Life changing Notts libraries

Libraries Change Lives Week is taking place between 24th-28th June, highlighting libraries' impact on communities. Inspire, who run Nottinghamshire libraries on behalf of the County Council, is keen to highlight opportunities to read, learn, and enjoy culture, and the impact on users.

Libraries Change Lives is a campaign created by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) to demonstrate the importance of libraries to communities and individuals. CILIP is keen to share ways that libraries contribute to a sense of place, sustainable living, building stronger communities, good health, enterprise, and learning.  

Membership of Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries is free and open to all from birth, providing free access to thousands of books in libraries and online. Reading is central to Inspire’s work and is an important part of wellbeing for a lot of people, and this can start at a young age. 

Children and families also have opportunities to connect at creative, singing, and rhyme groups, and can even collect a free Bookstart Baby pack courtesy of Booktrust.  National Portfolio Organisation funding from Arts Council England allows Inspire to develop high-quality cultural experiences such as theatre and music concerts for children and families.

Inspire offers adults opportunities to achieve their learning potential through its Adult Learning provision. With opportunities to gain recognised qualifications or learn just for fun, the library is a gateway to boost confidence, skills and prospects. 

For those who can’t read, Inspire’s Adult Reading Scheme provides the chance to learn in a welcoming and judgment-free space.  Support for English and Maths through functional skills provide an opportunity to gain a qualification. 

The British Library is just one partner that enables Inspire to offer help with business support and employment. Nottinghamshire’s entrepreneurs have the opportunity to benefit from guidance and 1:1 help on how to get a business off the ground. Library staff and job clubs can help with employment and CV support and access advice about applications, interviewing and more all for free.

Inspire’s volunteering programme Community Makers offers the perfect opportunity to discover new skills and purpose. After multiple lockdowns in the pandemic paired with her physical disability, Kath from Sutton-in-Ashfield had lost her confidence but in November 2020 she applied to be a volunteer and began hosting weekly Places of Welcome sessions with support from her library team. 

Inspire are currently running yet another Charity Knitting Challenge, which this year will lead to a large donation of handmade blankets being given to the National Health Service as well as care homes, acting as a comfort for vulnerable and cared-for individuals. Anyone can join in, but Inspire’s popular knit and natter clubs support the initiative with an army of crafters joining in. 

The annual Summer Reading Challenge gets underway in July and will see thousands of young readers sign up to read six books during the school holidays, along with artist and author workshops linked to The Reading Agency’s Marvellous Makers theme.

In August, the latest What’s On season will launch from family theatre performances that are perfect for families looking to stay local and spend less, to relaxed film screenings aimed at those with memory challenges and requiring additional support. Later this year, selected libraries will also open their doors to local creatives as they host Christmas markets, showcasing small businesses and allowing them to network and build their customer base.

Inspire are also currently offering their users the chance to have a say on the service in the Adult Library User survey which runs until 7th July.  Visit inspireculture.org.uk/librarysurvey

Find out more about our events and initiatives, and how our libraries can change your life.