Libraries have always been at the heart of the communities they serve, a great resource and a lifeline to many. But there is one group they can struggle to engage with - young people. Stewart Parsons came up with a brilliant initiative that is not only drawing in younger crowds but also giving libraries and their image a radical make-over.

Steve is looking for your favourite alternative tracks from the 90's that you never hear on the radio. Plus we talk to the man behind 'Get it Loud in Libraries', and there are of course more musical gems hand picked by Steve.

In this month’s book column, Getintothis’ Cath Holland looks forward to tucking into some new books and events to enjoy in 2019.

BC CAMPLIGHT in the house, that is Hull Central Library … Sunday 25 November 2018 @ 2.30pm

In 2007 Adele played a gig in Lancaster library as part of a programme to get more people engaging with their local libraries. A decade on, the programme is still on song

For ten years, Stewart Parsons has been staging gigs in libraries for the likes of Adele and British Sea Power. With a big nationwide programme on the books, he tells us why Get It Loud in Libraries is so important.

Mary Anne celebrates the 'Get it Loud in Libraries' live programme, which has drawn an audience of over 28,000 people into libraries across the UK.

The Radio 2 broadcaster gave her tips and insight to a group of youngsters, and watched a live gig by rising star Misty Miller

Dusty, furtive places with quiet at a premium – these are the oft-quoted stereotypes associated with libraries. So you wouldn’t expect to see Adele belting out her tunes in a Lancaster library, would you?

Cath Aubergine meets one of Britain’s most innovative live music promoters.

Frances Ross talks about a scheme called Get It Loud In Libraries in Lancashire which provided her with an opportunity to break into the competitive world of photography.

Get it Loud in Libraries is a five-year project that aims to increase access to libraries while developing youth talent.

Warton's Stewart Parsons can give chapter and verse on the joys of reading.

Self Esteem brought a celebratory show to Liverpool’s Central Library, Getintothis’ Chris Wardle was completely sold.

It was an unusual setting for a gig. Books lining every wall, the only drinks on offer being 50p bottles of water that you had to pick up on your way in, and a small army of tiny children taking up most of the front row.

There is a definite atmosphere change when hosting a gig in a library. People are unsure whether they can chat or whether this will result in a telling off. With the arrival of Get It Loud In Libraries and PHOEBE GREEN, a place so used to silence is transformed for a few hours, as music is poured into the grand surroundings of Liverpool Central Library.

Sometimes a gig is in such an unusual location that you just have to go especially when it’s a 20 minute drive from your home.

Thirty years after The Cranberries were formed in Limerick, the city by the Shannon has produced another epic indie group... The awesome foursome produce superb singalong indie guitar pop during this Get it Loud in Libraries gig.

Our Girl are back in the North-West, this time on a summery Sunday afternoon in a library, bringing with them a stellar support, Getintothis’ Steven Doherty tells us about it (quietly).

Glasgow punk rock band Rascalton played the Denny Library as part of the Get It Loud In Libraries programme.

On Saturday the 23rd of March we attended our very first library gig. We made our way down to Lancaster Library to see Brooklyn band Bodega. Having heard some tracks on the radio during 2018 I splashed out on the album Endless Scroll. I loved it so took the next logical step…..buy tickets!

As Get It Loud In Libraries brought Pip Blom to the icy shores of the Mersey for a Sunday afternoon at Birkenhead Library, Getintothis’ Paul Fitzgerald, slip-slided his way there to soak up the sheer fun of it all.

Bodega bring their jangly punk to the latest in the Get It Loud In Libraries series and Getintothis’ Lucy McLachlan tripped over to the Wirral for a Sunday afternoon gig.

Eleanor Friedberger nurses a white mug and makes herself at home as she mingles with the audience before her Lancaster Loud in Libraries gig.

Coventry’s central library building has a musical history, from Chuck Berry recording there to the Specials triumphing in front of home crowds it’s had its share of history. But to read that one of the most exciting bands I’d found last year was to play there as part of their tour was a bit of a What the hell! moment. There was no way Fighting Boredom was going to miss this one. As the band say, ALL IS LOVE.

The library, a place generally associated with quiet and tranquillity. Yet on an ordinary Saturday night, the calmness was flipped on its head as punk band VANT blasted through the shelves for their last English show on their farewell tour.

The great thing about Loud in Libraries gigs is they entice you to see artists not ordinarily on your wish-list...

There was no “shushing” going on in Lancaster library as Australian trio Jagwar Ma kicked off what could only be described as a rave between the bookshelves.

Opening act, Morecambe-based The Heartbreaks, urged the audience to “have a sniff’ of the books” at Lancaster Library during a well-received Las-influenced set.

Due to circumstances beyond their control Clean Bandit made their Lancaster public wait. But they were worth it.

There are lots of jokes about Minnesota's 'quiet' indie rock band, Low. One is, apparently, that their fans are 'just a bunch of librarians'... If you've not been to a Get it Loud in Libraries gig yet, where have you been?

Cate le Bon appeared from behind the Science Fiction and Fantasy section at Kendal Library.... but her magical music is probably best placed somewhere between non-fiction and mountaineering.

SBTRKT’s gig on Monday at Lancaster library was nothing short of astounding, and I mean that in the most sincere sense possible.

UP and coming grunge band Yuck performed an amazing set at Lancaster's Get it Loud.

NESTLED in the library bookshelves between local history and teenage fiction lies a treatment to cure any ailing music fan. The Vaccines have arrived.

THE lights were dimmed and the sophisticated library venue was perfect for the Ellie Goulding appearance in Lancaster on April 10.