is fast approaching on 2 June 2026.

This competition is open to passionate readers aged between eight and twelve years old.

Those chosen will join the panel of judges to choose the winning book from eight shortlisted titles! Winning children selected as a judge will win:
- a trip to London for the judging day
- a trip to London for the ceremony where they will be invited to announce the winner and present them with their trophy
- a judges’ medal
- a bespoke portrait by Beano illustrator Nigel Parkinson
- a comic strip produced by the Beano capturing the children’s judging experience, published in the magazine

Visit thebookerprizes.com/children to enter.