Book Marks

Book Marks explored the vital role that books and libraries play in people’s lives.We captured the precious memories of readers at Druids Heath, Stirchley and Selly Oak Libraries with film maker Soheila Javaheri, talented local poets Bradley Taylor, Hayley Frances and Ruben Whitter as well as a talk by former librarian Richard Albutt.

Readers of all ages shared their library stories in workshops at their libraries through poetry, film and artwork, working with partners Arts Forum Selly Oak and Birmingham Community Libraries Services in a project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery Players.

The stories are part of a film shown at the culmination of the project in May 2025. The film and oral histories we collected, along with poetic responses are shared online below and will be archived to be part of the Community Library collections at Library of Birmingham Archives so the value of books and the impact of the spaces where people read and share them is kept for the long term.