Puppets in the Library | Araceli, Paper Cinema, Pickled Image, Sara Hurley, Sarah Vigers, Louis Bingham and Above Bounds Theatre
Animating Libraries During the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge
Puppets in the Library was a creative initiative launched by Libraries Unlimited’s Creative Communities Team with support from Arts Council NPO funding.
The project, designed to coincide with the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge theme, ‘Marvellous Makers’, brought the magic of puppetry and storytelling to libraries across Devon.
Twelve events were held in six libraries during August 2024, offering an engaging and interactive experience for children and families.
The project aimed to animate the libraries, turning them into vibrant spaces where children could explore their creativity through puppet-making workshops and performances.
Puppetry and Storytelling in Action
From Axminster to Totnes, Puppets in the Library brought talented puppeteers and storytellers into library spaces, with performances that captivated audiences young and old.
Local families created their own puppets, bringing to life creatures made from found objects, and enjoyed performances such as ‘Silly Squirrel’ and ‘Flying with Strings’.
The workshops and performances were designed to inspire imagination, encourage reading, and bring communities together.
Libraries Unlimited collaborated with local storytellers and puppeteers from Bristol’s Puppet Place, including Araceli, Paper Cinema, and Pickled Image, as well as Devon’s best storytellers, including Sara Hurley and Louis Bingham.
Impact & Reception
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with libraries eager to see the puppets return in 2025.
Parents and children alike loved the creative, hands-on approach, with many children proudly performing with the puppets they made.
The project successfully highlighted the role libraries play in promoting creativity, learning, and community engagement.
Given the success of the pilot, Puppets in the Library is set to continue, with more libraries participating in future events.
Stay tuned for details of upcoming puppet performances and workshops in 2025, and visit our Events page for the latest updates.
