ANGUSalive Annual Report 2019-2020

Improve outcomes through effective partnerships at local, regional and national level

Chatty Café at Forfar Library

Every year in November, ANGUSalive participates in the annual Book Week Scotland event, providing the public with the chance to visit and hear popular authors speaking about their books and writing.

In 2019, the Scottish Book Trust offered all Scottish Library Authorities the chance to pitch innovative ideas to gain the chance of a fully funded visit from a high-profile author. ANGUSalive employees pitched for author, Jenny Colgan, to pay us a visit alongside the idea of transforming Forfar Library into a ‘Chatty Café’ for an evening, complete with small tables decorated with flowers and fine china with a specially created ‘Chatty Café’ backdrop.

Staff from Scottish Book Trust and Jenny Colgan herself chose ANGUSalive as the winning proposal, with the highly successful event taking place on 21 November 2019. Jenny Colgan was delighted to play the role of the ‘café owner,’ welcoming ‘café customers’ and circulating tables chatting with attendees, whilst our team were ‘bakers’ and ‘waitresses’ serving coffee, cupcakes and treats from recipes featured in Jenny’s ‘Café’ books.

Christine Sharp, Adult & Community Libraries Lead said: “When we heard we were successful in winning the bid to host author Jenny Colgan, colleagues were absolutely delighted. We loved the transformation of Forfar Library into a café for the evening, serving cakes and treats that featured in Jenny’s books.

“It was clear to see from faces on the night and feedback from customers that everyone enjoyed the event. Each table of four were able to have a conversation with Jenny in turn, making the event more personal and memorable.”

STV attended and filmed the evening, with a clip featuring on STV news. Although we take part in this national reading promotion annually, it was a new way of holding the event which not only attracted new audiences but also national media interest.

What a night!

Polly, Twitter user

The good china was brought out last night for Chatty Cafe! A massive thanks to Forfar Library for the beautiful spread. Cake and books are always a winning combo!

Jenny Colgan, Author

Did you know?

Jenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels for adults, including ‘Meet Me at the Cupcake Café’ and ‘Little Beach Street Bakery.’

Did you know?

Attendees completed a survey which showed most hadn’t attended a library event previously but were attracted by a high-profile author and the Chatty Café format in Forfar Library.