Civic centre and library

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 10

Civic centre and library

Sir,—A disturbing aspect of the Mayor’s proposal to site the administration building in Manchester Street seems to be that it was brought about not by any defect in the existing plans of the civic centre but by the necessity for him to assist Mrs Clark to steer her way carefully round the opinions of all the experts. For if she is to be granted her whim of leaving the library where it is, the Labour administration must find some other use for the Manchester Street site for which it was destined. To wreck the concept of the civic centre by this expensive game of musical chairs seems to amount to less than responsible government, and if the ratepayers realise this, the Mayor’s remark last Saturday that a Labour Council will never build an administration building on the new Town Hall site may be truer than he thinks.—Yours, etc., JOHN BURN. March 29, 1972.

Sir,—l am delighted to hear of the move to acquire land so that the new library can be built on the present library site. Both proposed sites are close to the city centre; on both, excellent library facilities could be built. The difference between them is in their surroundings. Are we to have a library in a trafficridden wilderness, or are we to continue enjoying a library surrounded by river, trees, and lawns? If the library goes to Manchester

Street there will be an end to the pleasure of combining lun,ch beside the river with a visit to the library, an end to relaxing under the trees after study. The connection between books and natural beauty will be destroyed. I write as a library user, but I am informed that the library staff, with the exception of the City Librarian, also prefer the present site. —Yours, etc., GLEN METCALF. March 29. 1970.

Sir, —I sympathise with those who would like to see the library remain on its present site, but there are strong reasons why this is impracticable. Cambridge Terrace is to become a one-way street. Post Office plans for building on the present site are well advanced, and it appears likely that the Government will requisition the site. It would be a difficult operation for the library to build on its own site, as it would entail moving the present establishment to suitable temporary quarters. Lastly, all public librarians are anxious to see libraries located as near as possible to the busy heart of the city. It has been shown that book issues rise in proportion to the proximity of the library to the hub. A growing function of modem libraries is the provision of commercial and technical information. As the world changes and develops in new directions, so must public libraries. This is a world-wide tendency.—Yours, etc., PRAESES. March 29. 1972.

Sir,—The solution to the arguments between Labour and Citizens is to go back to the original plan of Professor Stephenson.—Yours, etc.,