Library Activities and Events

MishMash Productions in collaboration with Nottingham Library Service present

 Illustration: Alexis Deacon

Strange Creatures, uses magical theatrical chamber music to gently explore what it means to be unique in a surprising and colourful world.  This intimate and engaging show, performed by exceptional musicians, will delight children and their families alike.

Strange Creatures is inspired by the book Beegu written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon and performed by arrangement with Penguin Random House Children’s Publishers UK, a Penguin Random House company.

For children aged 4 to 7. Booking advised. Running time: 40 mins

Tickets: £2

Strange Creatures tours to the following libraries. Tickets available at each library (school groups welcome).

Dates

Tuesday 28 May Bulwell Library, two showings, 10.30am and 1:30pm

Friday 31 May Dales Centre Library, two showings, 10.30am and 1.30pm

Tuesday 4 June Hyson Green Library 10.30am (SOLD OUT)

Wednesday 5 June Strelley Road Library, two showings, 10.30am and 1.30pm (SOLD OUT)

Saturday 8 June Wollaton Library, two showings, 10.30am and 1.30pm (SOLD OUT)

Strange creatures also tours  to Nottinghamshire Libraries and is part of  Nottingham Lakeside Arts Wheee! Festival on tour.

Strange Creatures in Nottinghamshire Libraries 

Lakeside Arts Whee Festival 

Developed with funding from Arts Council England, in association with Inspire:  Culture, Learning and Libraries and Nottingham Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham; with support from Nottinghamshire Music Hub, Nottingham Music Hub, and Nottingham Trent University, BA (Hons) Theatre Design, School of Art and Design.

Upcoming events for under 5s in May and June

The Book Show

GJ and Mandy ‘Quite Remarkable Productions’ present their hilarious and entertaining ‘Book Show.’ Join children’s entertainers Geoffrey Jumper and Mandy for guaranteed fun and frolics in their book themed theatre adventure. Free and no need to book.

• Monday 17 June, 10am - 11am, Hyson Green Library
• Monday 17 June, 1pm - 2pm, St Ann’s Valley Library
• Tuesday 18 June, 10am - 11am, Bulwell Riverside Library
• Tuesday 18 June, 1pm - 2pm, Aspley Library 

Sensory play

Join us for an hour of sensory, messy play activities with a free gift for every child. Sensory play is a great way to help build language and fine motor skills whilst having fun! Free and no need to book.

• Monday 24 June, 10.30am – 11.30am, Hyson Green Library
• Friday 28 June 10.30am -11.30am, St Ann’s Valley Library
• Thursday 27 June 10.30am - 11:30am, Bulwell Riverside Library
• Tuesday 25 June 10.30am – 11.30am, Aspley Library 

Bookstart Week event

Celebrate National Bookstart Week with stalls, activities and interactive stories for under 5’s. Free and no need to book.

• Friday 7 June, 10am - 2pm at Wollaton Park

Storytelling with Nicky Rafferty

Enjoy an hour of storytelling with the brilliant Nicky Rafferty. This event is kindly funded by E.ON who have teamed up with Nicky to spread the word about the ECO Affordable Warmth scheme which offers heavily funded and free measures for homeowners that receive certain benefits. Free and no need to book.

• Thursday 16 May, 10am - 11am at Sherwood Library

Fun for all children - Half term crafting fun

Join us this half-term for some crafting fun including decorating a shield and more! Free and no need to book.

• Wednesday 29 May, 10am - 11am, Aspley Library 

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.

Nottingham Central Library

Book Group

First Thursday of the month, 5.45pm to 7pm

Crime Readers' Group

Last Tuesday of the month, 2pm to 3.15pm

Readers' Group

First Tuesday of the month, 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 2pm 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, 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, 12pm to 1pm

0115 883 9700

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

0115 883 3500

Wollaton Library Daytime Group

First Wednesday of the month, 10.30am to 11.30pm

0115 915 2809

Wollaton Library Evening Reading Group

First Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm to 8.30pm

0115 915 2809

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

Hyson Green Library   Friday 10.30am to 12pm

Meadows Library   Monday 10.30am to 12pm

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

The Dales Centre  Monday 1 pm to 2.30pm

The Language Cafe

Saturday 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 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  Nottingham Children's Book Award

To find out about special and one off events go to the top of this page, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for Stay Connected monthly library updates via email.

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, 10am to 12pm, 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.

Join our family history group

Are you researching your family history? Would you welcome meeting others who are also researching family history to share progress and brick walls? Then come along to our regular family history group meetings.

The group meet on  last Saturday of the month at Nottingham Central Library, Learning Suite, Floor 2, 10am to 12pm.

For more information contact Nottingham Local Studies Library:

local_studies.library@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

or Tel: 0115 915 2873.

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

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

• Aspley Library, Thursday, 10.30am to 11.30am
• Basford Library, Monday, 10.30am to 11.30am
• Clifton Library,  Monday, 10.30am to 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- 11.30 am 

Easylink public transport are providing free journeys for anyone with any mobility difficulties. Transport should be booked direct with Easylink and you need to state it is for the Games Café.

Knit, stitch and crochet clubs are free and open to anyone who has an interest in needle and yarn crafts; whether you knit, crotchet, 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 own projects.

Groups meet at:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 its 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 clubs are held at:

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

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

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

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, 8pm

The Peacock pub, Mansfield Road, Nottingham

07905 322813

Lowdham Writers' Group

Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30pm

Old Ship Inn, Main St, Lowdham

Nick Sparrow 0115 914 4057

Nottingham Poetry Society

Fourth Saturday of the month, 2:45pm

The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham

01773 712282

Nottingham Shakespeare Society

First and Third Tuesday of the month, 7pm

The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham

0115 925 6551

Nottingham Writers' Club

First and Third Wednesday of the month, 7pm

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

Open to anyone who is 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: