Green Libraries project grows

Inspire Culture, learning and libraries are excited to announce the growth of a Green Libraries project thanks to funding from Newark and Sherwood District Council. Local schoolchildren from Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy will have the opportunity to work with an artist to create a permanent artwork in their local library garden on 21st April.

Inspire's Sustainability & Environment Group have been developing Project LOGGS (Libraries Outdoor Green Garden Spaces), a project dedicated to developing environmental understanding and activities in libraries. In August 2022, Inspire was awarded a grant of £2,500 from CILIP through their Green Libraries Partnership with support from Arts Council England and in partnership with British Library, Libraries Connected and Julie’s Bicycle. The Green Libraries Partnership is developed in response to COP26 and the long-term climate commitments made by libraries and local authorities across England. Project LOGGS was one of CILIPs selected projects, enabling Inspire libraries to demonstrate environmental understanding and action through local partnerships, community engagement activities and staff, stock and space interventions.

Inspire who deliver culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council created two library gardens with outdoor classroom facilities for the development of a high impact environmental programme of activities in Bilsthorpe and Harworth & Bircotes libraries. By creating library gardens they aim to enhance and support environmental thinking; reinforcing Inspire’s dedication to reduce environmental impact and give communities space for environmental events and activities. Library gardens not only provide additional space for events, with a particular focus on environmental education but help nurture local communities understanding of living sustainably and restoring the natural world.

The new funding will give local schoolchildren in Bilsthorpe the opportunity to work with local artist Clare Taylor from Bus and Bird Arts. Clare will be working with Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy to create clay tiles which will be later fired and made into a wonderful permanent artwork for the library’s garden space. Not only do local children get the opportunity to learn new skills and work with exciting materials but they will also be able to revisit their creations for years to come and know they’re bringing joy to all of the visitors who enjoy the libraries outdoor space.

Find out more about Green Libraries at inspireculture.org.uk/greenlibraries, visit cilip.org.uk/GreenLibraries, follow @CILIPinfo and #GreenLibraries on Twitter.