Calls to see Southend Library preserved (From Southend Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
Calls to see Southend Library preserved
2:00pm Wednesday 28th November 2012 in Southend
A PROFESSIONAL musician has backed calls for Southend Central Library to remain as a cultural centre rather than see it demolished once the town’s new £27million library opens.
Jazz trumpeter Digby Fairweather wants the Seventies building to be preserved and used as an art gallery, exhibition space and concert venue.
The library will transfer to The Forum library, which is being built on the site of the former Farringdon car park, off Elmer Avenue, in August 2013.
The building, which will feature research facilities, an art gallery, lecture theatres and a huge television screen for public screenings of theatre and art shows, is being jointly funded by Southend Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College who will share the building.
Mr Fairweather, a former librarian at Central Library from 1965 -77 before his musical career took off, said: ”The library was only built 40 years ago it is a beautiful building and extremely versatile. It seems profligate that it could be going under the hammer.
“It would be a waste of money and space to flatten it. It could be used a social centre for cultural purposes and should be listed.”
He also questioned how suitable it is to have a public library and academic libraries housed together.
He added; “They have very different aims and objectives. An educational library doesn’t provide enough information, education and recreation for the public.
“Libraries are very important and people must use them. The internet is a valuable development but it is a cheap substitute for a library and the 700 years of culture they record.”
Labour councillor Julian Ware-Lane, who represents Milton ward, has called for the building to be listed and wants it preserved for the community.
Cabinet member for culture Derek Jarvis said no decision had yet been made about Central Library nor any branch library and urged people to take part in the review of the service.
He said: “Once the service has transferred, Central Library will be a council asset and it is being assessd what it could be used for.
“I have a fond hope that it will continue to be used for something within my cultural portfolio. It is a big building but is unsuited to modern needs of a library.
“It could be something comes forward quite different to what we have imagined and we have to consider everything.”
He denied a public and college library were not suited adding that the resources available for residents will be double what they are now. To take part in the library review visit www.southend.gov.uk
Comments(16)
GrumpyofLeigh
says...
4:59pm Wed 28 Nov 12
rhowes
says...
5:39pm Wed 28 Nov 12
We should support this iconic building for many more years.
Shoebury_Cyclist
says...
5:50pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Eric Whim
says...
5:57pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Joe Wildman
says...
6:51pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:I take it you shall not be using the new library then.
Yes the Central Library should be preserved. Moving it to the uni to be filled with students to the detriment of the public was a shameful decision.
The current building has not got the best accoustics so using it for music would be problematical, arts might work but you would have to find enough people wanting to use it as studios to warrent the cost of converting it into such a use.
I can't see it working as a replacement to the Beecroft Art Gallery, there are a lot of windows which would need changing to eliminate any UV light damage to the paintings.
Olivia2847
says...
7:15pm Wed 28 Nov 12
Joe Wildman wrote:Very good comments but for the council they will have there fingers in their ears and be thinking about how they could get a top up for the trough ....
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:I take it you shall not be using the new library then.
Yes the Central Library should be preserved. Moving it to the uni to be filled with students to the detriment of the public was a shameful decision.
The current building has not got the best accoustics so using it for music would be problematical, arts might work but you would have to find enough people wanting to use it as studios to warrent the cost of converting it into such a use.
I can't see it working as a replacement to the Beecroft Art Gallery, there are a lot of windows which would need changing to eliminate any UV light damage to the paintings.
Nebs
says...
9:28pm Wed 28 Nov 12
abd123
says...
7:37am Thu 29 Nov 12
Broadwaywatch
says...
10:55am Thu 29 Nov 12
Shoebury_Cyclist wrote:The college I understand has a whole floor, the length of the college building as a library with computers etc. But by releasing that floor creates more space for more courses thus more students plus more money which in time, I believe, will offset the colleges financial contribution to the new library. It would seem a case of sow and reap.
Yes the Central Library should be preserved. Moving it to the uni to be filled with students to the detriment of the public was a shameful decision.
madmax1
says...
12:46pm Thu 29 Nov 12
clairella
says...
1:34pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Who knows how it work until it happens, but lets not be negative before it opens. A lot of people have worked hard to bring this together. It is going to happen, so let's all get behind it and support it :-)
rhowes
says...
2:23pm Thu 29 Nov 12
clairella
says...
2:32pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Joe Wildman
says...
3:05pm Thu 29 Nov 12
clairella wrote:Good point about moaning about it before it is even open, people should remember that the French did not want the Eiffel Tower to start with...
Mr Fairweather questions whether public and academic libraries should b housed together........they will actually have their own floor in the building.
Who knows how it work until it happens, but lets not be negative before it opens. A lot of people have worked hard to bring this together. It is going to happen, so let's all get behind it and support it :-)
As has been said if you don't like it donlt use it, it really is that simple.
perini
says...
3:32pm Thu 29 Nov 12
Joe Wildman wrote:It's not really that simple when you consider the multi-million pounds of local tax payers hard earned has been poured into it! Unnecessarily so some might say!!
clairella wrote: Mr Fairweather questions whether public and academic libraries should b housed together........they will actually have their own floor in the building. Who knows how it work until it happens, but lets not be negative before it opens. A lot of people have worked hard to bring this together. It is going to happen, so let's all get behind it and support it :-)Good point about moaning about it before it is even open, people should remember that the French did not want the Eiffel Tower to start with... As has been said if you don't like it donlt use it, it really is that simple.
GlenEckett says...
2:42pm Wed 28 Nov 12
I work at the Uni and see the building progress at the Forum out of the window every day, and I think it will be a great replacement. And if what Derek Jarvis is saying about the resident resources being doubled, this can only be a good thing and will hopefully encourage plenty of use from the public as well as students.