Poll

The Bookseller has a weekly poll which recently had the topic "What's the most important role of a public library?"

Results:
Access to knowledge - 56%
Promoting skills and the joy of reading - 33%
Providing information - 3%
Involving people creatively in the community - 3%
None of the above - 5%

Strange that "Providing a free book lending service" doesn't appear here....

Website of the week!

Has got to be our new library catalogue. It's not quite finished yet, but I couldn't resist putting the link up so you can have a look and play "spot the familiar location". My favourite picture is the one with the bug in - what's yours?

Men at work

Lots of excitement at Library HQ this week as work is starting on the new central library! I went for a bit of a skulk about a few days ago and was actually standing in what will be the newpapers and magazines reading area! I know I've banged on about the view but it is absolutely stunning - right across the bay to Mumbles head. It's going to be a glorious place to sit and relax.

There's various men in hard hats about the place moving stuff and digging holes - it's like being in a Village People casting session (especially now the weather's getting warmer). Sources in the canteen tell me that the ranks are getting well fed too - so hopefully will have plenty of energy to finish the work on time.

Hoping to get some photos of the interior of the new library soon too - you will, of course, be the first to know!

Keep on Running...

Some of my esteemed colleagues are running in this year's Race For Life
It's all for a fantastically good cause, so if you feel like it then please sponsor them here

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/joyofbex

and the loveliest of all was the Unicorn...

Our new computer system, Unicorn, went "LIVE" today, amid much excitment, nerves and cake.

So far, so good, not too much chaos and only a few small teething problems. The system is great, loads more functionality than our previous one, great customer interface on the online catalogue and best of all, you can change the screen colour to suit your mood.

Today I am mostly using "winter".

We're having a new library!!!

The new library in St Thomas is opening on Saturday 14th April! It's an exciting time as it's our first library co-located with a school. The building is brand new and will combine the St Thomas community primary school, the library and new community facilities, replacing the old school, Margaret Street nursery, library and community centre.

The old library is well overdue for replacing - and is an eyesore on the main approach to Swansea. However, the work that goes on within the library is fab, particulary the children's activities which are usually packed.

Hopefully our loyal customers will follow us up the hill a bit where they will be able to enjoy a spacious, modern space with loads and loads of new books!

Hope to post some pictures soon.... the bug is preening as we speak

Reading...

and hating Dying Light by Stuart MacBride.

I gave up after murder number 14 with no attempt to solve the crime or develop any of the characters.

This was sold to me as a cross between Rebus and Taggart (both of whom I love) but just because it's Scottish doesn't make it good and there's a difference between gritty and gratuitous.

Not that I mind gratuitous in the right setting - I'm a big Tarantino fan and Jack Reacher never killed a man who didn't deserve to die.

This however is button pushing masking a lack of writing talent (in my opinion....)

Avoid

Reading...

and loving The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow. The film rights have been bought by De Niro who intends playing the title character himself.

Perfect.

Reads with the same languid rhythm as Citizen Vince - another favourite of mine