The Ambient Book Club at Wexford Town Library

People came into the events room carrying whatever they were already reading. Every phone went away for the hour.

Thunderclap Murphy played flute, saxophone and keyboard. Each phrase was looped live under the next one, so the music layered up and kept shifting. He stopped once in the middle, for a minute.

The setup was really lovely, with the ambient lighting and staging transforming our events space into a very welcoming and comfortable space.

Heather Law, Executive Librarian, Wexford Town Library

Reader feedback

Readers filled in a feedback form before they left. The answers below are printed exactly as written, under the question each one answered.

How was the hour?

Relaxing, enjoyable, interesting mix. I was pleased that we couldn’t use our phones — are constantly distracted by it!

Tina, Wexford

It went by very quickly and felt very relaxed and peaceful.

Katie, Castlebridge

How did the music sit with the reading?

Perfectly — in the way that I like to read in silence but the music made me more immersed in my book, like in a bubble, like I was nowhere else, and fully present.

Sara, Wexford

Very well — I had picked out a book called ‘Moon’ which was quite relevant!

Mark, Wexford

Was there a moment that stayed with you?

Yes, the minute break, I thought hurry up and start again please!

Karen, Wexford

Looking around the room and seeing everyone else in their own little world.

Anonymous

All of it will, from the first note until the last one.

Sara, Wexford

Anything you would want the library to know?

This is a wonderful event idea! No commitment to a book club, easy to drop in.

Katie, Castlebridge

Excellent idea to do this. Again please.

Mark, Wexford

Would love this hosted again — in the evening so more accessible.

Paula, Wexford

Other comments on the form

Music sat so well with reading — almost created a cinematic experience in the mind merging the book content + music composition.

Paula, Wexford

Plenty of substance without being intrusive in any way.

Terry, Dublin

It provided a lovely ambience, helped focus on the book more and just ‘zone out’.

Anonymous

Please do more of this.

Anonymous

Photographs by Niamh Ní Fhoghlú.

Thanks

Thanks to Heather and the staff at Wexford Town Library, who programmed the hour, took the bookings and set out books to browse.

The Ambient Book Club
Readers disappear into their books, surrounded by a gently evolving live soundtrack. Bring a book, or take one from the shelves.

Any library in Ireland can book it. See what a library booking involves, or make a booking enquiry.