ElectionWatch 2022 Case Study

Roll up, roll up...the circus is in town!

A pilot project delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College saw Millfield Library transformed into a circus big top. Groups of supported learners were treated to performances by award-winning children's author and current Children's Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland, Kelly McCaughrain, during interactive sessions when she read extracts from her first novel Flying Tips for Flightless Birds and discussed her love of reading. The book stars flying-trapeze double act and brother/sister twins Finch and Birdie Franconi and their friend Hector. It deals with trying to fit in by celebrating being different.

Image of Circus Big Top, Millfield Library

The Beginning..

An associate lecturer in Childhood Studies approached the Library to find out about our services for supported learners. She was working with a group of students completing a college transition programme to prepare them for leaving school. These students attend a special school, have complex learning needs and very basic reading literacy. Our existing library services were limited to providing a general orientation tour of the library and purchasing general interest books aimed at low reading ability.

The Challenge..

This request challenged us to think more broadly about what we offered this type of student. Our vision is 'a creative, innovative library service at the heart of the college..'. We wanted these students to associate visiting the library and reading with enjoyment and pleasure so we developed a multi-tiered package for library and reading activities based on this principle. This package included:

• A reading for pleasure session with a children's author to support the library service's aim of increasing reading literacy amongst FE students

• A treasure hunt style activity entitled '10 things to do in the Library'

• The creation of artwork by the students for library displays

• A revised version of our current literacy project 'The 6 Book Challenge' with bronze, silver and gold certificates being awarded to students to enable them to measure their own success.

Reading for Pleasure Session with Author..

This project was one of the most rewarding areas of work I have been involved in since beginning this job. The feedback we received reminded me how much I enjoy event organisation and delivery. I had been quite anxious as it was the first College event I had organised and was a first for the Library, but it was a great success.

'...Kelly was great and overall the workshop was pitched perfectly. As our students respond so well with visual stimuli, even the entrance of the library was really brought to life with the streamers and bunting, with a true feeling of 'going to the circus!' Bright colours and props galore...' (College Lecturer)

'...The workshop catered to everyone's abilities and the students were...enthralled by the entire experience' (School Teacher)

'...Thank you so much for having me! I had such a lovely morning. Such enthusiastic readers.' (Kelly McCaughrain, author)

Running this event also reminded me of how collaboration can greatly enhance a student's experience.

From left: Gillian Fleck (BMC), Kelly McCaughrain (author) and Claire Killen (BMC)

The Future..

We ran several reading for pleasure sessions with other College students and hope to resume these once we are able to do so given the current operating environment. We will be submitting an application for the College Collaboration Staff Award. This award recognises amazing collaborative practice which makes a real, measurable difference by building effective partnerships with internal and/or external stakeholders. Fingers crossed we will win it!

Claire Killen

Senior Library and Information Officer (Millfield Library)

Belfast Metropolitan College

ckillen@belfastmet.ac.uk

Originally posted for Libraries Week 2020