Central Library possible temporary closure?

[Sparkly]

In a slightly confusing report, £150m to save Central Library - News - Manchester Evening News the MEN has info on the possible closure of the library. £150 million for repairs to the library, town hall and extension, however, this also seems bundled with a new underground carpark for council staff and upgraded IT.



I've been 'backstage' at the Library, and the building doesn't seem in a particularly poor state to me although some areas do need a refurb - lottery money perhaps?

The reporter, David Ottwell, mentions some more details on his blog. David Ottewell's politics: Library/town hall - more information
including a move for the Library theatre, as the basement is "wholly inadequate for modern performance" although personally I'm quite fond of it.

As from what I've read, it's hard to tell how much work the Library really needs for essential and sensible maintenance/upkeep and I do hope that any plans don't ruin one of my favourite buildings where I spent many days and nights pouring over obscure books.

[aidanorourke]

Yes, I am in total agreement about the Central Library. It is my favourite building in Manchester. I studied for A Levels there, researched articles and old photos and I also like the theatre though I've only been a couple of times.

The Central Library is for me the focal point of Manchester, the tip of the cone inside the roof!

[Gerard Lodge]

I'm glad someone has mentioned the fact that there has been discussion about GMCRO moving into the basement at Central Library. I heard about this several months ago. One reason I heard put forward was that the theatre company wanted a bigger auditorium. GMCRO has been looking for a new home for several years. Of course, it was hoped to house GMCRO and MALS in the Mackie Mayor building but that plan was scuppered when the council did not get the Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

I research at MCL on most weekdays, and over time I have explored may nooks and crannies in there that most people miss. I quite like going to the fourth floor and looking down on to the top of the dome. Well worth a gander.


Gerard

[mr angry]

I love the library too, spent many happy hours there both with the books and a couple of theatre trips with school when doing English Lit A level in the 70s

I agree that lottery money should be used but it wont be as the financial black hole that is the 2012 olympics will just suck it all away.

Dont get me started on the olympics please!!!!

[future_architect]

the central library, town hal extension, the town hall and the midland hotel is what i often call Manchesters 4 graces. Obviously anything to preserve them and make them more accessible is welcome. however, its a shame that they have been alowed to deteriorate at all.

by the way, take everything you read in the MEN with a pinch of salt. they are trying to sell you a newspaper.

[Henry Mantell]

Originally Posted by Gerard Lodge

I research at MCL on most weekdays, and over time I have explored may nooks and crannies in there that most people miss. I quite like going to the fourth floor and looking down on to the top of the dome. Well worth a gander.
Gerard

Some of us did that in 1960's Gerard! Like Aidan I relied heavily on my fourth floor seat to study for O and A levels.
I think this a building worth investing in; sadly the Olympic drain on public funding has deprived such buildings of access to former funding for several years.
I also have happy memories of the basement theatre in the 1960's.

[mr angry]

A new experience! Me and Future Architect agree on something!

[aidanorourke]

Manchester Central Library
fireworks 8 Nov 1997

The Central Library is probably my favourite building in Manchester, partly because of my personal associations with it - studying, revising, researching there from my school years to the present day.

I love the classical quality of the building - even if, according to one appraisal, it doesn't follow the rules of Classical architecture - apparently you're not supposed to tack a portico onto a rotunda.

But that doesn't bother me at all. I love the classical influence, but also the finer details, like the inscription around the top of the main reading hall. Also the remarkable stained glass windows in the foyer.

To think it was only built just over 70 years ago, very young in architectural terms.

One thing I find puzzling is the smell of the building - is it disinfectant, or the smell of old books - or something else.

I saw photographs of the interior of the library in the 1930s, after it was opened (1934). It looked remarkably spacious. In modern times it has become very cluttered.

Another quirk of the building is the echo in the main reading hall. When you bang your book or pen on the table, you get an echo a split second later.

It's one of those places where I wish I could have an apartment in the building, and then just walk out the door into the building at any time and just browse the books or look at the old newspapers on microfilm.

In 1998 there was an open day when it stayed open all night.

The Central Library is a gem of Manchester and needs to be carefully preserved so it's still around 270, 570 and 1070 years after it was opened.

[John]

Originally Posted by aidanorourke

It's one of those places where I wish I could have an apartment in the building, and then just walk out the door into the building at any time and just browse the books or look at the old newspapers on microfilm.

.

That is a secret fear of mine, that one day the council will decide that we are better served from some tacky modern building and that the town hall and library get turned into apartments and leisure facilities.