Library Regular Activities

Bengali, Gujarati and Urdu book groups

For dates of the next meeting and further information please contact Syed Anwar via email on syed.anwar@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or call on 0115 876 1938.

We are very excited to announce that we have just signed up for the 200 Million Minutes Reading Challenge – a global reading initiative from education charity Achievement for All that launches on World Book Day 2020 (Tuesday 5th March 2020). 

Together with early years settings, schools, colleges, parents, carers, libraries, businesses and community groups from around the world, children and young people will try to read for a collective 200 million minutes.

Why? We know that introducing all children and young people to the habit of reading in everyday life can improve communications skills and brighten future prospects, unlocking new worlds and possibilities. 10 minutes of reading a day can make a huge impact to a child’s development, so imagine what 200 million minutes could achieve!

The challenge will run until Thursday 2nd April 2020 (Children’s Book Day). Each week we’ll be adding our reading minutes to our overall score, and do our best to come out on top. 

For more information, or to find out how to get involved, visit 200MillionMinutes.org or follow @AfA_Education on Facebook and Twitter.

Nottingham Central Library

Book Group

First Thursday of the month, 5.45pm to 7pm

Crime Readers' Group

Last Tuesday of the month, from 2pm to 3.15pm

Readers' Group

First Tuesday of the month, from 5pm to 6pm

Reading For Mental Health Book Club

Contact Jane Brierley on 0115 876 1933 or jane.brierley@nottinghamcity.gov.uk for more information

Reading For Pleasure

Third Tuesday of the month, 11.30am

The Listening Chain an audio-book group for visually impaired persons

Second Wednesday of the month 2 pm to 3.30pm

Contact Sarah Akroyd 0115 876 1946 or sarah.akroyd@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Bulwell Riverside library Library Club and Book Group

Second Friday of the month, 10.15am to 11.30am

0115 883 3500

Dales Centre Library Reading Group

First Friday of the month, 4.45pm to 5.45pm

0115 876 1990

Meadows Library Reading Group

First Wednesday of the month, from 6pm to 7pm

0115 915 9279

Sherwood Library Pageturners Reading Group

First Friday of the month, 6pm to 7pm NB: New opening times, the group will continue to meet as usual, please contact staff for further information.

0115 915 1155

St Ann's Valley Library Book Group

Third Wednesday in the month, from 12pm to 1pm

0115 883 9700

Strelley Road Library Book Group
Third Monday of the month, 11am to 12pm

0115 883 3500

Wollaton Library 

First Wednesday of the month, 10.30am to 11.30pm

0115 915 2809

A lively and welcoming group that meets at Aspley Library to create items to help charities. The activities can be anything from needlework to paper crafts or beading.

Every piece that is created is donated to a charity for them to use or to sell and raise money.

Aspley Library every Tuesday, from 1.30pm to 4pm, everyone welcome, free.

Chess Club is a new weekly activity for all ages at Sherwood Library. Whether you are a chess whizz or an absolute beginner why not give it a try? The first session is on Wednesday 29 January 2020 3.30pm to 5.30pm and every Wednesday after that.

You can learn the basics, hone your skills or compete with like minded folk for a bit of fun and it's absolutely free!

Sherwood Library every Wednesday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Conversation Groups for learners of English

These groups are for anyone who wants to improve their confidence in speaking English. They are aimed at people who speak English as a second language and help you build confidence by discussion, debate, exchanging ideas and through activities and tasks.

The groups run in term time only at:

Nottingham Central Library   Thursday 2.30pm to 4.15pm

Dales Centre Library  Monday 1pm to 2.30pm

Hyson Green Library   Friday 10.30am to 12pm

Meadows Library   Monday 10.30am to 12pm

St Ann's Valley Centre Library  Wednesday 1pm to 2.45pm

The Language Cafe

Saturdays 1pm to 3pm at Nottingham Central Library.

This is an informal language exchange and fun way to learn new languages or practice your teaching skills, it runs in term time only.

For more information about Conversation groups or the Language cafe please get in touch:

Email: enquiryline@nottinghamcity.gov.uk  or contact the relevant library.

We have lots of regular activities after school, on Saturdays and in the holidays suitable for all ages of children and young people. Click on the relevant age group below for more details:

Under 5s    5-11 years    12-19 years 

To find out about special and one-off events, like family theatre performances, visit the Special Events Calendar, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for Stay Connected monthly library updates via email.

Free training and support to improve your digital skills so you can you take a more active role in your health, care and wellbeing. 

Every Wednesday your Digital Support Hub will be at Nottingham Central Library from 10am to 12pm - just drop in no need to book.

The support on offer ranges from keeping in touch with family and friends to following hobbies or managing health. For more information click here.

One2One Family History computer help sessions.

Support to explore some of the online sources available. The sessions are free and last for one hour. Contact the Local Studies Library

Family History drop-in sessions

On the first Wednesday of every month, 10 am to 12 pm, in the Local Studies Library, floor 1, Central Library. Anyone with family history questions is welcome, whether they are just starting or are already doing their research.

Our new drop in games cafe is the perfect way to get out to meet new people in your local area while enjoying some new and old favourite games!

Games Cafés are free and run weekly at the following libraries;

• Basford Library, Monday, 10.30am to 11.30am
• Bilborough Library, Tuesday 11.30 - 12.30pm
• Hyson Green Library, Thursday 10.30am - 11.30am
• Sherwood Library, Monday, 10.30am to 11.30am 
• The Meadows Library, Thursday, 10.30am to 11.30am. 
• Southglade Park Library, Mondays, 10.30am to 11.30 am 

POhWER  delivers peer advocacy groups across Nottingham, supporting people affected by mental health

The ‘Empohwer groups’ are welcoming, empowering support groups for people with a shared experience and common understanding of mental health. Empohwer groups are confidential, free and non-judgemental.

Each group will involve tea and biscuits, open discussion, signposting and POhWER can make statutory advocacy referrals.  All groups will be facilitated by trained POhWER volunteers. Facilitators will direct discussion and plan the session to address the needs of the group and community.

Sessions are free and no booking is required. Workshops running at

• Meadows Library first Monday of every month 1pm to 3pm. 

• Hyson Green Library  third Monday of every month 1.30pm to 2.30pm

For more information about health and wellbeing visit our Help with health at your library page

Knit, stitch and crochet clubs are free and open to anyone who has an interest in needle and yarn crafts; whether you knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider or enjoy any other type of needle crafts.

The clubs welcome people at all levels of experience who are willing to share their time, ideas and skills with others or just want to work on their projects.

Groups meet at:

Aspley Library Knit and Natter, Tuesday 4 pm to 5.45pm

Basford Library Knit and Knatter Group, Alternate Tuesdays 9.30am to 12 pm

Bilborough Library Knitting and Crochet Group, Monday and Friday 10 am to 12 pm

Bulwell Library Knit and Natter, Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 12 pm

Friends of Meadows Library Sewing Group, Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm

Nottingham Central Library Tangled Yarns Knitting and Crochet Group, alternate Tuesdays 1 pm to 3 pm. 

St Ann's Valley Library Knit and Stitch Group, Friday 10 am to 12 pm

Strelley Road Library Knit and Stitch Group, Tuesdays, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Dales Centre Library Crochet Group, Saturday 11.30am to 12.30pm

Monthly, from September to June, libraries invite guest experts who present talks and discussions on a wide range of subjects. Recent topics include Japanese tea ceremonies, the history of photography, local history and poetry. 

Everyone is welcome to attend and it's a great place to meet people in your community. There is no requirement to attend every talk and refreshments are available for a small contribution.

Library talks are held at:

Basford Library Second Tuesday of the month 10.30 am to 11.30 am

Clifton Library First Thursday of the month 10:30 am to 12 pm 

Sherwood Library Third Thursday of the month, 10am to 11am 

Open to anyone unemployed and looking for work or training. Delivered in partnership with trained employment advisers from local organisations, drop in for help with your CV, interview skills, job searching, finding training and apprenticeships.

Universal Skills is an online resource aimed at anyone who is looking for work. It’s free to use in the library or from home, just log in with your library card number.

Topics include:

• Basic IT Skills
• How to use Find a Job 
• Universal Credit
• Employability Skills, including job search, interview skills, CV writing

Libraries with sessions are listed below:

Are you interested in creative writing? Do you want to meet others with similar interests? Here are some writing groups in Nottingham where you might find inspiration!

DIY Poets

Third Tuesday of the month, 8 pm

The Peacock pub, Mansfield Road, Nottingham

07905 322813

Lowdham Writers' Group

Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm

Old Ship Inn, Main St, Lowdham

Nick Sparrow 0115 914 4057

Nottingham Poetry Society

Fourth Saturday of the month, 2:45 pm

The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham

01773 712282

Nottingham Shakespeare Society

First and Third Tuesday of the month, 7 pm

The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham

0115 925 6551

Nottingham Writers' Club

First and Third Wednesday of the month, 7 pm

The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham

Jeremy 0115 962 1453

Nottingham Writers' Studio

A work and resource centre for professional-level writers

Aly Stoneman 0115 959 7947 / admin@nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk

Notts Writing Group

Mondays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm The Bell Inn, Angel Row, Nottingham nottswritinggroup@gmail.com