Page 23 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 23

the bigger picture

Cafe culture library attracts lost
generation of readers
Since the town's Central Library
opened last October, the number
of new members has soared and
the equivalent of the population
of Swindon has walked through
its doors.
Designed by Swindon Council
architects Nic Newland and Tony
Currivan, the building has exceeded
expectations.
Head of Library Services Allyson
Jordan said that in the first six
months, the library had registered
10,000 new members; more than
four times the numbers joining the
old library. She was particularly
pleased to have attracted people
from the 20 to 40 age group who tend
not to make use of libraries.
"People don't just come to borrow
books; it's a different experience,"
said Allyson. "The facilities are so Photo: www.urbanbuzz.net
fantastic and it's such an improve- which is open until 10pm each colleagues set out to recreate the The success of the building
ment on what we had before." weekday is very popular. atmosphere of a contemporary means that the architects are
She added that the Express Zone Nic Newland said he and his bookshop with a cafe. As well as already revising plans for routine
bringing in new members, the maintenance and replacement.
Photo society shows off talent informal style is attracting interest "In the first quarter, there were
from other towns wanting to achieve 200,000 visitors; that's equal to
Swindon Photographic Society holds its annual exhibition at the West similar results. "They see that ours is the population of Swindon,” said
Swindon Library from Saturday 1 August to Saturday 15 August, during not a traditional library; it's more like Nic. “It means we have to review
library opening hours. a retail outlet and an urban meeting maintenance schedules because
See 70 striking images in colour and black and white by some of the place with a children's play area. It's items like doors are being used to
area’s best photographers. a centre for the community." a higher level than expected."
www.swindonphotosoc.org.uk

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21-52 August 09 Fri 17.indd 23 17/7/09 14:14:13