Libraries Taskforce Update and news from the Libraries Taskforce 2018-06-22T14:36:48Z https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/feed/ Zerritha Brown <![CDATA[Brent Culture Celebrating Windrush 70]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3202 2018-06-22T08:05:58Z 2018-06-22T08:05:58Z Communities icon[Editor’s note: Zerritha Brown, Artistic Director of the Windrush 70 programme, writes about their project to mark the 70th anniversary by sharing stories from the lives of local residents]

This summer Brent Culture Service will be marking the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush with an exhibition and a number of themed events.

“Windrush 70 – Brent’s Pioneering Windrush Generation” traces the historic journey and explores Brent’s Caribbean heritage through the eyes of its residents. Using a mixture of photographic portraits, stories collected from residents, historic objects and unique artist commissions it celebrates 70 years of the United Kingdom and the Caribbean diaspora.

Windrush 70 logo

Inception

The generation of people who arrived on the Windrush, and made their lives in Brent have made a huge contribution to the life of the borough - but their story isn’t widely known.

Through this exhibition and the Windrush 70 programme we sought to explore the myriad ways that the Caribbean diaspora is present in modern life, with influences evident in fashion, music, dance as well as the world of entertainment, sport and politics.

With a grant of £15,000 from Arts Council England we were able to embark on a journey to explore the lives of these people and communities within Brent and celebrate their stories.

Working with the community

The most important stage in this process was engaging meaningfully with the community and it took time and dedication to win their trust and demonstrate what we hoped to achieve with the exhibition. Undertaking this work in the current political context, there was heightened emotion and anxiety amongst participants which only served to underscore the importance in providing a platform for their voices to be heard.

Working with a local forum for older people, library users and the wider community we developed the content for the exhibition through listening to their experiences and recording oral histories to be incorporated into Brent Museum and Archives. These workshops also formed inspiration for a newly commissioned poem from Malika Booker. One of the most rewarding elements of this process was experiencing the growing confidence of participants to share their stories, uncovering fascinating life stories.

One of the oldest participants is 97 year old Mr Rev. Norman Watson Mitchell MBE. He came to Britain from Jamaica in 1955 to work as a Glass Quality Control Inspector. His first home in London was in Forrest Hill where for two years he lived in cramped conditions sharing a house with fifteen other Caribbean migrants; his bedroom was shared with seven other people.

Mr Rev. Norman Watson Mitchell MBE. Photo credit: Brent Culture

Mr Rev. Norman Watson Mitchell MBE. Photo credit: Nadia Nervo

Mr Rev. Mitchell moved to Harlesden in 1957 where he decided to settle as he liked Brent and found the people “social” which reminded him of Jamaica. His family, including his daughter Liz Mitchell, who would go on to become an acclaimed reggae singer and member of Boney M, then came over to join him. He still lives in Harlesden and was awarded an MBE for Community Work and Service in 2014.

Celebrating Windrush 70

To compliment these stories and vividly illustrate the rich and extensive cultural influence this generation has had in Brent, and the United Kingdom the exhibition also includes intimate portraits of Brent’s Caribbean community by artist and photographer Nadia Nervo.

Part of the photograph exhibition

Photographs in the exhibition. Photo credit: Brent libraries

A commission by Mahogany Carnival Design - made by students from local schools in a series of workshops in the library - combines tradition with legacy.

Artwork created by Mahogany Carnival Design. Photo credit: Brent libraries

Artwork created by Mahogany Carnival Design. Photo credit: Brent libraries

And an installation of a traditional ‘West Indian’ living room closes the exhibition representing the many homes that have been made in Brent.

Front Room - part of the exhibition. Photo credit: Brent Libraries

Front Room - part of the exhibition. Photo credit: Brent Libraries

As well as the exhibition Brent Culture Service will be holding a series of Windrush 70 events. The highlight will be Windrush Celebration Day on Saturday 23 June (between 12 noon and 4pm) at the Library at Willesden Green. There will be an afternoon of free events for all ages including: live music from St Michaels and All Angels Steel Orchestra and the Reggae Choir, dance performances from Namron Dance and a specially commissioned dance theatre piece by Impact Dance along with Caribbean themed face painting and craft workshop.

Creating a legacy

The project enabled the library and heritage service to collaborate closely and engage with the local community in a new way, using artistic practice to develop new connections and develop an exhibition and programme in direct response to community engagement. The Windrush 70 event series also takes the story of this pioneering generation across the borough’s libraries and to audiences of all ages.

The programme will also help to raise awareness and develop the borough’s archive collection and generate a valuable resource for generations to come through the powerful oral history recordings.
The exhibition will be on 21 June – 29 October at the Library at Willesden Green - entrance to the exhibition is free of charge.

More information can be found on this website.

--------------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Olly Hellis <![CDATA[HP Sprout in the Glass Box]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3188 2018-06-20T08:49:06Z 2018-06-20T08:49:06Z Digital icon[Background/context: Through discussions the Taskforce team have been having with HP, we managed to secure a pilot for one library to trial a HP Generation 2 Sprout Pro. Due to the high quality of the applications HP agreed to extend the pilot to 2 libraries: Taunton library service, which will be followed by Oxfordshire County library. Olly Hellis, Digital Development Officer for Somerset Libraries, writes about the pilot in the Glass Box in Taunton]

We eagerly accepted the HP Sprout Pro in February 2018 with a range of activities and events lined up to make good use of it – but that was before we were fully aware of the some of the amazing capabilities of this smart piece of tech so we quickly added to the list!

Introducing the device to staff. Photo credit: Somerset libraries

Introducing the device to staff. Photo credit: Somerset libraries

At our early training event with HP Trainer Roger Pestereff, a member of library staff with drawing and animation talents was keen to see how the responsive pen and pad reacted to touch – with some great results! We are now hoping to offer a drawing and animation workshop for the community, where the Sprout will take centre stage.

High resolution scanning

Of course one of the most popular features to date has been the high resolution scanning and we have made several uses for this:

During the BBC Civilisations Project in March, groups of enthusiastic students from a primary and a secondary school scanned some heritage objects, including Roman pottery, a Bakelite radio and a replica of the Alfred Jewel – an Anglo Saxon piece of ‘cutting-edge technology’ used as a pointer to aid reading (which seemed rather apt). The students scanned the objects using the Sprout and also a hand-held 3D scanner, learning about 3D scanning and printing along the way. BBC Somerset came to the event and interviewed some of the students. One secondary school student said: “That’s great, I have scanned a horse shoe and I can move it around to see it on the screen. I could scan myself and make a mini figure.”

With all our scans we have been uploading them for anyone to see on SketchFab, which has given us the idea and ability to scan objects that are connected with the library service in Somerset. We wouldn’t have had this opportunity without the Sprout!

Scanning objects during the BBC Civilisations Project. Photo credit: Somerset libraries

Scanning objects during the BBC Civilisations Project. Photo credit: Somerset libraries

Somerset Digital Skills Academy

We have also launched the ‘Somerset Digital Skills Academy’ with 20 Year 9 students from 3 different schools and the Sprout was showcased to great effect during a session on 3D Printing, design and scanning.

The next session will be delivered by Somerset Film, focussing on film making and animation, which should be a fantastic session and the Sprout will be in the centre of it all. With the ability to use the touch pad and screen it will be perfect for the students to create without having to learn a new way of using a piece of technology as it’s so intuitive.

What next?

Some businesses and SCC staff have used the sprout to explore possibilities around 3D design and prototyping, which is something we will want to promote and develop further when the new Glass Box website is launched in June 2018.

One library staff member said “What a fantastic piece of equipment, to be able to scan, draw and create everything so easily, with all the different ways to interact with the Sprout.” Another: “It helps keep the creative flow going without having to think about how to change the size or position of an image or object, you can just touch it, move it, and resize it. Done”

The Sprout Pro by HP fits in so well within the library service as anyone can just use it, “it will be missed when it moves on to another library service”.

The Sprout is now just about to be used to scan objects from sponsors of a harbour side festival in Somerset. The scans will then be used to make 3D printed objects for everyone attending to find in a treasure hunt. This sort of project just wouldn’t have been possible without the ability to scan using the Sprout.

We will soon be using the split-screen technology to help develop ‘how to’ videos for a range of digital tech which we are keen to promote more vigorously to the community…so watch this space for more exciting developments!

[Editor’s note: Stage 2: Oxfordshire County Library, who commented:
We're very excited to be having the Sprout in our new Makerspace at Oxfordshire County Library in the second half of 2018. The Sprout's fantastic scanning functions will enable us to expand our digital offer for the public and mean that we can further access to new technology. We are planning a number of exciting workshops using the Sprout and aim to develop new partnerships with our communities to show the potential for digital making in libraries.]

--------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Stephanie Organ <![CDATA[Cheltenham library = Fun Palace]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3132 2018-06-18T11:49:27Z 2018-06-18T11:49:27Z Culture icon[Editor’s note: Stephanie Organ, library assistant for Gloucestershire Library Service, writes about her experience putting together a Fun Palace]

Arriving at the counter of Cheltenham Library one spring Saturday last year, a colleague beamed at me “Let’s do a Fun Palace”. I had no idea what she was on about. Was she suggesting a new craze I hadn’t heard of? Hmmm…she also works as a Science Communicator so was it something along those lines? My eyes darted around looking for hints – I came clean, I hadn’t the foggiest idea.

Turns out Fun Palaces is an international campaign, bringing science, art, craft and tech together for one weekend a year, free for everyone and run by the community. If you’re reading this blog post you probably already know that libraries are excellent community hubs offering more than books. A Fun Palace fits in well here.

Once I knew more, I enthusiastically agreed to help since it tied in to my love of science and the arts (I do not conform to either side of the Two Cultures debate). My colleague wrote the proposal, we were given the ‘nod’, and away we went.

Why a Fun Palace in a library?

Coincidentally, I had been to a handful events and venues that year including ‘We the Curious’, the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition at the Tate, one of the Science Museum ‘Lates’, and a smattering of musical and theatrical performances locally. What needed thinking about here was, who these events were aimed at, what worked well and what could be improved, and what elements could be applied to a library Fun Palace.

I have an interest in whether people feel able to engage in STEM and how you can get around those who feel they can’t. Now for the slightly geeky bit – stay with me. The ASPIRES report shows that for young people to aspire to study science or even see science as ‘for them’, Science Capital is important. This can include being exposed to an event or activity which incorporates science. The British Science Association also points out that although we feel able to comment on other aspects of culture such as football or music, when it comes to science we claim not to have the qualifications or skills to participate. But science is part of culture as much as art and music is. Combining it with other activities in a free event such as a Fun Palace helps to provide positive science experiences for those who are not usually able to access these events and those who can.

Most of you will probably be shouting at your screens “Get to the Fun Palace already”. I hear you.

Who might come?

Okay, so first we needed to decide who we wanted to attract. Did we want a theme or did we want our first ever Cheltenham Library Fun Palace to be eclectic? We went with ‘eclectic’ as we wanted people to be enticed by at least one activity and stay for more. We also needed the library to run as usual, not alienating our existing customers. Cue multiple brainstorms.

We had ZERO budget *sobs* so had to rely on people generously donating their time and activities. This was also a plus since research suggests that if a community event is to be successful, the community itself needs to have input.

Poster created by Stephanie Organ

Poster created by Stephanie Organ

Working with partners

Programming robotic heads. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Programming robotic heads. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Whilst scoping out the Cheltenham Science Festival earlier that year, we found Oh-Bot, who ran their brilliant robotic head programming activity using scratch code. Adult Education, Gloucestershire ran a beautiful silk painting workshop, and Cuddly Science provided colouring sheets and puppets.

The Embroiderers’ Guild, who set up the most amazing exhibition at the entrance to the Adults’ Library, provided bookmark embroidery (how appropriate!) and leaf embroidery.

Children making bookmarks. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Children making bookmarks. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Simple scimum’ blogger, Kate Turton, lent me a pair of spectacles which had been made to simulate the eye condition retinitis pigmentosa. I then created three challenges for wearers of the glasses, including a ‘Where’s Wally’ timed challenge to tie in with the Cheltenham Literature Festival’s ‘Where’s Wally’ Trail running on the same day.

Science Communicator Rebekah Hammet, with a background in Science Communication and working at Bristol Zoo, created and ran a biodiversity activity which helped people to visualise what would happen should different groups of living things disappear. Dr Samantha Organ (my twin sister, so it was hard for her to refuse me) ran Spaghetti Towers on behalf of RICS – one of the busiest hands-on activities of the day.

Stephanie demonstrating the selfie props. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Stephanie demonstrating the selfie props. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

There was also safe cracking (sweeties inside the fancy glass safes were definitely an incentive), poetry readings by local poets, international story time, and selfie props. One of the most popular readings came from Joseph Coelho who gave the most wonderful rendition of his story Luna Loves Library Day with live illustrations by Fiona Lumbers.

Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers in Cheltenham children’s library. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers in Cheltenham children’s library. Photo credit: Gloucestershire libraries

And how did the day go…..

Showtime! It was a slow start but things quickly picked up, especially in the Children’s Library where families, who were visiting the library anyway, ended up staying for the readings and activities. Initially, the activities in the Adults’ Library were quiet, possibly due to it being in a neighbouring building which made the event more logistically challenging. As soon as volunteers and staff in the Children’s Library promoted the other activities we saw a surge in numbers in the Adults’ Library. My boyfriend completed the evaluation sheets I had created and provided me with feedback during the event so I could make sure everything was running smoothly (no boyfriends were harmed in the making of this Fun Palace!).

Mainly families attended. The feedback was positive from customers, staff and contributors alike, with appeals for another Fun Palace next year. Probably most surprising was the comment from a senior librarian who helped me on the day. She said that the event organisation and elements I had thought about had changed things at HQ and would be used as a template for future events.

What did I learn?

I experienced challenges along the way. The planning involved more work than I expected (anyone who knows me will tell you I don’t do things by halves!) and I had to overcome last-minute changes including contributors cancelling and changes in equipment availability. Luckily, I managed to call in a few favours and get everything sorted out eventually.

I learnt lessons throughout this project. With planning needing more work than anticipated good organisation worked in my favour. Buuuut, no matter how organised you are, activity contributors will drop out last minute, activities themselves may change and, because of the fluidity and evolutionary nature of the library service, even the layout and furnishings may change. Don’t fret – there are always options.

So, things to consider should you wish to do your own library Fun Palace:

  • Your audience. Who would you like to attract? How will you do this?
  • Accessibility. This could be as simple as appropriate signage (we all know how frustrating it is when signage is not available or sufficient). Accessibility also extends to seating, areas which are less stimulating and no flashing images.
  • Your contributors. Look after them – they’re likely donating their time and other resources. Check pre-event to see if they need a table, chairs (how many), a power supply, other supplies or requirements. Build a good relationship with contributors, not only will they be more likely to help again but they may not already be a library user so you have a potential new customer.
  • Embed some evaluation into the running of the event so you can critically analyse it afterwards – this could be simply asking people what they have done and what they have enjoyed the most and least. Feedback forms are a little too passive to do on their own – people do not tend to notice them or fill them in.
  • Remember to have fun yourself. There is nothing quite like seeing the happiness across people’s faces when they are participating in an event you have created. If you are happy and positive then it is more likely that the volunteers, staff and participants will be happy too.

To find out more about Fun Palaces, and register for this years event - take a look at their website.

To find out more about activities in Gloucestershire libraries, follow them on twitter, find them on facebook, or take a look at their website.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
1
Krystal Vittles <![CDATA[Suffolk libraries - focussing on young people]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3162 2018-06-15T07:57:57Z 2018-06-15T07:57:57Z [Editor’s note: part of the series of posts which illustrate how the new Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations are planning their programmes. Krystal Vittles writes about Suffolk libraries and their plans]

Six library services became NPOs in April this year, but Suffolk Libraries’ journey began almost two years previously when we discovered that libraries would be invited into the portfolio. We spent a long time considering if applying would be right for us as a library service and what would it mean for Suffolk. Libraries have long been embedded in the cultural ecology and the arts are supported in our spaces but we’d never been the generators of artistic content. Becoming an NPO would be a significant step-change.

We were clear from the start that the philosophy of the library would run through the proposed work as the golden thread. Quite deliberately we drafted a bid in which words, literature, storytelling, information, etc. would be reflected in what is created. Beyond this, we would use the USP of our vast network to share this content to others in the communities we serve. And not forgetting how our rural profile can be used to bring the arts to communities which are woefully underserved.

A focus on young people

We shaped our bid to enable more young people to discover the rich opportunities the library offers. Working with schools we knew that libraries still had an image problem so we are aiming for our NPO programme to be that exciting springboard to change that. Additionally, we want to address some of the most important issues for young people in Suffolk including skills, wellbeing and resilience and so these have been built into the programme intentions. All arts activities will present opportunities to build digital and information skills, wellbeing and resilience strategies.

Library staff working with young people in the Sybil Andrews Academy.

Library staff working with young people in the Sybil Andrews Academy. Photo credit: Suffolk libraries

We also want this to be truly authentic for young people. They have driven our NPO branding and led on all aspects of the design with the artists and designers. This will be completely and intentionally beyond the aesthetic and branding you’d expect from a library. Over these four years they will be telling us what they want from libraries, not just in an arts context. This will be steered by our young people’s board who will take an important organisational governance role. This will, without doubt, change us as an organisation but this is about addition, not dilution.

Working with a partner

We were honest from the beginning and acknowledged we lacked some core skills, so we made the choice to join up with an established NPO for year one. Our partner is METAL, based in Southend-on-Sea, Liverpool and Peterborough, who have a strong track record for excellence with young people in the arts. METAL, specifically Colette Bailey (their CEO) has been our guide and critical friend for a year now and with their help we feel confident in our ability to deliver something really dynamic for Suffolk. The appointment of our Arts Programmes Coordinator, Melissa Matthews (who we shamelessly enticed away from another NPO!) has not only increased our capacity but also brought a raft of new skills and experiences into the organisation.

It was tempting to run at this full tilt but we were careful to keep our staff front and centre in our minds as they will be delivering on the ground. They need to feel skilled, confident and supported so we kickstarted our programme by focusing on them. With METAL we have created the Arts Leadership Programme; three dedicated days for a core group of front line staff to work with artists and inspirational speakers to grow their confidence and spark ideas. The programme was also created to establish a new peer support network to keep the energy high throughout the programme.

Core programme

The core programme in year one will focus on establishing our major hubs (Ipswich, Lowestoft and Bury St. Edmunds) with other libraries rolling on board in years two and three. Pace of development has seen more libraries come on board sooner which illustrates that we have ambitious, geared-up staff who are pushing to be part of this work for their communities. All libraries have been positive, although naturally this has come with lots of questions so we have dedicated a space on our new intranet for rolling Q&As alongside our dedicated NPO space on SharePoint.

Plans for the future

What will young people see? We don’t precisely know yet - which is intentional. After the staff development programme, we will host a Culture Lab with 10 artists in residence who will learn from libraries, communities and lots of young people and then develop a menu of artistic ideas for libraries to use. The condition is that these ideas will encompass our intentions around young people, digital, skills, place and wellbeing. As time goes on, our continuing conversations with young people will ensure that they steer the future direction and work with artists to generate content. Running in the background of all of this will also be our Arts Award programme for all levels.

Since last year we have more firmly embedded ourselves in Suffolk’s arts and cultural landscape. Arts organisations, including other NPOs, are recognising our value and potential in being that first, non-threatening gateway to high quality arts. This will be brought into sharp focus for those young people who don’t come from families or communities who are plugged into the arts.

Beyond this? We want to be a blueprint for other library services, leading from the front in new and innovative ways to inspire and engage young people in their community!

To keep up to date with activities in Suffolk libraries, follow us on twitter, read our blog, or sign up to our newsletter.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Mark Freeman <![CDATA[Innovation and imagination in Stockton Borough]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3104 2018-06-14T12:03:11Z 2018-06-14T12:03:11Z [Editor’s note: Mark Freeman, Libraries and Information Services Manager in Stockton-on-Tees, writes about their new LOFE (Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone) funded library facilities.]

We were lucky enough to be successful in bidding for just under £100K from the Libraries Opportunities for Everyone Innovation fund to create two new spaces in our central libraries in Stockton and Thornaby. We wanted to provide two very different facilities - one to meet the need for a makerspace in central Stockton which could be available to a wide range of people and one to support a variety of health needs through an immersive space in our main library in Thornaby.

We’ve now successfully completed those two spaces and are learning, alongside our customers, how they can best be used to provide new experiences and to help people develop new skills. The project has allowed us to work with a variety of partners including, among others, our Dementia Hub, our Adult Learning and Skills Service and a local LGBTQ support organisation.

Stockton’s Innovation Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Stockton’s Innovation Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Although we have only really started to provide events and activities in earnest over the past two months, we are already seeing great feedback and staff have quickly developed skills that they didn’t know they had!

We’ve run coding clubs, robotics sessions and 3D printing workshops in our Innovation Station (makerspace) and used our Imagination Station to develop relaxation and sensory presentations.

3D printing in Stockton’s Innovation Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

3D printing in Stockton’s Innovation Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Immediate effect on mental health

Our most gratifying response so far has come from a gentleman who uses our dementia café at Thornaby every month and has become a fan of our immersive room. He lives with dementia and often experiences anxiety and aggression but finds the Imagination Station the perfect solution.

He made a point of telling our Health Librarian that nothing has helped him deal with the challenges he faces more than sitting in the room experiencing the images, sounds, videos and aromas that we programme in. We were very keen to see what kind of impact this facility would have on mental health and here was a direct example.

Relaxation programme in Thornaby’s Imagination Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Relaxation programme in Thornaby’s Imagination Station. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Plans for the future

For the future, we are looking at how we ensure we programme in as much variety in our sessions in our two spaces as we can, and how we promote the spaces more widely across our whole network.

We have 9 libraries in Stockton and we bought some of our equipment with an eye to using it across all our branches, to promote the new facilities. We also have a number of developing partnerships with local organisations and educational providers. In the coming year we are looking forward to really getting to grips with our new learning and relaxation offers.

Historical films being shown in the Imagination Station in Thornaby library. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

Historical films being shown in the Imagination Station in Thornaby library. Photo credit: Stockton libraries

To keep in touch with activities and plans in Stockton libraries, follow them on twitter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Neil MacInnes <![CDATA[The Big Ideas Generators project - final report]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3062 2018-06-13T11:17:09Z 2018-06-13T11:17:09Z Prosperity icon[Editor’s note: Neil MacInnes, Strategic Lead - Libraries, Galleries and Culture for Manchester Council, provided a final update on this Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone funded project]

The Big Ideas Generator project ran for 12 months across libraries in the 10 councils in Greater Manchester, through DCMS’ Libraries Opportunities for Everyone Innovation Funding. Our award of £250,000 was the highest amount of funding from the scheme, which was administered by Arts Council England. We last wrote in September, when the project had been active for around 3 months. This post updates the results shared then.

Big Ideas Generators delivered:

  • 150 one to one sessions, explaining how libraries can help individuals or businesses develop ideas and innovation
  • 150 workshops on topics such as using social media for business and free online business tools
  • 115 events such as 3D printing, how to pitch, and crowdfunding, as well as inspiring talks

Over 3,000 attendees came in the ten months of the project. Typical feedback included:

  • “Really first class / Very helpful, interesting + informative”
  • “Very honest & genuine advice - inspirational!”
  • “Excellent, audience friendly content. Interactive, great presenter”
  • “Brilliant info, really inspiring!”
  • “Excellent service, I will promote to my friends and peers from my community.”

The team in Manchester commissioned an independent evaluation, and the results are excellent. Headlines include:

  • For every £1 spent through the BIG Project there is £4.99 Social Return on Investment created through fiscal savings, wider economic benefits and improvements to wellbeing.
  • For every £1 invested there was a GVA productivity uplift of £4.58 to the Greater Manchester Economy.

Total Economic Impact GVA is £1,144,983
Total Social Return on Investment: £1,248,691

Total £2,393,674 (against funding of £249, 985)

  • 84% of participants felt their skills had increased
  • 96% of participants have increased their knowledge
  • 70% of participants have increased their self-confidence
  • 59% of participants have increased their self-esteem
  • 99% would recommend the event/session to family and friends

Reflections from a member of the team

Another benefit of the project was the provision of development opportunities for staff. One of these staff members is Andrew Bailey, a Library Assistant from Oldham Libraries who was seconded to Manchester City Council for 10 months, and was one of the driving forces for the success of the project. This is Andrew’s account of being a member of the Big Ideas Generators team.

Ian Hargreaves and Andrew Bailey from the Big Ideas Generators team. Photo credit: Manchester libraries

Ian Hargreaves and Andrew Bailey from the Big Ideas Generators team. Photo credit: Manchester libraries

Over the last 10 months I have had the privilege of working with a wonderful team delivering the Big Ideas Generators program across all 10 Greater Manchester authorities.

Being seconded to Manchester City Council for this project has been a fascinating experience which has really opened my eyes to the way libraries are continuing to adapt to a changing world and the exciting and creative ways libraries can deliver in the 21st century. Everyone here has been so friendly and welcoming, I quickly felt “part of the team”.

Working across all 10 Greater Manchester library authorities seemed like a logistical challenge when I first heard about the project. I am happy to say that thanks to the dedicated support of the local staff, both management and frontline, and the team based here in Manchester, we have been able to deliver with minimal hiccups!

The work of the project has been divided into several categories:

Workshops
Workshops are delivered to small groups of up to 15 people on a variety of topics, from cloud computing to market research to 3D printing. I found that the more intimate setting allowed us to tailor the specific workshop to the attendees’ needs.

One to ones/Drop-ins
The 1-1 sessions have been an excellent opportunity to speak directly with budding entrepreneurs and inventors and provide them with tailored help and access to the information they require.
The Drop-ins were a later iteration of the one to one format based on feedback to provide a more flexible option for people unable to commit to a specific appointment slot, while also promoting our offer to a wider range of library customers. They were a great success and enabled us to help many people who would have otherwise been unaware of the help available.

External events
A big part of the project is facilitating the larger events at which external providers delivered high quality training to large groups. These are typically longer and cover particular topics much more in depth than a workshop, and are thus an ideal place to signpost people. This has also given me the opportunity to improve my own skills by attending.

I am very grateful for the opportunity take part in this project, and hope that Greater Manchester Libraries continue to develop their working partnership to provide projects like this for the future.

Conclusion and next steps

The evaluation included a 3 year projection based on BIG continuing: it is estimated that the longer term Social and Economic Impact is in the region of £6.5m.

This projection adds to the legacy of the project, which includes closer co-operation between libraries and GM business support agencies, and the reinforcing of sustainable relationships with key partners. In addition it increases our credibility in shaping and influencing business support and innovation in Greater Manchester.

-----------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Stephen James-Yeoman <![CDATA[Did you Get Creative this year?]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3129 2018-06-12T09:31:35Z 2018-06-12T09:31:35Z Culture icon[Editor’s note: Stephen James-Yeoman, Commissioning Editor, Digital, Development and Innovation, BBC Arts, writes about this year’s Get Creative festival, what went on in libraries, and planning for next year.]

When I was eight years old I knew exactly what I was going to do for a living when I was older. There were no lofty ambitions to become an astronaut, or sensible plans to be a train driver or fantastical ideas to be an internationally-renowned footballer (anyway, they were paid less in the 70s). I wanted to become a music teacher. And with that pin-point focus and clarity I set about learning as many musical instruments as I could safely handle in my podgy eight year old fingers. Guitar, flute, drums, violin, piano – if it could be plucked, blown, hit or tinkled then I was in the queue to master it so I could achieve my unshakeable goal.

Of course, life gets in the way and my career path followed a different and unexpected direction - but I never lost that joy of creative expression, and still revel in the calm that picking up a musical instrument can bring. It’s not just music that can have this relaxing and joyous effect.

From pottery to painting, singing to stitching, drawing to dancing getting creative has been shown time and time again to have a positive effect on our wellbeing.

And that’s the underlying premise behind Get Creative, a nationwide campaign to celebrate and inspire the everyday creativity that happens in homes and public spaces throughout the UK. During the annual Get Creative Festival organisations big and small are invited to put on and host creative, participatory events with the aim of getting as many people as possible to try something new, reignite a forgotten hobby or share their creative passion.

Get Creative 2018

This year during the Get Creative Festival from March 17-25 there were more than 1,400 such events across the UK, the majority of which were free. The breadth on offer was vast. There was adult therapeutic colouring in Burnley Library, crochet sessions at Pensby Library, a quilting workshop at Watford Central Library in Hertfordshire while Cumnock Library in East Ayrshire held an exhibition of local people’s photography. And there were Argentine Tango classes in Belfast, drawing sessions focussing on rugby fans on the streets of Cardiff at Wales v France; and hundreds of pottery taster sessions in studios across the UK.

map with coloured circles showing where events took place

These are only a small selection of what was on offer but I’m thrilled that almost 500 of the total number of events were in public libraries – that’s more than a third. These venues are often the creative heartbeat of our communities, regularly hosting events and workshops from knitting circles and jewellery making to painting classes. I think that high number was due to the simplicity of the call to action. We said: “if there’s already something creative happening in your library during the Get Creative Festival period that’s free or cost recovery then please join us and be part of this national celebration of creativity and participation”.

Working with partners in libraries

But it wasn’t just existing events that were part of the Festival. I don’t need to tell anyone reading this that libraries are also accessible and well-used venues and with the help and support of the Society of Chief Librarians the Handbell Ringing Association of Great Britain held taster sessions in a number of libraries across the UK including Portishead, Buckden, Minehead, Stroud and Teddington to name a few places.

Bellringers in Minehead library.

Bellringers in Minehead library. Photo credit: xx

In Lancashire, all 59 libraries in the county put on an event during the Festival, and it’s truly wonderful to see an area embrace the spirit of Get Creative with such enthusiasm. In Ormskirk you could get creative with Lego (other building blocks are available), there were painting classes in Widnes and a beginners jewellery workshop in Rawtenstall. I hope each library felt it was a worthwhile thing to do and would look to take part again next year.

BBC promotion work

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Arts Council of Wales there was a Get Creative listings map which included every Festival event. I see the BBC’s role as ensuring that our audiences are made aware of what’s happening near them to give everyone the chance to get creative. At the BBC we’re very good at getting behind an initiative and almost every radio station reflected the festival in some way, while I hope Make! Craft Britain on BBC FOUR and The Big Painting Challenge on BBC ONE inspired audiences to try something new and creative.

Partly due to that signposting on radio, television and online more than 11,000 people came to the listings site to find an event, while our Get Creative website was viewed by half a million visitors. Our Facebook content featuring inspiring stories of people who’ve found the joy of creativity notched up 14 million views.

BBC Arts and Tomorrow’s World funded the Great British Creativity Test to investigate the link between creativity and wellbeing. Dr Daisy Fancourt, senior research fellow at University College London, will analyse the 50,000 responses and we’re looking forward to making those findings public in the autumn.

Plans for next year?

Get Creative is run as a partnership by the Crafts Council, the Arts Councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Creative Scotland, Voluntary Arts, What Next, Fun Palaces, Family Arts Campaign, 64Million Artists, Creative People and Place and the BBC. Preparations for 2019’s Festival have already started. It will be held from 11-19 May with planning meetings at BBC buildings across the UK in the autumn. We’re also looking at putting on workshops early in the new year for organisations who want to take part and might need specific help and support.

It feels like the UK’s libraries are a perfect companion to the Festival and I hope many will take part next year with a similar array of enjoyable and varied events. If you’re interested in following our progress and keeping up with all the latest Get Creative updates, sign up to our newsletter (we’re fully GDPR compliant!) at https://www.voluntaryarts.org/get-creative-newsletter or for specific questions contact us at info@getcreativeuk.com. Hope to see you in 2019 to get creative!

--------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
John Garland <![CDATA[Single Sign On – Access to eResources for libraries]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3147 2018-06-11T08:50:17Z 2018-06-11T08:50:17Z Digital icon[Editor’s note: John Garland, working with Jisc on the Single Sign On project, shares how the idea came about, and reports progress]

‘What do you think would make a real difference to libraries, and that the Digital group could solve quickly and easily?’ That was the voice of Nick Stopforth, Digital lead for Society of Chief Librarians (SCL). This was 2016 and some colleagues, Christel Pogbee, Helen Leech and I had a chat about it. What was the one improvement we’d like to see to make using libraries digitally easier?

Using computers in Exeter library. Photo credit: SCL

Using computers in Exeter library. Photo credit: SCL

We decided it was eResources. We adored the content, whether it was Oxford Reference Online, Times Digital Archive, Issues Online or eMagazines like Zinio. We loved that all this amazing content was free with your library card (paid for by your library), and that you couldn’t find them anywhere else - but two things drove us up the wall:

1. No one seemed to know about them. Not our customers, friends or family
2. Signing into them was difficult, to put it politely

For some resources you had to enter your full library card number, some asked you to put letters in front of it, and others asked you to create another username and password then took you away from the library so you never returned to the library website again! And all of them asked you to enter your library card number over and over, and over again. Something wasn’t right. Why couldn’t we make this simpler?

Screenshot from Bournemouth libraries eresources

Screenshot from Bournemouth libraries eresources

Enter Jisc and the LMS companies stage left

We decided we couldn’t fix the national marketing problem, (although maybe that’s changing) so we decided to try and make signing into resources easier. SCL have worked with Jisc before. Jisc is a not for profit organisation who develop digital services and solutions for higher and further education. Jisc have worked with public libraries and SCL before, Jisc Collections negotiates with publishers on behalf of the public library sector to secure better deals and prices for eResources.

When we asked them to help us, they turned out to be the perfect partner as they’ve been offering this sort of service to universities and FE colleges for years. Now it was time for us to get some of this easy access stuff, I mean how hard could it be…

Single Sign On (SSO)

words: single sign on with a backdrop of people using computers

Fast forward 2 years and we now have 10 libraries and over 600,000 users in England using SSO. It took us longer than we thought but we’ve made some huge steps forward. Specifically:

  • Collaboration - Working with publishers and ALL the UK’s Library Management System companies to get them to agree to develop their side of things for no charge.
  • The technology works! - We use other services like Google and twitter and facebook to log us into multiple websites but it’s great when you can sign in to your eResources and your library catalogue to reserve or renew books with just one login!
  • Access - Resources are easier to find and use
  • Heads of Service will have access to coherent statistics so make spending more well informed.

Since I’ve been working with Jisc to get extra content for libraries as part of their SSO subscription, the list of eResources you can use with SSO gets longer every week. We’re also negotiating with publishers to make sure that as many as possible are compatible with Single Sign On. Plus, there’s a project to get at least one eResource into all libraries in England. So that national marketing of eResources? It might become a reality after all.

Conclusion

It’s been a complicated project. Jisc and SCL have developed a really strong working relationship and, with the helpful cooperation of the LMS suppliers, it feels like there are more possibilities for Single Sign On than originally anticipated. The LMS suppliers and publishers like that there’s a central strategy for eResources – it saves them time and money developing different types of solutions for different authorities.

All of these are useful reasons to work with different agencies, but they show how important it is for libraries to develop coherent national strategies for partners to sign up to.

To learn more about Single Sign On, please email liberate@jisc.ac.uk

Further Reading

And to see more of John’s thoughts on digital libraries, read his blog.

----------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
1
Sarah Mears <![CDATA[Engaging Libraries and Empathy Day 12 June 2018]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3070 2018-06-07T09:53:11Z 2018-06-07T09:53:11Z [Editor’s note: post written by Sarah Mears, library service manager in Essex, and Miranda McKearney, Chair of Empathy Lab, an organisation that is developing an empathy, literature and social action programme for 4-11 year olds.]

Scientists have demonstrated that reading builds our real-life empathy. As we identify with book characters and their feelings, we expand our ability to understand other people. Since empathy is so central to community wellbeing and cohesiveness, this gives libraries an exciting opportunity to position their core reading business in a new way.

Engaging Libraries pilot

Hate crimes are at their highest level since records began, and Empathy Day was founded by EmpathyLab as a response to the need for more empathy in a divided world. It focuses on using books and stories as tools to build more understanding between us all, because scientific research shows that reading builds our real-life sensitivity towards other people. Reading empathy boosting stories and poems can help to challenge prejudice and build connections between us all.

Library services responded enthusiastically to 2017’s pilot, recognising the unique role they play in creating conditions in which empathy can thrive. Four of them then teamed up with EmpathyLab for a successful bid to the Engaging Libraries fund established by the Carnegie and Wellcome Trusts.

Using this funding, Essex, St Helens, Sheffield and Libraries Unlimited (Devon) are experimenting with involving communities in empathy-focused activities, culminating on Empathy Day.

The project explores how communities engage with the concept of empathy, and the wellbeing impacts that are realised as a result. Each library service is partnered with a children’s author for maximum creativity - these are Sita Brahmachari; Gillian Cross; Bali Rai and Helen Moss.

Image shows (from top left, clockwise) authors in libraries: Bali Rai in St Helens, Sita Brahmachari in Sheffield, Helen Moss in Essex and Gillian Cross in Devon. Photo credits are the library services in each area.

Image shows (from top left, clockwise) authors in libraries: Bali Rai in St Helens, Sita Brahmachari in Sheffield, Helen Moss in Essex and Gillian Cross in Devon. Photo credits are the library services in each area.

Common themes

In the first phase of the project the libraries talked to local people, asking “what are the issues in our community where more empathy would help?” Given how different the four communities are, the responses were strikingly similar, with loneliness and lack of intergenerational understanding emerging as common themes. During the spring all four authorities held Empathy Cafes involving authors and local people in co-developing activities to engage other members of the community on Empathy Day based around their theme.

St Helen’s project is called ‘Human First’. Author Bali Rai led discussions with communities about empathy and what makes us human. Library staff are creating fantastic displays including an Empathy Tree to hang people’s pledges to put empathy into action.

Sheffield’s ‘Hands of Friendship’ is an intergenerational project in two very diverse neighbourhoods. Tina Barber says “The Café brought the community together, with people recognising how important empathy is to ease tensions in the community.” Meanwhile in Teignmouth, Gillian Cross led imaginative discussions about loneliness and in Loughton the people explored intergenerational relationships. “The Café created a thought provoking space for the community to come together to learn about empathy and think how to put it into action. It was great to see the adults and children engaging.” Apryl Hammett

Hands of friendship project in Sheffield. Photo credit: Sheffield libraries

Hands of friendship project in Sheffield. Photo credit: Sheffield libraries

The four authorities are now building up to Empathy Day when the work prepared in the Cafes will involve the wider community. Loughton Library will become Empathy Island and author Helen Moss will inspire children to explore loneliness among older people and decide how they could make a difference.

Helen Moss in Loughton library. Photo credit: Essex libraries

Helen Moss in Loughton library. Photo credit: Essex libraries

Empathy Day - in libraries

The Engaging Libraries project is just one aspect of the public library network’s support for Empathy Day. 55 library services have committed their involvement and are developing creative plans. In some authorities every single library is involved. Manchester Libraries will be running empathy-focused rhyme times, empathy film shows, class visits and empathy craft events and authors Alan Macdonald and Tarnya Cole will be working with children. Kirklees Library Service is working with author Chitra Soundar.

Many library services are running empathy rhyme times and are also linking Empathy Day activities to existing arts and cultural partnerships. Some services are using Empathy Day to understand and address local community tensions. Two services are also planning to introduce Empathy Day activities to their prison libraries.

All participants will be encouraging customers to Tweet their greatest empathy reads using #ReadforEmpathy

Staffordshire’s Liz Gardner says: “Libraries are a great example of 'empathy in action' on a daily basis so it is really exciting for Staffordshire Libraries to be taking part. Our 43 libraries will be creating empathy walls, encouraging local people to share solutions to the 'empathy issues' they’ve identified and our Knit and Natter group will debate the issues raised.”

There is no better place than libraries to explore the importance of empathy in building happier community relationships. Everyone is urged to join in, sharing their ideas for empathy-boosting books and deciding how to make every day an Empathy Day.

For more information

Remember, Empathy Day 2018 is on 12 June. Everyone is urged to share their #ReadForEmpathy recommendations on social media, linking to #EmpathyDay @EmpathyLabUK. A free Read For Empathy Guide to children’s books is at www.empathylab.uk

------------------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
Sue Ball <![CDATA[Helping children and young people to stay safe online and avoid fake news]]> https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/?p=3113 2018-06-05T09:27:48Z 2018-06-05T09:27:48Z Digital icon[Editor’s note: post written by Sue Ball, Chair of ASCEL and Stock, Services and Activities Manager at Staffordshire libraries]

With free access to computers and the internet, public libraries and Schools’ Library Services are playing a huge role in supporting children and young people and their families to stay safe online, recognise fake news and develop critical literacy skills that will help them to be discerning users of the information they find online.

Family using the free wifi in Shepherd’s Bush library. Photo credit: SCL

Family using the free wifi in Shepherd’s Bush library. Photo credit: SCL

Practical examples from library services

Hampshire Libraries deliver courses and workshops under their Learning in Libraries programme which support parents and carers in managing the many challenges they face when their children access the internet.

Stoke-on-Trent Libraries have developed a series of e-safety themed sessions for different client groups and these include Looking After your Digital Footprint, Sharing Personal Information Online and Cyber Bullying. Library staff also deliver the CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection) Sessions in schools, to community groups and parents and carers.

Islington Libraries are leading the way in the development of an e-safety policy for the Borough Council. Their policy is now used as a best practice template for all the other council services.

SLS Guernsey staff sit on the island’s e-safety committee and support this work with a programme of internet safety lessons which include fake websites, digital literacy and citizenship.

In 2015 North Ayrshire Libraries won the CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award for Appiness, a digital learning and e-safety programme for pre-schoolers and parents. The promotion of e-safety has continued with North Ayrshire Libraries Digidabble, a pop-up event providing a safe environment for families to learn together.

Falkirk Libraries run AppyPlay sessions to help parents and carers use touchscreen technology to support their child’s learning. The sessions including changing settings to make devices safer for children and tips on choosing a good quality app.

Falkirk libraries programme logo

Falkirk libraries programme logo

Government activity

The Government is working to ensure that the UK is both the safest place to be online and the best place to start a digital business. After the publication of the Government’s Internet Safety Strategy Green Paper in October 2017 the DCMS has been consulting on the proposed initiatives and how the Government can work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to tackle online harms and promote safer online communities.

Representatives from the Libraries Taskforce, the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL) have been in discussion with DCMS about the role libraries play in integrating online safety into the programmes and services offered and it is good to see this recognised in the Government’s response to the Internet Safety Strategy Green Paper published May 2018. A full White Paper will be published later this year as a precursor to new online safety legislation.

An international perspective

Recognising that this is an international challenge, IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations) has created this infographic with eight simple steps (based on FactCheck.org’s 2016 article How to Spot Fake News) to discover the verifiability of a given news-piece in front of you. They encourage library staff to display it in their libraries, and everyone to download, print, translate, and share.

IFLA infographic

IFLA infographic

Focus on schools

ASCEL: the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians are working with the NSPCC on a number of measures to support library services and Schools’ Library Services in keeping children, young people and families safe online.

Teaching children and young people to be mindful of quality sources has long been a key feature in Information Literacy programmes delivered by School Librarians, Schools’ Library Services and public libraries through class visits to the library. ASCEL’s Children’s Promise recognises the importance of providing children and young people with the opportunity to engage with imaginative digital opportunities through libraries building their skills, knowledge and creativity.

Tower Hamlets Schools’ Library Service Information Literacy Skills programmes focus on developing critical evaluative techniques, including the ability to do basic checks on trustworthiness and accuracy of information found on websites and helping young people to understand what is fact and what is opinion. Their programmes also look at search engines and help pupils to develop research skills that will ensure the retrieval of accurate information.

Information literacy programmes enable public libraries to introduce young people to the carefully curated collections of online resources they provide that support homework and other studies.

On 13 September 2017 the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Literacy launched the Commission on Fake News and the Teaching of Critical Literacy Skills in Schools. This followed the publication of a report from the National Literacy Trust: Fake news and critical literacy evidence review. The report highlighted how children and young people in England do not have the critical literacy skills they need to identify fake news. ASCEL responded to the National Literacy Trust’s call for information to inform the commission and in mid-June 2018 the findings and recommendations from this work will be published.

Now more than ever libraries and Schools’ Library Services need to be at the forefront of helping everyone to stay safe online and to navigate the wealth of information from online sources and social media.

---------------------------------------------------------

Please note, this is a guest blog. Views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DCMS or the Libraries Taskforce

]]>
0
https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/feed/
librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk
crawl=CC-MAIN-2018-26
108682
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:AYFAEB4UTSCVXC7PEPTNCQYZ3AVVHGMW
<urn:uuid:35e37092-1dc6-4e7c-9e18-4b7619b3baeb>
2018-06-23T21:35:34Z
52.84.122.63
application/atom+xml
sha1:BQKOFUCWMTX77HY2R2V2NE6G6ZJGQN46
<urn:uuid:975d31b2-56aa-4a80-ab5c-285b32dfdbb9>
https://librariestaskforce.blog.gov.uk/feed/
response
<urn:uuid:b0d7df33-e0b1-4c49-b154-28ae744955d8>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-109-239-82.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2018-26
operator: Common Crawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for June 2018
publisher: Common Crawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf