The project has been a real challenge


in­flexibility.­I­had­to­adapt­my­plans­ very quickly, with changing regulations meaning that I was unable to advertise my project in the library to non-internet users, for­example.­My­team­members­were­a­ great help and I did a lot of surveying before my project launch to get invaluable insights­from­them­both­as­library­staff­ and­readers. This­project­is­the­first­time­I’ve­received­ major recognition for my work, and I’m still stunned that it’s been received so­well.­The­response­and­recognition­ gave­me­the­confidence­to­chase­further­ opportunities, and will be a real boon to­my­ongoing­career­in­libraries.­I’m­ extremely grateful towards Libraries Con- nected­for­this­encouragement.


this event has really demonstrated the reach and scope online events can have in reaching new audiences, including participants outside of North Yorkshire, and­even­outside­of­the­UK.­That’s­why­ I believe it will have an impact beyond Covid, because we can continue to offer­digital­or­hybrid­events­that­allow­ the participation of people who would otherwise be unable to attend; it’s an extra step we can and want to take towards­accessibility.


It’s wonderful that a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion project won national rec- ognition.­I­really­hope­that­this­inspires­ others to pursue similar projects in the future.­I­hope­this­also­results­in­more­ awards and recognition being given to black and other historically marginal- ised­groups­in­the­future.­ Universal­Offers­are­built­into­the­ core of what we do at North Yorkshire Libraries, and I feel that they are very well aligned with my priorities as a Library­Assistant.­So­for­me,­they­are­a­ useful framework to justify the impor- tance of a potential project or event to my­service.


Laura Smith, City of London Libraries Reading Award winner I developed the “What Next?” quiz as part­of­my­Customer­Service­Appren- ticeship.­I­needed­to­suggest­changes­to­ improve­our­service­offer,­implement­ these changes, complete a report on the experience, and then undertake an exam discussion.­I­had­three­main­goals­that­ addressed our corporate plan, along with the­libraries­plan­which­is­directly­influ- enced­by­the­Universal­Offers:­engaging­ with customers, encouraging book loans, and­signposting­to­our­online­services.­ The online quiz asked some short questions about reading preferences, before suggesting one main recom- mendation, plus back-up options. All


32 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL


suggestions provided had multiple copies available at the library and in a range of formats.­


I wanted to provide service users with an interactive form of entertainment that would remind them that our library was still very much active during the winter lockdown, hosting online events, select and collect services, and providing digital resources.­Knowing­that­the­previous­ lockdowns had made members of our community feel bored, lonely, and discon- nected from reading, I wanted to create something fun that could encourage a good relationship with reading even while away­from­the­library.


I was inspired by personality quizzes I


had­taken­during­the­first­lockdown,­which­ had been a fun and quick way to take a break­from­daily­stresses.­I­also­know­the­ positive­effect­reading­for­pleasure­has­on­ mental health and wanted to get people using­reading­as­a­way­to­boost­wellbeing.­


The Death Positive Library Project, Vision Redbridge, Kirklees and Newcastle Libraries Health and Wellbeing Award winner The death positive movement is a social and philosophical movement that encour- ages people to speak openly about death, dying, grief and corpses! The­idea­of­a­Death­Positive­Library­ service was started by Redbridge Libraries in­2017.­Since­early­2020,­our­Death­Pos- itive­Library­Project­has­been­taking­place­ across London, Yorkshire and Newcastle in partnership with a research team from the University­of­Northumbria.­ During the pandemic, we adapted our plans­and­moved­online.­We­recognised­ that more than ever, safe supportive spaces were needed where people could come together­and­share­their­experiences.­We­ held­online­Death­Cafés;­film­screenings­ and Q&A sessions with the Good Grief Project;­an­online­book­group­and­a­series­ of­online­author­events.


Although our plans had to change, running our events virtually had many benefits.­Going­online,­we­didn’t­have­to­ limit tickets, people didn’t have to travel, and we’ve had global audiences – much larger­than­we­could­ever­fit­in­our­library­ buildings! When­we­first­started­our­project,­we­ knew that death, dying and bereavement were important topics, but we had no idea how relevant and important this work would become in the face of the pandemic and associated large increase in the average number of deaths and many more people struggling­with­bereavement­and­loss.­ From­its­inception,­the­Universal­Offers­


Laura Smith.


have­been­central­to­our­project.­The­ Universal­Offer­for­Health­and­Wellbeing­ coupled with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy­for­Redbridge­2017-2021­and­its­ ambition to facilitate conversations and improve end-of-life support provided the initiative for Redbridge Libraries to begin Death­Positive­Libraries­in­2017.­Our­pro- ject continues that work.


October-November 2021


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