Nottingham Young Writers' Group - now meeting online!

For ages 12-18 years

Join this fun and friendly young writers group, where you'll get to explore different types of writing and share your ideas with professional writer Jim Hall. From poetry to play writing, lyrics to stories, fairy tales to flash fiction, we have plenty of opportunities for you to try something new and be creative.

The group usually meet at fortnightly at Nottingham Central Library, but the group has now gone online! Places are available on a first come first served basis and priority is given to those living within Nottingham City Centre.

Live workshops take place online on Saturday afternoons at 1pm and you can find more information here:  Writing East Midlands website or contact education@writingeastmidlands.co.uk  

In the meantime, get started with these exciting creative writing prompts on the Writing East Midlands YouTube channel 

Please note this group is currently not able to meet due to Coronavirus restrictions

Discover coding for Twine games. Create characters, settings and plots. 

Role playing game groups for people aged from 11 to 25 in 5 libraries:

Nottingham Central
St Ann’s Valley
Bulwell Riverside
Clifton
Aspley

Check out our Storysmash gaming cabinets in the libraries above. Play free Twine games from professional developers and those created in previous Twine sessions.

Find out more: 

Website: www.storysmash.co.uk

Email: storysmash@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StorysmashUK

Reading Well recommends expert endorsed books about mental health for young people. Selected titles with advice and information for 13 to 18-year-olds on issues like anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying and exams.

The books have all been recommended by young people and health professionals, and are available to borrow for free from public libraries.

Shelf Help

C.A.A.B. Publishing Short Story competition – 8-13 year olds can enter a 1000 word magical short story which must feature a taxi cab. Deadline is 30^th September 2020.

https://www.caabpublishing.co.uk/submit-competitions

There are eBooks, eMagazines, eAudio Books and eNewspapers totally free for library members, check it all out on our eBooks and eNewspapers pages.

There are Apps for iOS and Android, you can also use a PC or MAC. Happy reading!

Run out of ideas on what to read next? 

There are recommended reads for all ages on our Nottingham Reading Page, or have a look on these websites for recommended reads: 

Teen summer reads

for ages 12-14

for ages 15-18

View our recommended reads for a new adventure.

See Anthony Horowitz as he discusses his phenomenally successful Alex Rider series. Suitable for age 9+

Marcus Sedgwick: watch Marcus discuss his genre-bending 'The Ghosts of Heaven'. Hear about why Marcus writes for teens and learn about the ideas and research behind this challenging book. Suitable for age 12+

Watch this broadcast to hear Malorie Blackman discuss why reading matters and her journey to writing; what inspired her and the challenges she overcame. She also offers top tips for writing

Please note we are unable to offer this service due to Coronavirus restrictions

Regular after school drop-in sessions during term time, run by staff and trained volunteers: 

Homework Help for ages 8 to 18:

• help with Maths, English, Science, or other project work
• free resources to use in the library for doing homework including books, stationery, calculators, protractors, computers, online reference books and printing

Homework Help sessions are open on specific days, times and during term time only, but don’t forget there are friendly staff to help with homework whenever the library is open.

Reading Champions for ages 4 to 16:

• gain confidence with independent reading by reading aloud to staff or volunteers
• get reading diaries signed

Games Club all ages welcome:

• board and card games for everyone to enjoy

Locations and times (All run in term time only):

Aspley Library  Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help, Reading Champions and Games Club

Bilborough Library Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm  Homework Help and Reading Champions

Clifton Library Thursdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help and Games Club

Dales Centre Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help, Reading Champions and Games Club

Hyson Green Library Fridays 4 pm to 5.30pm Homework Help

Meadows Library Mondays and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help and Reading Champions

Radford-Lenton Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help, Reading Champions and Games Club

Sherwood Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help, Reading Champions and Games Club, plus Chess Club for all ages.

Southglade Park Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help, Reading Champions and Games Club

St Anns Valley Library Fridays 3.45pm to 5.30pm Homework Help

Strelley Road Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Homework Help and Reading Champions and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Games Club

Duke of Edinburgh placement

Libraries are keen to support young people working towards their Bronze and Silver awards.

We can accommodate one young person per library at a time so cannot always guarantee a placement. To apply please download and complete the Duke of Edinburgh Application Form 

Or get in touch via email for more information:library.volunteer@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please note: At this time we are unable to offer placements. we will update this page when the situation changes.