The Somerset Library Service is inviting people to share their experiences of the last sixteen months, to be recorded for future generations to see.
As part of ‘Reflections’, a county-wide creative response to the pandemic, libraries will host a series of at free drop-in sessions throughout August, in library buildings and online, with responses via social media.
They will give the local community the opportunity to explore and reflect upon their experiences during the pandemic, by recording them via video or audio and fun creative activities to help share their memories and emotions. An artist will work with the community in mini workshops to produce a collaborative artwork.
The collaborative artwork and film will be given to the South West Heritage Trust (SWHT) as a ‘record’ of the experiences of Somerset people during the pandemic. Library staff will also be on-hand to showcase the fantastic library services available to all.
The drop-in workshops are as follows:
- 11th August: Taunton Library
- 12th August: Frome Library
- 18th August: Bridgwater Library
There will also be a workshop in a care home and other libraries will run their own events, with their contributions being submitted for inclusion in the film and the collaborative artwork.
The film and artwork will be showcased at the evening ‘Reflections’ event to be held on the 10 September at Taunton Library (1815-2030 hrs). The event will also include some discussion with authors on the theme of resilience and reflection.
These events form part of Somerset Libraries’ response to the ‘Novels That Shaped Our World’ initiative, funded by The BBC and Arts Council England (ACE).
Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for libraries, said: “This project is a wonderful opportunity for people in Somerset to take their place in history. It is an important collaboration which means the difficulties and challenges of the last sixteen months will never be forgotten.
“It is important that we have this record so that in times to come people will be able to see what it was like for our communities during a global pandemic.”
For further information go to: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-communities/libraries/reflections/