Normanton library is holding a series of events to celebrate its diverse offering and service beyond books.
From Monday 3 October to Saturday 8 October, the library will host a wide range of activities for all to enjoy - from family-friendly toddler storytime and dance displays, to workshops and yoga tasters.
Bestselling author T.M. Logan will be discussing books and writing, answering questions and signing copies at a special talk on Thursday 6 October at 7.30pm.
A national newspaper journalist before turning to novel-writing full-time, T. M. Logan’s thrillers have sold more than one million copies in the UK. The Holiday spent ten weeks in the Sunday Times paperback Top 10 and has since been turned into a four-part TV drama for Channel 5, currently available on Netflix UK.
A special performance of traditional Ukrainian folk dancing is scheduled for Friday 7 October by Derby-based ensemble Hoverla. This highly regarded and successful dance troupe has been captivating audiences since 1972 and has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. The performance starts at 7.30pm and is free but booking is recommended. Book your place on the Derby Libraries website.
For those who prefer to join in rather than watch, Shakti Academy is running free workshops at 2pm and 3pm on Saturday 8 October to learn Bollywood and Banghra styles of dancing.
On Saturday morning, there are two arts workshops. Illustrator Irina Richards will lead a free session at 10.30am about different features of Manga - a popular art form that originated in Japan. Participants will learn about Manga style and its history and get an opportunity to create a Manga-style character and a short Manga-style comic.
At 11am, calligrapher Razwan Ul-Hag will delve into how the outer and inner aspects of Arabic Calligraphy developed, followed by a hands-on practical workshop using traditional bamboo pens and hand-mixed ink.
The week-long celebration events will showcase the library as a shared social space, right in the heart of the community on Almond Street. As well as offering hundreds of books in multiple languages, the library has PCs and printers for members to use, as well as meeting rooms, a refurbished stage and theatre space and many activities all year round.
Councillor Matthew Eyre, Cabinet Member for Community Development, Place and Tourism said:
Libraries are so much more than silent spaces just for reading. We have a brilliant programme of activities during this celebration week that we hope will bring the community together.
Whether you are a resident, just passing through, or a fully-fledged library user, we want you to come along, see beyond the books and enjoy the activities. Everyone is welcome and the library is free to join.
Tickets for the T.M. Logan author talk are £4, and tickets for the Arabic calligraphy workshop are £3. All other events are free, but booking is essential. Check the library website for the full programme and to book your place.