FORGET peace and quiet at Essex Libraries.

Instead, award-winning acts are to perform live music gigs inside the traditionally hushed venues.

Essex County Council has launched the new style of events after hearing from customers that libraries would make ideal venues.

Plugged and Unplugged will see Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, past winners of Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, play five concerts in Harwich, Maldon, Rayleigh, Billericay, and Loughton in mid-June.

Harwich Library in Kingsway will host the gig on June 17.

Ray Cooper, former cello, bass and mandolin player with award-winning folk-rock legends Oysterband, will play three acoustic sets in Coggeshall, Wivenhoe and Writtle on May 2,3 and 4 respectively.

The tours have been organised by library staff Miranda Bedwin, Jo Norris and Charlotte Britton.

Miranda said: “Our customers suggested live music would work well in libraries, so we’ve listened and decided to give it a go. We hope the tours will showcase the huge potential of our libraries as venues for all kinds of community events, whilst still maintaining their traditional role as centres of information and places to find a great read.”

Ray Cooper, who toured the world with Oysterband and now lives in Sweden, went solo in 2013 and his informal, intimate gigs will feature him on cello, guitar and mandolin, playing songs from his imminent third solo album.

Ray said: “Libraries are quiet places full of stories and I invite people to come along and see me on my Essex Libraries Tour where they will certainly hear some fascinating tales.”

Philip Henry and Hannah Martin have toured all over the world and performed at Glastonbury.

They felt their gigs featured a sense of community, so what better place to stage one of their performances, but a library.

Doors open at 6.45pm.

Tickets are available online at www.wegottickets.com.