Programs - Adult
Science at the Local Library
Meet a Metahuman: the AI powered next generation learning experience.
Who: Adults
When: Wednesday 8 May | 6.30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential
Sam Dessen: Sam is our Senior XR Creative Developer in the Postgraduate Transformations team. With a background in traditional 2D video, TV and film production, Sam fell down the virtual ‘rabbit hole’ of XR, as an early adopter of 360 video and immersive content creation. With a core focus on the student experience, and improving learning outcomes, Sam was a core driver in developing the Metahuman.
Cynara-Jan de Guzman: Cynara-Jan is a digital learning designer in the Postgraduate Transformations team. With a background in interactive design and teaching art, she takes a creative and explorative mindset into the academic world and PGx team.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Book now: https://SLLMetahumanPEN.eventbrite.com.au
Mother’s Day Canvas Craft: Paint a Portrait
Who: Adults
When: Saturday 11 May | 1-3pm
Where: St Marys Library
Tickets: $20 per person. Bookings are essential.
All materials and light refreshments supplied.
Book now: https://MothersDayCanvasSTM.eventbrite.com.au
Author Talk: Meg Keneally
Who: Adults
When: Tuesday 14 May 2024 | 6.30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: $5 per person. Bookings are essential. Light refreshments will be provided
We first meet Molly Darrow in 1789 in Lancashire, England, where she is living unhappily with her grandmother. Head strong and tomboyish, she evades a threatened assault by dressing as a boy and fleeing on a stolen horse. Her new-found freedom is short lived, however, when she is arrested for theft while trying to sell the horse. Originally given the death penalty, her sentence is reduced to transportation and her true identity is unveiled when she boards the ship bound for Australia. On the voyage Molly reunites with the deeply traumatised Aliza, with whom she had bonded while awaiting sentence in prison and strikes up an unlikely friendship with the young first mate, Angus Thistle, a trader when on land, who is impressed by the teenager’s strength, sharp intelligence, and commercial sense. When Molly and Angus reconnect after their arrival in Sydney, their friendship deepens and they marry, despite Molly’s doubts that a freeman would ever consider a convict as a wife.
Meg Keneally is co-author with Tom Keneally of 'The Soldier's Curse' and 'The Unmourned', the first two books in the 'Monsarrat Series'.
Copies of 'Free' will be available to purchase on the night.
Book now: https://megkeneallyPEN.eventbrite.com.au
Sydney Writers Festival - Jane Harrison: The Visitors
Who: For adults
When: Saturday 25 May | 11am
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential.
On a steamy, hot day in January 1788, seven Aboriginal men, representing the nearby clans, gather at Warrane. Several newly arrived ships have been sighted in the great bay to the south, Kamay. The men meet to discuss their response to these visitors. All day, they talk, argue, debate. Where are the visitors from? What do they want? Might they just warra warra wai back to where they came from? Should they be welcomed? Or should they be made to leave? The decision of the men must be unanimous - and will have far-reaching implications for all. Throughout the day, the weather is strange, with mammatus clouds, unbearable heat and a pending thunderstorm ... Somewhere, trouble is brewing.
From award-winning author and playwright Jane Harrison, The Visitors is an audacious, earthy, funny, gritty and powerful re-imagining of a crucial moment in Australia's history - and an unputdownable work of fiction.
QBD Books will be selling signed copies of the book.
Book Now: https://swf2024-penrithlibrary.eventbrite.com.au
A hearing loop is available upon request. Just phone 4732 7891 or submit a request at my.penrith.city so we can make suitable arrangements to meet your needs.
National Sorry Day Author Talk: Brenda Matthews
Who: Adults
When: Sunday 26 May | 11am
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: $5 each. Morning tea provided
Brenda Matthews, proud Wiradjuri woman living in Bundjalung country, Queensland, discusses her unmissable book The Last Daughter.
Decades later, feeling a sense of something missing in her life, Brenda searches for her foster family and her beloved white sister, with whom she has had no contact. Along the way, she uncovers long-buried secrets, government bungling, and a deep connection to family and her Aboriginal culture. The Last Daughter is the story of Brenda's journey to discover the truth about her past, to unite her two families—and to foster a broader connection between black and white Australia. It's a story full of heartbreak, love and hope, showing a way forward for all Australians.
'I share this story out of love and forgiveness.' Brenda Matthews
Copies of The Last Daughter will be available to purchase on the day.
Tales and Tea
Who: Adults
When: Second Wednesday of the month | 1-2.30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings not required.
Listen to a story read by a Library staff member and contribute your thoughts and reflections, or just enjoy the story.
Tales and Tea is a great way to improve your listening, speaking and group participation skills.
Tales and Tea is an inclusive program to all skill levels beyond the limitations of language and reading levels. It provides a safe social network to keep you motivated to explore and experience new things.
Active Ageing Group
Who: Adults over 60 years-old
When & Where:
Penrith City Library - Term 1 Tuesday mornings 6 February- 9 April.
St Marys Library - Term 1 Wednesday mornings 7 February- 10 April.
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential. Our program is currently at capacity but if you would like to add your name to our waitlist please call 4732 7891 or submit a request at my.penrith.city
Are you over 60 and looking for a regular fitness group? Join our Active Ageing Group at Penrith City Library for relaxed weekly workouts.
Workouts include gentle strengthening exercises, seniors yoga and cardio.
During school term only.
Book Clubs
In Person Book Club
Who: Adults
When: Second Tuesday of the month | 10-11am
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential. Our group is currently at capacity but if you would like to add your name to a waitlist, please call 4732 7891 or submit a request at my.penrith.city
Online Book Club
Who: Adults
When: Last Tuesday of the month | 7pm-8pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Tickets: Free. Bookings essential. Our group is currently at capacity but if you would like to add your name to a waitlist, please call 4732 7891 or submit a request at my.penrith.city
Join one of Penrith City Library’s book clubs and discuss great reads with a group of fellow literary lovers. Places are limited.
Expression of Interest - New Book Club
Are you interested in joining a book club at Penrith City Libraries?
We are looking to start a new group in 2024.
Please register your interest, including your preferred day/s and time, by calling 4732 7891 or submitting a request at my.penrith.city
St Marys Knitters
Who: Adults
When: 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month | 10am-12pm
Where: St Marys Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings not required.
Bring along your knitting, crochet or other craft project, and work away with other like-minded creators at St Marys Library. The group meets twice a month for a chat, cuppa and to work on their latest project. This free group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.