Liverpool's Central Library to light up for re-opening

The display captures the sense of wonder gained from reading, organisers said

Liverpool's Central Library building will be lit up with an interactive digital display to celebrate its re-opening after a £50m refurbishment.

Giant books will be projected onto the facade and whenever a book is chosen from a carousel below, it will appear on the walls with its own animation.

The display takes place on 16 and 17 May and the library, which was shut for two years, opens on 17 May.

A month-long literary festival is also being held in celebration.

The In Other Words festival, which starts with a World Book Night event on 23 April, will include shows from broadcaster Lord Bragg and journalist Janet Street-Porter.

'Sense of wonder'

As part of the digital light display, a carousel containing copies of the books shown on the wall will be placed outside the library.

When members of the public pick a book it will come to life on the wall - for example if Alice in Wonderland is selected, Alice will be seen leaping from window to window, peering into the newly refurbished building.

The show runs from 21:15 until 22:00 BST on May 16, and from 21:15 BST until midnight on May 17.

Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said the event is "a fantastic way to mark this cultural gem's new lease of life".

She added: "There is a huge amount of anticipation around the re-opening of Central Library and we want to make it a special event."

Rob Vale, from digital projection experts Illuminos, said: "Through the projection artwork we're hoping to bring the building to life, to catch some of that sense of wonder that we can all experience when we open a book and our imaginations run wild."