Libraries in Clifton? Close ‘em down and open a trendy wine bar
By SimonPeevers | Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 18:03
There is a lot of national news coverage today about the
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Redland Library on Whiteladies Road
possibility of libraries being closed because of falling visitor numbers and
the need to ‘cut costs’.
While I hardly suspect that closing the library on
Whiteladies Road is going to haul the nation out of the economic mire, I am not
surprised to hear numbers of visitors are falling.
It made me wonder whether we really need a library in our
communities anymore, or are they as outdated as typewriters, tape cassettes and
Concorde?
Who uses libraries these days? I am a card carrying member
of Bristol’s library service and have visited the Central Library at College
Green many times, mainly to borrow CDs or films if I’m honest. And I hardly
think that would be under threat, but do we need one in each area? Books are so
cheap that if I fancy a read I just pop to Waterstones or max out my Amazon
account, I can’t remember the last time I stepped foot into the library on
Princess Victoria Street.
The new Government figures show that the number of people
who visit a library weekly has dropped by 32 per cent in five years and that more
than 60 per cent of us have not visited one in the last year.
Martin Booth, one of Clifton’s foremost bloggers and media types,
was commenting on this issue on his Bristol Culture website today, arguing
strongly in favour of keeping the library doors open, but of course he had to
whisper as he did so.
He said: “Having not set foot in a library for perhaps five
years, I joined my local library last month.
“I admit that I joined for the free internet access rather
than the books, but that is the point of libraries in 2010: they are not just
quiet places of reflection from which to peruse and borrow books, but
multimedia hubs.
“Purists would be dismayed to learn that in the library I
was in, Clifton Library on Princess Victoria Street, a mother and baby reading
session was about to take place and laughter of little children filled the air.
“There are 28 libraries in Bristol, including the
magnificent Central Library on College Green.
“Please support your local library. You never know when you
might need it and you'll definitely miss it when it's gone.”
Will we miss it though? I suspect one of the reasons for a
fall in visitor numbers is that many libraries have already closed and the idea
of finding the time to visit one is just beyond most busy people. But I could
be wrong, I often am, I’d be interested to hear what other Clifton People
think.
Wouldn’t we rather have another expensive wine bar than a
dusty old place full of books?
Comments
I totally agree with pretty much everything you've said, and there is a part of me which thinks the world was a better and more meaningful place when we read books, and played vinyl records and spent more time talking face-to-face rather than over the internet.
But it does feel like those days have slipped past and people like your good self are now few and far between. Although, I'd like to be proved wrong. I'm guessing you probably don't have to queue up to get into the library when it opens or struggle to find your way to a quiet spot.
So when it comes to it, is a library service something we should passionately try to save from the public service axemen who will be slashing budgets left right and centre, when things like education and health will always take priority.
In a perfect world we would be able to let them be and I'd get myself along more often and take advantage of the great facilities, butt sadly I fear when it comes to bottom line of the balance sheet the bean counters will feel it just doesn't add up.
By SimonPeevers at 12:42 on 30/08/10
ReportDear Simon,
I use the local library all the time. It's great if you want to try a book before buying it (I hate buying a book and it being absolute rubbish, then you're stuck with it); it's also good for reference books, if you're looking for information on a particular subject, as the internet can sometimes be a bit daunting for people, particularly older generations.
Also, what about if you can't afford to just go out and buy a book on a whim? I know you can get the most popular reads in supermarkets pretty reasonably now, but if you want a specific book, and depending on the subject matter, they can be upwards of £30, which isn't exactly cheap. At a library, you don't even have to pay to read a book.
They're also a cornerstone of some communities - why do you think they have mobile libraries, if not to reach out to those who have no other source of entertainment, besides a TV? This is very true of older people, but not only that, it's a place for mothers to bring their kids, for students to revise and learn, and the general public to interact and engage with a *book* rather than a screen all the time.
Call me antiquated, but I think the feeling of holding a book in your hands is far better than ruining your eyes with a screen (and that's coming from a habitual internet user). It's tangible and 'real', in a sense.
On a more personal note: as a writer, I use the library to go and work in. It's a getaway from the hubbub at home and if I need any references, they're right there to hand. The library I use has just been re-designed and renovated and whilst it could have more books (they don't always have what I want), it's a really nice place to write in and nobody bothers you!
Anyway, that's my two-pence. What are your thoughts?
By wildfire198 at 15:41 on 26/08/10
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