Libraries Live

Libraries Live was a 3 county partnership project delivered in 3 libraries, led by 3 artists in 3 different communities, across Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.

Artists took up residence in community managed  libraries & worked with library visitors, volunteers and the wider community to explore the theme of ‘change’ in libraries and the ethos behind communities working together.

Participants were encouraged to share stories about volunteering and about what libraries mean to them, what their aspirations are for the future and how libraries and communities could work together to achieve them.

This film shows the project in action and the outcome of the residencies in the form of commissions by artists Ruth Singer, Michaela McMillan and a performance for younger children by Staffordshire's New Vic Theatre.

Find out more about the Libraries Live Commissions

Libraries Live learning journal

To accompany this film which shows each residency in action, one of our main aims for the project was to create a learning journal to share with other community managed libraries.

The journal is mostly relevant to those wanting to run creative projects to engage more with their existing communities as well as bring in new audiences. It illustrates the path we took and what we learned along the way including case studies, artist profiles, artistic commissions, challenges and successes, top tips to take forward and finally, arts takeaway ideas to inspire further activities in library venues.

A copy of the journal can requested by emailing the Library Arts Officer.

Libraries Live was a partnership between Staffordshire County Council, Warwickshire County Council and Leicestershire County Council Library Services, supported by Arts Council public funding.