‘Human Library’ among highlights in new creative season at Devon and Torbay libraries

A new season of creative events, including a unique Human Library experience, is coming to libraries across Devon and Torbay this spring.

The programme, running from April to July, features live music, theatre, workshops and family activities designed to celebrate local culture, creativity and community.

Organised by Libraries Unlimited, the Pride of Place season is funded by Arts Council England and will mainly take place at Barnstaple Library, Exeter Library and Paignton Library.

One of the most unusual events will take place at Barnstaple Library with the launch of a Human Library, where visitors can “borrow” people instead of books and hear their real-life experiences through one-to-one conversations.

The initiative aims to challenge prejudice and build understanding between people from different backgrounds. The concept was first developed in Copenhagen by a youth organisation seeking to create a safe space for dialogue and to dispel stereotypes.

Barnstaple Library will also host the return of Stories in the Dark from the Crick Crack Club, an atmospheric storytelling performance exploring the relationship between words, memory and imagination.

At Exeter Library, families will be able to experience a new interactive opera, Ada and the Code Crusaders, which tells the story of pioneering mathematician Ada Lovelace, widely regarded as the world’s first computer programmer.

The venue will also host a free daytime folk festival showcasing a range of artists from across the South West, featuring performances spanning traditional folk roots and contemporary interpretations.

Families will also be able to take part in Fangs N Feathers, an interactive reptile experience where visitors can meet animals up close and learn about their habitats, diets and the role reptiles play in the ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Paignton Library will host a mix of imaginative events, including a fantasy-themed Terry Pratchett Day celebrating the beloved author’s work.

The programme will also feature hands-on creative workshops and a Country and Western themed Library Lates evening with line dancing and live music.

Younger visitors can take part in the Stay and Rave: Hello Kitty Cat party, which will include music, dress-up and play stations, themed games and crafts, and the chance to win prizes inspired by the Hello Kitty brand.

Across the wider season, libraries throughout Devon and Torbay will host additional performances, workshops, talks and family-friendly activities aimed at bringing communities together through arts and culture.

Many of the events will be free or low-cost, helping ensure that libraries remain accessible community spaces where people can experience creative activities.

Rae Hoole, Creative Communities Producer at Libraries Unlimited, said:

“The spring programme is a perfect example of the huge variety of experiences that can happen in a library space. One week you might be enjoying live music or theatre, the next you could be learning a new creative skill or taking part in a conversation that challenges the way you see the world.

Libraries are places of curiosity and discovery, and we hope people will find something that surprises and inspires them this season.”

A full list of events and tickets can be found online at:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/librariesunlimited