Upcoming events

Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Story Garden – Starts on Saturday 21^st June!

This summer, we're tapping into a world of imagination through reading, exploring adventure, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling as we celebrate nature and the great outdoors with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge theme – Story Garden!

The Summer Reading Challenge is presented by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries.

The Summer Reading Challenge is primarily aimed for children aged 4-11 years, but children of all ages can sign up! We’ll be running a mini challenge for younger children.

Children can set their own reading goal but are encouraged to read 6 books or more to complete the Summer Reading Challenge.

What are the important dates?

Sign up form Saturday 21^st June.
Finish by Saturday 23^rd August to complete the Summer Reading Challenge.

A launch event will be held in the Drying Green Community Garden at Greenock South West Library (Barr’s Cottage) on Saturday 21^st June, 10.30-11.30am, with outdoor storytelling, crafts and a character scavenger hunt, as well as an opportunity for children to sign up to the challenge and borrow their first books.

How does it work?

All you need to do is visit your local library and tell the staff there you'd like to sign your child up for the challenge. (Children need to be library members to take part in the challenge at the library – it’s super easy to sign up!).
Children will receive a sticker booklet on signing up for the challenge and can collect stickers along the way.
Read 6 books or more to complete the challenge! Any books borrowed form the library will count towards the challenge. They can explore books from the Story Garden book collection or borrow any books of their choice – picture books, long chapter books, short chapter books, poetry books, joke books, information books, comics and graphic novels!

Our library members can also borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from our BorrowBox Service, these also count towards the Summer Reading Challenge (for these titles just let the library staff know what titles children have read).

All children completing the challenge will receive a certificate, as well as a medal. *Please note that medals are not suitable for under 4’s – under 4’s will receive a gold medal sticker*
All children completing the Challenge will also receive an invitation to our celebration event taking place at the Greenock Town Hall in September.
Children can help their primary school be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize! interactive Storytelling visit. The school with the highest number of completers will win a fantastic interactive Storytelling visit for their school.

Children can also take part online through the official Summer Reading Challenge platform where they will find activities games and the book sorter to help find their next read which is linked on this page.

Summer Events for Children and Families

Children and families can also participate in wide range of FREE family events that will be on offer across our libraries.

*Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult

Week Beginning 30^th June – Drop-in Sessions

Monday 30^th June from 2-3.30pm – Crafternoon at Greenock Central and Kilmacolm Libraries
Tuesday 1^st July from 1-4pm – Board Games/Jigsaws at Greenock Central Library (Ages 5+)
Tuesday 1^st July from 2-3.30pm – Crafternoon Greenock South West Library (Barr’s Cottage)
Tuesday 1^st July from 1-4pm – Family Board Games at Kilmacolm Library (Ages 5+)
Wednesday 2^nd July from 11am-12noon – Story Time at Gourock Library (Ages 3-7)
Thursday 3^rd July from 2-3.30pm – Crafternoon at Port Glasgow Library
Thursday 3^rd July from 3.30-4.30pm – Lego Club at Greenock South West Library (Duplo for ages 18month+ and Lego for ages 5+)
Thursday 3^rd July from 5-6pm – Lego Club at Greenock Central and Kilmacolm Libraries (Duplo for ages 18month+ and Lego for ages 5+)
Friday 4^th July from 2-3.30pm – Crafternoon at Gourock Library and Inverkip & Wemyss Bay Library (Inverkip Community Hub)
Friday 4^th July from 2.30-3.30pm – Make and Break Lego at Kilmacolm Library (Duplo for ages 18month+ and Lego for ages 5+)
Friday 4^th July from 2-4pm – Board Games at Port Glasgow Library (Ages 5+).

Booking is required for the following sessions – for more information andto book a FREE place pleased visit our Eventbrite page https://bit.ly/InverclydeLibrariesEventbrite

Monday 30^th June from 2-4pm – Makedo at Port Glasgow Library (Ages 5+)
Tuesday 1^st July from 10.30am-12noon – Dungeons & Dragons for Beginners at Port Glasgow Library (Ages 8-12)
Tuesday 1^st July from 11am-12noon – Story Sacks Session at Gourock Library (Ages 4-7)
Thursday 3^rd July from 2-4pm – Console Gaming (Ages 8+)
Friday 4^th July from 2-4pm – Makedo at Greenock Central Library (Ages 5+)

Open Book

Device Advice

Having problems with your smartphone?
Want to learn more about using your tablet? We can help!

From turning your device on, connecting to Wi-Fi and adjusting volume controls, to using email, social media, staying safe online and browsing the internet, our friendly and knowledgeable staff at your local branch can help.

Book your free one-to-one session by calling your local branch, or for further information email library.central@inverclyde.gov.uk