Regional editors are being urged to team up with libraries for a UK-wide project on the history of local news.

More than 30 public libraries across the country will launch pop-up displays exploring 500 years of news on 24 February, inspired by British Library exhibition ‘Breaking the News’.

The displays will examine what makes an event news, press freedom, and issues of trust, as well as featuring a selection of news stories spanning 500 years of news production in Britain.

The project will be launched with the ‘Breaking the News: The Launch Debate’, a public event taking place at Leeds Central Library celebrating regional news and its significance at the heart of communities.

The event will be attended by Yorkshire Post editor James Mitchinson, journalist and broadcaster Fatima Manji, artist and activist Rachel Horne, and former Carlisle News & Star journalist Roger Lytollis.

The project is being supported by news industry marketing body Newsworks.

Newsworks chief executive Jo Allan, pictured, said: “These localised exhibitions will celebrate 500 years of news by showcasing some of the most important local stories while examining the value of news, free speech and the ongoing importance of local journalism to their communities.

“This network of activity across local libraries is a brilliant initiative and will be a great way to lead into the launch of the British Library’s ‘Breaking the News’ exhibition in April, which we are delighted to be supporting.”

The displays are set to feature at libraries in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Coventry, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Guildford, Huddersfield, Hull, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Norwich, Poole, Preston, Reading, Rugby, Sheffield, St Helier, Wakefield, Winchester and Worcester.

News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said: “Journalism plays a critical role in our democratic society, and I hope that these exhibitions will really bring that to life for communities across the UK.

“Local libraries and local news media titles are both highly trusted institutions within local life and, by working in partnership for these exhibitions and beyond, they can deliver even more value for the public.”