Engaging Libraries is a pilot scheme which has brought the Carnegie UK Trust, the Wellcome Trust and Society of Chief Librarians together to work in partnership to allow libraries to experiment with public engagement around health and wellbeing. The 14 projects funded cover a wide range of topics, working with new partners and engaging with the public in innovative ways. Representatives from Engaging Libraries projects will speak about their work, how they are engaging the public and demonstrate methods they are using.

2. AIM
To remove fear, embarrassment and other barriers
to talking about and planning for death by creating
space and opportunities within our libraries for
normalised, open & enlightened discussions about
death and dying.

3. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
• A series of facilitated Death Cafes to encourage open &
honest conversations around death.
• Talks, performances, workshops and exhibitions
programmed during Dying Matters Week (May 2018).
• Travelling Light - Commission of an animation documentary
created by library participants which promotes positive
discussions about death and dying in multi-cultural
communities.
• The Final Party - One day celebratory arts & death festival
in October 2018, taking inspiration from the Mexican Day of
Dead traditions.

4. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
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5. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

6. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
#Unsaid
Installation

7. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
#Unsaid
Installation

8. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Let’s Talk About Death Drop
Ins

9. Public Engagement
Workshops with Soul Midwife Sarah Weller

10. Public Engagement

11. Public Engagement

12. Public Engagement

13. Public Engagement
CORPSE PROJECT WORKSHOP

14. Public Engagement
`
DIGITAL OFRENDA WORKSHOP

15. Public Engagement
`
TRAVELLING LIGHT DOCUMENTARY

16. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
`
THE FINAL PARTY DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL

17. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
`
THE FINAL PARTY DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL

18. BOOKS

19. BOOKS

20. PARTNERS
The Corpse Project
*Stacey Pitsillides * Liz Rothchild* Sarah Weller

21. COLLABORATION WITH
PARTNERS
• Created a steering group with regular update and planning
meetings
• Devised activities and event programmes together
• Shared contacts for networking
• Shared marketing responsibilities
• Attended training & conferences together
• Cemetery and crematorium visit attended by 2 members to
get a better understanding of the industry

22. HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR
• Approximately 209 people have taken part in a workshop, discussion or activity to date.
• Exhibitions have been seen by 7500 visitors to the Central library. Opportunities for further residents
to engage as the #Unsaid installation goes on tour to our other libraries later in the year.
• 120 people have written a message for #Unsaid installation.
• People are generally really positive & curious about the project, feedback has been great most of the
time!
• Partnership is growing with more people coming on board, already talking about what we do next.
This is just the start!
• Invited to be a partner on the CDAS Future Death Hub Project.
• Staff at all levels have shown interest in the subject matter.
• 228 Followers on Instagram.

23. CHALLENGES
• Talking about the project to people with confidence: we feel
passionate about it, but is it “too much” for people we’re
speaking to?
• It’s a big subject and so broad. Where do we focus? Should we
be adding bereavement, for example?
• Name of Death Cafes: this is challenging to some people.
• Involving all elements of the community especially young
people and schools.
• Staff buy in and knowledge
• Reining our ambitions in!

25. FOLLOW US ONLINE
@redbridgelibs
@redbridgelibraries
@redbridgefinalparty
#engaginglibs
#redbridgefinalparty
#deathpositivelibrary