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Families and Lifelong Learning

Durham University Library and Collections offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages. Find out more below and we look forward to welcoming you to our venues. 

Families and Children 

Discover the incredible collections in our venues for families of all ages with our wide-ranging family programme suitable for multiple age groups.

Lifelong Learning

People of all ages want to learn and explore, discover our offer for learners of all ages and abilities. Learn something new, discover incredible stories in our collections and meet like-minded people in our welcoming and friendly spaces.

Learn more

Lifelong Learning Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as the University of the Third Age (U3A), Women’s Institute (WI), Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and more.
Lifelong learning group member taking part in a workshop handling museum objects.

Creative Age

Creative Age is a free, weekly art group for people living with dementia or other long-term health challenges and their carers.
A pair of older participants at Creative Age

Visiting Clubs and Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as Rainbows, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides or other adult or children's community groups at all our venues.

Book Club

The Library and Collections Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month from 5pm - 6pm in the Oriental Museum café.
A group of people taking part in the Book Club

Upcoming events

Family Activities: Tea Time

Friday 29 August, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Japanese Tea Bowl with uneven rim

Family Activities: Beautiful Birds

Saturday 30 August, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Crystal bird on perch

Family Activities: Mandala Making

Saturday 6 September, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Child colouring in mandala pattern

Folded Book Workshop

Saturday 6 September, 2025
2:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Oriental Museum
Handmade folded books by artist Maggie Hickman Smith

 

 

People taking part in an accessible touch tour event and handling museum objects.

Accessibility

Support for neurodiversity, physical access and more information can be found here for our programmes and workshops.

Accessible workshops