Press Release
Reader in Residence for Shetland Library
Jen Hadfield
From November, poet Jen Hadfield will take up the post of Reader-in-Residence with the Shetland Library.
‘Readers in Residence’ is part of Creative Scotland’s Creative Futures programme <http://www.creativescotland.com/investment/creative-futures> : promoting, connecting and developing Scotland’s creative practitioners. The project is being administered by Shetland Arts Development Agency and is one of five residencies awarded in Scotland.
Jen will collaborate with library staff on their book-groups and promotions, offering events and projects in community venues, care-homes and businesses. She will spend six months with the Library, and hopes to make this a busy, social residency:
'Folk here love their books, and I want to take advantage of that. That means encouraging people to share what they love about reading: discussing literature, swapping books, reading aloud, making recommendations, celebrating every genre.'
Inaugural projects will include the return of 'Bards in the Bog' – six new poems will be chosen to grace public toilets throughout Shetland. To take part, send an original poem of less than twelve lines and your contact details to Jen Hadfield at the Shetland Library by the 21st December. Or come along to the first of six ‘Poems for Tea' sessions from 6–7pm on Thursday 10th November in the Library Mezzanine. You can bring a favourite poem to read, or just sit back and listen.
Jen has lived in Shetland for nearly six years, working as a poet, artist and tutor of creative writing. She's committed to developing readership, having seen the benefits reading and writing can bring to self-confidence, creativity and mental health. She blogs at http://rogueseeds.blogspot.com/
If you'd like to know more about upcoming Reader-in-Residence projects, would like Jen to visit your business or organisation or social group, or are interested in volunteering during the residency, email reader-in-residence@btinternet.com, visit: www.shetland-library.gov.uk or call Jen at the Library on 01595 743868. And don't forget to like the Shetland Library's facebook site!
This is one of five residencies awarded in Scotland. The other residencies will be Zoe Strachan, East Ayrshire Libraries; Margot Henderson, Highland Council Library Service; Maureen Sangster, Library Service at Carstairs State Hospital; Ian Stephen, Western Isles Libraries.
