Shrewsbury Library invites the neighbours over

Shrewsbury Library, the largest of Shropshire County Council’s 22 libraries, is inviting the neighbours over for drinks, music and a tour of its historic but lively building on the evening of Thursday 22 November.

Over the past couple of weeks library staff have been dropping into local shops and businesses giving out invitations. This has included taking the library to the workplace with a display and books to borrow in Marks & Spencer’s staff canteen, featured on BBC Radio Shropshire. Existing library customers are also invited next Thursday evening, and are being encouraged to bring a friend who is not already a library member.

Hundreds of people live and work within 5 minutes walk of Shrewsbury Library. Many of them are regular customers, but there will be some that have never been inside. It is a beautiful building with a lot of history, and behind its imposing exterior there is a bright modern interior with a warm welcome and lots of activity and choice for everyone.

Elaine Moss, Principal Librarian for Shrewsbury, said: “This is a busy town library with around 5,000 books, DVDs and CDs borrowed every week, but I’m sure there are local people who will never have been inside. So, this is an opportunity for people to come in and have a look round, meet the staff and see what’s on offer. Above all it is a reminder that the library is a free service for everyone – it costs nothing to borrow a book.”

0n a typical day, you may find 30 children and their parents enjoying a Toddler Tales session in the Children’s Library, people using computers for free access to the Internet, others browsing the piles of new bestselling paperbacks, or relaxing with a coffee and today’s paper.

It is very simple to join the library these days, and avoiding fines has never been easier with a 24-hour renewal service and the opportunity to renew online. Thousands of people also now browse the catalogue, order and renew books, CDs or DVDs in the comfort of their own homes on the website. You can even join online and request books straight away.

Barbara Craig, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “Shrewsbury has a beautiful, welcoming library on people’s doorsteps in the centre of town. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has not been in there recently to join our many satisfied users and see what’s on offer. You’ll not be disappointed!”

16 November 2007