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A family sitting together reading

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.

A parent and child are sat smiling whilst colouring in a craft activity in the Silk Roads Gallery of the Oriental Museum
Families
Child in high-vis jacket taking part in Durham Archaeology Explorers
Durham Archaeology Explorers
An image of a young boy holding a piece of artwork he and his parent, sat to his left have made together. The boy is stood, his mother is sat on the floor.
Under-fives
Crowd of people taking part in the powder throw at Holi Festival. The people are jumping in the air and are covered in coloured powder.
Festivals

Upcoming events

Interesting X-Rays

Saturday 10 June, 2023
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Image of an a mummified cat from Ancient Egypt, bound in bandages.

Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum

Thursday 15 June, 2023
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Overhead view of the galleries in the Oriental Museum

Taotie Mask Making

Saturday 17 June, 2023
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Image of a carved jade Chinese ornament with a carved Taotie face into the surface. The face is that of a geometrical daemon, originating in Shang Dynasty China

Twilight Talk: Throwing it Out There: Creating an Exhibition

Thursday 22 June, 2023
5:45 PM to 6:45 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
A photograph of a group of students.
View all upcoming events

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

 

 

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