News

Riverside Library opens its doors

Wed 4 Jul 2018

The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Mike Carr, officially opened Riverside Library this Monday at the Council House as Derby City Council continues to develop a successful modern and sustainable service for library users. To mark the opening we’re giving visitors the chance to explore its services with ... More

Preparations underway for Allestree Library to become Derby’s next Community Managed Library

Fri 29 Jun 2018

Allestree Library is set to become a Community Managed Library as Derby City Council hand the keys over to local charity Direct Help and Advice (DHA). The library’s last day operating as a council-run library will be Saturday 14 July. It will then close temporarily for work to take place ahead of r... More

Riverside Library is 'getting ready'

Wed 27 Jun 2018

Watch Derby's new library take shape in 40 seconds Explore Derby’s newest library at the Council House and all it has to offer during the launch events from Mon 2 Jul to Sat 14 Jul. Come along to a taster session or hear from a local author, we can’t wait to meet you! More

More work needed at Pear Tree Library

Fri 15 Jun 2018

More work is needed before Pear Tree Library can re-open. The Council's property team carried out a condition survey of the listed building in August last year. It identified an issue with the ceiling and recommended core samples to be taken to establish the type and condition of the roof covering.... More

Free sessions at the new Riverside Library

Thu 14 Jun 2018

The new Riverside Library opens in the Council House this July and will be giving visitors the chance to explore its services with a host of free taster sessions and author talks. When the library opens Monday 2 July visitors can expect a bright and open space, including a children’s area for famil... More

Library service set to move as Central Library closes

Fri 8 Jun 2018

The relocation of services at Central Library is due to start this week as Derby City Council continues to develop a successful modern and sustainable service for library users. Customers will not be able to access the Central Library building from 1pm on Saturday 9 June 2018, as library staff prep... More

Pranks are on the cards with Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge 2018

Tue 5 Jun 2018

Derby Libraries are getting mischievous for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, with The Reading Agency.  This year’s theme is Mischief Makers, focusing on the mischief and pranks inspired by and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the much-loved iconic children’s comic title Beano. The Summer Re... More

Preparations underway for Spondon Library to become Derby’s next Community Managed Library

Tue 29 May 2018

Spondon Library is set to become a Community Managed Library as Derby City Council hand the keys over to local charity Direct Help and Advice (DHA). The library’s last day operating as a council-run library will be Tuesday 12 June. It will then close temporarily for work to take place ahead of re-o... More

Keys handed over to Derby's first Community Managed Library

Fri 4 May 2018

Plans for Sinfin Library to become the city’s first Community Managed Library are moving forward as Derby City Council hand the keys over to Direct Help and Advice (DHA). Work will take place over the coming weeks to prepare the building for services to resume on Monday 14 May. The Council will als... More

Further improvement work to take place at Pear Tree Library

Wed 11 Apr 2018

Derby City Council is taking the opportunity to undertake additional improvement works at Pear Tree Library during its scheduled temporary closure in April, as it prepares to make room for additional books arriving from Central Library. Pear Tree Library will close temporarily on 12 April and is an... More

Community Managed Libraries handover complete

Fri 23 Mar 2018

The Labour-led administration of Derby City Council and Direct Help and Advice (DHA) have signed agreements confirming the local charity’s plans to run all ten proposed Community Managed Libraries. Sinfin Library will be the first to open on 14 May 2018 as part of plans to deliver a successful and ... More

Central Library closing date announced

Fri 16 Mar 2018

Central Library services are due to relocate at the beginning of June as Derby City Council continues to develop a successful modern and sustainable service for library users. Customers will no longer be able to access the Central Library building as of 1pm on Saturday 9 June 2018 as construction o... More

Direct Help and Advice can deliver successful and sustainable library service

Wed 28 Feb 2018

Councillor Amo Raju, Derby City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, tells us about the latest proposals for the Council's libraries service. The Labour-led administration of Derby City Council is taking a significant step forward in delivering our pledge that no library i... More

Derby Libraries expansion plans

Wed 7 Feb 2018

Specialist hubs are to be created, as part of expansion plans at three Council-run libraries in the city. Libraries in Alvaston, Mickleover and Pear Tree will be undertaking improvement projects during the spring to increase their stock holding capacity and offer enhanced facilities to the local com... More

National Storytelling Week

Mon 29 Jan 2018

This week is National Storytelling Week, where we celebrate the tradition of storytelling! Since storytelling is such a huge part of our cultural tradition, we're passionate about continuing this tradition on to future generations. Derby Libraries has plenty of clubs and activities to help childre... More

Change in standard loan period

Wed 20 Dec 2017

From 1st January 2018 we are changing the standard loan period for books and audiobooks from four weeks to three weeks.  Any books and audiobooks you borrow from January will be issued for three weeks. This means that items will be returned sooner, so you don’t have to wait as long to enjoy your nex... More

Applications received for all Community Managed Libraries

Wed 6 Dec 2017

Following the Community Managed Library (CML) expression of interest process which concluded at midday on Monday 4 December, applications have been received to run each of the ten libraries that have been identified by the Council as potential CMLs. Direct Help and Advice (DHA) have submitted 10 ap... More

Derby and Derbyshire War Memorials research project

Fri 10 Nov 2017

Since 2004, The Derby and Derbyshire War Memorials Project has been working to preserve and record war memorials across the County. This project was founded by Chris Preston and Richard Clarke, not only to preserve the memorials themselves for posterity, but also to record the fascinating stories be... More

Pledge to Protect Derby Libraries from closure

Fri 20 Oct 2017

Derby City Council is committed to ensuring a sustainable service is delivered in all ten of the proposed Community Managed Libraries (CMLs). One of the key 50 Council pledges is to protect Derby’s libraries from closure. This is an important part of the Council’s ambition to achieve a strong and re... More

Strong interest received for Community Managed Libraries

Fri 13 Oct 2017

Following the Community Managed Library (CML) briefings in September and the registration of interest deadline on Monday 9 October, Derby City Council has received twelve registrations of interest covering all ten of the proposed Community Managed Libraries. Many individuals have also submitted a V... More

Metro Strategy Joint Library Offer

Mon 2 Oct 2017

A new initiative is being launched to enable Nottingham and Derby residents to access library services in both cities. From Monday 2 October 2017, Nottingham library users will be able to borrow stock from Derby libraries and vice versa. Customers can also return stock to either a Derby or Nottingh... More

Public engagement in the Community-Managed Libraries process

Mon 25 Sep 2017

Following the six open meetings which were held at The Guildhall Theatre last week, Derby City Council are encouraged by the level of engagement and commitment shown by the community and their support for local libraries. Claire Davenport, Director of Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Derby City Coun... More

A new opportunity for you and your library

Mon 4 Sep 2017

The process has begun to create Community-Managed Libraries in Derby. Individuals and groups interesting in helping to run a library are being encouraged to come forward, with special meetings planned to explain the process. The Council is implementing a community-managed model for ten local libra... More

Key dates for Community Managed Libraries

Fri 25 Aug 2017

The Council is implementing a community-managed model for ten local libraries to safeguard their future. This follows an extensive public consultation which attracted more than 4,000 responses. The libraries that the Council will be seeking Expressions of Interest for to become Community managed ar... More

UPDATE: Libraries Strategic Review Needs Assessment

Tue 25 Jul 2017

Detailed information was due to be made available to those interested in putting forward proposals for, or volunteering to support, a Community Managed Library (CML) this week. Due to the decision being called-in the Council’s constitution states that implementation must halt and the information ca... More

Libraries Strategic Review Needs Assessment approved by Council Cabinet

Thu 13 Jul 2017

Yesterday (Wednesday 12 July) Council Cabinet approved the Libraries Strategic Review needs assessment recommendations. The report considered by Cabinet Members at this evening’s meeting included proposals for the future of the Central Library building, practical arrangements for Community Managed ... More

Creating a modern library service

Tue 4 Jul 2017

Councillor Raju, Derby City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, tells us about the latest proposals for the Council's libraries service. Next Wednesday, Council Cabinet will consider a report which proposes a range of changes to the way Derby City Council’s library servic... More

The Quantum Poet-Dean Fraser

Thu 22 Jun 2017

Come on an adventure. Here be tales of ancient stone circles exploring the past and unravelling life in the 21st Century. In the spirit of all great explorers, The Quantum Poet, Dean Fraser, takes in places as diverse as The Channel Island of Sark all the way to Manhattan. Click here to get your tic... More

Summer reading challenge for children

Tue 18 Apr 2017

The Summer Reading Challenge will be back this summer with a new theme called Animal Agents, illustrated by Tony Ross! 3,909 children took part in last year's challenge, called Big Friendly Read.  What is the Summer Reading Challenge?   The Summer Reading Challenge takes place during the scho... More

Let the local studies collection bring your classroom alive

Sun 16 Apr 2017

Find out how schools can use material from the Derby Family History and Local Studies Library to bring local relevance to many topics of study in the classroom. Perhaps the most obvious use is for the history curriculum, but with such a varied collection of written documents, maps, statistical info... More

Explore the history of Derby with Derby Libraries

Wed 12 Apr 2017

A new digitised collection known as Derby’s History is now available online.This digitisation of a curated selection of materials from the Local Studies and Family History Library means you can discover the history of Derby online simply by logging in to your library account! The digitisation of th... More

Bookstart packs available for children

Mon 3 Apr 2017

Bookstart is a national programme that encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with their children from as early an age as ‌possible. It aims to provide free book packs to every child in the UK.‌ Children aged 6-8 weeks or 3 years old are eligible to receive a free book pack through Health... More

Library App

Sun 19 Mar 2017

If you are an iPhone user you can now access your library account any time, any place. Just download the app called DerbyLibraries to manage your account, search the library catalogue and find recommended reads! More