Inspire Edwinstowe Library and Learning Centre

It’s nearly time to celebrate ! 🏹🌳

To mark Nottinghamshire Day on 25 August, Nottinghamshire County Council are hosting a weekend of free family fun at Sherwood Forest on 22 and 23 August, celebrating the county’s rich history, heritage and culture.

Whether you're heading to Sherwood Forest or enjoying the summer closer to home, there are plenty of Nottinghamshire-themed activities to discover in our libraries💚

Find out more in the comments 👇

Have you voted for your favourite read yet? 💕

To mark the National Year of Reading and Inspire's 10th birthday, Inspire's Favourite Reads is a celebration of the books most loved by our readers in the last decade. The list includes some great titles from classics by Thomas Hardy and Daphne Du Maurier, to award-winners Elif Shafak and Susanna Clarke, local offerings by Matt Haig and T. M. Logan, and current favourites like Coleen Hoover and Richard Osman.

Whether you've read one, two, or all thirty - vote for your favourite now to make our top 10 💖 Head to inspireculture.org.uk/favouritereads to cast yours!

Have you heard? Our Inspire Poetry Festival programme is live NOW! 🎉

Join us this September for a week of wonderful words, celebrating the power of poetry through performances, workshops, sharing sessions and more around Nottinghamshire. Whether you're a seasoned poet, new to the world of poetry or somewhere in between, here's some events to look out for...

⭐ Sit Down with the Social Model Writers at Beeston Library
Social Model Writers are a collective of disabled writers who perform together. Come along, take part, listen to and share poetry led by them - everyone is welcome. This is a hybrid event, taking place in person and via Zoom.

⭐ Five Leaves New Poetry: The First Three Years at West Bridgford Library
Since 2023 independent publisher Five Leaves has been showcasing the best of our region’s poetry. In this event, we’ll hear from most of the Five Leaves New Poets, pay tribute to Tony Challis, and be introduced to the latest New Poet Diana Bosworth (Restless).

⭐ Into the Everyday: A First Draft Generating Bootcamp with Georgina Wilding at Mansfield Central Library
What happens when we pay closer attention? Join Georgina for a first-draft generating workshop exploring poems of wonder and the everyday through playful prompts, shared reading and writing exercises.

View the full programme at inspireculture.org.uk/poetryfestival 🧡

What are your plans for the week? 👀📗

Make a visit to the library part of your routine, and complete the Summer Reading Challenge this summer. Sign your child up for FREE and help them choose their 6 reading goals. As they complete them, they collect rewards - it's that simple!

Visit any of our Inspire libraries today and ask to join. Or, find out more about the challenge at inspireculture.org.uk/summerreadingchallenge 👧👦

The Inspire Poetry Festival programme is now live! 🤩📜

Join us this September for a week of wonderful words, celebrating the power of poetry through performances, workshops, sharing sessions and more. Featuring poets including Cara Thompson, Liz Berry and headliner Paul Farley, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Here's some highlights to look out for!

⭐ A Pause for Poetry with Liz Berry
A first for Inspire, we're introducing a gentle hour of grown-up poetry especially for new parents and carers. Take a moment to slow down and settle in to hear award-winning poet Liz Berry read from her work in a baby-friendly space this National Poetry Day.

⭐ Beyond the Spectrum: Poetry for Neurodivergent People
Autistic professional writer Pippa Hennessy guides participants through fun, reflective prompts to create poems inspired by their own experiences in this one-off workshop. Beginners welcome.

⭐ Romeo + Juliet (1996) (12) with an introduction by Andrew Graves
Poet, film tutor and writer Andrew Graves introduces a special 30th anniversary screening of Romeo + Juliet (1996). As well as exploring the creation of Baz Luhrmann’s classic adaptation, Andrew will delve into how Shakespeare’s poetry is intertwined into the action both on a thematic and visual level, and look at why this story is still celebrated today in film, theatre and text.

View the full programme at inspireculture.org.uk/poetryfestival 🧡

There's still time to join the Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat! 🔊📖

Celebrating music & sound and exploring how music and storytelling unite, this year's challenge encourages children to read to their own reading rhythm. Join for free, choose your six reading goals and get collecting your rewards. At the end, you'll earn a medal and certificate!

Pop into any of our Nottinghamshire libraries and join for free today 📚
Find out more about the challenge at inspireculture.org.uk/summerreadingchallenge

Eclipse Viewing

We've had several enquiries about eclipse viewing glasses. Unfortunately, Inspire Nottinghamshire Libraries do not distribute eclipse glasses.

We do have lots of books about space and exploring the sky, take a look on our library catalogue: https://nottslibraries.inspireculture.org.uk/

If you’re planning to view the eclipse, please remember to view it safely using appropriate eye protection from a reputable supplier.

How to watch the solar eclipse safely this summer – UK Health Security Agency:
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/23/how-to-watch-the-solar-eclipse-safely-this-summer/