Library Opens in new (temporary) location

Yesterday the new temporary library in Southport Town Centre was opened at the Southport Visiter Offices on Tulketh Street. I was delighted that Jean Alexander, who had been a key supporter of the temporary library campaign was there with the Mayor Maureen Fearn to cut the ribbon.







The opening follows several months of campaigning in rain and shine by the Liberal Democrats to ensure that Southport residents weren't left high and dry with no library facilities whilst the old Atkinson Library undergoes a complete refurbishment as part of the Cultural Centre.

Andrew Edwards, Group Editor of the Southport Visiter spoke at the opening to welcome the library into what was until recently the location of the news desks for the journalists. Thanks must go to the Southport Visiter staff who have worked with the Council to ensure that this new temporary site is ready to go as a library.

I was surprised when I walked in at just how much like a library it looks - the Children's section is great and also now includes 2 computers which were not available in the Atkinson Library.  The Teens section has been moved away from the children's section which I think is a really good idea and placed next to the IT section.  I am also pleased to report that there are the same number of PC's available to the public as before.  During the event I spoke to library staff who also explained that they had changed the way the shelves were filled with books to show book covers as well book spines to entice readers to try new authors.

Library-in-the-market plan "huge costs" don't add up

Southport residents were joined by Lib Dem Councillors to collect signatures in support of keeping a temporary library in Southport Town centre during the renovation of the "Cultural Centre"





Conservative and Labour councillors refused to support a motion made by the Liberal Democrats at this weeks SOuthport Area Committee which asked for the ruling "Cabinet" of Sefton Council to reconsider their decision to vote against a temporary Southport town centre library in the Indoor Market because of what they say would be the cost.

A figure of £500,000 has been bandied about. We have challenged this constantly.We have done some detailed research and the real figure cannot be anywhere near this amount. To give just one example: no mention has been made of the Lord Street library savings during its closure e.g. rates, cleaning, maintenance, heating etc.. From council figures that we have obtained these alone could amount to £170,00 to £200,000 over the three years. Looking at the work needed at the Market, there are some unbelievably high suggested costs, even by the usual grossly inflated council estimates. e.g. £25,000 for "Kitchen Ventilation" (this is for a small kitchen with facilities for library staff to make a cup of tea or heat some lunch in a microwave !) That is just one example !

Southport has a number of nationally-known, top quality shopfitting specialist companies. We're convinced that they would blitz the job in no time at all - at a far more reasonable cost. But this suggestion did not impress council officers.

Clearly, certain politicians who haven't done their homework properly, are trying to make the cost as high as possible as an excuse not to provide a temporary town centre library.

To use an old expression: "Where there's a will, there's a way !"