BOOKWORMS from Weymouth library have an anxious wait to see if they will be crowned the loudest people in the world.

Young people attempted to beat rocker Ozzy Osbourne’s previous world record attempt for the longest group scream at the first MyVoice Roadshow.

They are now awaiting confirmation that their 63 second unbroken cry will make it into the Guinness World Records.

The attempt was led by event sponsors Headline YA authors Cathy Brett, Andrew Hammond and Kate Kingsley.

A MyVoice co-ordination group of 18 young people helped to organise the event which saw up to 1,500 visitors take advantage of workshops from a range of artistic disciplines.

Group members Mia Lewington and her sister Lauren were part of the 30 strong group that took part in the scream.

Mia, 16, said: “The scream was really fun and a few people made the comment it was really strange to scream in a library.

“Most people have never screamed in a library and so it sort of relaxed everyone and the whole event.

“The whole image of libraries was changed because we had different things happening like Manga artists and I think it really attracted the younger generation into the libraries who do not normally come.

She added added: “It went better than expected. The first few weeks we thought no one would turn up to the whole thing but luckily we got enough attractions and people to come to make it a big success.”

Wey Valley School and Ports College student Lauren, 14, said: “I think everyone was pleased how it went. We were a bit worried the time-table wasn’t full enough but I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

“We definitely raised the profile of the library, especially as loads are closing now.

“It took us three months to organise the event, but it was a lot of fun and I’ve made many new friends by being involved right from the start.”

More than double the average amount of people were attracted to the library for the event aimed at raising the profile and shaking off the stuffy reputation of libraries.

The day included creative events, workshops, exhibitions and performances focused on reading, writing and the arts for 11 to 19-year-olds.

The one-off event aimed to entice and enthuse young people to explore their own creative expression by giving them the opportunity to meet writers and artists, while potentially unearthing new talent in the process.

Having worked at the library for 14 years Jeanette Vaughan hoped the event had engaged with people of all ages.

The library assistant said: “Hopefully the event will have inspired people who had never been here before to come back.

“People have an old fashioned view of libraries that you cannot talk but you can behave normally, have a chat, read magazines or use the computers.

“We wanted to get a cross the message that libraries are no longer these old fashioned places. This is what we are trying so hard to get across that everybody is welcome.”

Picked for the roadshow

Weymouth Library was selected as one of five libraries across the UK to take part in the MyVoice Roadshow.

The roadshow was run nationally by independent charity The Reading Agency, supported by the Arts Council England and sponsored by Headline Publishing Group.

Each event focused on a programme of exciting, creative events, workshops, exhibitions and performances focused around reading and writing which was planned and promoted by local young people.

Other highlights included digital media workshops, graffiti workshop, a fashion show, and a fun poetry workshop.

More than 150 people attended an evening gig by teenage singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin.