MUSSELBURGH Library has been selected as one of five libraries in Scotland to benefit from a new permanent artwork as part of Book Week Scotland 2014.
The artwork will be created by Glasgow-based artist Emma Ewan and will be inspired by Dear Library, a poem written by best-selling Scottish author and playwright Jackie Kay as part of Book Week Scotland’s Love Your Library! campaign.
Dear Library highlights the important role that libraries can play at every stage of an individual’s life – from childhood to old age – and Emma has been given one verse of the poem to inspire her, written from the perspective of someone reminiscing about the time they spent in their local library as a child.
It is hoped that the resulting artwork will encourage the local community to visit their library and begin or continue their reading journey.
Emma said: “The piece of work I am producing for Musselburgh Library reflects on the ability of books and libraries to shape our thinking and ultimately who we become.
“The new piece of work is intended as a gathering place and I hope to initiate this through an interactive event in October as well as the launch event in November.” The Musselburgh Library artwork will be unveiled on Tuesday, November 25, with four other artworks also being launched through the week in Lennoxtown, Saltcoats, Edinburgh and Shetland.
Sophie Moxon, deputy CEO of Scottish Book Trust, the organisation delivering Book Week Scotland, said: “Following the success of our Reading Murals project in 2013, we are delighted to be unveiling five original artworks by young artists in libraries across the country for Book Week Scotland 2014.” The new artworks are currently being developed alongside a series of creative engagement activities with local communities to ensure that the lasting legacy will be a welcome addition to the area.
As part of the Love Your Library! Campaign, members of the public, authors and celebrities are being encouraged to write love letters to their libraries, to show their appreciation for these quiet champions of the written word.
Some of Scotland’s best-loved writers and illustrators will also be appearing in a major programme of library-based events as part of the campaign.
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