Redland Library open hours extended to cover Clifton Library closure

color:#2A2A2A;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Libraries are great aren’t they? A

wealth of information there to borrow, a place to go and read in peace or

somewhere to use the internet/printer when yours is bust.

Curiously, Redland Library is situated

right next to Clifton Down Shopping Centre but still – it’s spitting distance

from the majority of Redland so that’s no big problem.

Now, as the actual Clifton library undergoes a much needed refurbishment, Redland will be open for longer

to cater for Cliftonites who need the services of a local library.

A spokesman for Bristol City Council

said: “Clifton Library is set to undergo a major £120,000 refurbishment. Work will

start in September, which means the library will be temporarily closed while

the transformation takes place. The library closes on Friday 10th Sept and is set

to reopen on Weds 5th Jan.

“Library services at Redland will be available during the closure and

Redland will be opening for additional hours on Wednesdays from 9.30-5pm

from Weds Sept 15th, whilst Clifton library is closed.”

This is bound to be a challenge for

the tiny Redland Library, which has a miniscule entrance/exit and looks more

like a village church hall than a treasure trove of books. But I reckon they

can cope. If it's too busy there's always the Cheltenham Road Library at the other end of Redland.

After all figures show library usage

is declining, no doubt another spin off of the internet revolution. Still, I

say you can’t beat going into an actual library and physically handling an old

book which has given so many people so much joy/knowledge/power...as the Manic

Street Preachers say in their opening gambit to their hit song A Design For

Life – Libraries Gave Us Power!