1. A visit to the local library

Two weeks before the museum or gallery exploration, young people go on a visit to the library.

The children’s experience of libraries may vary. This visit will help them get to know the library and the staff working there.

Invite parents and carers to join in both the library and museum/archives/gallery visits.

At this visit the librarian tells the children about:

• the work of the writers and illustrators that they will meet
• the museum, archive or gallery which they are going to visit

2. An author led workshop at a museum, gallery or archive

Young people visit a museum, gallery or archive to meet with a children’s writer or illustrator.

The author will introduce them to pictures or artefacts that link with their writing Through exploring these connections young people will be encouraged to engage with the pictures or artefacts and use them to inspire their own creative ideas.

The detail of the sessions will vary from one author to another.
A single work or object may act as the backdrop to storytelling or young people may be taken on a journey around the collection linked by a central theme.

The most important elements of every session are: enjoyment, engagement, excitement and inspiration.

Young people are encouraged to make connections and to express ideas. They should be offered ideas and structures to support their own writing and artwork.

It is useful for a teacher or librarian to take notes of ideas and responses that can be used later.

3. Author’s workshop in the library

Young people meet with the author again, this time in the library.

If this has to be scheduled soon after the gallery/museum/archives exploration it can be used as a ‘feedback’, ‘question and answer’, or ‘brainstorming’ session. This will then build up ideas for the children’s own writing and artwork.

It often works better if children have time to do their own work before they meet the author again. It can then become a ‘master-class’ where the children’s own ideas and projects are developed and shaped.

It may be possible to work with the author on a longer-term basis, with an ‘author in residence’ scheme.

These sessions help young people understand the process of review and revision. Ideas need to be honed and polished into a finished piece of work. Teachers and librarians will need to give time to this process in the classroom and library.

Celebration

Celebrating and sharing the work they produce is a powerful way of helping young people to value and develop their creativity.

The library is an ideal venue where work can be shared with family, friends and neighbours. The display can be launched with a party and could include dramatic performance, poetry reading and storytelling as well as artwork and writing.

Children can also learn layout and display skills. Photographing the project can provide further creative experience and provide a lasting record of achievements.