Councillor Rob Lewis launches the competition at Haverfordwest Library along with members of the local poetry group.
A competition aimed at inspiring people to visit their local library has been launched in Pembrokeshire.
Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, kicked off the start of the ‘Express Yourself’ competition at Haverfordwest Library on Tuesday.
Run throughout Wales, the contest aims to encourage people to write poems, create works of art or perform plays that would inspire people to visit their library.
All libraries in Pembrokeshire are promoting the competition throughout this month and November.
Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services said, “If you haven’t visited a library recently, this is a great opportunity to rediscover your local branch and showcase your creative talents at the same time.
“I’m hoping the competition will really inspire the local community to produce a variety of works that we will be proud to exhibit and use in future projects.”
The theme of the competition is simply ‘libraries’ although entrants may wish to focus on one specific topic – for example books, computers, the staff – or alternatively they could show how the library has inspired or helped them achieve their goals.
The competition is open to everyone – simply choose a category that fits — primary schools, secondary schools, individuals, voluntary or community organisations and students in further or higher education.
You don’t even need to be a member of a library to enter!
As well as the chance to win prizes from £50-£500, finalists will be invited to an awards event next February where they will meet actress and writer Ruth Jones and have their work displayed nationally.
All Pembrokeshire entries will also be exhibited in Haverfordwest Library Gallery during May 2010.
For your chance to win up to £500 and meet Ruth Jones call into your local library or visit library.wales.org/artscomp/ and get your hands on the entry pack which will give you full details of how to enter. The closing date for all entries is 1st December 2009.
For more information about, and opening hours of, libraries in Pembrokeshire visit: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/libraries
Photograph: Councillor Rob Lewis launches the competition at Haverfordwest Library along with members of the local poetry group.
