We are excited to offer the opportunity to work with Hertfordshire Libraries to deliver a new and exciting In Residence Programme, funded by Arts Council England.

Locations: Various libraries in the south of Hertfordshire
Time Frame: Dates to be agreed Monday 27 July – Saturday 29 August 2026
Duration: 9 – 12 days
Fee: £250 - £350 per day (five hours) depending on experience
Closing Deadline: 5pm, 11th June
How to apply: Details are on page 3 of this brief

Residency Brief

The My Story: Read to the Beat Residency celebrates the power of music to inspire, connect, and bring stories to life. It offers a musician the opportunity to work creatively with communities across Hertfordshire libraries as part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat.

The Summer Reading Challenge, a national initiative delivered by The Reading Agency through public libraries, encourages children to read for pleasure during the summer holidays. In 2026, the theme Read to the Beat celebrates the connection between music and storytelling, inviting children to explore how rhythm, sound, and stories can inspire creativity and imagination through reading.

The selected Musician in Residence will collaborate with library staff to deliver a cohesive programme of creative engagement across multiple locations, to inspire children aged 6-11. The musician will respond to the distinct character of each community while maintaining a clear overarching approach. Please note that libraries do not provide instruments or musical equipment; the appointed musician will be expected to supply their own.

My Story is a key part of Hertfordshire Libraries’ Culture and Creativity Offer, providing an exciting opportunity for the selected musician to help shape this growing area of work.
The terms of the residency will be finalised between the appointed musician and host libraries, with ideas proposed via an expression of interest (see page 3).

The residency will include:

• A unifying theme running through both public and private activity, reflecting and championing aspects of the local area and community
• Delivery of public-facing workshops across library locations
• Opportunity to undertake some elements of your creative process in public-facing library spaces (e.g. informal performance, rehearsal, or demonstration), helping library visitors engage with your work
• Development and delivery of a collaborative project that enables meaningful community participation
• Creation of a digital feature for the library service’s YouTube channel (which the musician may also use for their own promotion)

The residency timeframe and fee are outlined above. Fees will be offered on a sliding scale, reflecting the experience of the appointed musician (emerging, 2–5 years’ experience, and 5+ years’ experience), and will be paid in line with Musicians’ Union England rates. There will also be library support for reaching new audiences and promoting the residency within our network of creative practitioners. No accommodation is provided for this residency. As activity will take place across multiple library locations, the appointed musician should be able to travel between sites and access to own transport is recommended.

Disciplines

• Applications are welcome from musicians working in any genre or style.
• Funding has been secured from Arts Council England to support the selected Musician in Residence in delivering the agreed programme of activity across the residency period, including planning, preparation, and public engagement.
• The musician will deliver a range of workshops, including both bookable sessions for invited groups and informal drop-in activities open to the public. Some activity may explore how music-based engagement can support positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

Project Expectations

• The delivery of a programme of sessions to inspire and engage, reflecting the inclusive ethos of Hertfordshire Libraries, My Story and partners across the community.
• The programme will include approximately 6 workshop days across 11 library locations, alongside planning, preparation, and a final shared output.
• Workshops should be accessible, drop-in friendly, and suitable for mixed abilities, with a focus on engaging children aged 6-11 and encouraging family participation.
• A safe and respectful approach to working in a library setting. The selected musician will be representing Hertfordshire Libraries during the residency and must uphold Hertfordshire County Council values and behaviours.
• Applicants should consider sustainability in their materials and delivery (e.g. reusable resources and low-waste approaches).
• Utilise your own social media and marketing platforms to support Hertfordshire Libraries to reach new audiences and to promote My Story and your work with Hertfordshire Libraries.
• Invoices are to be sent to the schedule described in the contract, that will be paid 28 days after the date of the invoice.
• A materials budget of up to £480 will be made available to support a mix of reusable instruments, creative workshop supplies, and basic audio resources, enabling hands-on, inclusive, and engaging music-making experiences for children aged 6–11.

Workspace

• Access to back-of-house office space will be arranged in agreement with library staff and the My Story team, with scheduled time slots.
• Basic facilities will be available on site at each library.
• Dedicated space within the library will be provided for public-facing creative work and workshop delivery.
• Opportunities to display or share outcomes from the residency will be available within the library space.

How to Apply

We are looking for a residency that:

Essential

• Inspires children to engage with reading and storytelling through music
• Creates a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere in our library spaces

Desirable

• Produces a simple shared output, e.g. song, sound piece, or performance moment

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email mystory@hertfordshire.gov.uk with the following:

• A CV or short biography outlining your experience with links to relevant previous work

• Your proposal for the residency (which can be in written, audio, or video form) including:

  1. Your music: A brief overview of your musical style(s), practice, and areas of expertise
  2. Your interest in the project: Why you would like to be involved and what you would bring to working with children aged 6-11 in a library setting
  3. Workshop ideas: An outline of your approach to the workshops, including:

• How you would engage children
• Ideas for creative, interactive activities
• Any plans for collaborative outcomes or shared creations
  4. Practical requirements: Any specific technical, space, or access needs we should be aware of

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an informal in person interview at a library or via Microsoft Teams. We particularly welcome applications from individuals currently underrepresented in the cultural sector.

My Story Background

My Story: In Residence is a cornerstone of our Inspiring Libraries: My Place strategy meeting the following ambitions:

• My Place to Connect
• My Place to Experience Reading, Art and Culture
• My Place to Improve Health and Wellbeing
• My Place to Discover Information and Learning
• My Place to Explore Innovative Technology

My Story has been an innovative project enabling us to work with creative partners and transform our libraries into venues to create, experience and take part in quality creative activity. For further information please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/mystory