Inspire's 10th Birthday

Happy 10th Birthday to Inspire!

Number 10 with text "inspiring culture, learning and libraries since 2016"

1 April 2026 officially marks 10 years since Inspire was established! Over the last decade, we’ve built something we're proud of for the people of Nottinghamshire: spaces and services that bring reading, learning and culture to life. But we couldn't have done it without you - our wonderful customers, audiences, learners, and members.

We're spending the whole year celebrating and you're invited to join us!

Keep an eye on this webpage for more information about how you can get involved.

Retford Library

One-off event: Author visit

Adults only

Tuesday 27 October

6pm

Local writer Martin Jones helps us celebrate ten years of Inspire by returning to his first ever talk for Retford Library delivered in 2016. 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. Tickets £3 to include refreshments (cash only please). Booking essential. Book at Retford Library or email retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk

Inspire exhibition graphic with colourful graphics

Be Inspired

Inspire at 10 Exhibition

Inspire at 10 is a celebratory exhibition marking ten years of Inspire.

Peter Gaw has short brown hair, wears glasses, a light blue shirt striped shirt with a dark blue tie and jacket. Peter smiles whilst holding a silver plaque on a dark brown wooden mount with the words Investors in Diversity Award.

Be Inspired

Peter's Top 20 Moments of the Last Decade

We asked our CEO for his top moments from the last 10 years.

SRC Big Friendly Exhibition at Mansfield

2016 Collection on the Inspire Picture Archive

Be transported back to 2016 via the Inspire Picture Archive.

Share your memories of 2016!

Preserve your memories of 2016 on the Inspire Picture Archive, whether that's with Inspire or just day-to-day life.

Blonde woman sitting by a window reading a book

Reading & Libraries

Inspire's Favourite Reads - Shortlist

To mark the National Year of Reading 2026 and Inspire's 10 year celebrations, we're delighted to be introducing the Inspire's Favourite Reads list - a curated list of titles suggested by our staff.

Staff in auditorium holding up 10 fingers

Inspire

Inspire celebrates 10 years of Culture, Learning & Libraries across Nottinghamshire

Press Release Inspire: Culture, Learning & Libraries is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2026, marking a decade of delivering award‑winning cultural and learning opportunities to communities across Nottinghamshire.

Join Nottinghamshire libraries – FREE

By becoming a library member you will be able to borrow books and items for FREE in libraries across the county, including mobiles. You can also access eResources, Ancestry and more!