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STIFF DYLANS/ FRANCES ROSS

Get It Loud In Libraries

Many library services across the country see the value of contemporary music as a way of promoting creativity and literacy in young people and the Get It Loud In Libraries team in Lancashire Libraries is one of the best at encouraging new young visitors into libraries through popular music events.

This toolkit gives a step-by-step guide to staging live music events in public libraries.

It has been produced by Stewart Parsons, of the Lancashire Library Service, who has run the Get It Loud in Libraries (GILIL) project since 2005 and welcomed many new acts that have gone on to chart success. Adele played Lancaster Library a year before her debut album came out while recent acts include Florence and the Machine and Bat For Lashes.

The aim of the shows is to give young people a great time in a library and re-set their perceptions about what libraries do and what they stand for. It's a route back in for those people who have lost the library habit, or never had it to begin with.

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council chair Sir Andrew Motion added his support: "It's great to see libraries reach out to engage with young people and show them the riches that lie in their local libraries. This project in Lancashire will undoubtedly encourage them to try a wide range of services from books, to reference materials, to the internet."

Photo credit: Frances Ross

Introduction - is Get It Loud for me?

Are rock 'n' roll libraries right for your library service?

If you feel your library is a genuine champion and advocate of giving people what they want most in the place they visit least, then staging live music within your traditional library premises will position it perfectly.

> Read more about Introduction

Why stage a show?

The aims, context and criteria for staging live music in libraries

Setting out the five main principles of Get It Loud In Libraries and its cultural potential, ability to develop an audience and make young people better disposed to libraries.

> Read more about Basic questions

Identifying your venue

Finding a flexible in the library environment to stage a show

A finely maintained balance of expectations and ambition is the key to identifying the right space and visualizing it filled with 50-200 people having the time of their lives in your library.

> Read more about Your venue

Finding Your Artists

Advice on making approaches to bands, agents and the industry in general

GLIL's reputation and ticket sales rest squarely on the ability to pinpoint bands and artists who will make a difference to the community and how they feel towards the library. Will your gig give the town a lift?

> Read more about Finding Artists

Booking, Funding and Licensing

How to make a booking, maintain contact and deal with administrative issues.

Getting down to the nitty gritty. How much do you pay your band? Where can you get funding? When should you apply for an events license?

> Read more about Licensing, Funding

Marketing and publicity

Making Get It Loud In Libraries front page news

Understanding your audience is vital, so plan a campaign to target the media, schools and colleges and set up some basic marketing.

> Read more about Marketing

Staging events - the technical side

Using the library space properly and hiring professionals

A good, polished, professional sound is crucial - advice on hiring the PA and setting up the show.

> Read more about Staging events

Looking after your artist

Welcoming your artist - a little hospitality goes a long way

The dos and don'ts of making your artist feel comfortable, including a checklist of things to provide them on their arrival.

> Read more about Hospitality

Staffing and volunteers

Putting together a team and gig organisation

Choosing the right team of people to run the GILIL project is very important. The team reflects the project and is a good chance to get non-library users involved as well.

> Read more about Staffing

Security, Health and Safety

Important aspects of making your gig safe, well-organised and successful

Booking security, establishing house rules, getting advice and support on health and safety issues - some essential tips.

> Read more about Security

Other formats for GILIL

Delivering rock and pop is one option, but you may want to consider other audiences.

All genres and styles of music, art and literature can be promoted and delivered via the Get It Loud in Libraries format.

> Read more about Other formats

Outcomes, facts and figures and evaluation

A record of some of GILIL's achievements so far

Some information on the impact of the Lancashire Libraries project, quotes, useful websites, video clips and media cuttings plus a glossary of useful music business terms.

> Read more about Outcomes

For further information

MLA contacts for additional information on the GLIL project

If your are interested in staging a Get It Loud In Libraries event at a public library or want more details or advice from the MLA click here.

> Read more about Contacts

related links

  • PDF   Get It Loud In Libraries FAQ (PDF - 24 Kb)

  • vv brown

    VV Brown, who has written hits for Madonna and Sugababes, held two song writing classess at libraries in Lancashire.

  • morecambe library

    Hollywood actress, Juliette Lewis, gave a sell-out show at Morecambe Library. She is the latest in a line of impressive acts to perform as part of the Get it Loud project for Lancashire Libraries.