Poets including Aoife Mannix, Paul Lyalls, Francesca Beard, Guy Bass, Joe Coelho and Frances Hardinge will be taking part in Spine festival: Libraries Out Loud at London libraries from 3-5 March. Aoife Mannix, From Radio 4’s Saturday Live, who is artist in residence at Beckenham library in Bromley, south-east London, will be one of those poets encouraging children, families and young people to explore and express ideas creatively, to stand up and be heard, and to view their local libraries as the cultural spine of their community.

Performance poet and writer Paul Lyalls will be at Askew Road Library in Hammersmith and Fulham for fun, creative writing and performance poetry workshops. Now in its second year, Spine festival brings a diverse programme of free creative events and activities for children and families, to communities across London. The festival is produced by the performance poetry organisation Apples and Snakes, in partnership with 14 local authorities across London. More details

PHOTOGRAPH: SUZI CORKER PHOTOGRAPHY