We have temporarily suspended all events and are in the process of re-arranging, please see our Nottingham City Libraries Coronavirus page for more information
Special and one off events
Visit our special events calendar.
Regular activities
Please note regular activities are affected by seasonal and Bank Holiday changes to opening hours.
Click on each heading below for more information about the activity and details of locations, dates and times.
Bengali, Gujarati and Urdu book groups
For dates of the next meeting and further information please contact Syed Anwar via email on or call on 0115 876 1938.
Book Group
First Thursday of the month, 5.45pm to 7pm
Crime Readers' Group
Last Tuesday of the month, from 2pm to 3.15pm
Readers' Group
First Tuesday of the month, from 5pm to 6pm
Reading For Mental Health Book Club
Contact Jane Brierley on 0115 876 1933 or for more information
Reading For Pleasure
Third Tuesday of the month, 11.30am
The Listening Chain an audio-book group for visually impaired persons
Second Wednesday of the month 2 pm to 3.30pm
Contact Sarah Akroyd 0115 876 1946 or
Bulwell Riverside library Library Club and Book Group
Second Friday of the month, 10.15am to 11.30am
0115 883 3500
Dales Centre Library Reading Group
First Friday of the month, 4.45pm to 5.45pm
0115 876 1990
Meadows Library Reading Group
First Wednesday of the month, from 6pm to 7pm
0115 915 9279
Sherwood Library Pageturners Reading Group
First Friday of the month, 6pm to 7pm NB: New opening times, the group will continue to meet as usual, please contact staff for further information.
0115 915 1155
St Ann's Valley Library Book Group
Third Wednesday in the month, from 12pm to 1pm
0115 883 9700
Strelley Road Library Book Group
Third Monday of the month, 11am to 12pm
0115 883 3500
First Wednesday of the month, 10.30am to 11.30pm
0115 915 2809
A lively and welcoming group that meets at Aspley Library to create items to help charities. The activities can be anything from needlework to paper crafts or beading.
Every piece that is created is donated to a charity for them to use or to sell and raise money.
Aspley Library every Tuesday, from 1.30pm to 4pm, everyone welcome, free.
For anyone thinking of starting a business, or needing help to grow their business.
Based at Nottingham Central Library, the BIPC is here to help with specialist information, a range of one to ones, workshops and events to inspire and inform you.
Find out more about events at the BIPC
Chess Club is a new weekly activity for all ages at Sherwood Library. Whether you are a chess whizz or an absolute beginner why not give it a try? The first session is on Wednesday 29 January 2020 3.30pm to 5.30pm and every Wednesday after that.
You can learn the basics, hone your skills or compete with like minded folk for a bit of fun and it's absolutely free!
Sherwood Library every Wednesday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Conversation Groups and Language Cafe
Conversation Groups for learners of English
These groups are for anyone who wants to improve their confidence in speaking English. They are aimed at people who speak English as a second language and help you build confidence by discussion, debate, exchanging ideas and through activities and tasks.
The groups run in term time only at:
Nottingham Central Library Thursday 2.30pm to 4.15pm
Dales Centre Library Monday 1pm to 2.30pm
Hyson Green Library Friday 10.30am to 12pm
Meadows Library Monday 10.30am to 12pm
St Ann's Valley Centre Library Wednesday 1pm to 2.45pm
The Language Cafe
Saturdays 1pm to 3pm at Nottingham Central Library.
This is an informal language exchange and fun way to learn new languages or practice your teaching skills, it runs in term time only.
For more information about Conversation groups or the Language cafe please get in touch:
Email: or contact the relevant library.
We have lots of regular activities after school, on Saturdays and in the holidays suitable for all ages of children and young people. Click on the relevant age group below for more details:
Under 5s 5-11 years 12-19 years
To find out about special and one-off events, like family theatre performances, visit the Special Events Calendar, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for Stay Connected monthly library updates via email.
Free training and support to improve your digital skills so you can you take a more active role in your health, care and wellbeing.
Every Wednesday your Digital Support Hub will be at Nottingham Central Library from 10am to 12pm - just drop in no need to book.
The support on offer ranges from keeping in touch with family and friends to following hobbies or managing health. For more information click here.
One2One Family History computer help sessions.
Support to explore some of the online sources available. The sessions are free and last for one hour. Contact the Local Studies Library
Family History drop-in sessions
On the first Wednesday of every month, 10 am to 12 pm, in the Local Studies Library, floor 1, Central Library. Anyone with family history questions is welcome, whether they are just starting or are already doing their research.
Our new drop in games cafe is the perfect way to get out to meet new people in your local area while enjoying some new and old favourite games!
Games Cafés are free and run weekly at the following libraries;
- Basford Library, Monday, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Bilborough Library, Tuesday 11.30 - 12.30pm
- Hyson Green Library, Thursday 10.30am - 11.30am
- Sherwood Library, Monday, 10.30am to 11.30am
- The Meadows Library, Thursday, 10.30am to 11.30am.
- Southglade Park Library, Mondays, 10.30am to 11.30 am
Health and Well-being regular events
POhWER delivers peer advocacy groups across Nottingham, supporting people affected by mental health
The ‘Empohwer groups’ are welcoming, empowering support groups for people with a shared experience and common understanding of mental health. Empohwer groups are confidential, free and non-judgemental.
Each group will involve tea and biscuits, open discussion, signposting and POhWER can make statutory advocacy referrals. All groups will be facilitated by trained POhWER volunteers. Facilitators will direct discussion and plan the session to address the needs of the group and community.
Sessions are free and no booking is required. Workshops running at
- Meadows Library first Monday of every month 1pm to 3pm.
- Hyson Green Library third Monday of every month 1.30pm to 2.30pm
For more information about health and wellbeing visit our Help with health at your library page
Knit, stitch and crochet clubs are free and open to anyone who has an interest in needle and yarn crafts; whether you knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider or enjoy any other type of needle crafts.
The clubs welcome people at all levels of experience who are willing to share their time, ideas and skills with others or just want to work on their projects.
Groups meet at:
Aspley Library Knit and Natter, Tuesday 4 pm to 5.45pm
Basford Library Knit and Knatter Group, Alternate Tuesdays 9.30am to 12 pm
Bilborough Library Knitting and Crochet Group, Monday and Friday 10 am to 12 pm
Bulwell Library Knit and Natter, Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 12 pm
Friends of Meadows Library Sewing Group, Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm
Nottingham Central Library Tangled Yarns Knitting and Crochet Group, alternate Tuesdays 1 pm to 3 pm.
St Ann's Valley Library Knit and Stitch Group, Friday 10 am to 12 pm
Strelley Road Library Knit and Stitch Group, Tuesdays, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Dales Centre Library Crochet Group, Saturday 11.30am to 12.30pm
Monthly, from September to June, libraries invite guest experts who present talks and discussions on a wide range of subjects. Recent topics include Japanese tea ceremonies, the history of photography, local history and poetry.
Everyone is welcome to attend and it's a great place to meet people in your community. There is no requirement to attend every talk and refreshments are available for a small contribution.
Library talks are held at:
Basford Library Second Tuesday of the month 10.30 am to 11.30 am
Clifton Library First Thursday of the month 10:30 am to 12 pm
Sherwood Library Third Thursday of the month, 10am to 11am
Open to anyone unemployed and looking for work or training. Delivered in partnership with trained employment advisers from local organisations, drop in for help with your CV, interview skills, job searching, finding training and apprenticeships.
Universal Skills is an online resource aimed at anyone who is looking for work. It’s free to use in the library or from home, just log in with your library card number.
Topics include:
- Basic IT Skills
- How to use Find a Job
- Universal Credit
- Employability Skills, including job search, interview skills, CV writing
Libraries with sessions are listed below:
Aspley | Tuesday | 1 pm to 3 pm |
---|---|---|
Basford | Thursday | 1pm to 2.30pm |
Bilborough | Tuesday | 10 am to 12 pm |
Bulwell Riverside | Wednesday | 1pm to 4 pm |
Clifton | Tuesday | 10 am to 2 pm |
Dales Centre | Wednesday | 1pm to 3pm |
Hyson Green | Monday | 1 pm to 3 pm |
Meadows | Thursday | 1.30pm to 3.30pm |
Radford-Lenton | Monday | 10 am to 12 pm |
Sherwood | Tuesday | 10 am to 12 pm |
St Ann's Valley Centre | Tuesday | 9.30am to 12:30pm |
Strelley Road | Wednesday | 1 pm to 3 pm |
Are you interested in creative writing? Do you want to meet others with similar interests? Here are some writing groups in Nottingham where you might find inspiration!
DIY Poets
Third Tuesday of the month, 8 pm
The Peacock pub, Mansfield Road, Nottingham
07905 322813
Lowdham Writers' Group
Second Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm
Old Ship Inn, Main St, Lowdham
Nick Sparrow 0115 914 4057
Nottingham Poetry Society
Fourth Saturday of the month, 2:45 pm
The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham
01773 712282
Nottingham Shakespeare Society
First and Third Tuesday of the month, 7 pm
The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham
0115 925 6551
Nottingham Writers' Club
First and Third Wednesday of the month, 7 pm
The Mechanics, North Sherwood Street, Nottingham
Jeremy 0115 962 1453
Nottingham Writers' Studio
A work and resource centre for professional-level writers
Aly Stoneman 0115 959 7947 /
Notts Writing Group
Mondays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm The Bell Inn, Angel Row, Nottingham
Keep up with the latest library special events
Visit the Libraries Special Events calendar page
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