Spoken word is well to the fore at a celebration of arts and literature in London libraries that begins on Thursday 5 March, World Book Day. Spine festival, from 5-15 March, and organised by Apples and Snakes, will include more than 50 free events in 11 boroughs and 33 libraries aimed at children, young people, families and local communities.  

Top stand-up poet Laurie Bolger, pictured, will be organising a slam for teens workshop to compete for the Spine Slam title, judged by the Young Poet Laureate for London, Aisling Fahey. In addition spoken word artist Jared Louche will be taking his skills to Harlesden library in Brent; and Adam Kammerling will be taking spoken word to Catford library in Lewisham.

Half Moon Theatre’s Pop-Up Flashback stars poet Joseph Coelho; or youngsters could join writer and performer Rachel Sambrooks for spoken word workshops and get the chance to perform at the Library Live Spoken Word open mic night. Libraries in Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Harrow, Hounslow, Lewisham, Southwark, Sutton, and Waltham Forest are involved in the project. More details