Something in the Air?
Calderdale Libraries

"I'm going to present [what I found out using the air quality monitor] in front of the local MP and he has already given us a grant so that we can maybe get a green screen in the playground so that we're not as affected at school [by air pollution]"
Year 6 student at Bolton Brow Primary Academy
Public
Something in the air - image of leaflets
Aim

Something in the Air? engaged members of the public in the West Yorkshire town of Sowerby Bridge with research and issues around air quality and health, empowering them to make a response.

Higher Education Engagement

Professor Martie Van Tongeren and academics from the University of Manchester were involved in webinars and a Meet the Prof event in a local primary school. They also participated in a film documenting the project.

Approach

The library service held four Zoom webinars, one with an author and three with academics from the University of Manchester. They also loaned two types of air quality monitor (one for indoor and the other for outdoor use) and engaged on a one-to-one basis with borrowers, to offer help and discuss findings. Borrowers’ findings formed part of a display in Sowerby Bridge Library.

A Year 6 class at Bolton Brow Primary Academy learnt about air quality in their curriculum and experimented with monitors. Children from schools across the town were encouraged to complete an air quality activity booklet during the summer holidays. A finale event was held at the library, where a film about the project was shown with refreshments, networking and informal discussion around participation in the project.

Public Impact

Members of the public were exposed to current research and key questions on the issue of air quality, leading many to think more deeply and consider changes they could make. The local primary school also benefited from having a visit from a real-life professor, to answer the children’s questions and open their minds to new perspectives. They recognised the added value the project brought to the children’s learning experience and are keen to engage with the library service again.

This project has changed perceptions of the library service and raised its profile within the Council. One councillor commented that the project film will support the campaign for improved air quality in the town. The local primary school children gave a presentation about the low air quality in their playground to the local MP and achieved funding for a green screen to improve it. A version of the Something in the Air? project will move to the town of Hebden Bridge in 2022.

Impact on Library Staff

Members of the project team gained valuable experience in public engagement and university partners were able to contribute to a grassroots project in their field of study and contribute to a local community.

Key facts

Location
England
Engagement type
Online
Face-to-face in library
Face-to-face in other settings
Activity
1-to-1 interactions
Group discussions
Workshops and talks
Self-directed activities
Loaned items
Universal Offer
Health
Information and Digital

Further Information