Family fun at Friern Barnet library this Saturday

Barnet council have put out a press release this morning advertising a fortnight of events in its libraries:

Family fun comes to Barnet libraries

A fun-filled fortnight offering families the chance to learn a new skill kicks-off across the borough’s libraries this weekend (Saturday 15 October).

As part of Barnet Libraries Family Learning Festival, residents are being given the opportunity to try their hand at more than 30 free activities, including learning Chinese, pot planting and dance classes.

The national festival, which this year follows the theme ‘starting new adventures together’, also features a family chess show, creative crafts, local history scavenger hunts, computer workshops and maths workshops.

A special Rhyme Times session will also be held for toddlers to attend with their dads, granddads or uncles.

The African Cultural Association, Barnet College, the Institute in East Finchley and the Maeda Japanese School have all come together to work with Barnet Council’s library service and host the largest ever Family Learning celebration in the borough.

Cabinet Member for Customer Access and Partnerships, Councillor Robert Rams, said:

“Here in Barnet, following significant investment, our libraries have become more than just places to store books. They are at the centre of our communities, offering activities such as the Family Learning Festival, allowing families to come together, enjoy the facilities and events on offer and hopefully also take away a new skill or two. A fantastic array of interesting activities are planned across our library network over the next fortnight and so I urge residents to take advantage of the festival and all it has to offer.”

Barnet Libraries Family Learning Festival runs from Saturday 15 to Thursday 27 October.

For a full list of activities taking place, drop into your local library or visit www.barnet.gov.uk/libaries

Robert Rams' comment that libraries are at the heart of their communities is exactly what the Save Friern Barnet Library campaign has been saying. That is why they want to keep their library open, not close it down as the Council wants to do.

As luck would have it, the campaign has organised an event this Saturday 15 October at 2pm on the green beside the library. Join them for family fun including apple bobbing, pumpkin faces and leaf bookmarks. More details on the Save Friern Barnet Library blog.