Over the last year, we’ve been working on Connecting Libraries, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council’s Library Service, with support from Arts Council England (ACE) and Quay Arts, managed by Project Producer, Lisa Kerley. The ambition for the project is for libraries to be recognised as collaborative, innovative spaces that can meet the needs of future generations.
This project aims are collaboratively explore the opportunities and challenges libraries face when hosting literary, performance, and workshop events, and build relationships with the Islands wider cultural sector. It will involve libraries across the Island – in Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor, and Freshwater – and explore possibilities with the five volunteer-led libraries in Bembridge, East Cowes, Brighstone, Niton, and Shanklin.
To test different methods of engagement, the project delivered four bespoke mini-projects, each pairing a library with a unique community partner to reach different demographics of young people:
- A filmmaking project with Christ the King College supported in partnership by Quay Arts. You can watch the full film by clicking here.
- Programme of creative activities delivered by New Carnival and freelance artist Adam Gaterell during October half-term 2025.
- Support for Stonecrabs Theatre to set up two new weekly ‘off book’ theatre groups.
- Makeover project for the young adult area at Ryde Library, with freelance artist Laura Hathaway and Network Ryde, which included funding to provide 141 new young-adult books.
Lisa Kerley reflects:
“Week on week, it was so wonderful to see the young people’s confidence grow and how they engaged with each library. Hopefully, Connecting Libraries has sown the seeds for libraries to continue to work with and for our Island’s young people, and the organisations who were involved.
Seeing the relationships blossom naturally was exciting. It was really nice to be a part of, thank you to everyone for their work.“
We’d like to share a heartfelt thank you to everybody involved in Connecting Libraries. Stay updated by checking this page or on our social media channels – Instagram, Facebook & Linkedin.
