Westminster Libraries & Archives

27/08/2026

📚 Paddington Library is Reopening

We are delighted to announce that Paddington Library will reopen on Tuesday 1 September.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the closure. We look forward to welcoming you back and seeing our community enjoying the library once again.

💙 We can't wait to open our doors and welcome you back.


Westminster City Council

26/08/2026

Looking back at an incredible achievement this Summer…🏆

Libraries and Archives, alongside our community partner, Paddington Development Trust, took home three P.E.A. Awards, including the incredible ‘Best of the Year’ award! 🎉

Our libraries have been proud to host the project: A Journey Through North Paddington, funded through The Europe Challenge.

Right in the heart of our borough, these wonderful women created an inspiring project, celebrating Paddington and its community, people and stories.

It’s fantastic to see their hard work, creativity and commitment recognised with three well-deserved awards. ❤️🏆👏

26/08/2026

Bank Holiday Closure Reminder. 📢

All Westminster Libraries will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August.

Our libraries will reopen as normal on Tuesday. We hope you enjoy the bank holiday and look forward to seeing you soon.

06/08/2026

Paddington Library Community Forum

Your voice matters! Join us at our community forum to share your thoughts and ideas about your local library. Together, we’ll discuss how we can better support the community and keep everyone informed.

While Paddington Library is undergoing refurbishment, this forum will take place in the Children’s Library after closing time.

🗓️ Wednesday 12 August, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
📍 Paddington Children’s Library

No booking required. We look forward to seeing you there.

05/08/2026

Passionate about literacy? 📚

Queen’s Park Library is looking for a volunteer to run a literacy club for adults who speak English as a first language but would like support to improve their reading and writing skills.

Interested in getting involved? Contact [email protected] for more information.

04/08/2026

Celebrating an incredible achievement! 🌿🏆

Congratulations to Lola May (Paddington Development Trust) and Eman Asir (Westminster Libraries) on their fantastic success at the P.E.A. (People, Environment, Achievement) Awards.

Their inspiring collaboration was shortlisted for five awards and won three:
🏆 Nature
🏆 Evolution of Sustainability
🏆 Project of the Year

The project was recognised for its success to date, impact, and scalability, bringing communities together through a nature pilgrimage and strengthening local connections. 💚✨

04/08/2026

From Old Bean Grows Bak Choy

A Solo Performance about Tracing Roots and Finding Home

Experience a heartfelt, personal story of migration and self-discovery as Yuk-Lan Chan brings to life From Old Bean Grows Bak Choy.

📆 18 August
🕑 2pm
🔗 https://orlo.uk/V0VUv

03/08/2026

Library Talk: Can we grow without our native soil?

The talk stands alone as a reflection on migration, creativity and belonging, while introducing some of the questions from which the performance grew.

📆 12 August
📍 Charing Cross Library
🔗 https://orlo.uk/gLqwh

03/08/2026

Looking for fun, affordable ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? ☀️

With Library of Things, you can access brilliant items like:

🍦 Ice cream maker

🧇 Waffle maker

🎬 Projector + screen

⛺ A tent for back garden adventures

Perfect for playdates, movie nights and garden camp-outs – all for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

💸 Great for saving money

🌍 Great for the planet

👨‍👩‍👧 Great for busy families

📍Available locally – find out what’s available: Pimlico Library of Things | Why buy when you can borrow?

02/08/2026

Compliments to the Chef (in-person)

The first of three local community and history talks at Maida Vale Library, with guest speaker, Lester Hillman

Join us and lecturer, Lester Hillman, at Maida Vale Library as we take a deep dive into Royal Master Cook, Daniell Clarke.

Local resident Daniell Clarke was for three decades Royal Master Cook to Queen Elizabeth I and King James I (VI), spanning two centuries. 🫅 🧑‍🍳

This Summer marks his 400th anniversary and today, on the Feast of St Lawrence, Patron of Cooks, we serve up Westminster links in his story including Regent's Park and the Banqueting Hall.

The Armada, Gunpowder Plot, Shakespeare and custard tarts spice up our offering still further.

Light refreshment will be served during the evening talk

Note: Minimum donation is £1.00. Please consider donating, this helps us curate future cultural and history events in our libraries.

📅 Maida Vale Library
📍 10 August 2026
🕑 6-7PM
🔗

The first of three local community and history talks at Maida Vale Library, with guest speaker, Lester Hillman