The death positive library

Stacey Pitsillides, Claire Nally, Anita Luby, Rhonda Brooks, Fiona Hill, Joanne Ghee, Katherine Ingham, Judith Robinson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter focuses on a body of work (2018-2021) that explores public libraries' role in engaging topics of death and dying with their communities. The Death Positive Library is an action research project and crosscountry UK collaboration between Redbridge, Kirklees and Newcastle Libraries and academics at Northumbria University. Design and humanities research is at the heart of this partnership. By using polyvocal and multiple methods of engagement our aim is to create impact by opening outwards the question of personal legacy. COVID-19 shifted the nature of this research as it mapped onto the broader public demand for events exploring death, as people attempted to understand and navigate the new global picture. Live methods and public testing were core to this exploration, including public installations, physical and digital death cafes, festivals, online book club/ film club with author Q&As alongside the development of a curated booklist and online/ library-based website for navigating creative, cultural, and future options for the end of life-giving the public creative spaces for contemplating mortality.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death
EditorsTrish Biers, Katie Stringer Clary
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Chapter27
Pages389-401
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781003195870
ISBN (Print)9781032047041
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameThe Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death
PublisherRoutledge

Keywords

  • Death Positive
  • Speculative Design
  • English Literature
  • Fiction
  • Libraries
  • COVID-19
  • Mortality
  • Legacy

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