Library Service Consultation

Derbyshire residents are invited to have their say on a number of proposals which aim to keep library buildings open, as well as creating a modern, agile, family-friendly and sustainable service across the county. The proposals can be found in the library service’s new draft strategy 'A Modern Library Service for Derbyshire’ and can be found here

The proposals are aimed at meeting necessary budget savings and reflecting changing patterns of library use while ensuring the service remains as accessible, efficient and cost-effective as possible.

Complete the Derbyshire Public Library Service Consultation Survey here or ask for a paper copy in your local library. The closing date for response is Saturday 2 November 2024. 

If you have any questions about the consultation please email publiclibrary.consultation@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Summer Reading Challenge

We have been having lots of fun in our libraries during this year's Summer Reading Challenge. Here’s a reminder to children to complete the challenge and to go into your library and collect your medal and certificate - you’ve earned it!  The challenge began on Saturday 6^th July and ends on Saturday 7^th September and further information on the Summer Reading Challenge can be found here.

The Summer Reading Challenge is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with libraries. Marvellous Makers illustrations by Natelle Quek and logo artwork by Lizzie Everard. All © The Reading Agency 2024.

Adult Events in September

Come along to a variety of events and health information for adults in libraries:

• Monday 19th August until 27th September - Neil Broady Art Exhibition - Hayfield Library - during opening hours - A collection of paintings from the late Neil Broady, a local resident of Hayfield, will be on display - ring 01629 533438 for more info  
• Monday 2nd September - Live Life Better Derbyshire are doing blood pressure checks in Buxton Library -  10am-12noon - ring 01629 533460 for more info
• Wednesday 4th September - Local History Drop In Session at Chesterfield Library - 11am-12noon. Free event, no booking required. Help with family history research, finding maps, old
  Chesterfield photographs, and research questions from our experienced and knowledgeable staff - ring 01629 533400 for more info
• Friday 6th September - Saturday 14th September - Heritage Open Days, Eckington Connections, Past Lines - Eckington Library - during opening hours. Eckington Library are hosting a guided exhibition in partnership with Eckington Town Team – Heritage Group. This lively guided exhibition shows how this ancient Derbyshire market town became a superbly well-connected industrial centre as it's mining and metal working industries thrived in the 18th and 19th centuries only to decline in the 20th. For further information look here. or ring 01629 533748 or 07743322115
• Thursday 19th September - For the love of libraries - New Mills Library. An opportunity for local spoken words enthusiasts to share odes to the library. In conjunction with New Mills Festival - 5-6.30 pm - ring 01629 533195 for more info. Free, drop in session.

September Activities for Families

Regular activities for children can be found on our website. Look out also for the following:

• 31 August to 7 September 2024 - Create Paper Plate Dream Catchers  - Borrowash Library - all day, drop-in, during library opening times - ring 01629 533448 for more info
• Monday 2nd September - Painting with Pixels - Ashbourne Library - artists, get to your keyboards! Free event, booking is essential - 10am-12noon - ring 01629 533950 for more info
• Saturday 7th September - Family Craft Drop-In Session - Belper Library - drop in and try a selection of fun, simple crafts suitable for children aged four and over - 10am-3pm - ring 01629 533192 for more info
• Saturday 7th September - Lego Club (back to school theme) for ages 4+ at Ilkeston Library - 10.30 am to midday - (drop in) - ring 01629 533275 for more info
• Saturday 7th September - create and make your own board game (ages 5+) Ripley Library -  Midday-2pm - ring 01629 532982 for more info
• Monday 23rd September - ROSPA are attending the Rhyme Time session at Buxton Library  at 10am - to talk about road safety and car seats - ring 01629 533460 for more info
• Tuesday 24th September - Board Game Club - Belper Library - 4-7 pm - our board game club is fun and welcoming to all ages. We have a range of classic and modern board games for you to try, and support from our volunteer to get you started - ring 01629 533192 for more info

The Derwent Valley: The Story of a Photobook

at Belper Library

Wednesday 11^th September, 2:30-3:30 pm

Join us for an informative talk by local photographer Ashley Franklin, detailing the story of The Derwent Valley Mills photobook. Free event, no need to book.

Derwent Valley Photography Exhibition

Drop in between Saturday 31^st August – Saturday 14^th September - during library opening hours. An exhibition of photographs of The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, taken by local photographer Ashley Franklin and others, and included in The Derwent Valley Mills photobook - ring 01629 533192 for more info

Chesterfield Area Coal Mines and Miners

Join us for a special local history talk by John Robinson and Holly Froggatt, at Chesterfield Library

Thursday 19th September at 10 am

This is a free event and no booking is necessary. Ring 01629 533400 for further info

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery 

Buxton pop-up museum and art gallery: Did you know?

Whilst Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is temporarily closed, we've taken the opportunity to set up a free pop-up museum in the historic surroundings of the Octagon Lounge in Buxton's Pavilion Gardens.

Part of the Heritage Open Days Festival, the display explores the variety of the museum collection, revealing some obscure facts about Buxton and Derbyshire. There will be real museum objects to handle and a short film about the history of Pavilion Gardens, as told by the people of Buxton.

You can also have your say on what you think a future Buxton Museum and Art Gallery should look like.

No need to book, just drop by between 10am and 4pm on:

Monday 9 September 2024

Tuesday 10 September 2024

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Wilbur Smith Awards

The Wilbur Smith Award for Adventure Writing shortlist has been announced. With entries from around the world, there’s something here for any reader who loves adventure!

Look here for the shortlisted authors and titles and further information on the award. 

The winner will be announced on Thursday, 19th September!

Derbyshire Record Office

Who lived where?

One of the most used resources at the Record Office are electoral registers. First produced in 1832, they are a record of all those persons entitled to vote at parliamentary, local and parochial elections. This makes them very useful if you are researching your family or house history. They are spread out over various locations, so here’s a handy guide:

• The electoral registers for Derbyshire between 1832 and 1999 are held at the Record Office.
• The electoral registers for Derbyshire from 2000 onwards will be at the district or borough council.
• You can also see the electoral registers for the borough of Chesterfield from 1974 onwards at Chesterfield library.
• The electoral registers covering Derby city up to 1900 are in the Record Office.
• The electoral registers covering Derby city after 1900 are at Derby Local Studies and Family History Library.

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(Entries in an electoral register)

Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES)

Take the first step – start your learning journey today

If you've been considering returning to learning, now is a great time to start. With welcoming centres across Derbyshire, DACES offers a wide range of courses to suit your needs. Whether you want to build confidence, acquire new skills, earn qualifications, or discover new opportunities, we’re here to help.

We look forward to meeting you and being part of your learning journey!

Tel: 01629 531241 or email: adult.education@derbyshire.gov.uk

Visit DACES website to book

Multi Use titles 

Every month we get a new selection of titles on our FREE BorrowBox app of both eBooks and eAudiobooks that can be taken out by multiple users at one time. These stay multi-use for 60 days, so if you have a book club and you're looking for your next title then one of these could be your next choice! 

You can find these titles on the main BorrowBox page, identified as a collection with 'No Waiting!' or 'Available Now!'

Titles available from September are:

In Ebook & Eaudio:

• Prophet song – Paul Lynch
• The interview – C M Ewan
• Julia – Sandra Newman

In eBook only:

• Sword catcher – Cassandra Clare

In eAudiobook only: 

• Menopausing – Davina McCall
• Weirdo – Sara Pascoe

New Adult Books

We’ve chosen to highlight three books published recently for you to enjoy. You can reserve them via our online catalogue.

Final Traitor by Andy McDermott

Alex Reeve - Operative 66 - is a former special-ops soldier and one of the UK's most deadly weapons. Once a member of SC9, a covert assassination unit, Reeve was framed for treason and now works as a mercenary - while the cold-blooded killers he trained with continue their ruthless pursuit. To be reunited with the woman he loves, Reeve must bring down SC9. As SC9's Operatives close their lethal net, Reeve and those he has to protect are plunged into terrible danger. Reeve must rely on his instincts and expert training to have any chance of survival.

Once Upon a Time in Venice by Carol Kirkwood

Can Venice weave its magical spell when three women's lives collide? One moonlit night, glamorous Venetian, Gina Lombardi is thrown together with a masked stranger during the Venice carnival and finds an immediate and unforgettable connection. Issy Roberts is personal assistant to Hollywood's biggest action star, Brad Redford. But she's been keeping a secret - one that could ruin their relationship. Lucia de Santis is the ultimate diva. As Italy's biggest opera star, she can have whatever and whoever she wants. Now she wants something she can't have, and she'll do anything to get it. Can Venice weave its magical spell when the three women's lives collide?

Restore by Will Kirk

Caring for the items you love around the home is easier - and more rewarding - than you think. In his first book, The Repair Shop's resident woodworking expert Will Kirk takes you on an inspirational tour of the elements of wood care and restoration, from basic principles and quick fixes around the home to larger projects. Restore shows you how simple and joyful woodworking can be. Restore teaches us how to save pieces of furniture from the scrap heap and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the objects we use every day. Encouraging us all to slow down and appreciate the beauty of woodcraft through accessible projects - which anyone can start working on at home!

Children's Book Recommendations

One of our favourite things to do is recommend amazing children's books to you! This month we recommend you check out these titles:

The Girl at the Front of the Class - Onjali Q Rauf and Pippa Curnick (Illustrator)

The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too. But I've got a plan! There's something I can do to make her feel better when she's missing everything she's left behind . . .

The Age of Enchantment - Anna James and David Wyatt (Illustrator)                              (Chronicles of Whetherwhy 1)

In Whetherwhy, everyone has magic inside them – grown from the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. But a rare few are Enchanters: people born with magic in their bones, who can wield all four seasons of magic.

Thunder City - Philip Reeve

An epic, thrilling, action-packed city-eat-city adventure starring brave fighter Tamzin Pook, who must travel from the spectator sport combat arena in Margate to the Thunder City, where a chilling, ruthless villain has seized power. She will face Revenants - animal/machine hybrids with ferocious appetites - dangerous mercenaries and must learn to trust a group of oddballs whose eccentricities mask their huge hearts and steadfast courage.

You can reserve them via our online catalogue.