Fun for all the family in libraries

Join us for this webinar to hear about projects designed for equal participation and enjoyment between children and adults. A panel of experts from Sefton Libraries, Lincolnshire Libraries and Shakespeare’s Globe will share creative examples of how to bring the whole family together.

Gaming Together is an intergenerational programme from Sefton Libraries highlighting the history of gaming. The exhibition gave adults and children the chance to play against each other on retro consoles such as the Sega Mega Drive and NES. Curator Ben Kelly and Senior Manager Lesley Davies will discuss how they created more connected and inclusive library spaces through fun and games.

The Costume Swap and Create Project at Lincolnshire Libraries is designed to remove the stress out of World Book Day by helping parents and children with costumes. This includes a series of costume creator workshops and a costume idea Emergency Pack as well as recommended reads to 'bring it all back to books'. Librarian Nicola Rogers will share practical and low-cost support approaches as well as lessons learnt from this project.

Shakespeare’s Globe’s Family Workshops are devised with an underlying ethos of equity. Whether it’s Hamlet or Twelfth Night, exercises are the same for children and adults, and all ages are expected to get involved. Education Producer Flora Dobble will explore how this works practically in a room of mixed interest, confidence and ability. She will also share tips for libraries interested in running sessions that engage the whole family unit.

This session is for learning producers, children’s librarians, reader development staff and anyone interested in hosting activities or workshops that are fun and engaging for the whole family.

About our speakers

Ben Kelly is a library assistant for Sefton Libraries. He has worked for over 8 years across multiple branches. Ben was the project lead on Gaming Together Exhibition and has helped out on numerous other projects such as the new library Podcast and Reminisce Packs.

Lesley Davies is a senior manager for Sefton Libraries and a co-director of Art The Library. She is a passionate advocate for libraries, having worked for over 25 years in the service. Lesley oversees Sefton Libraries Reader Development and Community offers, which takes the library service beyond the book.

Nicola Rogers is a qualified and chartered Librarian. She started her career in public libraries as a Saturday Assistant in Northamptonshire two days after her 16th Birthday! Over the last 30+ years she has worked in a wide variety of frontline and management library roles in East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire and is currently Library Partnership Manager for the GLL operated Lincolnshire Libraries.

Flora Doble works as the Education Producer at Shakespeare’s Globe, managing the Globe’s family and young people programme and operations for the department. Previously she has worked in Education Departments at the Science Museum (London) and the National Theatre as well as undertaking regular volunteering with cultural institutions and charities.