Refurbished Ilkley Library announces opening events
Ilkley Library is inviting the local community to celebrate its refurbished space with a special opening event, followed by an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) film experience for visitors of all ages.
The Opening Celebration will take place on Saturday 3 October, giving the community the opportunity to explore the newly refurbished library while enjoying an afternoon of music, poetry, refreshments and displays celebrating Ilkley’s rich literary heritage.
The celebrations will begin with the Ilkley Tappers performing from 12pm to 1pm inside the library. This will be followed by two open mic sessions, welcoming both poets and musicians to take part.
The open mic sessions will be hosted by Mohamed Saloo and Joe Williams from 1pm, promising an entertaining and lively afternoon for performers and audiences alike.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a unique display featuring Cave Bird poems in the original handwriting of celebrated poet Ted Hughes, alongside original Leonard Baskin prints. The pieces have been kindly framed by Weaverbird and are now proudly displayed on the library walls.
Members of the community are encouraged to come along, enjoy a slice of cake or a cup of tea, explore the refurbished library and support local performers.
Anyone interested in taking part in the open mic sessions can contact Andrea.Hardaker@bradford.gov.uk. Audience members are also very welcome and do not need to book.
Following the opening celebrations, Ilkley Library will host a VR Film Tour from Monday 5 October to Wednesday 7 October, giving visitors of all ages the chance to experience a selection of immersive films and virtual reality experiences.
The VR headsets will arrive at the library on Monday 5 October, with members of the public invited to experience them from 3pm to 7pm.
Further sessions will take place on:
Tuesday 6 October: 9am–11am and 3pm–5pm
Wednesday 7 October: 9am–11am and 3pm–5pm
Visitors can simply come into the library, find a comfortable seat and put on a headset for an experience designed to transport them into a whole new world.
The VR programme features a diverse selection of experiences, including Wallace & Gromit, Doorstep Duets, an immersive live dance experience, David Attenborough’s Hold The World, Monoliths, and The Lark Ascending, featuring the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ilkley Library is encouraging people of all ages to come along and discover what the refurbished library has to offer, whether through live performance, literature, art or immersive technology.
