2019 Prizewinners

NORTH COTSWOLDS

Happy prizewinners, The Little Library, North Cotswolds Library Cluster, with their cheque for £5,000 (picture courtesy of www.stillmovingmedia.co.uk), Cheltenham Festivals

Here’s what Chair of Judges Rachel Joyce had to say about the winning library, announced at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on 6 October 2019

‘We were all hugely impressed with this project. Even on paper it’s dynamic. ‘As the foodbanks feed the stomach of their users, we are looking for a way to feed the mind and soul through reading and access to books.’ Small wooden libraries, in the shape of houses, have been made by the local group, Men in Sheds, and are now present at the foodbanks in Moreton, Stow, Bourton and Chipping Camden. Books are available – to return or keep – with additional information about the library and all it has to offer.

After visits, one judge wrote, ‘I was hugely impressed by this project, not least because I stood there thinking: why the hell is there even a need for it?’

Another said, ‘It’s amazing what creative and resourceful thinking is going into bringing books and readers together – especially the disadvantaged.’

This is a highly collaborative project. It is pulling in lots of different parts of the community and there is clearly a need for it. We loved the way that it sets such high standards for itself. The wooden libraries are beautiful. All the books are brand new – implying the greatest respect for foodbank users. It’s highly imaginative as a concept, and in practice it clearly works. When she was asked if she would be happy to take this project to other libraries, Sue John said she would take it all over Gloucestershire. We got the feeling it would not stop there.’

Chris Riddell, who presented the 2019 prizes, charmed and amused the Cheltenham Festival audience with tales of what books and libraries have meant to him over the years. In the background is one of his cartoons, suggesting that his short time as a librarian was ‘the best job I ever had’.

More details on all shortlisted libraries can be found here.