The story of #LOL by Kristina Hall

Contents 1- Introduction 2-4 Story of LOL by Ruth Richardson 5-9 We’ve Been Busy 10-13 A Reflection on Rachel Whiteread’s ‘Book Corridors’ by Kristina Hall 14-16 Looking Back 17-19 Fond Memories 20-23 ‘What do you like about your library’: Public Feedback Cards 24 ‘Libraries and the arts’, A poem by Vicki Taylor 25-26 The Future for WiP and Our Libraries 27 Love Poem to Librarians, A Poem by Ruth Richardson 30-36 A Big Thank You 38-39 What do modern libraries mean to you?

This zine has been put together to tell you the story of #LOL- A campaign commissioned by the Library of Birmingham to celebrate our libraries. The last year has been eventful and hectic, but nonetheless fun! Throughout this zine, you will find stories from our team members, photos of our journeys, pieces of art work made at our events, a shared perspective about libraries present and future, and a huge ‘thank you!’ to the grafters, the policy shakers – the librarians! So, delve into our story and flick through our ideas. What does a modern library mean to you? What’s your story? -Kristina

In the beginning, there was Linda. There was Middle Earth. There was a meeting. Months went by and there was an event. A low key little something, a seedling… a sample… the start… of a beautiful friendship. From this point onwards WiP was in love. In love with the Library of Birmingham. Built on love, companionship and good will, then there was a little money. The Arts Council rained down and we did a little dance. Support would give us the chance to meet weekly, to deliver Arts Award activity, to run famous characters from literature takeover day and to plan a mahoosive event about Belonging – including a theatre production. We also delivered an Arts Award ceremony coinciding with becoming a Good Practice Centre. A chance to pat ourselves on the back and the storytelling steps providing the perfect backdrop. A falling out with library café staff and a big moaning session also provided an opportunity…. for a pop-up office – a base – a lifeline. Once again Middle Earth (and Linda) came to the rescue.

Then there was a request. Can we have a sleepover….? I should think so said Linda. ‘Can we make it spooky?’, Why Then there was a request. ‘Can we have a sleepover….?’, ‘I should think so’ said Linda. ‘Can we make it spooky?’, ‘Why not?!’ said Linda. ‘Can you be the villain?’, ‘Sure thing!’ said Linda. ‘Can your team get involved and play characters?’ ‘Sounds right up our street’ said Linda. And so, our third library takeover happened – entirely youth-led, and this time supported by external sponsors and the library. And it was amazing. And special. And a moment when librarians and the WiP team truly came together. 16 young people spent the night and that memory will last a lifetime. Then there was the Summer Reading Challenge. Support from the Children’s library meant we got to deliver a super amazing Discover in a Day, Road Dahl themed Takeover Day. Dressing up, performances, workshops and Arts Award. By this time, we were on a roll. It felt like we had developed something that could be rolled out. Arts Connect stepped in and offered support for weekly Arts Award My Style Activity and then we started to really do the business Arts Award wise. Continuing our club at Library of Birmingham and launching clubs in Kidderminster and Wolverhampton. Badabing baby!

Back to Birmingham, events at Library of Birmingham included a My Style end of term sharing, Harry Potter versus Lord of the Rings Takeover (also supported by Kids in Museums), What Happens if the Future Returns takeover (including Gamification activity), a visit, performance and workshop from Warwick Uni students, guest speakers, Arts Award moderations and much, much more. Then there was a meeting. This time on level 7. This is big boy time. There was an opportunity, a proposal, a funding application, a grant. And LOL was born. #LOL #loveourlibraries #yeeha. More weekly sessions, more takeover events at Library of Birmingham, way more Arts Awards and a chance to go on tour, delivering activity in libraries across the city… working with even more children, young people, families and librarians. The through line?? Linda… Library of Birmingham… WIP… a group of extraordinary young leaders… a commitment to one another… to working with children and young people… to providing something fun exciting

RUTH RICHARDSON |Director, Work in Progress Arts

#LOL Photo campaign launched in April (World Book Night) 17th June 2017 - Make a Noise 15th July -Animal Agents/Summer Reading Challenge @ Library of Birmingham Mini Summer Reading Challenge /Arts Award Discover in a day /Music & Storytelling workshops: 19th August- Kings Heath & Ward End Libraries 2nd September- Sparkhill and Balsall Heath Libraries 8th September â&#x20AC;&#x201C; International Literacy Day @ Birmingham REP 16th September- Summer Reading Graduation Ceremony @ Library of Birmingham 28th September -National Poetry Day @ Shard End, South Yardley and Handsworth Library 2nd October -World Day of Bullying (Small Heath) 10th October - (Not So) Mad Hatters Tea Party @ Ward End Library

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Whiteread not only casts the negative space between, under and around objects; she captures the space as it is inhabited, experienced and used. While at first impression the casts come across as hollow and empty, taking a closer look, it becomes clear that her sculptures are also full of life indexical with its scuffs and marks. In Untitled (Book Corridors), you not only see the indent of books, but also the ruffled edges of pages, the variety of book sizes, the ageing and usage of the bookshelves through dents in the (what I can only imagine being) wooden shelving and not forgetting the vast number of books those shelves once held. I’ll reiterate “once held” because that’s an interesting one. I can imagine at some stage the library or these shelves became unused, unwanted and abandoned. However, I can also place this very installation in any of the community libraries in Birmingham. Only there isn’t just books, there are computers, bookable community rooms, playful reading areas for children and, with the Library of Birmingham, an exhibition space and café.

Being up close and personal with Book Corridors, in your mind you can transfer yourself back to a library experience, however, I am forced to question what the cast of its negative space now says about libraries. That they are misused/unused? That they’re still full of fond memories and life? That the idea of the library is dead? …I would say all the above, but that the library is particularly ‘dead’. My subjective view of this piece is that the casts present what libraries were. Whiteread says that by casting such objects and buildings, she is ‘giving authority to things by stopping it in time and casting it in something solid’ and making the invisible visible. Through casting a library, Whiteread is giving people an opportunity to take a moment to admire and perhaps reminisce before we forget what a modern library is and as it slowly but surely takes on a new role and responsibility to its users. Libraries are no longer just about books, they are becoming and will continue to become far much more but we shouldn’t forget their innate sole purpose.

I think it’s safe to say that I’m a bit of bookworm and I always have been from a much younger age. My first memory of libraries was when I was in primary school and we had gone on one of those school trips to our local libraries. I was so excited as we came towards such a huge building! Once we entered the library, I felt we had entered a new world of endless possibilities, and I had been plunged into the world of books. My favourite book when I was little were Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series. If you’ve yet to read it or come across it, the story is of a group of children discover a mysterious tree only to then further discover that each branch leads them to a new world. The tree has an array of characters; however, my favourite is Moonface who’s face is the shape of the moon! And then there’s a lady living further up the tree who is forever throwing her dirty washing water down the tree nearly soaking whoever is climbing and exploring. To me, libraries had become the faraway tree full of characters, adventures, stories to be had, stories to be made and not to mention a considerable amount of information accessible and right at my fingertips.

Having my first proper library card at the age of 12 was a delight! I could visit another local library to at my own leisure and I sure did. Every Saturday morning, I would trot down the library and gather up, not just a couple, but a fair few books. I would then spend the afternoon going through them (instead of doing my homework!). The following week I would go back, return the books and collect a few more. If I remember correctly, there was a regular homework club with free printing and people to help you with the core subjects, however, I wasn’t interested in that. The library had become a space where I would wander around for a couple of hours and where I could shut off from school and everything academic. You see, I’m dyslexic and even, as I put this publication together, I will have more than likely made some serious errors (my bad!). I’ve only just recently been ‘diagnosed’ so I didn’t really have a clue as a was growing up. Having dyslexia means you learn differently to everyone else, and not knowing you have it can make learning difficult and frustrating. When I was in the library I was able to read at my own speed and study things further that I didn’t quite get the first time around. I was also able to focus on things that really interested me and filled my head with a considerable amount of information.

Now, much older, I feel that libraries hold and collect a range of stories, adventures and builds a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination. But, it also offers a space for its visitors to learn and keep on learning, it welcomes a sense of community through bookable spaces and regular community groups, it allows creativity and, most of all, they remain a multifunctional space. However, I also feel there is the possibility to do more and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a job for people like the WiP team. In my opinion, librarians do more than meets the eye and they are amazing at it with all its limitations.

Libraries and the arts Libraries, libraries so full of books But they are much more than it looks With CDs, computers, and books galore But they really offer so much more! Libraries were never really a place for me With the affects of autism and ADHD My dyslexic mind couldn't work words out I would frustrate librarians until they'd shout! But. Now my life is so bizarre! I visit libraries near and far! With Work in Progress, my life has changed Spending my working life in Libraries- it feels so strange.

It has become a reality to me To be working within the library Raising awareness and links with the arts And making creativity within the hearts Of all visitors who come and attend And in the library, time they now spend! So, come along and take part Reading books or making art! You will find it's so much more If you venture behind the door. Come on now, it is your time Come to the library It's your time to shine!

VICKI TAYLOR | Expert Arts Award Adviser, Researcher and Inclusion Specialist

So, what is the future for WiP, how do we see libraries improving? What we see ourselves doing? The WiP team put our heads together and this is what came up with: Resources • • • • • • • •

More funding More technology Using volunteers better so that they get more out of their role Young adults using spaces to plan and put on events Perhaps there shouldn’t be books on every level Sell more books/have a bookshop Interactive books, making them more accessible Bring back vans and duplicate new programs and resources

Activities • • •

• • •

•

More fun for children Collaborations with other artist’s organisations Develop an outreach program that works with schools and colleges and goes and hand in hand with their creative programs. Library the Musical (Ruth says it’s going to be amazing! …) Physical games Weekly plays (on the story steps in the Library of Birmingham), drama, poetry and music workshops A continuous amount of awareness days (sense of community and understanding)

Visitors •

•

There was a point that there is a grey area of who libraries are for. There seem to be resources for children up to the age 12, to the age of 16, and then elderly people, however, what about young adults? “The library isn’t for me” – putting more programs/activities in place that changes this perspective (see above) Become more accessible to those with learning and sensory disabilities.

Dear you, Yeah you, The one(s) with all the knowledge,

You provide space. A place. Someone to help, to advise, to guide. You give just enough, not too little, not too much. Placemaker. Custodian. Guardian.

Who love to learn,

Guardians of the house that contains the word.

Who live to share,

Ice flow: doors open.

Who give to so many,

No-one would know that things are constantly shifting, changing – mostly for the better, sometimes forever gone.

In ways as old as time and as new as tomorrow From the youngest to the oldest to the neediest to the newest to the novices to the nonplussed to the nerds…

That’s the wonder of you. You book lovin’ beauts… you.

…You.

RUTH RICHARDSON | Director, Work in Progress Arts

Dear Birmingham Library Thank you for just being there when it would be so easy to give up. Providing so much and moving with technology. You are a lifelong friend. Thank You!

Libraries are magnificent places with each book holding a new world within. They offer everyone the opportunity to learn, read and discover new things. They welcome anybody from anywhere to create a friendly community. Once again, THANK YOU! From Tasleema xx

Thank you for allowing me to experience so many different libraries across the city. Thank you for bringing so many ages, groups and communities to our events. Thank you for educating me in all the different things you do when I previously had a negative view of this one. Thank you for giving us all a safe environment. Thank you for having a range of events to engage. Thanks!!

Dear Birmingham Libraries, Libraries across Birmingham are generally very resourceful. Most are typically homely and warming. Librarians carry the message of books.

To My Second Home! I am thankful to you for making us work hard and giving us a great knowledge. You are the future. Birmingham Library!

Thank you, Birmingham Library, to provide such a pleasant place for our local communities and international visitors to learn, enjoy and socialise. We are different, but we are united. Thank you!

I want to say huge thanks to you for providing us with such wonderful libraries all around Birmingham. I’ve always loved libraries and with your help, you’ve made them even more magical and special places and hopefully over time they’ll become even better. You’ve provided the community with such a fab service, I don’t know how I would feel without them. Thanks!

Thank You For giving me the opportunity to experience something new, different and exciting.

Books are dead, they claim, as your shelves are still heavy with stories. Long after the rumours that writing is lost, you host workshop after workshop. When homes boast the state of the art machine, you provide computers for those without to use. The world passes you by, but what would it be like without you? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t borrow the books but how would I feel if they were gone? Try to inspire people to read your books. Make them want to come back.

Thank you for being open for our group to come to many libraries across Birmingham. Have a great community of all ages been part of events. Libraries are a social space for all people to do different things.

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