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August 20, 2006
Libraries in Liverpool
Thank you to the reader who sent this:
'Dear Tim Coates,
I just read in Private Eye that the Liverpool Library has 'invested £12,000 in five 'muscle toning' stations to be installed next to the
computing area and used by people queuing for internet access'.
Fitness instructors will be on hand (at further cost presumably) to
demonstrate the equipment. Also 'the city plans to roll-out the idea
into branch libraries next'.
Thank you for your blog. I am a regular reader. I thought I'd let
you know about this just in case you hadn't come across it already -
though I suppose you have. I love libraries as a quiet place to read and learn which seems to be an unfashionable habit at the moment.
Readers will be pleased to know that Liverpool has been named the Intergalactic City of Culture.
I had a stonking row with the board of the MLA last year when Liverpool libraries closed in the evenings. The council complained to the local paper that they couldn't afford late opening any longer. The local paper asked my view and I looked at the figures to discover that Liverpool library service is among the wealthiest in the country-and indeed their own documents supported my view that they are certainly not short of funds and can easily open in the evenings
However the row emerged when I discovered that someone called Sir David Henshaw who was the leader of Liverpool Council was also on the board of the MLA. He didn't like the public criticism of how the council spend every one's money and wasn't prepared to look at the figures with me, so I could have explained how his council could afford to keep the libraries open.
Then, he has been more successful than I have been.
Posted by Tim Coates at August 20, 2006 4:05 PM
Comments
I'm surprised "Starbuck's" has not set up a franchise within the Library? Such an opportunity missed.
After "muscle toning" before joining the line of people queuing in the computer area, awaiting their turn for internet access - what could be more tempting than one of Starbucks many different
latte frothy expensive coffee's?
Heaven forbid!
Mr. Grimsdyke would give them short shrift...
Posted by: Margo Harker at August 20, 2006 7:35 PM
I have another idea, a very innovative one, for something to do during those long tedious minutes waiting for a turn at the comupter console: READ A BOOK. Some of the heavy ones could tone the biceps at the same time if they are selected carefully...
Posted by: Clare at August 21, 2006 2:45 PM
Clare? Read a book? How "novel" is that?
Apologies Tim...a very bad pun.
Posted by: Margo Harker at August 21, 2006 10:47 PM