Mobile library begins amid delays to new building
Nottingham City CouncilA temporary mobile library service arrived in a suburb of Nottingham while residents continue to wait for a permanent facility to open.
Sherwood has been without a library since the former facility in Spondon Street was deemed not fit for purpose in 2017.
A new library was due to open in summer 2024, but the project has faced delays due to defects with the building.
Residents were able to access a mobile library in Woodthorpe Grange Park for the first time on Saturday. It aims to "bridge the gap" until the opening of the new building next year.
The library was available between 10:00 GMT and 13:00 on Saturday, and will be in place until at least the end of January.
Nottingham City Council leader Neghat Khan said the mobile library would not be a "distraction" from the opening of the new library in spring 2026.
"I think it's important if people want to issue or return books then this is a facility in Sherwood that allows them to do this, and because it's mobile it can move around," she said.
"We've picked this location initially to get the mobile library open but we will be looking at moving it around."
When will the mobile library be open?
The mobile library will be open at Woodthorpe Grange Park between 10:00 and 13:00 on the following dates:
- 20 December
- 10 January
- 17 January
- 24 January
- 31 January
Bal Johal, 60, from Woodthorpe, who visited the mobile library on its first day, said she was pleased the council had provided the public with a temporary measure.
"As a short-term measure I think it's a really good idea," she said. "But we're looking forward to the actual library opening.
"Not having a library has had a massive impact. Sherwood Library is a really important part of the community, and lots of people use it - not just children but elderly people too."
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