As the first year of the First Folio Tour winds down for the winter months (don’t worry, the tour will be back in spring 2023!), I thought it was worth reflecting on how the tour came together and how it has engaged with different communities around Birmingham.
The Library of Birmingham’s First Folio (see image below) is one of our most valuable holdings and is the only one in the world that was a public library book. Prior to the tour this year, hardly anyone was able to see the First Folio and it had only been displayed in conventional and highly secure exhibition settings. When the ‘Everything to Everybody’ project was in its initial planning stages way back in 2018, the idea of taking the First Folio around Birmingham to various places (including at that point the Bullring shopping centre!) felt extremely radical. I’ll admit I was unsure about the idea; it wasn’t something that I was aware of that had been done before! Is it something people really wanted to see?!
I had lots of questions – how do you maintain conservation standards such as strict temperature and relative humidity (RH) controls, eliminate UV light and maintain an appropriate level of security to make sure nothing happens to the First Folio in buildings that were never designed to exhibit heritage objects? What is an appropriate level of risk to take with one of our most valuable holdings? What sort of venues would this be going to? How do you stop this becoming a publicity stunt that attracts negative attention?!
Over the course of 2019 – 2022 (Covid put a bit of a spanner into the works hence the long lead up period!) initial plans and risk assessments took place to see how the idea of taking the First Folio out on tour would work in reality. What became clear was venues would need support to make sure that their space was able to display the First Folio. Although we would provide a secure display case and deliver the First Folio to the event, they would need to make sure that the temperature was within acceptable range and no more than 24⁰C, the RH was not above 60% and that the UV levels were no more than the 75 microwatts per lumen. Conditions above these parameters could put the First Folio at risk. Spaces would need to be inspected to make sure the area was secure whilst setting up the display, that we would be able to get the display case in and out of the building with ease and that parking would not be an issue. I also wanted to make sure there was some form of fire suppression and some emergency plan if the very worst was to happen. It also goes without saying that building works going on or buildings with fundamental structural problems, pest issues, mould growth etc. were unlikely to be able to host the First Folio. Another important factor was that the First Folio would not be spending any time overnight at any venue, it would only be there for 1 day and be returned to the library every evening.
I drew up a risk assessment spreadsheet detailing every single risk I could think of and how we would mitigate or reduce the risk mentioned. It was a substantial piece of work with 65 risks being identified from the moment the First Folio leaves the Library of Birmingham to it being returned. The risk assessment was signed off by councillor Jayne Francis with it then informing how we undertake and plan the First Folio tour.
Venues that were interested in displaying the First Folio applied, and visits by the E2E team were undertaken to make sure the building was safe to display the First Folio. A cradle for the First Folio was made (see image above) so it could be displayed, which was to go into the secure display case. A travelling crate meeting conservation standard was ordered for transportation, and an art courier and transportation company, C’Art, were commissioned to transport the First Folio to and from LoB. The truck transporting the First Folio is temperature controlled, has air ride suppression, fire suppression and a separate compartment from the drivers for the First Folio, so that it can be securely strapped in and cannot move during transportation. A courier (who is a member of library staff) would always travel with the First Folio alongside the 2 drivers. Colleagues from the E2E team would be behind in another vehicle following the truck. A security guard is also there throughout the day and the event always had staff present throughout.
It was important that the main aim of the tour – to make the First Folio more accessible to various communities in and around Birmingham who may not have the opportunities to see something like the First Folio, was planned so meticulously. Given that this copy of the First Folio truly belongs to the citizens of Birmingham, it is important that all people in Birmingham are aware of its existence. With the various stops on the tour, it will hopefully inspire people and communities to explore, interrogate and improve the Shakespeare collection that we have now. Whilst the E2E team provided the practical support of displaying the First Folio, it was up to the project partner to organise their event.
Partners who have shown the First Folio in 2022 included Sutton Coldfield Library (see above), Sense Touchbase Pears, Black Country Living Museum, Highbury Hall, Selly Manor Museum (see below), Gap Arts and The Hive. It has been eye-opening to see how different partners have connected with the First Folio. Whilst Sutton Coldfield Library put on a full festival with actors, performances and talks, all celebrating Shakespeare and the plays, Sense Touchbase Pears looked at making Shakespeare accessible in its truest sense and included some of the Library’s Braille editions alongside the First Folio, visual and tactile arts where people could touch the artworks and sound projections.
As questions around diversity and inclusivity become ever louder and harder to ignore, it can as a conservator, be easy to opt-out due to the typical demands of the job being more practical and esoteric. This may mean conservators do not necessarily fully engage or even know where to begin with making collections more accessible to communities that may have felt side-lined or excluded, as the job can be very ‘behind the scenes’! It is a careful balancing act of following preservation principles and making sure the object is safe whilst allowing access to all people. Typical display requirements can be exclusionary, and most venues will not be able to maintain strict environmental and security requirements, but it is at these venues that you will likely have more diverse audiences. With exhibition costs getting ever more expensive, charging for exhibitions in city centres is also only allowing people with the means to see the objects, further excluding various potential visitors.
Having been on some of the visits on the First Folio tour, it was eye-opening to see various people interact with the First Folio and previous reservations about the tour went away, as it was great to see an object that is usually inaccessible have a new lease of life and new perspectives shared about it and the collection more widely. Whilst the visits have concluded for 2022, look out on the E2E social media channels for more dates in 2023. Venues will include Aston Hall and HMP Birmingham (Winson Green) amongst others.
Lucy Angus, Conservator
The Iron Room 
Reblogged this on Andrew James.