Initiatives are fresh chapter for libraries
» LIBRARIES in Glolucestershire have been recognised for their innovation - from a library for foodbank users, a pop-up library in a residential home, to family-friendly story time sessions.
The shortlist for the David Vaisey Prize was announced at a special event at Gloucester Cathedral with guests from libraries across the county, as well as writers and supporters.
The shortlisted projects will now go forward to be considered for the top prize of £5,000 to be announced at the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival in October, with shortlisted projects also each receiving an award of £1,000.
The David Vaisey Prize Shortlist 2019 is: The Library@orchard House, Bishop’s Cleeve Library, a library in a care home. The Little Library, North Cotswold Library Cluster, a mobile library in foodbanks across the North Cotswolds, Cre8eexplore, Gloucester Library, interactive family storytime sessions, We Love Stories, Lydney Library, story sessions for young children with craft, role-play and music.
A team of judges; writers Rachel Joyce, Caroline Sanderson, Jamila Gavin, as well as literature advocastes Trevor Hill and Julian Hasler, visited the nine long-listed library projects this summer.
Chairwoman Rachel Joyce said: “The judges have been extremely impressed by the diversity of entries. We have read stories with seven to 11-year-olds, searched for bears in libraries, and shared poetry and memories in a nursing home.
“We have seen libraries reaching out to people of all ages. While drawing up a short list has not been easy, the whole experience has been immensely enjoyable.”
The David Vaisey Prize awards library initiatives which use creative ways to encourage children and adults to read more books. The winning library will also hold the Willans Bowl for a year, given by Cheltenham solicitors, Willans LLP. In addition, Bodleian Libraries will invite staff of the winning library to visit Oxford and include a tour of its libraries.