Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
Background
“Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries” is a project funded as part of the Grants for the Arts
Libraries programme by the Arts Council England. Cambridgeshire County Council Library Service
successfully applied for funding from this programme, and has £60,800 available for communitycommissioned arts activities.
The project covers 8 libraries in the north of Cambridgeshire, the four Fenland Libraries: Chatteris,
March, Whittlesey and Wisbech, three libraries in Huntingdonshire District: Ramsey, Sawtry and
Yaxley, and Littleport in the East Cambridgeshire District. For each library a commissioning group will
have £3,800 to spend for two commissioning rounds (so £7,600 in total) over 2 years. We’d like the
first round to be a Spring Festival in 2015.
The success of this bid to the Arts Council is largely attributable to the positive evaluation following
the successful Libraries Development Initiative funding from the Arts Council for Arts Activities in the
four Fenland Libraries in 2012-13. Cambridgeshire Libraries will build on the successful partnership
with AdEC and the CS3 Cultural Consortium to deliver a menu of inspiring activities, and further
develop the skills of Library Friends and new library community groups, and library staff to reach new
audiences in an area of the county with low expectations and low engagement in arts activities. The
new activities will build community recognition and involvement with the “Community Hub” vision for
libraries and the involvement of new partners.
Arts Engagement
A review of the Arts Insight ward level data for the project area shows that all of the wards have a
below average percentage of the highly engaged segments (urban arts eclectic and culture vulture).
There are higher than the national average percentages of mature explorers, dinner and a show,
family and community focus, mid-life hobbyists and retired arts and crafts across most of the project
wards, with only a few variations.
We know from the Active People Survey that Fenland has very low levels of arts engagement, and is in
the lowest quintile of local authority areas for arts engagement. Given that the propensity to engage
demonstrated by the Arts Insight data does not suggest such a low level of engagement, it is
reasonable to assume that lack of access is a key factor in the low levels of engagement. Although
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
north Huntingdonshire and Littleport are in different local authority areas, and we do not have
accurate sample data below local authority area, it is reasonable to assume a similar situation.
Audience development and marketing
There will be two tracks for audience development and marketing for this project, one operating at a
project wide level, the other in the individual localities.
Project wide: a clear brand will be developed for all the activities with project-wide press and media
coverage and launch event to raise awareness with stakeholders, leaders and decision-makers. All
libraries will have increased local access to high quality arts activities as a project wide outcome.
Locality based: specific arts activities will be commissioned at a local level, taking account of the
Insight data above where we know there are significant numbers of people with the potential to
engage. Locally specific outcomes could be, for example, relating to age range for the activity,
developing the library as a venue or working with locally relevant themes.
Marketing and promotion – guidelines for commissioned activity
This will be dependent on the particular target audiences and the commissioned activity. If a visiting
performance or a series of performances is the outcome of the commission, we would expect the
commissioned organisation to supply high quality e-marketing materials, press releases, and social
media clips; traditional print materials (fliers and posters), for distribution locally; and to use their
own websites and media routes as they would for any other performance. For participatory activity,
where the number of people taking part might be lower and there is a specific target group, we will
focus recruitment activity accordingly, with for example, the commissioned artist visiting a local
school or community setting where we know there are people from the target group.
Project wide development
The Steering Group wish to see at least one “charged- for” activity or event in each location, to fulfil
the terms of the project in enabling business awareness among the community commissioning
groups, and building a fund for future activity.
The Library Service would also be keen to see any proposals for developing arts activities for people
with dementia, as this would link with health and well-being outcomes and could be a theme for a
future project bid.
A general proposal for all community groups on event management would also be welcomed as an
offer.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
Commissioning process
CS3 is running the market place side of this project, and all organisations who want to take part in the
project will need to apply for membership of CS3.
Working through CS3 (the culture and sport consortium for Cambridgeshire and Suffolk)
Along with this information about the Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries you will have
received a briefing note, membership prospectus, and application form for CS3.
Membership of the consortium is free, and open to culture and sport organisations rooted in
Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Peterborough. In brief, through the process of joining CS3 you
demonstrate that you meet certain criteria that make you ‘contract-ready’. This means that the menu
that goes to the Friends and Community Groups guarantees all the organisations putting forward
activities meet certain standards, for example in relation to safeguarding children and young people;
and the community groups themselves do not have to re-check individual organisations. Your
responses to the libraries can therefore focus on the cultural activity you want to provide, rather than
general background information about your organisation.
Joining the consortium is free and open to any organisation that meets the joining criteria. Once you
are a member you will be able to take part in future consortium projects and bids.
The application form goes into quite a lot of detail as we need to collect the information necessary to
ensure that you are contract ready. If you need any assistance filling in the CS3 application form
please contact Emma Haley T: 01473 345437 E: info@cs3.org.uk W: www.cs3.org.uk
Once you have joined CS3 you will be able to take part in other opportunities without having to resubmit this detailed information.
Project Outline



The project team has had initial meetings with the libraries friends group/community
management board, local stakeholders and interested groups and local staff.
Following those meetings this local brief has been developed, for circulation to arts and
cultural organisations (information on each of the libraries begins on page 4)
If you wish to respond you need to set out your ‘offer’ in a standard format (see
accompanying pro-forma and guidance notes) and return it by 31st October 2014. You must
also have completed the application form for CS3 by this date.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations





All the offers are collected into a menu, and the menu goes out to the library groups in
November for decision, with booking of activities in December, for activities in Spring 2015.
There will be a second commissioning round at the end of May 2015 with a refreshed menu
for an Autumn/Winter 2015/16 programme
The chosen activity providers will then be formally commissioned through CS3 with AdEC
coordinating the programme and bookings to develop a cohesive programme across all eight
locations. Arts and Cultural organisations who want to take part in the process need to
register with CS3; this is free, but will involve meeting the membership criteria (see above).
Projects for round one will take place in the libraries by the end of June 2015 and for round
two by the end of April 2016
The project team will monitor and evaluate activities, with the final report ready by the end of
June 2016.
LIBRARIES INFORMATION
This sets out the local aims for the project, provides basic information about the library facilities, and
some background information.
All libraries and their meeting rooms can be used out of library opening hours. Please negotiate
timings and equipment needed with the project Manager, who will coordinate the programme plan of
events across all sites.
Please see Appendix one for a list of all libraries and their current partners.
Full details of current library opening hours and information about meeting room facilities can be
found at http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/directory/4/find_a_library
At present a small grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund funds work across the county with schools and
communities to promote and explain the use of local history resources to find out more about the Great War.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
CHATTERIS LIBRARY
PROJECT AIMS
The Friends Group are keen to use this opportunity to continue the work from the previous Arts Alive
project aiming to bring teens and younger children into the library, looking at how to make the library
relevant for these young people in addition to activities such as the Reading Challenge and school
visits.
They are keen to host a children’s book festival, to explore the possibility of creative writing
workshops possibly resulting in the creation of a community book, this would be available in print and
digital copy.
The friends were also keen to explore music, including opera and classical music, but would like to
ensure local musicians were somehow involved.
There was also interest in some form of art exhibition, again involving local artists and children and
possibly a graffiti workshop for teenagers. Created art could be scanned to create a calendar which
could be sold to generate income.
SPACE
The whole library is on the ground floor. There is a meeting room, seating 30, which has facilities for
digital projection and a suite of computers on tables around the edge of the room. The meeting room
has a small kitchen with hydroboil, fridge and dishwasher. The main library is also available for use:
the library shelves are on castors and can be moved to create an open space. There are four public
computers in the library as well as those in the meeting room. Both rooms are carpeted. There is
capacity for displaying visual art work. There is one customer toilet which is suitable for disabled
users, and baby-changing facilities. There is a large car park adjacent to the Community Hub. Free wifi is available.
The library is now a Community Hub and operates in partnership with Fenland District Council for
their One Stop Shop advice and payments services.
The Friends of Chatteris Library have recently installed a picture rail over the book shelves and have
refurbished the library garden including a metal “fox and hen” sculpture.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
The library already hosts a wide range of activities, and is well connected to the local community. The
friends group is well established and experienced in running events. For young children there are
regular rhyme-time and story-time sessions, and the local play groups visit the library. There are
whole class visits from the local primary schools, and the Summer Reading Challenge is very popular.
There is a drama group for teenagers that meets in the library after opening hours.
The library has an active reading group and an ‘Engage’ group which puts on monthly events for the
over 50’s. The local archive group hold monthly meetings in the library, and there is a weekly craft
group for adults.
The new partnership with Fenland District Council has resulted in a substantial increase in visitors to
the library and an increase in library membership.
MARCH LIBRARY
PROJECT AIMS
The Friends were interested in the possibility of offering some activities/events which were
intergenerational and would also like something for teenagers and adults. It was felt that younger
children were already well provided for in March. Suggestions were:








Creative Writing
Story telling
Entertainment events (Theatre productions, comedy, Opera Dudes)
Production of a community book/film – possibly to sell
Local History (something around the history of the Statute Fair was mentioned)
Craft workshops (traditional crafts such as spinning, pottery)
Book of local traditional recipes
Production of a permanent piece of art for the library
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
SPACE
The whole library is on the ground floor. There is a meeting room with capacity for 50 people seated
(this room is also used by the registry service). One side of the meeting room has sliding doors which
open onto a paved area. There is a small kitchen with hydroboil, fridge and dishwasher. The main
library is also available for use, although much of the shelving is not mobile at present. Both rooms
are carpeted. There are plenty of public computers, some of which are in a dedicated learning area.
There are customer toilets including disabled access and baby-changing facilities. There is a large car
park adjacent to the library. Free wi-fi is available.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
The library already hosts a wide range of activities, and is well connected to the local community. The
meeting room is well used during the day. There are two reading groups and a knitting group. The
U3A (University of the Third Age) has a regular quilting group with twice annual exhibitions, and there
are arts groups which bring in guest artists. “Engage” (library social, learning and information events
for older people) is active in the library, with day time music and poetry recitals. For young children
and families there are weekly rhyme-time and monthly activity / story-time sessions, and the local
play groups visit the library. There are whole class visits from the local primary schools, and the
Summer Reading Challenge is very popular.
The Friends have held very successful evenings featuring Opera Dudes, Comedy Nights and Ghost
stories in partnership with AdEC and would be very keen to see this repeated.
WHITTLESEY LIBRARY
PROJECT AIMS
The Friends of Whittlesey Library are very keen that any activities will link with any future arts
activities planned for Whittlesey, especially the Creative People and Places project, and would wish to
see the activities from both projects complement and build on each other.
The Friends favour two or three significant events, such as a theatre production; the success of the
John Clare play from the Eastern Angles Company for the LDI project was significant and the Friends
would welcome something similar. The layout for such a production in the library space might be
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
revised in the light of learning from last time, and the recent installation of more wheels for the
library bookcases.
They would welcome something new in Whittlesey that would attract adults, comedy, Opera Dudes,
music, singing, reduced Shakespeare, and pantomime were all ideas that were discussed. The Friends
are open to all suggestions for an innovative event.
The Friends also discussed the idea of an art or textile exhibition combined with a commissioned
legacy piece or art for the library, this could be linked to a theme of books and libraries or to local
artefacts in the Whittlesey Museum. The Friends related themselves to the Arts Insight data of
mature explorers, mid-life hobbyists and retired arts and crafts, and felt this was an accurate
description of the possible target audience in Whittlesey for arts activities.
The Friends have recently sponsored a photographic competition, with the winning photographs
enlarged and displayed on the library walls.
SPACE
The whole library is on the ground floor. The main library space is a significant size and most of the
shelving is on wheels and can be moved. There is also a small meeting room seating a maximum of
25, with an open-plan kitchen containing kettles and a fridge. There is a customer toilet with disabled
access. The library has public computers in two areas, one being a dedicated learning area. There are
a limited number of chairs, but extra seating could be brought in. There is a car park to the rear of the
building as well as limited on-street parking in front of the library. Free wi-fi is available.
TIMING
Plans are in progress for a partnership with Fenland District Council, as at Chatteris. There may be
some closure of the library for alterations to accommodate this, at present the date for this is not
known.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
The library is open 25 hours a week as a library. It has a good programme of activities for younger
children and families, including under 5’s story time, rhyme time, and the Summer Reading Scheme.
They have had some success with older young people volunteering in the library. There are two active
reading groups and an ‘Engage’ group offering monthly meetings with speakers for the over-50’s.
There are arts and photography groups in Whittlesey, but not based in the library. Free wi-fi is
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
available. The Friends group is very active, arranging regular fund-raising and other events, including
local history and author visits.
WISBECH LIBRARY
PROJECT BRIEF
The Friends of Wisbech Library and library staff would like to have a wide ranging choice of activities
to choose from. They are keen to see proposals for intergenerational activities with craft, dance,
music or historical links. They would welcome projects that include a legacy for the library (such as an
exhibition or piece of artwork.) They also welcome suggestions around creative writing and
illustration, the possibility of creating a community book (that could be sold), a workshop to develop
an animated film on local themes and memories, and Wisbech people being involved in telling their
own stories.
The Friends also wish to explore and test the use of the meeting room for new fun activities such as
comedy, music and storytelling (such as ghost stories), with the emphasis on entertainment and not
too high-brow. These events could also include alcohol and food, and would be charged for at an
appropriate rate. The Friends were very interested in the success of such events at March Library
(Comedy evenings and Opera Dudes) and felt this would supply a niche market for Wisbech and
would also attract new customers to the library and challenge people’s assumptions of what a library
can offer for events for adults.
SPACE
The library is on two floors, with stairs and a lift – both floors are carpeted. On the first floor there is a
meeting room (50 people seated) which can be divided into two self-contained rooms. The attached
kitchen has a hydroboil, fridge and dishwasher. It may also be possible to make use of a microwave
oven located in the staff room next door to the meeting room kitchen. The main library is also
available for use. The library shelves on both floors are on castors and can be moved to create an
open space. There is an informal café-style seating area on the ground floor which has laminated
flooring, and a kitchenette which is not used regularly, but could be used for events. There are
customer toilets which include disabled access and baby-changing facilities. There are plenty of public
computers on both floors, including some in a dedicated learning area. There is a community digital
screen located in the library that advertises events and activities. Free wi-fi is available. The nearest
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
car park is about five minutes’ walk away, but there is a limited amount of on-street parking outside
the library, including disabled bays.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
A wide range of activities already take place in the library. There are sessions for young children and
families, including Rhyme Time activities, the Summer Reading Challenge, and a children’s reading
group. For adults, there are author visits, a twice monthly family history group, reading groups, a
poetry group and Engage activities (day time activities for older people).
The library has the Lilian Ream collection of historic photographs, this was used as part of a
photography project in the last project. The library houses the Fenland Collection for local history and
has good links with the Museum, the Castle, Wisbech Society and local schools. Successful Heritage
Lottery funded projects have taken place with these partners.
A local benefactor recently supported the Friends by funding the framing and hanging of locally made
tapestries in the library.
RAMSEY LIBRARY
PROJECT BRIEF
Ramsey Library Board are keen to explore activities for the 14-25 age group though they feel this
needs to be broken in to smaller age groups and possibly looking at young parents within this age
range. This would link well to the Children's Centre which is also located in the Community Hub
alongside the library service. They would like to see a comedy night that would attract a large portion
of this age group if possible.
In terms of the type of activity they would like to see they would be keen to see a selection of
workshops around Manga art and Graffiti, working with and creating film, gaming development and
photographic workshops and exhibitions, ideally using tablets of mobile phones and linking through
social media such as Instagram. They would like one of the outputs of this to be to create a
permanent piece or pieces of art for the library space.
They are also keen to explore performance art around street dance, music or storytelling. In all of this
they feel it is important that engagement with the local Abbey High School is factored in and that
local groups are also included, such as photography group etc.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
SPACE
The library is on one floor and includes a meeting room with the capacity for 35 – 40 people. The
meeting room includes a kitchen area, with a hydro boil and dishwasher. There are also customer
toilets. The library is carpeted throughout and there is a learning area with computers in the library.
The whole library has occasionally been used for a single event. The majority of the shelving is on
wheels. There is a community digital screen located in the library that advertises events and activities
and a bus timetable information screen.
The library has its own chairs for events.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
Ramsey is the first community hub in the county, the building includes, the library, a children’s centre,
Huntingdonshire District Council’s Neighbourhood office and Customer Service Centre, Ramsey
Neighbourhood Trust and Ramsey Million.
There is a great deal of community involvement with the library; this includes Ramsey Library Board
(RLB), which consists of representatives from the local community and a Friends Group (a sub group
of the Board). They are strong advocates for the library and regularly organise events and activities in
the building such as Spring Day, Chocolate Day and Winnie the Pooh Day. The RLB are also involved in
the forthcoming Ram Jam Children’s Book Festival, this will take place over 2 days in October at local
schools and in the library.
A wide range of activities already take place in the building. There are sessions for young children and
families, including rhyme times, the Summer Reading Challenge, class visits and activities carried out
by the Children’s Centre. For adults, there are reading groups, a knitting group, job search club and
buddy plus courses (the latter are run by partner organisations). There are Engage computer buddy
sessions and we are currently planning to work with the local U3A on providing ancestry workshops.
We also regularly host ‘cuppa with a copper’ sessions and Adult Careers Service surgeries.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
SAWTRY LIBRARY
PROJECT BRIEF
The community members at the meeting included the College Librarian, the Head of Art from the
College, the Senior Family Worker from the Children’s Centre, a member of staff from the Nursery,
two members of the Local History Society and the Area Library Manager.
The group discussed previous successful projects and themes. It was decided that events should take
place before June as this is not a good time for the College, and is Feast week in Sawtry.
There was enthusiasm for a photography project with the photographs being used in the library for
the ends of bookcases or elsewhere in the library. This would provide a good link with College
students.
It was suggested that a focus might be on linking older and younger children, especially as the library
is on the College site. It was also mentioned that it would be good to connect young people to more
activities. There is a lack of people in their 20’s, 30’s using the library so something to attract this
group, or older people – such as an evening event would be appreciated.
Poetry workshops, creative writing and music for under 5’s were also proposed.
The group was enthused with the idea of using their historic “Archer’s Wood” in Sawtry as the basis
for inspiration – a field trip, woodwork, leaf printing, stories, performance, linked to the outdoors. All
age groups could be involved with this theme.
Creative writing for all ages and the possibility of a community book were discussed. Craft
opportunities for all ages would be popular.
SPACE
The library is on one floor and is a shared space with Sawtry Community College. There is a large
reference area and lots of tables and chairs available. There are no customer toilets (although
customers can access the leisure centre toilets located on the campus) and there are no kitchen
facilities (although the college itself does have a kitchen and canteen). Some of the shelving is on
wheels. The college has a school hall that it may be possible to use for events and activities.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
TIMING
The public library is open 15 hours a week.
Sawtry Community College use the library space outside of these opening hours (daytime and term
time only). Evening and weekend use of the library space is available via negotiation with the College.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
Sawtry Library is part of a community hub based on the Sawtry Community College campus, there are
a number of partner organisations located on the campus, and this includes CARESCO, Children and
Young Peoples Service office, Sawtry Day Nursery and Huntingdonshire District Council’s One Leisure
Centre. The public library is part of a dual use building and shares the space with the College library,
as part of this agreement we share stock and other resources. We have worked closely in partnership
with the college students on volunteering opportunities e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Award and Summer
Reading Challenge Volunteers. A library representative attends the Friends of Sawtry Community
College (FOSCC) that meets regularly.
There are 4 public computers at Sawtry and these are located close proximity to each other.
A wide range of activities already take place in the building. There are sessions for young children and
families, including weekly rhyme times, the Summer Reading Challenge and class visits. For adults,
there are reading groups and Engage computer buddy sessions. The local history society regularly
meets at the library and hold sessions there. They also have a permanent display and resources kept
in the building.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
YAXLEY LIBRARY
PROJECT BRIEF
Yaxley Friends were keen to link activities with the Yaxley Festival on 15, 16, 17 May 2015.
They discussed ghost stories, opera, and a murder mystery evening. They also mentioned creative
writing, linking grandchildren and their grandparents.
They were keen to have a teenage focus with graffiti workshops, Manga drawing, creative writing,
comedy writing and to involve Stanground College.
Photography for all age groups was another possibility.
A children’s book festival would also be well received.
The Friends have long had a wish to develop the library to also become a community cinema, they
would welcome any projects to support this especially on the theme of “from book to film”. They
especially wish to see this aimed at children.
Craft activities for all ages would be popular.
They also liked the idea of a fun and light hearted poetry or music evening.
The Friends have a popular programme of activities such as Quiz nights to support the library.
SPACE
The library is a unique shape, it is open plan with a small mezzanine floor that can be used for
meetings and activities for up to 8 people. The main library space can accommodate up to 40-45
people standing and in the region of 25-30 seated. The library has its own chairs for events. There is
one toilet and a small kitchen area located in the staff area down a set of stairs. There is a small
computer suite of 5 computers located in the library and the junior shelving is on wheels.
The mezzanine area provides a natural “stage” for prospective events as it is open plan.
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
There is a lot of community involvement by the residents of Yaxley, with many groups, activities and
events taking place throughout the locality.
The library is located on one of the main streets in the area, it is sandwiched between one of the local
GP practices and the William de Yaxley School. The main shopping centre is situated across the road
from the library.
The library has a dedicated Friends Group that are strong advocates of the service. They have raised
funds to refurbish the mezzanine floor in the library, purchased various items of furniture for the
building and sponsored author events. The group is currently involved in discussions regarding a
potential community cinema for Yaxley.
A wide range of activities already take place in the building. There are sessions for young children and
families, including rhyme times, story times, the Summer Reading Challenge and class visits. For
adults, there are reading groups, a knitting group, scrabble club, Engage computer buddy sessions and
monthly Engage in the afternoon sessions. The local archives group also meet at the library.
LITTLEPORT LIBRARY
PROJECT BRIEF
Two community meetings have taken place with library users and volunteers and local interested arts
enthusiasts and with the Town Team.
The chosen target groups were: young people, 20’s-40’s, Eastern European population (and speakers
of other languages), young mothers, Adults with Learning Difficulties, people with dementia, SEN
(special educational needs) children, older people. It was hoped that the projects would bring some of
these groups together. A suggested theme for the events was “Everyone has a story to tell”, another
theme was celebrating the book (in all its forms) and one attendee submitted the following detailed
thoughts:
As a contribution I am wondering if an interactive digital book-making idea could be worked
up. Initially:
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
- What is a Book?
- a literary digital map of authors of children's books, local and/or national?
- children consider why books are written, what they do, how books could be created digitally
- seniors aim to devise a draft 'how-to' digitally produced book based on/from their reading
experience
- children and seniors work together to produce a section for the 'Littleport Digital Chronicle'
including a Littleport Frieze, (to be displayed round the library walls) in digital form: how the
'Chronicle' came together, a record of proceedings and process; video record
- panoramic view of the sky-line centre of Littleport
- decide on groups: library users?; new library users?; local schools?
- invite two children's authors to work with the groups: turning findings into written word and
image - digitally; writing up; interactive linking
Drama, music and craft were all popular themes, themes using food and cookery were discussed.
Links to the shops in the High Street and local history generally would be popular.
Activities incorporating a final “heritage” product for the library would be popular.
A children’s book festival, including authors and illustrators in the Spring was proposed, it was
considered that such an event could be the “seed-corn” for an annual Littleport Arts Festival.
“Branching Out” suggested using “widgets” www.widgit.com (visual symbols for people not able to
access words) as a basis for arts activity involving a partnership with people with learning
difficulties, local schools and older people. The creation of storybooks using widgets, or other arts
activities was a theme that everyone was enthusiastic about. This would link well with arts
activities for people with dementia and speakers of other languages. The use of widgets would
need to be agreed with the copyright holders.
It was also suggested that links to Care Homes and inter-generational activities would reach new
audiences. This could be linked to reminiscence work.
SPACE
The Library is well situated centrally in Littleport in the historic Town Hall building at the end of the
High Street. There is a car park nearby as well as limited on-street parking in front of the library. The
Arts Alive in North Cambridgeshire Libraries: information for
arts organisations
library is part of the Town Centre Team that aims to revitalise the Town Centre and promote more
use.
The library is all on one floor with ramped access. It has been substantially refurbished recently and
has a light and bright interior. All of the shelving is on wheels so the main library space can be cleared
for activities. A seated capacity of 50 people would be the maximum. The library is carpeted
throughout. There is a small kitchen with kettle, fridge and microwave oven, and customer toilet with
disabled access. There are a limited number of chairs, but extra seating could be brought in if required
for an event. There are public computers in two banks. Free wi-fi is available.
Some of the historic elements of the original building remain inside, such as a substantial fireplace in
the children’s area and stained glass in the windows. The exterior of the building has a historic clock
and plaque, and the building is adjacent to Alms Houses of the same period.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL CONTEXT
For young children there is regular story / rhyme-time session. There are whole class visits from the
local primary schools.
The library has two active reading groups, one of which meets in the evening when the library is
closed, and an ‘Engage’ group which puts on monthly events for the over 50’s. Successful author
visits have also been held in the evening.