A new display has opened this month (November 2023) at the Central Library, exploring the rich diversity of the fantasy genre as part of the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network.
Central Library is one of over 30 libraries across the UK highlighting how local folklore and fairy tales have inspired fantasy writers, and the role of local libraries in introducing readers to the genre. The Living Knowledge Network is a UK-wide partnership of national and public libraries. From Arthurian legends to manga and live action role-playing games there is a wealth of activities on offer across the network.
For centuries readers have escaped their everyday lives and journeyed into new worlds filled with magic and adventure, incredible mythical creatures, and heroes and villains that speak to our greatest dreams and fears. From ancient folk tales and fairy stories, gothic horror, and weird fiction, fantasy is a rich genre filled with magical worlds imagined by writers, artists and creators that has had an enduring, global impact.
Libraries play a special role in the canon of fantasy literature, providing portals to other realms, containing magical texts that help heroes on their quests and of course the librarians that help the characters navigate wondrous lands and the strange creatures they contain. At libraries in the Living Knowledge Network readers will be able to discover special content that will help bring the iconic characters and worlds of the genre to life as their local library transforms into a fantastical realm of its own.
Community Libraries across the city will be hosting various events during the Fantasy – Realms of Imagination exhibition period. Contact your local library for details.
Portal – The Library is your Portal to new experiences. Fantasy based events where the library becomes the Portal to new experiences.
Epic – Creating new worlds. Create your own Fantasy Map, venture into your own new world of characters and set them off on epic journeys.
Fairytales – Embedding a love of Fairytales from a young age. Some Storytime and Bookbug will have add on craft sessions.
Fandom – Enhancing the Realms of Imagination. Participating libraries will have large cut out characters for your young ones to have a photoshoot with Prince and Princesses, Yoda and more.
Exhibition – Community Libraries will host a Unicorn craft activity. Then in February 2024, all of the wonderful unicorn creations will be gathered and featured in “A Blessing of Unicorns” exhibition at Central Library.
Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said:
We are delighted that Central Library will be welcoming readers to a fantastic new display in conjunction with the British Library. The fantasy genre is testament to the magic that books can create, offering an escape into imaginative worlds that captivate readers and spark imagination.
This display offers an exciting opportunity to introduce readers to the thrill of the genre, but also highlights the vital role libraries play in bringing these new worlds and adventures to life.
Director of Library Partnerships at the British Library, Liz White said:
Fantasy is a much beloved genre that is globally popular and yet draws on local legends and mythology in creating mythical worlds for readers to escape into. The displays in libraries in the Living Knowledge Network will explore these local connections with fantasy writers and creators while inspiring readers with the genre’s imaginative possibilities across literature, films, TV and gaming.
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination runs at the British Library from 27 October 2023 – 25 February 2024. The exhibition was made possible with support from Wayland Games and The Unwin Charitable Trust, with thanks to The American Trust for the British Library and The B.H. Breslauer Fund of the American Trust for the British Library.
About Central Library:
Situated in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Central Library is home to many rare books, maps and images which have been acquired since the library opened in 1890. The site is home to six libraries which consists of lending, reference, music, art and design, Edinburgh and Scottish, and the Children’s Library.
About the British Library:
We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.
We have millions of books, and much more besides. Our London and Yorkshire sites hold collections ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings, patents, academic journals, as well as a copy of every UK domain website and blog. Our public spaces provide a place to research, to meet friends, to start up a new business or simply to get inspired by visiting our galleries and events. We work with partners and libraries across the UK and the world to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to use and explore our collections, events and expertise. And we’re always open online, along with more and more of our digitised collection.
About the Living Knowledge Network:
The Living Knowledge Network is a UK-wide partnership of national and public libraries. Together we share ideas and spark connections between libraries, their collections and their people. Created by the British Library to explore new ways for libraries across the country to work as one, the network currently includes 30 public libraries, the British Library itself, the National Library of Scotland and the National Library of Wales.
The Living Knowledge Network streams free events, exhibitions, and workshops from libraries across the UK through www.LKN-events.co.uk.