Published 23rd July 2024
On Friday 26 July, Stapleford Library and Learning Centre will be opening its doors to learners, residents, partners and funders to celebrate the completion of external works to the building.
Local learners will be invited to attend and will join representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, and members of the Towns Fund Board to celebrate the impact of the new facilities and learning programme following the refurbishment. We'll showcase the difference Inspire is making in the local community one year on from our refurbishment work to transform the library into a library and learning centre.
Following a warm welcome from our funders and partners, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in free ‘have-a-go’ taster sessions hosted by Inspire tutors, ranging from Sewing for Beginners, IT and Email for Beginners and First Steps to Starting your Business. Non-library members are also welcome to attend, where they’ll be able to sign up for free.
Officially re-opened in June last year following a major refurbishment, the Library and Learning Centre received over £740,000 of funding to modernise its facilities and update its frontage. Since then, it has welcomed learners and library visitors both old and new, providing residents of Stapleford and beyond with a vibrant space to learn, gain new skills and enjoy culture in their community.
The Stapleford Library and Learning Centre is one of six regeneration projects funded by the UK Government through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund.
Stapleford Library, owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and run by Inspire, originally closed in February 2023 to be remodelled, creating more space for new entry level skills education and training, allowing residents with little or no formal qualifications to take their first step within their local community on their lifelong learning journey.
Inspire, which delivers culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, aims to support up to 1,000 local people with new skills over the next three years as well as providing community and family learning opportunities, alongside it’s existing library offer.
For more details about the Stapleford Towns Fund visit broxtowe.gov.uk/staplefordtownsfund
“Through our early public engagement work we heard very clearly that local people wanted more opportunities for learning and developing skills in their local community. Through the Government’s Town Fund investment, residents now have a modern, fit-for-purpose centre, home to many courses and training programmes that are already making a big difference to people’s lives. The exterior improvements have made the building looks so much better too – another positive for our town.”
"The Stapleford Library and Learning Centre is a fantastic example of how we are transforming our local areas and creating new opportunities for residents. The centre has been a huge success in its first year, attracting thousands of visitors and learners who have benefited from the diverse range of services and activities on offer. The centre is not only a place to borrow books, but also a place to learn new skills, access information and advice, and enjoy cultural events and exhibitions. I would like to congratulate Inspire and all the partners involved in this project for their excellent work and dedication. I hope the centre will continue to grow and thrive as a vital asset for the Stapleford community and beyond."
“The refurbishment of Stapleford Library and Learning Centre has been an amazing opportunity to improve education and learning for local residents to fulfil their learning and earning potential. We are delighted that we’ve been able to deliver three new learning spaces without compromising the library offer. The new facilities have attracted users new and old to the space; it’s wonderful to now invite them to join us as we celebrate the completion of the project with our colleagues and partners and recognise this great joint achievement.”
