Did you get caught reading? World Book Day in Salford
A whole reading festival was organised in Salford to coincide with World Book Day. This consisted of a Crime Festival named "Solved in Salford" consisting of author visits, talks and events. In addition Salford Libraries took part in the World Book Day Online Festival.
WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & WHO
- A crime reading festival because crime fiction and true crime are particularly popular genres amongst existing users of Salford libraries. It was hoped that this theme would attract lapsed and non-users of libraries but also provide an added value experience for existing users.
- Attractive to people across Salford and especially to those living in inner city areas. We therefore made use of libraries in various communities as well as a large, easily accessible central venue (Salford Museum and Art Gallery).
- Nearly all events were free but ticketed. Tickets included travel information. Events were held at various times including evenings and weekends.
SOLVED IN SALFORD EVENTS
All authors / speakers chosen were interesting and related well to Salford audiences.
Here is a flavour of the really successful events and why this might be so:
- Margaret Murphy at Little Hulton Library. This event focused on research that the author undertakes relating to criminal profiling and resulted in an audience of 30 people. Members of the audience were very interested in the topic with many asking relevant questions and staying on for tea and chat with the author.
- Cath Staincliffe and Val McDermid because their writing is focused on the inner city and there were a lot of questions about these issues.
- Val McDermid and Stephen Booth at Salford Museum and Art Gallery.
The following factors were instrumental in creating a celebratory atmosphere:
- Additional attractions - big screen viewing of the World Book Day online festival web casts, free wine and buffet, a competition and the chance to view the museum and art gallery exhibits.
- People who had attended events earlier in the week also came to this event A competition was held to win tickets.
- James Bond Day at Broadwalk Library. Staff worked hard to ensure there were a number of activities throughout the afternoon and evening such as free cocktails (shaken not stirred!), free entry into a prize draw for anyone borrowing books and competitions. Combining all this activity with a 2 for 1 cinema offer (as a result of a partnership with Warner Cinemas) resulted in many more people coming into the library and having a great time while they were there.
Other events were successful for the following reasons:
- Staff putting up excellent displays about the festival or the author.
- Staff telephoned or wrote to people who had attended previous events as a result of keeping a database of these contacts.
- Staff working hard behind the scenes to provide refreshments and make the venues welcoming and interesting.
- Book sales and author signings - again with support from local staff
- Involvement of authors to publicise the events on their own websites, in newsletters and by other means.
INCLUSION
The events attracted both male and female, young and old (youngest 15, oldest 80), people from a resource centre for older people and people from the Jewish community.
In addition it was encouraging to see people from inner city areas and non-library users at the events: at times making up approximately 20% of the audience.
PUBLICITY
A well designed theme for the festival (courtesy of Source Creative) based on "scene of crime" tape (see photo) was worthwhile for the following reasons:
- The design idea was taken up by the design team of "ON in Salford" for the front cover of issue 44. This was sent to every home in Salford.
- The scene of crime tape itself was very eye catching and brought people into libraries to find out "what crime had been committed", thereby giving staff an excellent opportunity to explain about the series of events.
- The Solved in Salford brand can be used again in future for displays of crime fiction or for crime reading events.
- The brand was used in a number of different ways: postcards, posters and displays all used in a variety of ways and across a range of community venues as well as libraries.
Qualitative feedback from user comments
Comments:
- Comments from people who attended the events revealed that local people do appreciate such events with interest shown in further events and reading groups.
- Some would prefer events to be spread out over a longer period than a week.
- Comments revealed how much people are aware of the need to revitalise libraries: "good to see so many unfamiliar faces in the library".
- It was particularly heartening to hear comments such as "I love reading but always feel isolated and don't have other people to talk to about it. This event has made me realise that there are other people who feel the same way".
Contact:Janet Swan
tel: 0161 707 9612
e-mail: janet.swan@salford.gov.uk
