Inspire Bilsthorpe Library

Inspire Bilsthorpe Library A great Community Library offering Learning and Culture to all through Books, Events and Free Access to the Internet.

There’s still time to discover the books everyone’s been talking about… 📚✨Before the Inspire’s Favourite Reads shortlist...
18/06/2026

There’s still time to discover the books everyone’s been talking about… 📚✨

Before the Inspire’s Favourite Reads shortlist is unveiled this Saturday (just in time for Lowdham Book Festival!) why not explore the longlist and see how many you’ve read? 👀

Created from titles recommended by our staff and books that have been especially loved by readers across our libraries, the longlist is packed with favourites across every genre. From modern classics like The Midnight Library and Girl, Woman, Other, to gripping crime with The Thursday Murder Club, sweeping historical fiction including Hamnet, imaginative escapes like Project Hail Mary, and unforgettable non-fiction such as Becoming – there’s something for every kind of reader.

Will your favourites make the shortlist? 👀
Browse the longlist, borrow a title and join the conversation before the big reveal this Saturday! Head to inspireculture.org.uk/favouritereads now to see the list 📖

Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat is landing in Nottinghamshire libraries very soon! 🤩📖From Saturday 4 Jul...
18/06/2026

Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat is landing in Nottinghamshire libraries very soon! 🤩📖

From Saturday 4 July, children aged 4–11 can join the challenge for FREE at their local Inspire library and set off on a summer filled with stories, surprises and fun.

Here’s how the challenge works:
🎟️ Sign up for FREE and collect your starter pack
⭐ Help your little one set their own reading goals
📚 Help choose books they actually want to read (stories, comics, facts, jokes, poetry - it all counts!)
🎉 Collect stickers and rewards along the way
🏅 Complete 6 reading goals to earn a medal and certificate!

This year's theme Read to the Beat encourages readers to explore music and sound too - which means our talking books and eAudio could be the perfect playlist to your summer adventures. Whether your child already loves books or just needs a little summer motivation, the Summer Reading Challenge 2026: Read to the Beat is all about making reading fun, building confidence and keeping young minds inspired over the holidays.

Find out more about the challenge at inspireculture.org.uk/summerreadingchallenge ☀️

13/06/2026

Episode 2 of the I Am A Storyteller podcast is out now!🎙️

In Episode 2, host Annie Warren sits down with Andy Barrett - a Nottingham-based community storyteller, playwright and academic.

Andy shares his experiences of working with communities to uncover powerful local stories, from touring shows and films to audio walks like Sherwood Voices. As part of this project, he worked closely with residents at Bowbridge Care Home in Newark, bringing their voices and memories to life 💬

Tune in to hear how storytelling can celebrate memory and connection to the people around us.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music 🎧 inspireculture.org.uk/IAASPodcast

It's World Wide Knit in Public Day! 🌎🧶Whether you're already part of one of our Knit and Natter groups or enjoy stitchin...
13/06/2026

It's World Wide Knit in Public Day! 🌎🧶

Whether you're already part of one of our Knit and Natter groups or enjoy stitching in your spare time, now is the perfect time to get involved in a community knitting initiative!

Our 2026 Inspire Charity Knitting Challenge – Story Snugglers, is all about bringing comfort, warmth, and a love of reading to children. To celebrate the , crafters across Notts are creating colourful, snuggly woollies designed to keep little ones cosy during bedtime stories🌙📖

We’ve already seen some brilliant snugglers from our amazing community, and we’d love to see yours next!

Interested in taking up the challenge? Find patterns, how-to videos AND more on our website: inspireculture.org.uk/knit

📷 Images from Inspire Sutton-in-Ashfield Library

It's global Empathy Day! 🌍✨This year's Read for Empathy collection includes 65 diverse and BRILLIANT books for 3–16+ yea...
11/06/2026

It's global Empathy Day! 🌍✨

This year's Read for Empathy collection includes 65 diverse and BRILLIANT books for 3–16+ year-olds perfect to during the National Year of Reading! 📚

Now in its 10th year, EmpathyLab 's collection is curated by expert librarians, booksellers, teachers and academics to champion children’s literature in all its diversity.

Through these novels, graphics, picture books, poetry collections, non fiction, and early readers – young people can experience, understand and practise empathy – a learnable life skill at the heart of strong relationships and positive wellbeing 💜

our online catalogue 👉 nottslibraries.inspireculture.org.uk and borrow the books from your local library.

📢 Have your say! Take part in our Adult Library User Survey today!🎉Whether you use your local library to pick up your fa...
10/06/2026

📢 Have your say! Take part in our Adult Library User Survey today!🎉

Whether you use your local library to pick up your favourite reads, take part in a group or course, use the computers or printers, attend an event, or meet friends, we’d love to hear your views! 📚

This is your chance to impact our service and benefit your community. 😍

⭐Complete the survey: inspireculture.org.uk/librarysurvey

The survey is open to adults aged 17+, and the survey closes on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Thank you!

Nottinghamshire County Council

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨RAMZEE is the author/illustrator of The Cheat Book Vol. 1: Can Kamal Cheat His Way ...
10/06/2026

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨

RAMZEE is the author/illustrator of The Cheat Book Vol. 1: Can Kamal Cheat His Way Onto the Cool Table - one of the amazing books nominated in our Longer Book category 🤔

He has written comic books for 2000ad and Marvel, and he designs and runs his own comics and illustration workshops too!

Find out more about InspiREAD 2026 and cast your vote - link in the comment section below 👇

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨Simon Packham is the author of Zak Monroe is (NOT) My Friend - one of the amazing b...
08/06/2026

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨

Simon Packham is the author of Zak Monroe is (NOT) My Friend - one of the amazing books nominated in our Longer Book category 🙅‍♂️

Before he started writing children's books, Simon spent 25 years as a professional actor, musician (violinist/singer/composer) and comedian!

Find out more about InspiREAD 2026 and cast your vote - link in the comment section below 👇

Libraries Change Lives week has reminded us again just how valuable our services are to people in the community 💕 From R...
05/06/2026

Libraries Change Lives week has reminded us again just how valuable our services are to people in the community 💕

From Retford to East Leake, Huthwaite to Balderton, libraries up and down our county have been sharing the best parts of themselves in a bid to spread the love. Lots of our libraries hosted author events this week including West Bridgford and Worksop libraries. Some shared stories with families and got crafty afterwards, and others took us on a virtual tour of their buildings! Let us know if you explored your local library this week 💬

Did you know that an estimated 15.6 million adults in the UK are library members? Share your local library with someone you care about and help us give communities an even bigger boost this 📚 Join online for FREE at inspireculture.org.uk/join


Nottinghamshire County Council

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨Daniel Duncan is the illustrator of Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder - one of the amazin...
05/06/2026

InspiREAD 2026 - Meet the nominees! ✨

Daniel Duncan is the illustrator of Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder - one of the amazing books nominated in our Longer Book category ⚽

Daniel predominantly uses pencil accompanied by digital illustration techniques in his work. He loves football as much as he loves drawing, so illustrating a book with football as a big theme was really fun!

Find out more about InspiREAD 2026 and cast your vote - link in the comment section below 👇

Address

The Crescent, Bilsthorpe
Newark
NG228QX

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9:30am - 1pm
Friday 1:30pm - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+441623677200

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