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The Boundless Curiosity exhibition and care home Tea & Tales events proved so successful they have resulted in several Guille-Allès Library staff being shortlisted for prestigious national awards.
The team behind the exhibition celebrating the library’s 140th anniversary have been shortlisted in the Culture & Creativity category, while Jackie Burgess is listed in the Health & Wellbeing category within the Libraries Connected Awards.
These individuals will go head-to-head with librarians from London to Leeds for the awards.
Winners will be announced in June.
Cornelia James, Chief Librarian, argued the recognition of her staff is well deserved given their “remarkable” passion and skills.
“For one library service to be shortlisted twice is unusual and is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of the team,” she added.
Pictured: The Birds of America on display.
Adam Bayfield, Jodie Hearn, Chris Jordan, Abi Paine, and Tracey Woosley brought the history and diversity of the Guille-Allès Library to life at the end of 2022 in its anniversary exhibition, showcasing various rare artefacts held in the collection.
This included an ultra-rare copy of Audubon’s ‘The Birds of America’; a book with 1:1 drawings of weird and wonderful birds from across the pond.
Over 8,500 passed through the libraries doors to experience it, with three quarters reporting a 10/10 satisfaction rate.
Mrs James said many attendees said it was their first visit to library in years, and there has been a marked increase in footfall and membership signups since.
“The Boundless Curiosity team worked tirelessly throughout 2022 to put the exhibition together. They curated the exhibits, wrote a high-quality narrative, and made sure it would be accessible to the whole community with a special children’s trail, a programme of school visits, and a series of events in care homes,” said Mrs James.
“And they had the inspired idea to turn the page of The Birds of America once a week, encouraging repeat visitors.”
Pictured: Care home residents enjoying a Tea & Tales session delivered by library staff.
Ms Burgess runs a special programme of events at care homes where attendees listen to stories read by local librarians and then digest the content with a cup of tea afterwards.
The hope is to combat loneliness and keep the older generation engaged with literature. Sessions are delivered regularly across seven settings with over 100 adults benefitting each month.
Sessions have specific themes such as school days and family memories to keep them tethered to a local link.
The sessions have been well received by residents and care managers alike.
Mrs James hailed it as a “wonderful addition to the library service”.
“We hear feedback all the time about what a difference it’s making to people’s lives. Jackie’s work on this programme brilliantly embodies the innovation and creativity of the modern library service.”
Libraries Connected are an independent charity which represent public libraries across the UK and Crown Dependencies. It’s judging panel comprises various officials from literary and creative agencies, as well as BBC Arts.
Pictured (top): (L-R) Jackie Burgess, Adam Bayfield, Jodie Hearn, Tracey Woosley, Abi Paine, and Chris Jordan.
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