Lib Dem councillors back bigger & better new library! (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dem councillors back bigger & better new library!

January 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Islington's new N4 library is bigger and better than its predecessor, the Arthur Simpson library, according to Lib Dem councillors who were shown round the new library yesterday afternoon (Monday). The new £1m modern library has double the amount of books and library stock. It also has more PC's, free Internet access with help on hand with English, Maths, Computers and other skills, has longer opening hours and a bigger selection of new books, CDs, DVDs and videos. Following the completion of the new library, no one in Islington will live more than three quarters of a mile from one of Islington's nine public libraries. Islington's Mayor Doreen Scott, who is in a wheelchair, was also given the guided tour of the new library which is set to open soon. This wouldn't have been possible in the Arthur Simpson library, which did not have full disabled access. Lib Dem Cllr Fiona Dunlop, who visited the new library said: "This new library will be a valued resource for local people. Where most local authorities like Labour Hackney and Haringey are closing their libraries, we're spending £1 million on a new one, with extra books, computers and more staff on hand." "It's always difficult to make changes but we've replaced an older, outdated library without full disabled access, with a state of the art modern library which serves the needs of Islington much better. It will also be much easier to find out about learning opportunities and courses available because it's attached to a lifelong learning centre. Islington's Mayor Doreen Scott adds: "This library will be much more easy for disabled people to use and it will be a much needed boost to the local area."