✒️ Poet Laureate, Digital Support Sessions, and a jam-packed Half Term!





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February Stay Connected Header

       February 2026






SHERWOOD MOBILE LIBRARY
Books inside the Sherwood Mobile Library

Sherwood Mobile Library will be open for visitors at *Woodthorpe Grange Park *on the following days:


* *Saturday 7 February, 10am to 1pm*
* *Saturday 14 February, 10am to 1pm*
* *Saturday 21 February, 10am to 1pm*
* *Saturday 28 February, 10am to 1pm*

The Mobile Library will be located *in front of the Manor House entrance.*

Be aware that the service provision may be cancelled with short notice. Please keep up to date with our website for the latest news regarding Sherwood Mobile Library.

*Find out more* [ [link removed] ]






LAUREATE LIBRARY TOUR

We are delighted to present the *Poet Laureate of Britain, Simon Armitage*, as part of his annual springtime libraries tour. 

With a full programme of Nature Poetry workshops, interactive community creative opportunities and educational outreach on the run up to his arrival, we are celebrating this momentous event and showcasing the creative energy that makes Nottingham so special.

*For the full information on all these events, visit our website* [ [link removed] ]


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SIMON ARMITAGE & GUESTS

*Nottingham Central Library | Tuesday 3 March | 7pm start*

*Please Note: This event has now sold out, but there is a waiting list available to join.*

Simon Armitage Portrait

The evening will showcase the local writers and poets onboarded to the project, who’ve been busy running Armitage inspired workshops and activities throughout the city. The night opens with select performances created by our communities as part of this programme, bringing together Nottingham’s fantastic creative scene.

We also welcome the city’s new *Nature Poet Laureate, Cara Thompson,* who will be giving us an insight into the creativity, talent and power that she is bringing to her new role, and adding to the city’s 10th anniversary of becoming a UNESCO City of Literature.

Finally, hear from Simon himself, as well as a book signing and chance to meet him afterwards - this event is not to be missed!

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NATURE POETRY WORKSHOPS

*Nottingham Central & Hyson Green Libraries | Every Saturday in February | Free Entry, Booking Required*

Join us for one or all four of our poetry writing sessions across two of our libraries featuring green spaces. Our expert facilitators *(Bridie Squires and Jaden Morten) *will encourage participants to read some of Simon Armitage’s nature inspired poems, and then head into the gardens to observe the spaces and write their own.   

With the chance to be chosen to perform alongside Simon Armitage as one of the opening performers off the back of this work, these are a creative opportunity not to be missed.

Bridie Squires for Nature Poetry Workshops
CONVERSATION GROUP POETRY WORKSHOPS

*The Meadows Library, Monday 23 February, 10.45am to 12.15pm | St Ann's Valley Library, Wednesday 25 February, 1pm to 2.30pm*

Inspired by the nature-themes in Simon Armitage’s writing, our conversation groups will be working with renowned local Nottingham Poet, *Ben Macpherson*, to write nature-themed poems and creative writing pieces.   

Our conversation groups are open to all that are *learning English as another language*, and are a great way for learners to get creative and learn how to express themselves in English.

*No need to book, just turn up and join in!*

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CREATIVE COMMUNITY: POETRY PROMPT BOARDS

*Nottingham Central Library, Atrium | Throughout February*

An open call to contribute to this exciting event, with prompts provided by Simon Armitage himself, you are invited to write a line/image/idea in response to Simon’s work and add it to the community poetry boards in the library. These will then be worked into a community poem and performed on the night of Simon Armitage’s Laureate Library Tour event on *Tuesday 3 March.*

DIGITAL EXHIBITION: PERFORMANCE POETRY

*Submissions close Sunday 8 February | Visit our website for information on how to submit your work!*

Do you have a poem on film you would like to share? Can you make a video or voice recording of one of your poems? Then we would love to see it! Works chosen will then be screened from *Monday 16 February. *

Come and enjoy video readings from poets across Nottingham and the UK, celebrating the rich and diverse creative scene that this city is home to.

Hyacinths




DIGITAL SUPPORT DROP-IN SESSIONS

We are running a series of digital drop-in events at *Nottingham Central* and *Hyson Green Libraries* over the next six weeks, delivered as part of the Innovating in Trusted Spaces [ [link removed] ] project.

Digital Drop Ins at Nottingham City Libraries

These sessions are an opportunity to develop digital skills and confidence - learn how to stay safe online, how to apply for jobs, manage your health online, identify reliable information and more. We’ll have friendly staff on hand to help you access tools to support your learning needs, including* Learn My Way, the AI Gateway and NHS Digital’s bank of resources on the use of the NHS App.*

As well as basic digital skills, we’ll also be helping you to understand more about *Artificial Intelligence,* what it is and how it could help you, and how to *identify misinformation online.* There are sessions focussed on these two topics but you can come along to any of the sessions for general digital support too.

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


HYSON GREEN LIBRARY - IT SUPPORT SESSIONS

For a more general IT support session, visit Hyson Green Library on Thursdays from 11am to 1pm.

Our Library IT Volunteers are here to support you with free, one-to-one help, making it easier for you to learn at your own pace.

Please note that drop-in sessions can get busy, so you may sometimes need to wait a short while before a volunteer becomes available.

*Find out more* [ [link removed] ]






PRESSREADER PUZZLES

Looking for a brain teaser to do over your morning coffee? Want an alternative to scrolling on your lunch break? Give Pressreader's new puzzles section a try.

*With your library card and PIN,* you'll have access to Pressreader's entire catalogue of newspapers and periodicals, and now their collection of puzzles, all for free!

Pressreader Puzzles

*Stretch your brain here* [ [link removed] ]






STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS

*Please enjoy this handful of recommendations from some of our library staff!*


* *Lukas H *recommends "*In the Lives of Puppets*"* by TJ Klune* [ [link removed] ]
* *Jess A* recommends "*The Examiner*"* by Janice Hallett* [ [link removed] ]
* *Georgina W* recommends "*The Power*"* by Naomi Alderman* [ [link removed] ]
* *Karen L* recommends "*Blacklands*"* by Belinda Bauer* [ [link removed] ]
* *Jacob K* recommends *"The Priory of the Orange Tree" by Samantha Shannon* [ [link removed] ]
Staff Recommendations February




FEBRUARY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES

*Join in the fun in our libraries this February Half Term! With loads of free activities for all ages, you're bound to find something exciting!*

February Half Term Activities

We are once again part of the *2026 FOSAC festival* and will be hosting drop in science fun days full of hands-on experiments and activities. There will also be *Chinese New Year celebrations, a children's book group and craft sessions.* Get involved and join in!

*Find out more* [ [link removed] ]






FOSAC - HEALTHY BODIES WORKSHOPS

*The Meadows and Bulwell Riverside Libraries | Sessions running from February to May | Free Entry, Booking Required*

FOSAC Healthy Bodies sessions

Come along to these fascinating workshops for children age 8 – 14 and their families.

Join *Dr Anne Bishop* to learn all about viruses and how vaccinations work to protect our bodies. Enjoy lots of fun activities and games, including viewing blood slides under a microscope; and making your own “cuddly” whooping cough vaccine design.

This programme of events is delivered as part of the *Festival of Science and Curiosity* and funded by a *Nottingham City Council Health & Wellbeing Community Champions Small Grant.*

*Visit the FOSAC page to book your place* [ [link removed] ]


*Please keep an eye on our website for more information.*






MOTHER'S DAY PLANTING AND CRAFTS

*Meadows Library, Saturday 7 March, 11.30am to 12.30pm | Hyson Green Library, Saturday 14 March, 11.30am to 12.30pm | "Drop-In, first come first served"*

Child planting flowers in a garden

Come and join us at The Meadows and Hyson Green Library for heart-warming celebrations for Mother’s Day! 

Children are invited to come along with their mothers to enjoy hands-on spring planting and creative crafts, perfect for making thoughtful gifts for mums and loved ones.  

You will be able to write a name next to their planted flower in dedication to their mother or someone they love. There are also Mother’s Day crafts available afterwards, where you can make a daffodil out of card, and a pop-up Mother’s Day card.  

*Please note: *This event is free and drop-in. However, bulbs are strictly on a *first come-first served basis, *as there are only 30 bulbs per library. Crafts are not limited. 






FAMILY HISTORY DROP-IN SESSIONS

*First Wednesday of Every Month | 10am to 12pm | Floor 1, Nottingham Central Library*

Bourne Family Watermarked

Want to find out about your ancestry but don’t know where to start? Looking for tips on where to look next?

Then come along to our free family history drop-in sessions, where you can chat with our experts and explore the resources available in the Nottingham Local Studies Library.

All are welcome - Nottingham ancestors are not essential!

*Visit our Local Studies website* [ [link removed] ]


PICTURE NOTTINGHAM

*The history of your local area, documented through photographs.*

Picture Nottingham on a Local Studies PC

*Picture Nottingham* is an online database that you can use to browse historic images of Nottingham at any time - whether on a library computer or your own device.

With over 20,000 photographs, drawings and paintings, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Nottingham’s history, capturing everything from the details of everyday life to the splendour of royal visits.

You can purchase digital or physical versions of the images, or even get them printed on merchandise!

*Visit Picture Nottingham here* [ [link removed] ]






HOLODOMOR EXHIBITION

*Nottingham Central Library, Atrium | Monday 3 February to Friday 13 February | Delivered by Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre*

Holodomor Exhibition Central Library

This exhibition examines the Holodomor, a man-made famine in Ukraine in 1932–33 during the Soviet occupation. Using archival photographs and eyewitness accounts, it offers historical context and personal perspectives on the events.

*Commemorative Day Event:* *Saturday 7 February | 5pm to 7pm | Free Entry, Booking Required*

*Book your tickets* [ [link removed] ]






BIPC NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIPS WEEK

*Nottingham Central Library | Tuesday 10 February | 10.30am to 1.30pm | Free tickets, booking required*

Young people in engineering overalls

Are you considering an apprenticeship or looking to kickstart your career? Join us for a dynamic and informative event, jointly hosted by *BIPC Nottinghamshire* and *DWP,* as part of *National Apprenticeship Week 2026!*

This fair will bring together a fantastic range of stallholders, offering insights into a variety of apprenticeship opportunities and career paths. Whether you’re just starting out or considering a new direction, this event is the perfect chance to explore what’s available.

*Book your place* [ [link removed] ]






NOTTINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY EVENTS

Here's what's on at Nottingham Central Library:

*Nottingham Light Night 2026 | Friday 6 February | 7pm to 10pm | Free Entry, Booking Required * |* *Expect an evening of outstanding talent with Nottingham Music Service's Robin Hood Youth Orchestra, lit with a library light display. This is a standing gig, but some priority seating is available for our users with limited mobility, on a first come first served basis. Please contact us if you have any queries. *Performance Slots: 7.15pm to 8pm, and 8.45pm to 9.30pm*

RHYO at Central Library Light Night 2025

*Creators in Residence: Feminist Folklore & Poetry Workshops | *These workshops are now sold out - thank you to everyone who has booked their place! If you missed out, the finale event of this residency will take place on *Saturday 7 March.* Keep an eye on the webpage for more details!

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*Tentacles Collective - Facilitated workshops for disabled writers | Courses available through February and May | Prices vary, see website for details | *Come and create in community! Join Tentacles for a new series of facilitated poetry workshops for anyone who considers themself to be d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and/or chronically ill. The workshops will be led by *Neal Pike* and *August Stone* using guided writing exercises. We use a variety of art as inspiration: poems, music, visual art, to help get the creative juices flowing and get you writing new and exciting things!

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*International Mother Language Day | Saturday 21 February | 12pm to 3.30pm | *Highlighting the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, this year focuses on young people and their role in the future preservation of languages. There'll be activities from the University of Nottingham, an interactive story telling session for Debutots *(limited places, booking essential)*, and craft activities for you to enjoy. 

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*Library Letters Project: Launch Event | Saturday 21 March | 12pm to 1pm | *We’ve partnered with Mystic Noank Library in Connecticut, USA, to create a meaningful, human connection through the simple joy of letter writing. Our friends in USA are already busy writing letters to Nottingham, ready for our launch! Join us for a relaxed and welcoming launch event where you can find a new pen-pal friend, meet like-minded people interested in slowing down, writing by hand and connecting in a more meaningful way.  

Fountain pen on a piece of paper

*Meet The Agents: A Discussion from Writing East Midlands | Saturday 7 February | 12.30pm to 3.30pm | **£25 per person, £10 concessions | *The leading literary agents of today are coming to the East Midlands for a very special event! Bringing together a team of top agents to answer your questions about getting published in 2026. All in the same room, at the same time.

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For more information on all these events and more, visit our website!

*Find out more* [ [link removed] ]






*That's all for this month's Stay Connected, see you in March! ??*








     

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Illuminate your imagination - Nottingham Light Night 6 and 7 of February [ [link removed] ]


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