The British Library, in collaboration with the Living Knowledge Network—a partnership of public and national libraries across the UK—launched Unearthed: The Power of Gardening in May 2025. This exhibition explores gardening as a transformative force for creativity, resilience, and community connection. Over 30 library services participated, bringing the exhibition to diverse audiences nationwide.
Project Goals
The Unearthed project aimed to:
- Celebrate the cultural and social significance of gardening.
- Engage communities through personal and global narratives related to horticulture.
- Utilize innovative technologies to create interactive and accessible experiences in library settings.
Implementation
To enhance the exhibition’s interactivity, the British Library integrated Museum in a Box devices into the Unearthed displays. These devices allowed visitors to engage with 3D-printed objects and accompanying audio narratives, providing a tactile and auditory exploration of gardening’s impact.
Key features included:
- 3D-Printed Objects: Replicas of botanical illustrations and gardening tools.
- Audio Narratives: Stories and poems related to gardening, including works by Inua Ellams and oral histories from figures like Judy Ling Wong and Jyoti Fernandes.
Libraries across the UK, such as Newcastle City Library and Mansfield Central Library, hosted the exhibition, tailoring the experience to their local communities.
Outcomes
The integration of Museum in a Box technology achieved several positive outcomes:
- Enhanced Engagement: Visitors experienced a multi-sensory journey, deepening their connection to the exhibition’s themes.
- Community Involvement: Local adaptations of the exhibition encouraged community participation and storytelling.
- Educational Impact: The interactive elements facilitated learning across age groups, making complex histories accessible and engaging.
Lessons Learned
The Unearthed project demonstrated the effectiveness of combining traditional exhibition content with interactive technology:
- Scalability: The portable nature of Museum in a Box allowed for easy distribution and setup across various library settings.
- Accessibility: The tactile and auditory components made the exhibition more inclusive, catering to diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Community Relevance: Allowing local libraries to adapt the exhibition content fostered a sense of ownership and relevance within communities.
Conclusion
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening exemplifies how cultural institutions can leverage technology to enrich public engagement. By integrating Museum in a Box into the exhibition, the British Library and the Living Knowledge Network created a dynamic and accessible experience that resonated with audiences nationwide.
For more information on the Unearthed exhibition and its components, visit the Living Knowledge Network’s official page and explore the Museum in a Box collection.
Every project tells a story. When one chapter closes, Museum in a Box helps you transform it into the foundation of the next — keeping ideas alive, evolving, and ready to inspire new audiences.
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