What's on for adults in our libraries

Changes to the library service due to coronavirus

Libraries across H&F will remain closed throughout January 2021 due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19. We will review when it will be safe to re-open for staff and visitors. Our 'Out of Hours' return boxes will still operate when we are closed.

Shepherds Bush library will be closed until 10 February because it is operating as a Covid-19 testing centre.

Please see the library service update page for information about changes to our library service.

Find out about library events and activities you can join online.

Activities and clubs in our libraries

For special events please visit our special events for adults page.

Contact details for all our libraries

Regular activities

Art for adults

Join Carlo for this weekly class where you'll learn drawing techniques such as:

  • posture and hand grips
  • landscape drawing 
  • pencil grades
  • shading
  • proportions
  • shapes.

Shepherds Bush Library, Saturdays, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Term time only.

Business support and advice

Are you thinking about starting a business and need advice? Or have you started a business and need some support? Do you want help growing your business?

If so, we offer free 30 minute appointments for residents and businesses based in Hammersmith & Fulham at Hammersmith and Shepherd Bush libraries.

Appointments at Hammersmith Library are on the first and third Monday of the month from 6pm to 8pm.

Appointments at Shepherds Bush Library are from 5pm to 7pm on the following dates:

  • Thursday 14 November
  • Thursday 28 November

To get on the mailing list please, email business-support@lbhf.gov.uk

This free service is only available to residents and borough-based businesses.

Business support and advice using social media

If you want to know how your business can get the most out of social media, we offer local businesses and start-ups free 30 minute one-to-one sessions with an experienced social media expert.

Sessions are held at Fulham Library from 6pm to 8pm and will be on the following dates:

  • New dates will be available soon

To register email us at business-support@lbhf.gov.uk

These sessions are for residents and businesses based in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Card Making Class for adults

Join Sarah’s weekly card making class

Shepherds Bush Library, Fridays, 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Term time only

Chess club

Hammersmith Library, Wednesdays, 6pm to 7.45pm - adults and children are welcome to attend and sessions are run with the Hammersmith Chess Club.

Coding club

Are you interested in learning code? Monthly sessions for adults aged 16 and over.

Hammersmith Library, monthly on Sundays, 2.30pm to 4.30pm - please check dates with the library

Coffee mornings

Askew Road Library, Wednesdays, 11am. Please call 020 8753 3863 for more information.

Avonmore Library, last Friday of the month - for more details visit the Citizen Advice Hammersmith and Fulham website.

Computer help sessions

Basic computer help sessions are available in the following libraries. Places are limited and you will need to book in advance.

Askew Road Library

Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm - this is a group drop-in session.

On Thursdays we offer 30 minute one-to-one sessions. Please ask staff at Askew Road Library for more information.

Avonmore Library

'TechTalk', free one-to-one computer skills support is available every day on a drop-in basis or by appointment. For more information or to make a booking email TechTalk@cahf.org.uk

Fulham library

Need help setting up an email account or browsing the internet, come and see us:

  • Mondays, 2pm to 3pm
  • Tuesdays, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
  • Thursdays, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Contact Fulham Library to book your 30 minute slot.

Hammersmith Library

Thursdays, 11am to 11.30am and 2pm to 2.30pm

Fridays, 11am to 12 noon

Contact Hammersmith Library to book your slot.

Shepherds Bush Library

Wednesdays, 3pm and 4pm

Thursdays 3pm and 4pm

Contact Shepherds Bush Library to book your 30 minute slot.

Creative writing group

Everyone is welcome and no creative writing experience is required - beginners are particularly welcome.

Hammersmith Library, Sessions are once a month, 6pm to 7.30pm. To book your free place, email libraries@lbhf.gov.uk or just turn up.

Crochet and knitting clubs

Askew Road Library, Thursdays, 2pm to 3pm. Everyone welcome - just bring your own needles and wool.

Hammersmith Library, Fridays, 2pm to 3.45pm.

Fulham Library, Every other Saturday, 10am to 12 noon. Meetings take place in the teen area and the fee is £1 for adults and 50p for children. Please bring your own materials. For more information, email karin.hossack@lbhf.gov.uk

English conversation club

English conversation class for all ages and abilities – join the conversation!

Fulham library, Sundays from 26 January, 11am to 12pm

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) conversation groups

Would you like to improve and practise your English? If English is not your mother tongue and you want to have fun and meet people from all over the world while practising your spoken English, then this is the place for you.

Askew Road Library, Saturdays, 2pm to 3pm

Shepherds Bush Library, Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12 noon. No need to book a place, just turn up. Term time only

Italian conversation club

Hammersmith Library, Runs fortnightly on Tuesdays at 4pm. Meet in the Teen zone.

Meditation

Shepherds Bush Library, Fridays from 6pm to 7pm - contact the library to book your place.

National Careers Service

Free careers advice from the National Careers Service website.

Avonmore Library, Appointments available on Mondays and Tuesdays. To book call 0800 100 900.

Poet's corner

Join poet 'The Wizard' and indulge yourself in the works of a poet's mind; free workshop for experienced and inexperienced poets.

Askew Road Library, First Thursday of the month, 6pm to 7pm

Poetry enjoyment group

Do you like poetry? Do you enjoy reading it aloud? Then the Fulham Poetry Enjoyment Group could be for you. 

The group consists of poetry enthusiasts, led by its own members. We meet once a month for people to bring a favourite poem or two to read aloud, or just to come along to listen and enjoy. It is not a creative writing group for sharing our own poetry. All poems read must be by published poets.

All are welcome to attend the group and enjoy the poetry, however the opportunity to read aloud is limited to group members and the group is currently full. Attendees are welcome to join the membership waiting list.

Fulham Library, normally the first Sunday of each month, 2pm - 4pm. Cost is £1.50 per meeting plus a donation for refreshments.

Do come and see what poetry can do for you!  For more information, or to confirm meeting dates and times, please contact Leila on Fulham.peg@gmail.com.

Police contact point

Visit the local police teams' contact point and speak to your local officers for help and advice.

Shepherds Bush Library, Wednesdays, 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Read and relax reading groups

"Sometimes beforehand I feel restless and anxious - like I can’t settle - but when I go to the reading group I start to relax and feel better." 

Listen to great stories and poems read aloud in our shared reading groups. Kick back, listen, read, chat and have a cuppa.

For more information contact Erin Carlstrom on 07483 972 020 or email erincarlstrom@thereader.org.uk

Hammersmith Library, Mondays, 3pm to 4.30pm

Fulham Library, Tuesdays, 10.30am to 12 noon

Avonmore Library, Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12 noon

Shepherds Bush Library, Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm

Reading groups

There are several reading groups across the borough and we are expanding our provision. Admission is free. Please contact the individual library for further details. Groups are facilitated by library staff and meet monthly as follows.

Askew Road Library

The reading group at Askew Road Library meet on the first Tuesday of the month, 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Fulham Library

There are 2 reading groups at Fulham Library on a Tuesday and Thursday.

The Tuesday group meet on the last Tuesday of the month, 4pm to 5pm - this group is full and currently closed to new members.

The Thursday group meet on the first Thursday of the month, 6pm to 7pm.

Fulham Library also hosts a Spanish and Latin American reading group - this group is currently full and is closed to new members. 

Hammersmith Library

Are you over 50, a carer or both and would like the opportunity to meet new people and share stories, amongst other activities?

If so, come and join Reading Friends - all chit chat and tall tales welcome.

This reading group meets on Wednesdays, 3pm to 4pm.

If you have any questions, contact Hammersmith Library.

There are three other reading groups at this library, that meet on the:

  • second Wednesday of the month, 6pm to 7pm
  • last Wednesday of the month, 6pm to 7pm
  • second Saturday of the month, 10.30am to 11.30am.

If you would like to join any of these reading groups email libraries@lbhf.gov.uk

Reading Round

Come to our new Reading Round, a reading group with a difference!

Launching on Tuesday 8 October during Libraries Week.

No pens, paper or prep required. Come and discuss short stories and poems for fun with playwright Penny Black. 

Reading Round is funded by the Royal Literary Fund.

Shepherds Bush Library, Tuesdays 10.30am to 12 noon.

To book call us on 020 8753 3842. 

Stop smoking support

Free one-to-one sessions available with a specialist stop smoking advisor from the Kick It: Stop Smoking Service.

These sessions are bookable in advance, please call 020 3434 2500.

Hammersmith Library, Thursdays, 1.30pm to 7.30pm.

WorkZone one-to-one sessions

Free employment service that supports local residents looking for work.

Fulham Library, Wednesdays, 2pm to 4.30pm.

Yoga

Contact the library to book your place. You will need to bring your own yoga mat.

Shepherds Bush Library, Mondays, 6pm to 7.15pm.