Upcoming events
Summer Reading Challenge 2023: Ready, Set, Read! - Starts Saturday 24th June
For this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, The Reading Agency have teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust to inspire children to discover the power of sport and play through reading.
With free rewards to collect and plenty of brilliant books to enjoy, the Challenge is the perfect summer activity to keep young minds and bodies active over the holidays.
The challenge runs right through the holidays and ends on Saturday 26th August. The challenge is to read 6 books – children can choose their own books and we have lots of new books available!
Every child who takes part in the Summer Reading Challenge will receive a discounted cinema voucher courtesy of the Waterfront Cinema along with their Summer Reading Challenge pack. The voucher entitles the child to a cinema ticket and small popcorn deal at the reduced price of £7. Please see further information below regarding how to redeem your voucher.
The children will pick up incentives as they progress through the challenge and those children who complete the challenge will receive a mini Frisbee, a medal, certificate AND an invitation to our big celebration event in Greenock Town Hall in September. **medals are not suitable for under 4’s – under 4’s will receive a gold medal sticker**
Children who complete the challenge will also be entered into our prize draw to win a Lego Duplo set (for 18m+) or Lego Classic Set (4yrs+).
The challenge is aimed at children aged 4-11 years and we will also be running the mini-challenge for under 4’s.
Children and Families can also participate in the huge range of FREE family events on offer from Inverclyde Libraries. Events include Glasgow Science Centre On Tour, Animal Man’s Mini Zoo, Author visits from Lindsay Littleson and Paul Bristow along with craft sessions and Lego Clubs. More information can be found on our website with the latest information available on our social media. Some events require to be booked in advance with booking to be made via Inverclyde Libraries Eventbrite page which is in the other websites section on this page.
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: summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
Redeeming your cinema voucher
Book Online: Add ‘Child Under 15’ ticket type into basket, once all seats and tickets are confirmed on the discount page enter the unique code from your voucher. Once the code has been entered the ticket will amend from £6.70 to £7. This £7 covers both the popcorn deal and ticket. To claim the popcorn all you need to do is hand over their discount voucher at the counter and we’ll pass over the popcorn deal.
-Buy Over The Counter: Simply bring along voucher, hand it over and ticket and popcorn deal will be discounted at the point of purchase.
Please contact the Waterfront Box Office if you have any queries regarding redeeming your voucher on 01475 732201
Inverclyde Libraries FREE Summer Programme 2023
Launch the Summer Reading Challenge with Wee Storybox – places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite
Saturday 24th June 11am-12pm @ Port Glasgow Library
Join storytelling duo Wee Storybox for an interactive adventure filled with fun! This immersive storytelling session led by larger than life characters includes live music, singing and plenty of interaction. Perfect for sparking the creativity and imagination of children of all ages, but most suitable for children age 5+.
Crafternoons from 3rd July – 11th August – 2-3.30pm
Free drop-in Craft sessions in the library for families on the following days and times during the school holidays.
Mondays: Kilmacolm & Greenock Central
Tuesdays: Greenock South West
Thursdays: Port Glasgow
Fridays: Gourock & Inverkip and Wemyss Bay
Lego Clubs
Weekly Lego Clubs run in all libraries at the following times;
Thursdays 5-6pm
Greenock Central, Greenock South West (Barr’s Cottage) & Kilmacolm
Saturdays 11am-12pm
Greenock Central, Gourock, Port Glasgow and Inverkip & Wemyss Bay**
**Lego Club at Inverkip and Wemyss Bay is split into two sessions – 10am-11am Lego for 5 years + , 11am-12pm Duplo for 18m+
Lego Club sessions are available on a drop-in basis for children and families. Children can play with Lego Classic for 5 years+ and Duplo for children aged 18 months+ (parental supervision is required as Lego Classic for 5 years+ contains small parts unsuitable for children under 3 years). Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Port Glasgow Library – Every Thursday in the school holidays – starts Thursday 6th July 5pm-6.30pm.
Join in the Dungeons & Dragons fun. For young people aged 12+.
Animal Man’s Mini Zoo – Places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite
Get up close and personal with fascinating animals.
29/06/23 3.30-4.30pm Gourock Library
03/07/23 1pm-2pm Port Glasgow Library
13/07/23 3.30pm-4.30pm Inverkip & Wemyss Bay Library (community hub hall)
26/07/23 2pm-3pm Kilmacolm Library
08/08/23 2pm-3pm Greenock Central Library
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
Animal Man’s Chicken Farm
25th July 1pm-5pm.
Drop-in to Greenock South West (Barr’s Cottage) library to say hello to the chickens in the visiting chicken farm.
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
Glasgow Science Centre On Tour
Drop-in to see the fascinating exhibits as they tour Inverclyde Libraries from the Glasgow Science Centre. There’s no need to book.
11am - 3pm in the following locations:
6 July @ Greenock Central Library
11 July @ Port Glasgow Library
20 July @ Greenock South West Library
1pm - 5pm in the following locations:
19 July @ Kilmacolm Library
3 August @ Gourock Library
10 August @ Inverkip & Wemyss Bay Library (community hub hall)
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
Author Visits – Places must be booked in advance via Eventbrite
27/07/23 - 2pm-3pm @ Greenock South West Library.
Author Paul Bristow visits the library to share his journey to becoming a published author and encourages young people to get creative.
01/08/23 - 2-3pm @ Greenock Central Library
Author Lindsay Littleson visits the library to tell us about her latest book Euro Spies along and inspires by sharing her journey to becoming a published award winning author.
Ideally suited to children aged 8 years and over. Places must be booked in advance via Inverclyde Libraries Eventbrite page.
Supported by Live Literature Funding from Scottish Book Trust.
Open Book
Inverclyde Libraries now have two trained Open Book Lead Readers who will launch Inverclyde Libraries’ own Open Book shared reading sessions on Wednesday 30th November 2022.
The sessions will be running on the last Wednesday of the month from Greenock Central Library , 2.30-3.30pm. There is no need to book sessions or read anything in advance, participants can just come along to listen to a story and poem and join in with the discussions in a relaxed, informal atmosphere with a cuppa on hand. All welcome.
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
- Central: Friday 11am-12pm. Call 01475 712323.
- Gourock: Friday 11am-12pm. Call 01475 712340.
- Port Glasgow: Tuesday 11am-12pm. Call 01475 715629.
- Kilmacolm: Monday 5pm-6pm. Call 01475 715621.
- South West: Tuesday 2pm-3pm. Call 01475 715667.