The Library Labyrinth project is offering workshops to libraries, community groups, and schools. Read about the types of session on offer below, and click here to express your interest in a workshop by filling out a form.
These sessions come in a number of different formats suitable to different groups. We will also be running them in a reactive, flexible way, so each will develop along different lines depending on the audience. The options mainly depend on the physical space available and the nature of the group. We can run sessions for adults and sessions for children, in both small and large groups.
The sessions available are:
Talk or lecture
One of the members of the team will present a talk on the women of Library Labyrinth. Could include a PowerPoint presentation if desired. Questions afterwards.
Time: 30-60 minutes.
Group size: any size.
Age appropriate: for adults or young people.
Virtual option: could be delivered remotely.
Seeing ourselves in literature
One of the members of the team will lead a discussion of how the skills used in Library Labyrinth translate to real life. What are your strengths? What are your fears? How do those skills overcome the fears, and where do you need to work with others?
Time: 45-60 minutes.
Group size: up to 15-ish.
Age appropriate: for adults or young people.
Virtual option: could be delivered remotely.
Class discussion: sit-down version
Focus on five literary monsters (eg Dracula) and 10 women. Which pairings of women could best defeat which monsters? Class discussions in small groups or as whole group to tell the stories of how these women captured the monsters. For example, if Mary Seacole uses her nursing skills to defeat the Martian Robots, what sort of medical knowledge might be involved? Could write up the stories individually or as a group afterwards.
Time: 45-60 minutes.
Group size: up to 35-ish.
Age appropriate: for children or young people.
Virtual option: could be delivered remotely.
Class discussion: moving version
Each child is given one of the famous women cards, while monsters are placed around the room. They need to move around the space, asking each other questions. Can they form themselves into small groups so that every literary monster is captured? Each group then discusses the skills the women have and how they might be useful in the game, or in real life. Could then write up the stories afterwards.
Time: 45-60 minutes.
Group size: up to 35-ish.
Age appropriate: for children or young people.
Virtual option: must be held in-person.
Small group
A group of up to 15 people could play Library Labyrinth (I could bring three copies.) We could discuss the women and the monsters after the game. Probably five minutes intro, ten minutes explanation, 30-45 minutes playing, and then discussion as wanted.
Time: 60-90 minutes.
Group size: up to 15-ish.
Age appropriate: for any age group.
Virtual option: must be held in-person.
Drop in session
One of us would be in the library (or community centre or cafe) for two hours or so, with the game, able to play with anyone who came by. We’re not quite sure whether this would be popular in all types of location, but are very willing to try it out!
Time: 120 minutes.
Group size: whoever turns up.
Age appropriate: for any age group.
Virtual option: must be held in-person.
All sessions are free to state schools and local libraries in the UK. If you are based far from the South East then we may ask for a contribution towards travel. If you are a private school or a non-charitable group then we may ask for a small fee or for something in exchange (for example, if you are a board game cafe then we may ask for a meal after the workshop).
If you would like one of these workshops, please fill in a form here.
Library Labyrinth 