Who: Adults
When: Thursday 27 August  | 6:30-7:30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: $5 per person. Bookings are essential. 

Join bestselling Australian author Sophie Green in conversation, as she discusses writing, inspiration and her new book The Frock Shop.

About the book
The Frock Shop is a tribute to the beauty of the second-hand, the power of second chances, and becoming who you were always meant to be (with a little help from your friends).

On Sydney's lower north shore, in the harbourside suburb of Mosman, there is a charity frock shop. For decades, it has clothed the women of this suburb, through good times and bad, for richer, for poorer. Local resident Daphne has always worked at the frock shop. And she knows better than most how clothes are used by women as talismans, as armour, as beauty. Clothes are essential parts of women's stories, and those stories are now part of Daphne's life.

Not only does the frock shop give them purpose, but the clothes will help them become the women they were destined to be, because it is never too late for a transformation.

Sophie Green is an author and publisher who lives in Sydney. She has written several novels, along with non-fiction works, and loves exploring the art of storytelling in all its forms. In her spare time, she practises yoga and writes about country music on her website, Sunburnt Country Music. Sophie's novels are internationally published, and each has been an Australian Top Ten bestseller. The Frock Shop is her eighth novel.

Sophie’s books will be available for purchase at the event from the Harry Hartog pop-up bookstore.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodation to attend this event, please contact 02 47327891.

Click here to book now

Who: Adults
When: Thursday 23 July | 6:30pm to 9pm
Where: The Joan
Tickets: $10 per person. Bookings are essential. 

Penrith City Library Service is excited to partner with the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) and Word Travels to deliver Penrith APS Heat! Join the nation-wide search for the people’s poet.

Poets Run This! 
Share your words for two minutes on the mic. By throwing your ideas into the slam-storm, you could be chosen as the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam-bassador and offered an international writers’ festival tour worth about $20K.

This APS Heat audience will send two writers to represent Penrith in a performance at the Sydney Final. The top 16 in the country make it to the National Final at Sydney Opera House on the 25th of October.

• Keen to perform? Please book a ticket and arrive at the theatre at least 15 minutes prior to the performance start time to sign up. Poets of all experience levels are invited to enter. Full APS ‘25 rules can be found at www.australianpoetryslam.com/rules
• Prefer to watch? You don’t have to compete, join the audience and watch the slam in action, simply book your ticket.

Hosted by DEFNE 
DEFNE is a queer and neurodivergent Turkish-Australian multidisciplinary artist. Her work spans writing, performance, music and photography with a style that’s definitely hers. She is the Creative Director & Host of West Side Poetry Slam in Parramatta. DEFNE has featured at State Library NSW, Art Gallery NSW, Riverside Theatres, and the Sydney Opera House twice as part of Bankstown Grand Slam, her 2025 team winning bronze. She performed poetry-and-song show, “DEFNE Opens Up”, at Flight Path Theatre, and her play, “Stomach It”, through OutLoud. 

Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages, and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.

Australian Poetry Slam is presented by Word Travels. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.    

Click here to book now

Who: Adults
When: Tuesday 28 July  | 6:30-7:30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: $5 per person. Bookings are essential. 

To celebrate Library & Information Week, join bestselling Australian author Dianne Yarwood, discussing her new novel Margaret, are you Leaving? at Penrith City Library.  

About the book
An uplifting and life-affirming novel about family lost and found from the author of Australian bestseller The Wakes. Sydney, 2001. Now in her forties, Maggie Reid has built a good life for herself, surrounded by good people. She has an adorable but needy dog and a new relationship. She has tried hard to leave her painful past behind her, but when her beloved brother Lucas calls with news of their adopted mother's death, he also delivers a bombshell about Maggie's birth mother. So begins an uncertain, bumpy journey to trace her mother's identity, a quest that brings fresh heartbreak but also unexpected joy. Maggie's spent her whole life leaving, but now, for the first time, will she feel like staying? 

About the Author
Dianne Yarwood grew up in Newcastle and worked in accounting and corporate advisory in Sydney and London. She also nurtured a love for cooking and reading. At the age of forty, with three young children, she became very ill and her life was saved by an emergency doctor. This brush with mortality gave her the courage to do what she's always wanted to do - write. Her first novel, The Wakes, was an Australian bestseller. Dianne lives in Sydney with her husband.

Purchase books from the QBD pop-up bookstore at the event and have them signed by the author.

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodations to attend this event please contact 02 47327891. 

Click here to book now

Who: Adults
When: Thursday 30 July | 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings are essential.

Join us for a special Library and Information Week screening of Healing (Rated M), starring Hugo Weaving and Don Hany and inspired by true events. 

Healing follows Viktor Khadem (Don Hany), a long-term inmate nearing the end of his prison sentence, who is transferred to a low-security correctional facility in rural Victoria. There, under the guidance of compassionate prison officer Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving), he becomes part of a unique rehabilitation program in which inmates care for injured birds of prey.

Initially withdrawn and broken, Viktor forms an unexpected bond with a wounded wedge-tailed eagle. Through the process of nurturing and training the bird, he begins to confront his past and rediscover a sense of purpose.

Healing explores themes of forgiveness, trust, and the transformative power of compassion, showing how even the most unlikely environment can foster personal renewal. 

Enjoy a morning of cinema, connection, and conversation in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Light refreshments will be served.

Click here to book now

Who: Adults
When: Thursday 23 July | 10:30am-12pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings are essential.

Join us for a comprehensive Financial Fitness talk presented by Services Australia, designed to help you take charge of your financial life with confidence.

This engaging session will cover key areas of everyday financial management, including:

• Taking charge
• Debt basics
• Creating savings
• Insurance 

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodations to attend this event, please contact 02 47327891.

Click here to book now

Who: Adults
When: Wednesday 29 July | 10:30am-12pm
Where: St Marys Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings are essential.

Join Services Australia at St Marys Library to learn about the Age Pension and other support available for older Australians.

This free information session will help older Australians understand the Age Pension and other government supports. Learn about eligibility, payments, working while receiving the pension, myGov, and how to access additional help. The session is designed to be clear, practical, and easy to understand, with time for questions. 

Topics covered:

• Australia’s Social Security Agreements
• Working while you get Age Pension
• How to claim Age Pension
• MyGov and how to create one
• Other support for older Australians 

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodations to attend this event, please contact 02 47327891.

Click here to book now

Who: Ages 16+
When: Saturdays 1, 8, 15, & 22 August  |  10am - 12pm
Where: St Marys Library
Tickets: $20 for all 4 weeks. Bookings are essential. 

Have a design idea you'd love to bring to life? This four‑session beginner program gives you the skills to turn your concept into a real 3D printed creation.  Across the program, you’ll learn the essentials of 3D modelling, build strong and functional shapes, experiment with moving components and finish with a print‑ready design that’s completely your own. 

• Week 1 – Learn the basics  Explore how 3D printing technologies work and learn the fundamentals of 3D design in TinkerCAD while building your first project. 

• Week 2 – Solid Structures  Learn how to build strong, well‑supported shapes and develop the skills needed to create durable, print‑ready designs. 

• Week 3 – Moving Parts  Learn how to design components that fit and move together, developing the precision needed to create functional parts that work together.  

• Week 4 – Finished Design  Bring everything together as you refine and complete your final 3D model, ready for printing and later collection. 

No prior 3D experience needed — just basic computer skills and a willingness to get creative! 

Click here to book now

Who: Ages 12+
When: 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month from 19 March | 10am-12pm
Where: St Marys Library
Tickets: Free. Bookings not required

Join fellow makers at St Marys Library for a relaxed and creative sewing drop‑in starting 19 March!

Bring along your current project and enjoy a welcoming space to sew, mend, upcycle, and share ideas with others. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sewer, this friendly group is a great way to connect, create, and learn from one another. 

A limited number of sewing machines are provided.

Funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, supported by Penrith City Council 

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.

Second Tuesday Book Club

When: Second Tuesday of the month | 10.30-11.30am
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Our group is currently at capacity.

Third Tuesday Book Club

When: Third Tuesday of the month | 2-3.30pm
Where: Penrith City Library
Tickets: Our group is currently at capacity.

Join one of Penrith City Library’s book clubs and discuss great reads with a group of fellow literary lovers. Places are limited.

Need help with learning to use your smartphone, tablet or laptop?

Want to learn to send messages and emails, or to shop and pay bills online?

Book a one hour, one on one training session with a Tech Mate from the Digital Literacy Foundation on Tech Tuesday at Penrith City Library, or Web Wednesday at St Marys Library.

Tech help topics may include:

• Creating and using an email account
• Creating documents
• Attaching files and photos
• Using subscription library resources
• Downloading and streaming content like movies, books, and audiobooks, and more.
• Using your device
• Searching the Internet

Please bring your device and passwords with you. We look forward to helping you!

To book, call 02 4732 7891, submit a request at my.penrith.city or see one of our friendly staff at any of the library branches.

For T&Cs and more information about technology at Penrith City Libraries, visit the library’s technology page.