Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Learning Centre

Published 8th July 2024

Sponsorship from Arc Partnership is supporting the work of Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries in promoting literacy and participation in the arts by children, young people and schools.

Four projects promoting reading, music and the arts will benefit from the sponsorship throughout 2024. Inspire who deliver culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council have chosen projects that will have an impact on participants lives and attainment, underpinning Arc Partnership’s ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people in the region. 

Arc Partnership is a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, formed in 2016 to support the council in creating an efficient, safe and sustainable land and property portfolio. They work with Inspire alongside Nottinghamshire County Council on library refurbishments and projects, improving environments for people to enjoy reading, learning and activities.

Projects to be sponsored are;

InspiRead 2024 – launched as a virtual book award in 2020, by The Education Library Service, this primary book award runs annually in the summer term to encourage children to read for pleasure. Librarians pick their favourite children's books which have been published within the last year - then it's over to young readers to read and vote for their favourites. Schools get involved too and can borrow shortlisted books from the Education Library Service.  Voting has just closed for 2024, and with the help of Arc sponsorship the awards got over 2,000 votes from young readers, school pupils and families. Read more in our InspiRead press release.

Summer Reading Challenge - Presented by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries since 1999, the Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged 4 to 11.   Combining free access to books with fun creative activities is at the heart of the challenge. Marvellous Makers launched on 6th July in Inspire Libraries and nationally.

An Inspired Christmas Concert 2024 – Arc Partnership will be the official sponsor of the annual showcase at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Concert Hall in December. The concert is a culmination of months of work by Inspire Music, Nottinghamshire Music Hub and the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain with schools and choirs across the county.

The sponsorship also make it possible for Inspire’s Youth Arts and Music teams to develop a programme to support young artists and music ensembles.

“As a community-focused business, we are delighted to work with Inspire and Nottinghamshire County Council to provide learning opportunities across the region. InspiRead 2024 and the Summer Reading Challenge are important schemes to inspire children and young people to pick up a book and improve their literacy skills. 


We have also confirmed our commitment to sponsoring the Inspired Christmas Concert again in 2024.  It’s an incredible event that showcases the best musical talent from schools and choirs across Nottinghamshire.”


Dan Maher, Managing Director at Arc Partnership
Man in suit holding a stack of books in a colourful children's library

Dan Maher, Managing Director Arc Partnership recently visited Stapleford Library and Learning centre

“We have a fantastic relationship with Arc Partnership, which as well as developing our library building infrastructure, also supports the people who use our services and participate in our programmes and activities.  InspiRead and the Summer Reading Challenge are vital for children to develop literacy skills and a love for reading and it's great we can enhance these opportunities with author visits, resources, and prizes made possible by the support from Arc Partnership. I am also excited that we can create opportunities for schools, choirs, and young people through the projects supported by Arc Partnership.”

Peter Gaw, Chief Executive Inspire 

“I’m delighted that Arc Partnership has chosen to sponsor these projects that will enrich the learning experience of young people across the county. It’s a fantastic collaboration to promote reading, music and the arts to children and young people and testament to the value the organisation places on our culture, learning and library services.“

Councillor Scott Carlton, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council

Find out more about Arc Partnership and Inspire

 

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