Reading Borough libraries Berkshire in the First World War project

Reading Borough libraries have received £78,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new project entitled Berkshire in the First World War.

A project manager, a post to be created through HLF funding, along with volunteers from the local community, will work from July 2013-June 2014 researching what it was like to live in the county throughout the war.

The project will involve digitising local newspapers, street directories and the four volume casualty list “Berkshire in the War”. The books form a compliation of casualty lists from the first World War.

Reading libraires hope to create 20 case studies on topics such as The Home Front, Women at War and also how people adjusted to life after the war. The public are being asked to lend or donate letters, diaries, medals, photos or other items from the First World War to go towards the collection.

Once the project is complete, the Council will make all the information freely available on Reading Libraries’ website, and produce a book, travelling exhibition and materials for schools.

This project has been made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) www.hlf.org.uk.

For further information contact Ann Smith at Reading Central Library 0118 901 5950 or email [email protected]