Library project celebrates in style
Released: 11 April 2007
Wolverhampton Libraries celebrated in style as its ‘Libraries Without Walls’ project reached its finale.
The project, supported by All Saints and Blakenhall Community Development (ABCD) and Wolverhampton City Council’s Libraries Service, has produced a number of community based initiatives such as ‘How it Used to Be’ - a booklet capturing residents’ memories of how life used to be in the city and ‘9 Month Revenge’ - a graphic novel produced by students of Parkfield High School.
Libraries Without Walls has involved the whole community, from pre-school children to older people, from diverse backgrounds across the area, to leave a lasting historical legacy of the ABCD neighbourhood for younger generations.
Wolverhampton Mayor, Councillor John Davis, joined in the celebrations to mark the end of the project, which he said had played a major role in community regeneration, particularly with regard to encouraging local residents to take part in life long learning, through literature and reader development activities.
During the celebration event, children enjoyed face painting, storytelling sessions and Mehndi hand painting.
Visitors also enjoyed guest performances from those who have helped to make the project such a success over the past three years. Dorothy Baruch, a community artist and lead with the Blakenhall Caribbean Seniors and Friends Group, read poems form the reminiscence publication, ‘A Walk Down Memory Lane’.
Wolverhampton Libraries’ Literature Development Worker, Simon Fletcher, presented work undertaken by Dave Reeves to share the memories of the creative writing group and their publication, ‘Blakenhall Broadside’.
Simon Fletcher also talked about establishing a young people’s writing group in the Blakenhall area and encouraged those interested to contact him on 01902 552061.
Tina Campbell, Libraries Without Wall project officer, said:
“Through our achievements in this project we will look to sustain the links established with our local service points and specialist networks. The outreach programmes will continue within Wolverhampton libraries”.
ABCD Head of Operations, Jas Kaur, explained: “Libraries Without Walls has made a significant contribution to many people’s lives by enabling local residents, who would not normally have the opportunity, to access library facilities.
“We are pleased that Libraries Without Walls has also been able to capture an historical account of the area through the eyes of its residents for younger generations to value with pride”, she added.
Details of many of the Libraries Without Walls projects can be found on the libraries’ website, along with a downloadable copy of the graphic novel and excerpts from ‘How it Used to Be’.
Issued by the press office.