Four days of events to celebrate as the new Normanton Library opens

The new Normanton Library was officially opened to the public today, marking the start of four days of events to celebrate and showcase the new community facilities.

Derby’s Mayor, Councillor Frank Harwood, cut the ribbon at the new library, which is based at St Augustine’s Community Centre in Almond Street. The building has been refurbished and upgraded to bring local services together and create a multi-use community hub.

As members of the public had their first chance to see the wide range of books and computer facilities on offer, children’s storyteller Alison Solomon entertained the younger visitors with inspiring readings in the library’s vibrant children’s area.

The new building will stay open until 7pm tonight with information about other library services on offer, including code clubs for children interested in computer coding; rhymetimes for toddlers and their carers; job clubs, eBooks; the Local Studies Library; home library service and The Reading Project, which provides basic level help with reading and writing for adults.

On Thursday 28 November the library is open from 1pm-5pm, with internet taster sessions at 2pm. From 6pm-9pm it is being transformed into a fun ‘crime scene’ for the ‘CSI Whodunit Event: Burglary in the Library,’ giving families with children aged 8 and over the chance to explore the new facilities.

On Friday 29 November there will be music, fun and laughter with Geoffrey Jumper, an interactive show for pre-school children.

Saturday’s events include an Arabic calligraphy workshop with Razwan Ul-Haq, who uses classical techniques to create contemporary pieces of art. His work has been featured in The Times and on BBC and Channel4.

Normanton Library’s opening hours are Monday 9:30am-5pm, Tuesday Closed, Wednesday 9:30am-7pm, Thursday 1pm-5pm, Friday 9:30am-5pm and Saturday 9:30am-1pm.