Key points: Security
- Always book security however low-key your show looks on paper
- Ensure security staff sign in before the event
- Stay true to the rules once established
Always book door security for your library. Book it at least two to three weeks ahead of your show and ask around for a reputable, user friendly firm. Ask for a firm that includes a first aider for Health and Safety back-up. Two days in advance of the show confirm with the security firm again for peace of mind.
Book them from half an hour before doors open to three quarters of an hour after the show to help clear the premises and stop anyone entering the library. When they arrive brief them on the project and the house rules e.g. No entry without a ticket, no food and alcohol on the premises etc. so they understand the nature of your event and the ages and numbers expected. They will need to sign in officially on a sheet for police records.
Once you have established the house rules, don't waiver or become inconsistent. Stick to them rigidly to remain fair to all patrons.
Keep it simple and clear, and keep the problems from coming in the library. They are much harder to resolve once inside. However there appears to be a high level of respect from young patrons thus far for the library buildings, contents, equipment and individuals. In Lancashire security can be booked for around £100 for two door staff for the duration of the performance.
Key points: Heatlh and Safety
- Engage a local fire officer/ health and safety officer from the outset and seek advice and support
- Forget selling alcohol
- Ensure sufficient staff are on duty to support the show
A lot of young people and sometimes small children attend GILIL events, and attention to health and safety will promote peace of mind for the audience, the parents of the audience, and for you and the team.
Acute observation of health and safety will allow you to enjoy the event better and create sound foundations to allow the greater impacts of the project to succeed. Here's a checklist of the keypoints to remember:
- Meet the local fire safety officer and the individual responsible for health and safety issues in the organisation and introduce the project; get their approval and ask for advice. A fire risk assessment will determine how many patrons are allowed in the performance space of the library for your show. Their aim is to help and their advice and information will prove invaluable.
- Don't sell too many tickets for the space - your fire officer will advise dependent on the number of fire exits.
- Tape down all wires that are loose or hanging or trailing on the floor
- Ensure all carpet areas are free of sockets, nicks and loose carpet tiles etc
- Don't sell alcohol if your license doesn't provide for it -developing a youth audience means you are better off selling soft drinks only
- Ensure you have at least five or six staff supporting the show or event - make it more for sell-outs.
- Announce health and safety regulations at the top of the show e.g. where the fire doors are.
- Make sure the public are aware who the volunteers are in case of emergency (badges and lanyards are fine for this)
- Keep fire door access free at all times
- Keep all windows closed to prevent noise disturbance in the library vicinity
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Photo credit: Andy Werner