THE importance of libraries in local communities is being celebrated by LiveWire as part of the annual Libraries Week, with various events taking place from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th October.
Libraries Week is an annual celebration of the best that libraries have to offer and the innovative and surprising things that libraries are doing to support their communities.
This year’s theme is taking action and changing lives and is aiming to highlight the important role that libraries play in their communities as a driver for inclusion, sustainability, social mobility and community cohesion.
LiveWire’s community librarian team and library advisors are running a number of free activities and events to encourage people to get involved in Libraries Week and visit their local site, kicking off slightly early on Saturday 2nd October with Westbrook Library’s Fun Palace event.
These include:
· Fun Palace Event Saturday 2nd October, 10am-2pm, Westbrook Library. When is a library not a library? When it is a Fun Palace. The annual Fun Palace event brings culture to the heart of the community and communities at the heart of culture by using arts, science, craft, tech, digital, heritage and sports activities as a catalyst for community engagement. People don’t have to be professional or expert in what they do – it’s about local people coming together, sharing their skills, hobbies and interests and letting other people ‘have a go’. There will be lots on offer for people to try – from Chinese calligraphy, photography, French activities, crafts and more.
· Quiz Evening Monday 4th October, 6.30pm-8pm. Stockton Heath Library. Fancy yourself as a bit of an Egghead? Then why not give our quiz evening a go! Free to take part although booking is essential by contacting any LiveWire library in advance.
· Make a Bird Feeder Tuesday 5th October. After School Activity from 3pm. Lymm and Penketh Libraries. With winter around the corner you help our feathered friends by creating a bird feeder.
· Augmented Reality Session Saturday 9th October, 11.30am – 12.30pm. Warrington Pop-Up Museum & Library. Be amazed when books come to life in front of your eyes at an exciting augmented reality session.
· Crafternoons Saturday 9th October, 1pm to 3pm. Warrington Pop-Up Museum & Library. Drop-in and enjoy some family craft sessions with the Culture Warrington team
· Unplugged Sundays Sunday 10th October, 12noon-2pm, Warrington Pop-Up Museum & Library. Take some time out from the tech, screens and social media by joining in together to play some traditional board games.
· National Poetry Day Thursday 7th October. All LiveWire libraries. The theme this year is Choice – come along to any LiveWire library and ‘leaf’ a poem on one of our ‘poetrees’.
Wendy Molyneux, LiveWire’s Strategic Library Manager, said: “The theme for Libraries Week this year really reflects the powerful way libraries can make a difference and change lives. Libraries are community hubs – bringing people together who have different interests, experiences they want to share and are from different backgrounds and cultures. Libraries address isolation by being safe, inclusive trusted spaces where anyone is welcome. Bringing events and activities like Libraries Week, Fun Palaces and National Poetry Day together in one week long celebration is a fantastic way to show that libraries offer something for everyone.”
Cllr Tony Higgins, Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Community, said: “Libraries Week gives everyone the perfect opportunity to connect with their local library and discover that there’s so much more than books on offer. From art, crafts and games, to culture, heritage and tech, our libraries will be alive with activities for people of all ages.
“With a theme of ‘taking action and changing lives’ it’s a great way to celebrate the important role our libraries continue to play as inclusive focal points for our communities.”
For more information on LiveWire’s libraries, please visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/libraries
