February 18, 2019, by Sunita Tailor

Three Nottingham Libraries that Offer More than Books

This blog was written by second year English with Creative Writing student, Bethany Mitchell. 

I adore books as much as the next English student, so libraries are often my favourite places to be. Many of Nottingham’s fantastic libraries offer much more than just books, though! They are host to events and workshops, historical tours, and rare magazines and journals. Here are three great libraries which offer something a bit different:

Bromley House Library

Bromley House Library, situated on Angel Row in Nottingham city centre, was established in 1816 and houses over 47,000 books and manuscripts. The library takes applications for membership, but you can take a peak without having to sign up! Bromley House offers regular tours for as little as £2 per person for 90 minutes – plenty of time to take in their four floors and hidden garden. They also host a number of events, some of which are open to non-members, such as an upcoming one about women’s writing after suffrage.

 

Women’s Centre Library

If you identify as a woman and you’re interested in women’s writing, then you will love the Women’s Centre Library, located on Chaucer Street in the city centre. The library is free to browse, but a small fee is charged for membership if you wish to take out an item. A rare gem, and the only one of its kind in the East Midlands, the library holds many rare feminist magazines which were donated in the 70s and 80s when it first opened (as well as much contemporary writing!) This includes a number of independently published zines, including this fantastic publication created in a poetry workshop recently held at the Nottingham Women’s Centre.

 

Beeston Library (and other ‘Inspire’ Libraries in Notts)

If you like the idea of attending a creative workshop, the Inspire libraries dotted around Nottingham are the place to look. Beeston Library is relatively close to the University of Nottingham’s university park campus, and offers a range of activities, workshops and events. You can find craft workshops, such as for knitting, sewing, or flower arranging, and they host arts and heritage workshops, as well as author events. Their spoken word event – ‘WORD!’ – is one of the longest running poetry nights in the country! Beeston Library also offer regular ‘Tea and Tech’ workshops, in which they offer help with technology whilst you have a cuppa. The ‘Tea and Tech’ sessions are offered for free, but other events and workshops do have fees which vary, though concessionary prices are available.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on LinkedIn