Sunderland Libraries

03/06/2026

WE DID IT! We sailed the Mackem Sea and traveled all across Sunderland. From Houghton to Washington and then at the City Centre at Sunderland Museum and Wintergardens!!!!
Thank you for having us!
Thank you for sharing our incredible adventure

And most of all THANK YOU for all the incredible friends and pirates that came to join our adventure!

Keep your eyes peeled for more!!!

Special thanks to
And

03/06/2026

Fancy being part of the team behind Culture House Sunderland and our wider library services? We’re recruiting a Digital Systems Administrator – find out more below 👇

📢 We’re recruiting!

We’re looking for a Digital Systems Administrator to join the team at Culture House Sunderland.

In this role (part time, 25 hpw), you’ll lead on the day-to-day administration and optimisation of key digital systems – from ticketing and website content to event scheduling and customer engagement – helping to create a seamless and high quality digital experience.

You’ll also support systems across Culture House and our wider Creative Smart City Hub Library services, working with teams to keep everything running smoothly.

👉 Apply via North East Jobs: https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/_/296852
📅 Closes 11 June 2026

01/06/2026

📚 A weekly read to explore

Our Junior Fiction choice is:

DK Life Stories: Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
Once there was a boy... and one day he found a penguin at his door. The penguin looked sad and the boy thought it must be lost. So he decided to help it find its way home, even if that meant rowing all the way to the South Pole.

We love Oliver Jeffers books! Lost and Found, one of his first publications is a treasure to read for young readers as much as their grown-ups.

29/05/2026

Last week Taiwan Monologue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ won the International Booker Prize 2026! Congratulations!

We have the full shortlist available to borrow from our Washington and Houghton libraries. Those are brilliant reads in translation from authors from all around the world. Pop in to your local library to borrow one of those brilliant work of fiction!

The Reading Agency

29/05/2026

🌈 We had so much fun, we're doing it again! 🌞

Last Saturday we were joined at Houghton Library by local author and local illustrator ! We're so lucky to have this dynamic duo joining us again for Saturday Stories at Washington Library tomorrow 💛

Be sure not to miss out on a special reading of The Ship's Cat, fun crafts and your very own pirate portrait.

📍 Washington Library
🕚 11am - 12pm
🎟️ Free to attend – no booking required

26/05/2026

🛠️ Step into the Maker Space and turn your ideas into a real 3D‑printed fidget spinner!

In this relaxed, beginner‑friendly workshop, you’ll design your own spinner, choose colours, and see it printed right in front of you. Ages 12+.

📅 Fri 29 May, 10am - 12pm
📍 Creative Smart City Hub @ Washington Library
🎟️ £5

Reserve your spot: www.culturehousesunderland.co.uk/events

25/05/2026

📚 A weekly read to explore

Our Adult Non Fiction choice is:

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Dive deep inside the human psyche with this best-seller by one of the world's preeminent historians and thinkers, Yuval Noah Harari. With this sensationally bold book, the author challenges us to question everything we know about being human.

What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us Sapiens?

24/05/2026

🍿 Still looking to get your short film fix? Grab the popcorn and join us for a free family film screening of 13 short films from animation legends Pixar, including award winners and appearances from some well-loved characters, all next week at Houghton or Washington Libraries!

You can catch it across our Sunderland Library venues at:

Wednesday 27 May, 1pm

Creative Smart City Hub @ Washington Library
https://sunderland.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=341605

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Saturday 30 May, 1pm

Creative Smart City Hub @ Houghton Library
https://sunderland.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=341613

Rating: PG. Runtime: 60 minutes.

22/05/2026

In support of Dementia Action Week, the WEAR Friends group used their artistic skills to create beautiful spinning flowers, which led to discussions about their experiences with dementia. They chose the Forget-Me-Not flower to honour the Alzheimer's Society and their remarkable work.

Culture House Sunderland

22/05/2026

⛵ Happening tomorrow! 🐈

Join us at Houghton Library for a special Saturday Stories session with local author Katie Scorah and her debut picture book 'The Ship’s Cat'. Enjoy a live reading and grab a pirate portrait by illustrator Hannah Graham 💛

Free entry, no booking needed. Perfect for ages 3+.
Find out more here:
https://sunderland.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=325039