Are you a promising designer or artist? Then Blackpool Library Service would love to take a page out of your book. Always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to promote all the different services that libraries provide within the community, they want a pop up library to use at events across Blackpool – and need someone to come up with a great design.
The pop up library has to look good, but also needs to be practical and dependable and easy to pop up and down.
Blackpool Library Service’s Reader Development Manager, Clancy Mason, explained: “We’re aiming to get out and about in the community as much as possible to promote who we are as a service and all the fantastic resources we have available for everyone, free of charge.
“We often attend community events to promote services, and I would like to move away from the more ‘traditional’ approach of a roll-up banner and a table full of leaflets. Instead, I’d like to move towards an approach where people want to come and get acquainted, or even re-acquainted, with libraries. The Pop-Up Library will be a tool to inspire people, generate discussion and hopefully sign up some new members!”
Clancy got the idea when travelling abroad: “I’ve seen larger versions in Mexico and New York, made out of a caravan,
or an ice-cream van and is a structure where you can only fit one or two people inside,” she said. “They seem to attract a lot of attention and look charming and inspiring. I suppose I would like to scale it down even further, but still have an impact.”
So, where would the pop up library be used? “Absolutely anywhere!” said Clancy. “Potentially this could be used in schools,
community centres, workplaces, bingo halls, gardening clubs, doctor’s surgeries, galas…. the list is endless.
“I would adore Frank Gehry to respond with a pop-up mini Guggenheim Museum Bilbao inspired structure,” she added. “If we don’t hear from Frank, then I know there is a wealth of imaginative designers and artists in the region would be able to
respond. It’s a very challenging brief so I’m looking forward to seeing the responses.”
Feeling inspired? Then click here to download the design brief or visit the Blackpool Libraries Blog. Entries close on September 24, 2013.
Featured image courtesy of Doctor Popular.
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