|
 Inspire's new What's On brochure for Spring is here!
Hear from our friends at Inspire to find out more about what's happening in our libraries across the county this spring.
This season is packed with unmissable events and activities perfect for green-thumbed gardeners and nature lovers!
This season we’re thrilled to bring you a sneak peek of the British Library’s Unearthed Exhibition, exploring the transformative power of gardening. The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge is back with a Story Garden theme, celebrating the magic of storytelling and the great outdoors. Perfect to keep children reading and exploring all summer long!
We’re also bringing you an incredible line-up of virtual reality experiences this May! Plus, don’t miss the return of Hands On Heritage Day at Mansfield Central Library, packed with fun and free family-friendly activities. Read on find out what’s happening near you.
Family Fun
Virtual Reality Library
Saturday 17 May - Friday 30 May
We are thrilled to announce that Inspire is one of the nine library services in England selected to participate in the ground-breaking Digital Spaces programme.
This innovative initiative, in collaboration with Arts Council England, BFI, with National Lottery Funding, and The Space promises to revolutionise digital engagement and accessibility in our libraries.
Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway
Join the beloved characters on a new immersive adventure.
The Philharmonia Virtual Orchestra - The Lark Ascending
Experience a mesmerising 360-degree performance of Vaughan Williams's masterpiece featuring Nicola Benedetti.
Monoliths
Explore England's northern landscape through the voices of three women in this immersive XR experience by Pilot Theatre and One to One Development Trust.
|
Summer Reading Challenge
Saturday 5 July – Sunday 7 September
Take a trip to story garden for the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge.
We’ll be inspiring children to tap into a world of imagination through reading in the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge. Story Garden will celebrate nature and the great outdoors, exploring adventure, fantasy and the magical world of storytelling.
The challenge invites children aged 4 – 11, to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers to collect along the way and a medal and certificate for every child who completes the challenge.
|
Inspire’s charity knitting challenge 2025: Wrapped
Create a woolly work of art in 2025!
Inspire, Mansfield Building Society, the Trussell Trust and Creative Lives are supporting crafters to make beautiful hand knitted and crocheted scarves in our Charity Knitting Challenge for 2025: Wrapped!
Nottinghamshire knitwear designer Jane Withers will be inspiring us to make warm woolly masterpieces with her patterns that are available free from libraries.
The handmade scarves will be showcased in the annual exhibition before they are donated, with help from our distribution partners at the Trussell Trust.
|
Unearthed: The Power Of Gardening
FREE Inspire Libraries | Mansfield Central Library
Friday 2 May – Friday 30 May
We are delighted to be hosting a taster of the Unearthed Exhibition exploring the transformative power of gardening at the British Library’s St Pancras site in May 2025.
Gardening is so much more than the nation’s favourite pastime. Tracing personal stories alongside global histories, Unearthed celebrates gardening as a force for creativity, resilience and connection. From the people who have fought for the right and space to garden to the stories of the plants we use for food and medicine, discover how gardening has shaped our lives, our communities, and our planet.
|
Heritage
Hands On Heritage Day
FREE Mansfield Central Library
10am – 2pm / Saturday 17 May
We will be bringing you a variety of fun and free activities from heritage groups and organisations from across the county.
This year Inspire are getting interactive with virtual reality experiences supported by the BFI and National Lottery. Plus Nottinghamshire Archives will be offering augmented reality activities, a new interactive map of Nottingham, and the opportunity to digitise your own photographs!
To commemorate 80 years since VE Day, stallholders will be presenting a range of World War II-related activities and collections, with live 1940s era music by our Red Hot Band.
|
Gardens Of Delight
Jason Mordan of the Nottinghamshire Gardens Trust gives an illustrated introduction to the range and variety of historic designed parks, gardens and landscapes of the county. From the oldest allotments, to the largest historic parklands, through monastic deer parks and the boating lakes of public parks, Nottinghamshire has a wonderful selection!
|
Author event: In Conversation With Kathy Slack: Rough Patch
£5 West Bridgford Library
Join us for an inspiring evening with Kathy Slack as she discusses her transformative memoir Rough Patch: How a Year in the Garden Brought Me Back to Life. Facing burnout and anxiety, Kathy found solace in her kitchen garden, rediscovering hope and healing through the power of nature and the joy of growing her own food.
Perfect for garden lovers, food enthusiasts, and anyone seeking renewal, this promises to be an evening of heartfelt stories and new perspectives.
|
Film: The Bee Movie (U)
Craft 12.45pm / Film 2pm / Saturday 21 June
An ambitious worker bee Barry (Jerry Seinfeld) flies away in search of adventure but when he breaks the rules and speaks to humans, he sets off an un-bee-lievable chain of events.
Come along and bee crafty!
Pop-in for some craft activities before The Bee Movie starts! Join artist Clare Taylor to make seed paper, any time from 12.45pm.
|
Learning: Inspire College open events are back!
Making decisions about your future can be scary, but Inspire College is here to help. If you’re aged 16-19* and not sure of your next steps, join us at our free college Open Day events at our bases across Nottinghamshire, kicking off on Tuesday 22 April. Ask your questions, find out about courses on offer, and have a look around!
There’s no need to book a place – simply drop in on the day. We look forward to welcoming you! Find your closest open day and come and say hello at inspireculture.org.uk/openday
(*aged up to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan)
|
|
|
|
|
