BeLong | Bí Ann with Dublin City Libraries 2022

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Published on 10th January 2022

An invitation from your local city libraries to explore together through art, culture, literature, music and much more this spring!

Brought to you by Dublin City Libraries and axis Ballymun, this multi-platform project is a celebration and a recognition of the city libraries and throughout the pandemic, we re-discovered the power of literature, music, art and culture as sources of entertainment and wellbeing. This project, funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund champions Dublin City Libraries as physical and digital spaces of learning, wellbeing and creativity.

BeLong | Bí Ann is an invitation to regular library users to re-engage with - and to non-users to explore - their local libraries, via podcast, online talks, live events, literature and animation.

The four main aspects of the project will unfold via podcast, animation, online conversation and printed materials. They will roll out online across all partner websites and social media channels.

Artist Podcasts

BeLong Bí Ann intro trailer

A series of live conversations and performances with artists and guests, featuring each of the 21 branches of Dublin City Libraries. The guests and artists will chat about their relationship with their local libraries, through the lens of arts and culture, highlighting the impact these public spaces have had on their lives and wellbeing. Each podcast episode will feature events from the libraries, and will follow general themes - offering something for fans of music, history, visual art, poetry, literature, nature and more.

Episode 1: Manchán Magan & Oein DeBharduin

Episode 2: WeAreGriot: FeliSpeaks, Dagogo Hart and Samuel Yakura

Episode 3: Dublin City Council Historian-in-Residence Cathy Scuffil

Episode 4: Sharyn Ward

Episode 5: Library in The Community

Episode 6: Dermot Bolger & Liz Nugent

Episode 7: Áine O'Hara

Episode 8: Chandrika Narayanan Mohan and Collie Ennis

Episode 9: Ruth Guest and Silvia Loeffler

Episode 10: Francesca La Morgia, Kirsi Hanifin and Ines Khai

Episode 11: Aideen McBride, Juliette Saumande and Tarsila Kruse

Episode 12: Thommas Kane Byrne and Black Queer Book Club

Bonus episode: Ann Ingle in Conversation

New episodes are released each Tuesday. Overall podcast link.

Children's Art

Animations and illustrations inspired by children’s thoughts and opinions of their local libraries. This fun, visual celebration of the project will be released online every Wednesday throughout the BeLong | BíAnn programme of events.

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Culture Circle

Dublin City Libraries Recommends! Based on suggestions from Dublin City Librarians, we have gathered a reading and watch list of books, films and audiobooks available in Dublin City Libraries. Join these entertaining lunchtime conversations and share your own recommendations.

Join the Culture Circle live each Thursday on the Axis Ballymun Facebook page.

Watch back

BeLong Bí Ann Culture Circle 1: Dublin City Libraries and axis Ballymun recommend!

In the first Culture Circle, host Sorcha Keane is joined by Aifric Ní Ruairc and Joey Kavanagh in a lively chat ranging from Pride and Prejudice, Ru Paul's Drag Race to Sally Rooney!

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In the second episode, Sorcha is joined by author Juliette Saumande and librarian Mags Curley, who share their own recommendations.

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The third session is about Languages, Film and Literature. Curated by Dr Francesca La Morgia, Director of Mother Tongues, with host Sorcha Keane and guest panelists; Justine Nantale, Jijo Sebastian and Tatiana Dos Santos.

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In the fourth episode, Sorcha chats to award-winning children's author Sarah Webb and Jackie Lynam of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.

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In the fifth and final Culture Circle session, Sorcha speaks to writers Oisín McGann and Sarah Maria Griffin about their recommendations.

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Forty Fun Facts

Did you know that joining the library is completely free? Did you know that you can access online courses in 70 languages? Or learn about your family history? Did you know that you can rent musical instruments, or kits to track your energy usage? We’ve gathered 40 FUN FACTS about Dublin City Libraries. Sharing them online, on printed bookmarks and large banners outside certain libraries, throughout the month of celebrations.

Read all forty facts on the Dublin City Libraries Flickr.

Light Up Your Libraries

A special message from Bosco, about the value of libraries, recorded especially for BeLong | Bí Ann:

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'The Story of a City' was written and performed by Roxanna Nic Liam, and directed by Cathal Mac An Bheatha.

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How to join in and enjoy our programme of events?

BeLong | BíAnn will take place online across all partner websites and social media accounts. For all festival content see:

You can engage with the project and its variety of events on axisballymun.ie or dublincitylibraries.ie and all their corresponding social media channels.

You can join the conversation online and share your thoughts and sentiments using #BeLongBíAnn or tagging either axis Ballymun (@axisballymun) or Dublin City Libraries (Twitter: @dubcilib. Facebook/Instagram: @dublincitylibraries) on social media.