Cheltenham library project shortlisted for national award

Gloucestershire Libraries are celebrating a number of projects being nominated for national awards.

The Oakley Digital Storytelling Centre and the Innovation Lab network and Ask Us projects have been shortlisted for prestigious awards.

The Oakley development in Cheltenham has been shortlisted for the Reading Award 2023 by Libraries Connected and longlisted for a Digital Innovation Award by the Arts Council Digital Culture Network.

Proposed designs for the Oakley Immersive Room in Cheltenham. Image supplied by Roberts Limbrick Architects.

The building in Oakley will offer the latest digital technology for all ages, with free facilities, training and support to help with literacy and learning skills.

It is due to open in May 2023 and will include an ‘immersive reality’ room providing a 3D, interactive digital experience where images are projected around the walls, helping to engage children and other users in learning through interaction.

Gloucestershire Libraries’ development team was praised for creating a centre that will become an interactive, unique community resource, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Find out more about the Oakley project here.

More information on the shortlisting can be found at Reading Award 2023: Shortlist | Libraries Connected, and further details on the Arts Council Digital Culture Network longlisting is available at Announcing the 2023 Digital Culture Awards Longlist - Digital Culture Network.

The Innovation Lab network and Ask Us service have been shortlisted for an Information and Digital Award by Libraries Connected.

Six labs are now based in libraries around Gloucestershire, aimed at connecting the local community, businesses, schools and entrepreneurs with digital technology of the future.

They offer accessible, creative community spaces for people of all ages and abilities to get hands-on with digital technology, including design studios, 3D modelling and animation, virtual reality and micro-computers.

Ask Us is a free information service provided by Gloucestershire Libraries and available to anyone who lives, works or studies in the county. More information on the service is available here.

The nomination said: “Libraries’ position within local communities enables the team to reach those with hidden needs who do not have the confidence to venture into a more formal setting.”

More details on this shortlisting can be found at Information and Digital Award 2023: Shortlist | Libraries Connected

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries, said: “I’m delighted that these projects have received the recognition they deserve. They set out to really help their local communities and reach out to people who may not otherwise have access to digital technology.

“I would like to congratulate the team for receiving these nominations and wish them well in the awards.”