 I've always loved reading, and
libraries, so when John, the boss- man
and my fellows writers at Blaydon
Writers Group, opted for a visit to
Newcastle's latest pride and joy, it
took no arm twisting to trail me along
to visit, yup, its new Library.
Having joined the new library as soon
as it opened its front doors I was in
the habit of regularly enjoying my
cuppa and scone. As I always found
myself served by pleasant staff in the
extremely busy, but well managed
cafeteria. I was delighted to see my
friends enjoy the same welcome.
John, had arranged an escorted tour of
the new building so I reckoned for
once I would have to sit up and take
notice of all that was going on around
me.
Ann, our guide, was a delightful young
woman. Possessor of a nice sense of
humour she was a veritable walking-
book of knowledge. You asked and she
could tell. There wasn't one piece of
historical artefact or book on display
that she could not relate to and tell
the story of its origin. It wasn't
long till we realised there was a
great deal more to being a librarian
than just filling bookshelves and
being helpful.
To have working knowledge of six
floors of learning takes some doing. I
kept looking to see if she had some
almost invisible chipped device fitted
to her ears which could pick up our
questions then give out the answers,
but no our Ann just kept smiling
pleasantly as she rattled out answers
as easy as telling us the time. It was
obvious when we reached the children's
department was hers. Proudly she
pointed out the various lay outs. all
carefully designed to encourage the
youngsters to explore the vast world
of print at the same time develop a
thirst for more knowledge.
As we approached each floor Ann
explained its use. The expanse of time
was bridged from non-fiction to
recorded ancestry, this written in
ancient spidery scroll telling how and
where it all began. Yet in the midst
of the past to-day's technology was
available to make the study so much
easier, hi fiction people mulled
around spoiled for choice by the
selection of good reads. Others
spilled around on the comfy settees
enjoying the luxury of sitting in a
comfortable warm place while taking in
news and hints from the vast
collections of newspapers and
magazines or simply reviewing their
selected books.
It was of noticeable that there wasn't
a vacant computer in sight, this being
to-day's equivalent of the old school
jotters. It was heart warming to see
students from so many different
cultures sitting side by side
researching and in most cases helping
each other with their studies.
Language barrier? Nae prob!
It's a long time since, at the age of
six, I braved the busy road of
Shawlands, to join Langside library. A
building which to-day I would
visualise to be similar to Newcastle's
imposing 'Lit and Phil.' But that's
another, excuse the pun, story.
It was a wonderful afternoon and I
learned a great deal more about the
history of a city renowned around the
world not only for its warmth of
welcome but its culture and learning,
Newcastle.
Janette Alexander.
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