Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries

Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries Inspire is a Community Benefit Society running the library service on behalf of Notts County Council

http://www.inspireculture.org.uk/

Inspire deliver the following services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council:
•Public libraries
•Archives
•Arts
•Instrumental Music Teaching in schools
•Community Learning and Skills Service
•Nottinghamshire Music Hub
•Education Library Service

We're an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, which means funding thanks to tax payers and Natio

nal Lottery players plays a huge part in supporting our work. By becoming a member of Inspire you will be able to have your say on how the society works and develops. You will also get a newsletter with special offers just for Inspire members plus detail and invites to our Annual General Meeting. You can still continue to enjoy the cultural, learning and library services that we provide without becoming a member (but we'd love you to join us!)

Our next season of Adventures in Music starts this September! 🍂Did your little one enjoy Reading to the Beat for the Sum...
02/09/2026

Our next season of Adventures in Music starts this September! 🍂

Did your little one enjoy Reading to the Beat for the Summer Reading Challenge? Keep the rhythm going with a magical musical adventure at your nearest library 📚🎶

These sessions use rhythm, music, and movement to develop children's language skills, spark their imagination and build their confidence in exploring and making music 🥁

From mermaid cities to monster mountains, these sessions are suitable for 2-5 year olds and will explore a different imaginative world each week. Children are free to clap, stomp, shake, dance and sing!💃🎵

Available at the following libraries:
Beeston - from Thursday 10 September
Carlton - from Thursday 10 September
Carlton Hill - from Wednesday 9 September
Hucknall - from Tuesday 8 September
Retford - from Thursday 10 September
Stapleford - from Monday 7 September

🎟️ £30 for 10 weeks
🕙 45 minutes per session
Booking link in comments 👇

! This month's thrilling pick is 'The Good Father' by Liam McIlvanney—a gripping tale of a child's disappearance filled...
01/09/2026

! This month's thrilling pick is 'The Good Father' by Liam McIlvanney—a gripping tale of a child's disappearance filled with secrets and lies! Borrow it for FREE and join our community of readers! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3T1T6yO

Service disruption - Network outages countywide 📢We are currently experiencing issues with the internet connection at li...
01/09/2026

Service disruption - Network outages countywide 📢

We are currently experiencing issues with the internet connection at libraries across the county. This is impacting our public PCs, staff PCs and self-service kiosks. We hope to be back online shortly, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Stay up to date with disruptions at inspireculture.org.uk/service-disruption

Maths doesn't have to be scary with Inspire Learning ! 😅Our FREE online GCSE Maths for adults course starts next week ➕➖...
01/09/2026

Maths doesn't have to be scary with Inspire Learning ! 😅

Our FREE online GCSE Maths for adults course starts next week ➕➖✖️➗

Learn from the comfort of your own home, alongside a small class of peers who share the same aims 🏠

You'll be taught by friendly, knowledgeable tutors who can offer personalised support and guidance, and who can help you to overcome any worries and apprehensions you might have.

Get qualified with Inspire Learning, and unlock your full career potential 🤩

Head to https://bit.ly/4y8c4mb to find out more and enrol today!

Calling arts-based Evaluation Professionals with a passion for books and reading 📢We are looking for an Evaluation Partn...
31/08/2026

Calling arts-based Evaluation Professionals with a passion for books and reading 📢

We are looking for an Evaluation Partner with experience of working across an extended, phased project. The programme will take a “test and learn” approach and be shaped by participant feedback throughout. Our desired outcomes include the delivery of regular summaries of project phases and a full final report analysing the project’s context, aims, basis, methodology, practical delivery and impact, making recommendations for future practice 📈✍️ This programme will run in Inspire Inspire Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Learning Centre and Inspire Mansfield Central Library , and in Family Hubs in those areas.

If you think you'd be a good fit, we'd love to hear from you! The deadline to submit applications for this opportunity is Sunday 13 September 2026. Find out more, including how to apply: https://bit.ly/4bLttIQ

This opportunity is supported using public funding by the The National Lottery through Arts Council England ✨

A reminder that all Nottinghamshire Libraries and Ask Inspire will be CLOSED today (Monday 31 August) for the Bank Holid...
31/08/2026

A reminder that all Nottinghamshire Libraries and Ask Inspire will be CLOSED today (Monday 31 August) for the Bank Holiday 🏖️

Ask Inspire will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 1 September. We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen! Check your local library opening times at inspireculture.org.uk/ourlibraries

We hope you're having a great weekend!

Calling Notts-based Visual Note-takers with a passion for books and reading 📢We are looking for a Live Illustrator / Gra...
30/08/2026

Calling Notts-based Visual Note-takers with a passion for books and reading 📢

We are looking for a Live Illustrator / Graphic Recorder / Visual Note-taker with experience of working across an extended project. We want to visually document our whole project: you will observe and record training sessions, Book Babies workshops and parent-focused events, collecting families’ experiences and illustrating the impact of what we do 🎨🍼📝

This programme will run in Inspire Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Learning Centre and Inspire Mansfield Central Library , and in Family Hubs in those areas. If you think you'd be a good fit, we'd love to hear from you! The deadline to submit applications for this opportunity is Sunday 13 September 2026.

Find out more, including how to apply: https://bit.ly/4zduF1v
This opportunity is supported using public funding by The National Lottery through Arts Council England ✨

Immerse yourself in wonderful words at the - coming to Beeston Library this autumn! 📖⭐ Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners exh...
29/08/2026

Immerse yourself in wonderful words at the - coming to Beeston Library this autumn! 📖

⭐ Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners exhibition
Friday 25 September until Wednesday 4 November
Discover the experiences of six Caribbean gardeners and their legacy at England’s oldest and largest allotments. Based on the book Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners: Hungerhill Gardens, St Ann's Allotments by Colin Haynes published by Five Leaves Publications.

⭐ Sit Down with the Social Model Writers
Friday 25 September, 2pm
Join a fantastic sharing session led by The Social Model Writers, a collective of disabled writers who perform together. Join in person or via Zoom on Friday 25 September at 2pm. Have a poem to share? Get in touch and we’ll arrange an opportunity to share your work with the group.

⭐ The Paper Crane Poets Showcase
Friday 25 September, 7:30pm
Beeston Library’s resident poetry collective The Paper Crane Poets return with another brilliant evening of spoken word. Light, irreverent and yet profound, you’ll hear a range of local voices with something to say. FREE, pay what you like on the night.

⭐ Beyond the Spectrum Poetry for Neurodivergent People
Saturday 26 September, 11am
Develop your creativity! Take part in this fantastic writing session with autistic professional writer Pippa Hennessey. Respond to prompts and craft a poem reflecting your experiences and creative process alongside like-minded people. Free, adults only.

⭐ Cara Thompson: An Evening of Poetry and Heritage in celebration of Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners
Thursday 1 October, 7pm
Join us for a special National Poetry Day performance, including a new poem presented for the first time highlighting the remarkable stories of the green-fingered Windrush generation who helped shape the historic Hungerhill Gardens known today as St. Ann’s Allotments. £5, adults only (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult).

See the full programme now at inspireculture.org.uk/poetryfestival 🧡👏

29/08/2026

Episode 4 of our I Am A Storyteller podcast is out now! 🎙️

In this latest episode, Annie Warren sits down with storyteller Ling Peng to explore her journey, creative practice, and experiences as part of the I Am A Storyteller project.

A classically trained Erhu musician, Ling combines traditional Chinese music with storytelling to create engaging and inspiring performances 🎵

As part of the project, Ling worked closely with Spectrum WASPS in Mansfield, using storytelling and music to connect with participants and share Chinese culture in an authentic and engaging way.

Find the link to the podcast in the comments 👇💬

29/08/2026

Heritage Open Days returns this September! ✨

Join us in celebrating England's largest festival of history and culture between 11-20 September 2026. As part of this year's festival, we're hosting a programme of FREE heritage talks and events! 🙌

While many of our events are now fully booked, there are still spaces available at:

Exploring Old Occupations
📅 Saturday 12 September | 1.30pm-2.30pm
📍 Retford Library

Newark Castle: Past, Present and Future
📅 Wednesday 16 September | 2pm-3.30pm
📍 Beeston Library

Eastwood & Beyond - A Look Back in Time (drop-in event)
📅 Friday 25 September | 10am-1pm
📍 Eastwood Library

Find out more and book via the link in our comments.

Address

Nottingham

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441623677200

Website

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