New community cafe at Mansfield’s Old Library

The Old Library Youth Arts and Media Venue unveils its makeover next week (Monday) to help it to cement its position as one of the county’s top creative, community and music hubs.

A new partnership will see Rumbles charity manage a community café five days a week at the centre – providing opportunities for trainees with learning disabilities to deliver work based learning.

The historic building was once The Carnegie Library which opened in 1905 before becoming a community arts and performance centre in the 1970s. It has been home to Nottinghamshire County Council’s County Youth Arts team since 2007.

Visitors can see the new artwork and digital media work bringing the Old Library to life. The work was devised with the Old Library’s artist in residence Bec Smith (Urban Projections) and Pete Barber together with young people who use the building.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Young people with a real association to the centre have played a crucial role with the art installation and new-look surroundings.

“The team is a real success story for the creative industries. It has excellent sector links to professionals nationally, and provides top-class support and guidance to musicians, dancers, singers and others interested in getting into these careers. There are also great facilities with a theatre, recording studio, dance spaces and a media suite.

“This new installation presents an exciting new chapter for County Youth Arts and Nottinghamshire Performing Arts and the whole team at the Old Library, and the community café partnership with Rumbles promises to offer something for everyone.”

Gina Dolan, manager of Rumbles catering project, said: “We are excited to announce this new partnership with the county council. I remember visiting this building when it was still a library. We hope the café venture will appeal to young and old alike - it is a fantastic setting.”

A tour of the facilities takes place on Monday (Jan 12) from 6.30pm to 8pm, including meeting some of the young people’s performance groups who work in the venue, plus an acoustic performance by a young musician.