Project to encourage library use receives six-figure boost

A project led by Derby City Council’s libraries team, which aims to encourage more usage among young people, has received a six-figure boost.

The team has been awarded a £130,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the two-year project, which is designed to encourage greater use of the library and create a fun way for young people to engage with their local heritage.

Taking place at Derby Local Studies and Family History Library, it will see young volunteers create a fantasy role-playing game, based on Dungeons and Dragons from Wizards of the Coast.

They will work alongside library staff, a ‘games master’ and a range of professional creatives to uncover stories from the library’s collection and weave them into the game.

It will also include the production of video shorts and podcasts to introduce and follow the game, while the library will host a range of family-friendly activities and events that tie in.

Eventually, people will be able to download a game pack to allow them to play themselves.

There will also be a club at the library, which will support players, welcome new ones and research new characters, locations and adventures to expand the game world.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, the city council’s cabinet member for cost of living, equalities and communities, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we’ll be able to broaden access to the library’s collections, engage new audiences with their history and retell stories that would otherwise remain unheard.”