Weekly
After-School Activities in libraries
Come along for help with homework or some after school activities.
School Groups
Information for teachers about class visits to our libraries, plus useful resources, activities and event information.
Working in partnership with local schools & educational associations we strive to help children develop.
Kindness Quilt
The ‘Wrap yourself in Kindness’ Quilt has been developed by children in local schools with the guidance of textile artist Rebekah Johnston. Rebekah led a workshop with teachers in April to guide them on how to create the quilt squares with their children. The teachers then worked with children in their school to explore what kindness means and create paper quilt squares to represent their ideas. One or two ideas from each school were chosen to form part of the city fabric quilt.
The quilt will be touring Nottingham libraries and schools will be invited to sessions in the library where they can take part in various kindness activities and view the finished quilt. For more information please email charlotte.blount@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Getting Ready to Visit the Library
Why not get your class ready for their visit? Find out more about the library, how to join, how to find the kind of book you want and how to borrow them in our simple video below. Why not encourage them to visit as a family too? Or try the quiz to see what they remember?
Finding Books in the Children’s Library
Finding a book in the children’s library is really easy. We have categories to help you. You can watch the video from the last section or follow our simple guide below:
- Board books – found in boxes in the children’s area. Great for babies and under 3’s with simple pictures and easy to turn pages.
- Picture Books – Here you will find a wide range of fantastic stories with lots of pictures. Great to snuggle up with and share together – ideal for Nursery visits but KS1 and older children too.
- Beginning to Read – you will find a section of books with a B on their spine – these books are for children starting on their reading journey building from 1 word per page to short sentences and using the keywords that children learn throughout KS1.
- Young Readers – these short chapter books are for the more confident reader, but still have plenty of pictures. You will find these on a shelf with a Y on their spine
- Stories – paperbacks and hardbacks suitable for all confident readers. These are arranged in alphabetical order of the author’s surname.
- Information books – these are in Dewey number order – Find out more below.
Reading Well for Teens
To celebrate the launch of Reading Well for Teens, a collection of books designed to help young people explore topics around mental health and wellbeing, we’ve commissioned two author talks for secondary schools and other youth organisations in Nottingham City to use. Ideal for a tutor time, PSHE lesson or English lesson, these 20-25 minute videos will spark discussion and encourage young people to (re)discover the wellbeing benefits of being a reader.
1. Reading for Wellbeing – local author Darren Simpson talks about his experience of reading for wellbeing and the impact his book Furthermoor has had on young readers (it addresses topics including grief and bullying).
2. Be Happy, Be You – local author Becky Goddard-Hill talks about her book ‘Be Happy, Be You’ and top tips for maintaining a healthy mindset.
If you’d like access to these, please email enquiryline@nottinghamcity.gov.uk and we’ll send you the links, plus a booklist and set of slides for assemblies promoting the book collection, which is available to borrow through all city libraries. All we ask is some feedback on how you’ve used the resources and to encourage your students to visit both your school library and their local Nottingham City Library to find their next book!
Black History
Check out this comprehensive list of 86 brilliant children’s books created by Black authors and illustrators. Produced by the Reading Agency, there is something for all ages from tots to teens with fantastic poetry, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction titles. Many appear in our Spotlight selection sliders at the bottom of this page.
Children’s wellbeing
Reading Well for Children provides quality-assured information, stories and advice to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Favourite Children’s Authors
Some of our favourite author sites packed with activities to keep you busy.