Summer Reading Challenge, activities and more!





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*        August 2025*






CHANGES TO LIBRARY HOURS

From *Monday 11 August 2025*, *Nottingham City Libraries* has had a change in opening hours. Please do check the website ahead of your next visit to us.

The changes have impacted some of our regular activities so check timings before your next visit. 

*See changes here* [ [link removed] ]


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New phone numbers for Dales Centre and Southglade Park Libraries

Please be aware that the phone numbers for these two libraries have been changed:

*Dales Centre Library: 0115 915 2801*

*Southglade Park Library:* *0115 915 2800*






SUMMER SOUNDS

*New eBook and eAudiobook recommendations from BorrowBox.*

Book covers of August's new eBooks and eAudio for Borrowbox

Check out August's new selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

*Laidlaw,* "William McIlvanney "| *Munichs,* "David Peace" | *All Fours,* "Miranda July | *Bright I Burn,* Molly Aitken" | *Eruption,* "Michael Crichton & James Patterson "| *Things We Do For Love,* "Miranda Dickinson" | *Rumaysa,* "Radiya Hafiza."

*Find these books and more* [ [link removed] ]






THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

1423 readers and counting...
Story garden

There's still time for children to join the Summer Reading Challenge!

Pop down to your local library, read six amazing books and collect rewards along the way. Complete the challenge to get a special certificate "and "an invite to our medal ceremony celebration.????✨

So far, *1423 children have joined in our Summer Reading Challenge*, with *approximately 4408 books being borrowed across our libraries.*

If the average book was 2cm thick, the stack of books our readers have borrowed would reach *88m tall*, which is about the same as *29 African elephants stacked on top each other.* Amazing!

*Find out more and join the challenge* [ [link removed] ]


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Bake, Rattle, and Roll!

*Presented by The Wobbly Magic Company, with Geoffrey Jumper and Leila.*

Geoffrey Jumper and Leila performing their live show Bake, Rattle, and Roll!

There's still tickets available for the 2.30pm performance of Bake, Rattle and Roll at Nottingham Central Library on Wednesday 27 August. 

Book now for a musically magical show!

*For more information and to book sessions* [ [link removed] ]


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Reading Ready - A Year 6 Book Club

*30 July to 27 August | 10.30am to 12pm | Nottingham Central Library*

The front cover of 'The Soup Movement' by Ben Davis

Join our fun, friendly book group just for Year 6! Run by a secondary school librarian, you’ll enjoy snacks, chat about great books, try fun activities, and get a sneak peek at Year 7!

*Where and when:*


* Weekly on Wednesdays, Central library
* Free, but booking required

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]


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*Correction Notice: *Please note there was an error in our printed Summer Activities leaflet. It incorrectly stated that "Garden Games at The Meadows Library" would take place on *Monday 25 August*. The correct date is *Friday 29 August *and is correct on our website. [ [link removed] ]






DISCOVER NOTTINGHAM'S RICH HERITAGE
Local

Are you curious about Nottingham’s sporting life, your family history, or the city’s world-famous lace industry? Whether your questions are familiar or quirky, your Local Studies team is here to help you uncover the fascinating stories of Nottingham and its people.

Alongside our fantastic book collection, you can also explore our extensive collections of maps, periodicals, flyers, photographs and oral histories. You’ll also find inspiring digital tools like Picture Nottingham and Nottingham Insight Mapping, plus free access to the premium research sites Find My Past and the British Newspaper Archive.

Find us on Floor 1 of Nottingham Central Library.

*Visit our website for more details* [ [link removed] ]


*Got a question? Get in touch with us* <[email protected]>


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Sherwood Boys: Biography of a Battalion

An illustrated talk by Michael Somerville

Sherwood Foresters - local WWII soldiers lined up in uniform

Michael Somerville, local author, will share the remarkable story of the 2/5th Sherwood Foresters, revealing how a group of untrained youths from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire became a battle-hardened unit that stood up to the Wehrmacht in WWII.


* *Date:* Thursday 21 August
* *Time:* 11am to 12pm
* *Cost: *Tickets are free but booking is essential.
* *Location:* Nottingham Central Library, Floor 2, Rooms 6&7

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]






WHAT'S ON: NOTTINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY

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Living With AI

*A seminar series, presenting insights from current University of Nottingham research.*

Robot Dog, used by the University of Nottingham

*Wednesday 20 August to Friday 22 August*

Join *Dr Lydia Farina, Anna Maria Piskopani and Helena Webb* as they bring their expertise together to share their learnings on living with Artificial Intelligence in their residency at Nottingham Central Library.

*Book your place on one or all of the sessions to find out more.*

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]


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Creators in Residence - To You: A Project from Kimu & Mr Ray

Creators in Residence from August to September, in partnership with *Art Fest Nottingham 2025* and *The Carousel*.

Funding provided by *Libraries Connected* and *Arts Council England*.

Kimu &amp; Mr Ray, Nottingham City Libraries' first Creators in Residence

*Wednesday 6 September | 10am to 4pm | Floor 2, Room 4*

All three of Kimu & Mr Ray's workshops are now *fully booked,* but there's still an opportunity for you to take part in something fantastic.

The final event of Kimu & Mr Ray’s residency – a massive workshop encouraging members of the public to join in and create their own self-portrait to display outside Central Library! A creative and collaborative, fun and friendly day of public engagement.

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]


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World Photography Day - Guided Photography Walk

*A beginner-friendly guided introduction to photography with the Nottingham Creative Photography Group.*

A person puts an SD card into a camera

*Saturday 23 August | 12.30pm to 4pm | Starting on Floor 2, Room 6&7*

This event will begin with an introductory talk from the Nottingham Creative Photography Group, sharing practical tips and techniques. Participants will then head out on a guided photography walk through Nottingham's newest green space, The Green Heart, and wider Nottingham city centre sites.

This session will focus on accessible, easy-to-apply advice, ensuring that beginners feel confident and excited to start shooting while offering valuable insights for more experienced photographers looking to push their creativity further.

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]


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The Sisterhood Collective

*Public Talks and Exhibition Program – Funded by EMR *

A series of talks plus a special exhibition from The Sisterhood Collective.

The Sisterhood Collective, a photography group for women

*Starts Saturday 23 August | 11am to 12.30pm | Floor 2, Room 6&7*

This interactive session invites women and women-identifying photographers of all levels to explore how personal and cultural identity can inform and inspire photographic work. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your creative practice, this session offers an opportunity to think about photography as a tool for self-expression and narrative building.

*Book your free place here* [ [link removed] ]






BUSINESS & IP CENTRE NOTTINGHAMHSIRE

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Nottingham Careers Fair
Nottingham Careers Fair - experts to talk to about finding work

*Wednesday 10 September | 10am to 1pm | Nottingham Central Library*

Looking for your next career opportunity?

Join us at the *Nottingham Careers Fair* – a free event designed to connect local residents with live job vacancies, fully funded training opportunities, and digital skills programmes.

This collaborative event is brought to you by *Nottingham City Libraries’ BIPC Service*, the *Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)*, *Jobcentre Plus*, and *The B2W Group*.

*What to expect:*


* Meet face-to-face with local employers offering *live vacancies*
* Find out about *fully funded pre-employment training* and *digital skills support*
* Speak to training providers who can help you grow your skills and confidence

*Find out more and book your place* [ [link removed] ]


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Business Advice Clinics Online
BIPC 1

*Expert Web Clinic hosted by BIPC Nottingham*

Book a *free* one-to-one online advice clinic with a specialist through BIPC Nottingham. Delivered via Zoom, these 45-minute sessions offer practical, personalised guidance on a range of key business topics.

*Choose the support you need:* When booking, you’ll be able to select from a range of expert-led clinics, including:


* *Website Advice* with "Champagne Webs" 
* *Accountancy Support* with "Xeinadin Accountancy" 
* *Intellectual Property Clinics* with "Potter Clarkson" "Patents"

Aimed at entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small business owners using BIPC Nottingham services.

Sessions are free but places are limited, so book now.

*Book your spot today* [ [link removed] ]


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THE WOMEN'S NETWORK
Women's network

**Second Thursdays | *10am to 12pm* *| Nottingham Central Library*

The BIPC Women’s Network is your monthly dose of connection, inspiration, and real-talk — the kind that leaves you feeling fired up and ready to take action.

*You will find:*


* Guest speakers, networking opportunities, coffee, community, and creative energy 
* Optional co-working afterwards to ride the momentum

*Free to attend - RSVP is essential. *

*Book your ticket* [ [link removed] ]


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*About BIPC Nottinghamshire*

The Business & IP Centre Nottinghamshire is here to help you start, run and grow your business. From early ideas to ambitious expansion, they offer free resources, expert guidance, and a supportive community — all from your local library.

*Got questions? Drop us an email * <[email protected]>






LIFE-SIZED LITERATURE

*This summer, some very special visitors have arrived at our libraries – and they’ve stepped straight out of the pages of your favourite books!*

Pooh Bear and Piglet enjoy a picnic at Meadows Library

As part of the *Hickling Scarecrow Festival* (taking place 13–14 September), we’re thrilled to be hosting a selection of *book character scarecrows*, kindly lent to us by *Barbara McEwen* and the wonderful team behind the festival.

These charming creations are now on display at libraries across the city and will remain in place until *Saturday 6 September*, when the *Summer Reading Challenge* comes to a close.

?? Where to find them:

* *Bulwell Riverside Library* – "The Tiger and Sophie"
* *Clifton Library* – "Paddington"
* *The Meadows Library* – "Winnie the Pooh and Piglet"
* *Radford-Lenton Library* – "Peter Rabbit"

Bring the family, snap a photo, and enjoy spotting these beloved characters during your library visit!

?? *Please look, don’t touch!* These scarecrows are handmade and fragile — let’s help keep them safe for everyone to enjoy.






































     

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