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GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY
Photograph
by Patrick Trollope
THE biggest government-backed library development in the country has been given the green light.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has awarded Liverpool City Council more than £31.5 million through PFI to revamp Central Library on William Brown Street, and transform it by the time the city is European Capital of Culture 2008.
The scheme will see a radical remodeling of the Central Library that will preserve the heritage of the building, and include a stunning new entrance, 18,000 square metre library and space for 250 public computers - double the present number.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture,
said:- "We are set to open a new chapter in the Central Library story, and I am absolutely delighted.
By 2008, we will have a 21st Century library and archive with the Walker Art Gallery, new museum and the refurbished St George's Hall all within a stones throw of each other - and located within a World Heritage site! No other city can offer as much culture on one street."
Once completed, the Central Library will become one of the key buildings in the city's World Heritage site, with customer numbers expected to rise from 600,000 to over 1 million a year.
Previously, the city council had only secured enough PFI 'credits' to fund part of the rebuilding, with the remaining money dependant upon a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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Alive with the sound of music!
PENKETH High School will be alive with the sound of music when eight school's come together to mark the end of the Warrington Voices project next week.
The project began, in Penketh in Warrington, in September 2003 and included pupils from with most of the primary schools in the area.
Each of the schools has been stretching their vocal chords ready to perform some Christmas tunes on December 4 to representatives from the school and parents.
The Warrington Voices project will continue for four years, within which time the Warrington Music Service will work with all Years 5 and 7 children in Warrington. The project has provided school staff with a valuable opportunity to develop their choral skills, which can be used with other children.
Council Appeal for Music
PEOPLE across Liverpool are being asked to rummage in their attic to help the city's next generation of musical maestros!
Liverpool City Council is launching an appeal for unwanted musical instruments to be donated to the city's schoolchildren to help them develop their talent.
Dusty double basses, redundant recorders and even grubby grand pianos are all wanted in reasonable condition to be donated to schools across the city.
The instruments will be distributed to promising performers to hone their skills at home, as well as perfecting their craft at school.
Liverpool is recognised by education inspectors, HMI, as one of the top three music support services in the country.
Councillor Paul Clein, executive member for education, said:- "Liverpool has a wonderful musical tradition and we want to make sure that continues by giving every child the chance to learn an instrument at home as well as at school.
We are leading the way in supporting the next generation of musical talent in Liverpool and this appeal will help us to continue to do so.
If the 21st Century Mozart is out there, we must do everything we can to help them realise their potential."
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