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Library initiatives recognised with awards shortlisting

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Gloucestershire Libraries have been shortlisted for the annual 2023 Vaisey Awards, with several innovative projects put forward for the prestigious accolade.

The David Vaisey Trust is a registered charity that recognises and rewards outstanding initiatives by Gloucestershire’s county libraries that result in more people reading more books. More information is available at https://davidvaiseyprize.co.uk/

The nominations for the David Vaisey Prize were announced by John Dougherty, chair of judges and Gloucestershire-based children’s book author.

The libraries and the initiatives that have earned them their nomination are:

  • Charlton Kings Library: Teen Evenings at the Library – This project aims to encourage teenagers to use the library more with teenage-only evenings every other Thursday. The library is seeking to establish a positive relationship with them so they can talk about and share what they love to read, free from outside interference.
  • Cirencester Library: LiteraSee-Memory and Colour – This initiative promotes the reading of classic children’s novels by engaging with people across generations to share their memories and the joy of reading. The focus is on how the reader visualises places, items and scenes to produce creative work inspired by this.
  • Gloucester Library: Books without Barriers – The library has developed a partnership with GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) to provide refugees and asylum seekers living in local hotels with access to books and other reading material, either by deliveries to their temporary accommodation or enabling them to join the library. The books are often donations or stock deleted from the library catalogue but in good condition. As a result 62 new library memberships have already been created.
  • Matson Library: Baby Bookworms – This activity takes place on Saturdays so the whole family can attend, but is aimed at children aged up to four. The library assistant, with the help of a volunteer, concentrates on a storybook and messy play afterwards so the family has a chance to interact, learn and play while enjoying stories together.

The winning project will be announced at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday 15 October.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries, said: “I’m delighted to see such a wide range of fantastic initiatives being shortlisted for the David Vaisey Prize. They have all had a really positive impact on their community and have helped to encourage more reading among all age groups. I would like to congratulate them all as they thoroughly deserve their nomination.”