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Inspire Learning Courses
In the heart of Retford, on Churchgate, facing the church of St.Swithun’s, Retford’s Denman Library is housed in a fascinating old building.
 For any information about the following events see links at foot of this pag e.
Inspire’s Special Bulletin for September, 2026 ►
Some further details of Autumn 2026 events here...
Shhh! It’s Retford Library’s Quiet
Reading Café
Monday 21st September 18:00 - 19.30
We are giving you permission to read with no distractions!
Relax with your book in our beautiful Heritage Room. There will be time to talk about what we are reading and to enjoy refreshments.
£3 to include refreshments.
Booking essential - see contacts at foot of this page.
We hope you can join us!
Dreadful Sacrifices: Redux Ten Years of Terror
A talk for Hallowe’en by Martin Jones
Retford Library on Tuesday 27th October at 18:00
To celebrate ten years of Halloween talks at Retford Library, local writer Martin Jones will repeat the one that started it all.
Dreadful Sacrifices: Redux - Ten Years of Terror! is an updated guide to British Horror Cinema, focusing on the g(l)ory years between 1960 - 1980. Expect monsters, vampires, screaming victims, good versus evil, axes, dubious fashions and lots and lots of fake blood.
Suitable for adults only. Tickets £3 to include refreshments.
Booking essential. Cash only please.
What Makes a Great Crime Novel? A talk by Graeme Cumming
Retford Library on Thursday 12th November at 18:00
From Agatha Christie to Lee Child, from police procedurals to psychological thrillers, crime fiction covers a range of sub-genres that appeal to so many readers. But what is it about crime (fiction!) that’s so attractive?
Of course, not all crime novels are equal. In part, that’s down to the reader’s taste. A fan of cosy crime isn’t going to get the same pleasure from gritty noir. Even so, there are elements across all the sub-genres that a reader will be looking for - whether they realise it or not. Would you like to know what those elements are?
Award winning author Graeme Cumming explores crime fiction with his audience, asking these questions and more. Using examples from his own writing and that of others, he’ll highlight what works for readers - and what doesn’t.
With opportunities to participate and ask questions, this is a must for fans of crime fiction and aspiring crime writers.
There will also be a chance to purchase signed copies of Graem’s novels.
Suitable for adults only.
Tickets £3 to cover refreshments. Booking essential. Cash only please.
Retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk / 01777 708 724
We hope you will be able to join us!
Your Guide to Films at Inspire this Autumn here...
◄ July 2026 Love Reading newsletter.
Inspire’s latest events ►
Read all about Inspire’s Culture, Libraries
and Learning here ►
Inspire’s eLibrary is changing;
◄ read more.
For Retford Library contact details, see bottom of this page.
Exciting changes are happening in our libraries
At the beginning of November, 2024 we changed to a new system for managing library stock and customer data. The new system looks a little different, but it makes it easier for you to search, reserve, renew and be inspired by books. Read more here...
Want to go to university but don't have the qualifications you need? Inspire Learning can help here...
Great News for Family Historians! After almost 2 years of work, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire's Anglican baptism, marriage, and burial Parish Registers can now be searched via free access to Ancestry.co.uk in library buildings and at Nottinghamshire Archives.
Find out more here...
Retford library is now a wonderfully spacious and welcoming facility - for details, click here...
We also note here that Worksop Library is back after recent flooding repairs - take a peek here...
If you have any queries about the library service or your library account you can:
Contact Ask Inspire
Email: ask@inspireculture.org.uk
Phone: 01623 677 200
www.inspireculture.org.uk
On-line resources: Inspire subscribe to many fascinating and useful online resources, all accessible for free from Library PCs and some from home. These include Ancestry and the British Newspaper Archive.
Nottinghamshire library service became a Community Benefit Society with exempt charitable status in April 2016. This means they are a not-for-profit organisation so all funds must be spent on culture, learning and library activities for the communities we serve. Therefore, Nottinghamshire Libraries are now delivered by Inspire, a Community Benefit Society. For more about Inspire, click here...
For more details of the regular events listed here, or to book your place, see contact details at the bottom of the page.
Mobile Library services
Clarborough (and North/South Wheatley and Clayworth) residents may also be interested in Inspire’s mobile library service timetable - known officially as North, Route 4.
Click here for the current local timetable or for a wider selection of communities covered by mobile libraries.
As well as all of the facilities you would expect from one of Nottinghamshire’s Libraries, the ever-helpful staff have a wide range of activity sessions to tempt you. All are free unless otherwise stated.
Home Library Service
Retford Library has a team of RVS Volunteers who deliver a selection of Library books to those who are housebound and cannot access the Library. If you know someone who would benefit from this service, please let a member of the Library staff know. Also, if you would like to volunteer to be part of this scheme, we would be happy to hear from you.
Help with Homework at your library. Young people can use PCs and the Internet for free along with some free printing for homework purposes. There are many online resources available including free access to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, as well as helpful staff!
Many other services are available at the Library. Free access to Research, Ancestry, British Newspaper Archive and Which? - available on Library PCs. Free printing for homework. Please ask for details at our Reception desk.
Retford Library contact details: Tel.: (01777) 708 724 E-mail: retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk Website: www.inspireculture.org |
We are united!
