Future Libraries

As part of The Festival of Libraries celebration, FutureEverything has teamed up with The Writing Squad to pair early career writers and creative technologists in Greater Manchester to create collaborative, immersive installations that explore what future libraries could be.

Manchester libraries are coming to life this June, through the launch of The Festival of Libraries (June 9th-13th). This new, multi-venue festival, taking place in libraries across Manchester, will feature a vibrant programme of digital art commissions, artist residencies, dance, performance, panel talks and walking tours.

Working in partnership with The Writing Squad, FutureEverything have proudly been commissioned to create Future Libraries, a programme of collaborative work, marrying together a selection of early career writers and creative technologists / digital artists. Each pair will co-create immersive, digitally delivered stories and reflective pieces, with an aim to change and challenge perceptions of what libraries are now, and what they could be in the future.

The stories they create will premiere during the Festival with both physical installations and an online version accessible to a wider, international audience.

Meet our Creative Technologists

Izzy Bolt

Izzy will be working with writer & photographer, Lydia Hounat. Together they will explore the themes of truth and impartiality in the future of our libraries, in particular who controls and who authenticates knowledge.

Their work will be available at Central library, Manchester.

Find out more

Chris Ball

Chris will collaborate with writer Ruth Yates, creating an interactive work spanning across poetry, film and screen installation. Locals in the Leigh and Wigan district are encouraged to contribute by sharing their ideas about the future of their library.

This will also mark 50 years of the Turnpike, home of the Leigh Library.

Find out more

David McFarlane

David has been paired with poet Charlotte Wetton to create an installation that merges old text with new and explores the unique perspectives and journeys of the library staff.

Their installation can be accessed in the Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University, opening for this first time this June.

Find out more

Want to find out more at The Festival of Library programme? Head over to their website for a full list of events, workshops and artist residencies.

The Festival of Libraries will take place from June 9th – 13th, 2021

Related News

News and views

Future Libraries commissioning opportunity

A commissioning opportunity for creative technologists and early career writers as part of the Festival of Libraries, in partnership with The Writing Squad.

Event

Future Libraries: Live webinar

Thu 10th - Thu 10th June 2021, Online Webinar

Join us for a live Webinar exploring what the future might hold for our libraries

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Necessary

Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Analytics