Page 10 - link magazine

10 The Link Magazine • ril 2003
Red here first Library to become centre of North community
The February edition of The Link, It's been a long time coming - over a year since completion - but North Swindon's new library is almost
featured a Red Army map of Swin- ready to receive some 32,000 books, tapes, videos, DVD and playstation games. And Shaun Smith, the
don, now in the hands of the Ref- person responsible for leading the team who will get the items on display, says the excitement is building
erence Library in Regent Circus. towards the opening day in mid to late May.
The item has generated a great
deal of attention and has been Shaun has been with Swindon North Swindon
picked up by several other media Council's library service for eight- District Centre,
organisations. Locally, the story een months as group manager for serving the new
was carried by the Evening Adver- eight libraries north of the railway homes and the
tiser, North Wilts Herald and the line and the two mobile libraries. older areas of
Western Daily Press, as well as Lon- He believes having the location of Haydon Wick
the library in the middle of the and Woodhall
don's free paper Metro.
Reference librarian Park, provides
Roger Trayhurn was an opportunity
interviewed by BBC for libraries to be
Radio Swindon and seen differently.
Steve Wright featured "It's an im-
the map on Radio 2. pressively big
The whole of Britain space, right next
is covered by similar to the public
maps and most are thoroughfare,
held in archives across and the library
the country. Swindon service will be trying out a range We will also have a meeting room
seems to be alone in of new ideas for the town. For a available for hire to local organisa-
revealing their exist- start we're going to open on Sun- tions."
ence, thanks to The days between noon and 4pm. Shaun is conscious that with a
There will be separate areas for large video hire store opposite and
Link.
See the map at the reference library or go to www.swindonlink.com young children and for teenagers a major US book retailer with a
with books and magazines and coffee bar, opening close-by, the
a hopefully a listening area where library needs to offer something
complimentary. "The idea that the
CDs can be heard through ear-
C&t ^ ^ aue 20 e eze'e#ece phones. library is a place of silence has long
4
, W
disappeared. With seventy per cent
"For adults we're also designing
a read and relax area complete of the population in the immediate
with coffee machine where people area under 44 years old, the library
can come in, spend time reading will be directly catering for cus-
and browsing and not feel they tomer needs. It's very exciting to
Windows, Doors have to rush onto the next activity. be involved with a central and vi-
& Conservatories ` "There will be 22 People's Net- tal part of the community, and it's
work computer terminals around a free service"
PVCu, Hardwood, the library offering free e-mail and Interviews for 25 part and full
Aluminium ' internet access, and Swindon Col- time staff took place throughout
lege will be running a large IT March ready for stocking shelves
Primary & OWN !^ t training suite in an adjacent area. and arranging displays in April.
Secondary Glazing
Teenagers get their own book award
Qqgyj April 2002 Document L Compliant
-. (New thermal insulation legislation) A pioneering project has been launched giving teenagers the chance
to award their favourite author the accolade of Swindon Fantastic
FENSA REGISTERED Fiction Award.
Anyone aged 13 to 19 years
SUPPLY & FIT OR SUPPLY ONLY. TRADE OR RETAIL. has until 31 May to nominate an
author they reckon has written
COMPETITIVE LOANS CAN BE ARRANGED
the bestbookin the last five years
via a new web site.
All you have to do is submit a
short review explaining why the
book should get the award.
Shortlisted books will be dis-
cussed by groups of teenagers at
libraries across Swindon during
the Autumn. The top books will
be chosen via an online vote and
the winning author will be asked
to attend a Fantastic Fiction pres-
entation in December. Commonweal School students Andy
According to library staff, this White, 14, and David Maynard, 13,
ee kWu &nie'wataxie is the first time in Britain that both of Commonweal School won music
Limited
teenagers have been involved in
Station Road, Minety, Malmesbury, Wilts SN 16 9QY nominating their favourite books vouchers worth £20, in a Swindon wide
competition to design a logo to promote
and discussing the short list.
Tel: 01666 860736 Fax: 01666 860761 the award
Nominate your best books via
Tel: Steve 01666 860885 or David 01793 772463 eves & w/ends www.swindon.gov.uk / visit a Swindon library. Most now
fantasticfictionaward offer free internet access via the
. • •
If you don't have a computer, People's Network.