The Gloucestershire libraries’ projects shortlisted for the 2023 Vaisey Awards were announced in the Parliament Room at Gloucester Cathedral on the evening of Thursday 17 August. After opening remarks by Trust Chairman Jonathan Taylor and Co-CEO of Cheltenham Festivals Ali Mawle, Chair of Judges John Dougherty paid tribute to the efforts of all those Gloucestershire libraries who’d submitted entries. He then revealed the names of the four lucky libraries. They’re listed below in alphabetical order, together with a brief synopsis of their project. Gloucester was announced as the winning library on Sunday 15 October at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Pictured below are Claire Kilroy, speaking at the Awards event, and the winning Gloucester team. John Dougherty, Chair of Judges, is far right.

Charlton Kings: Teen Evenings at Library. The library is focussing on a project to encourage teenagers, as a ‘hard to reach’ group, to use Charlton Kings Library more. After issues with poor behaviour from one group of teenagers the library is seeking to establish a more positive relationship with them. Teenage-only evenings would take place every other Thursday until 7pm – essentially a book group where teenagers can talk about and share what they love to read, free from outside disturbance or interference.

Cirencester: LiteraSee-Memory and Colour. This is an inter-generational project designed to promote the reading of classic children’s novels. The focus is on how the reader visualises places, items, scenes etc and enjoys freedom to produce creative work inspired by this; it serves to engage with people across generations as a way to share their memories and the joy of reading.

Gloucester Library: Books without Barriers. Gloucester Library has developed a partnership with GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) to give refugees and asylum seekers living in local hotels access to books and other reading material, either by a selection of books being delivered 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: Baby Bookworms. This activity takes place on Saturdays so the whole family can attend, but is aimed at 0-4 age group. The assistant librarian who takes the session has Early Years qualifications and with the help of a volunteer concentrates on a storybook and messy play afterwards so that the family has a chance to interact, learn and play whilst enjoying stories together.