Central library closure

[Bob Arctor]

I think a lot of people wouldn't be so against the hotel business, if the council had announced it in a sensible way. "We'd like to replace your library with a modern facility, based at X or Y or Z. We hope it might look like this (show a mock up), and have these features...".

 

As usual, they can't win us over because they're unwilling or unable to properly put forward a coherent plan.

 

I guess they are testing the water. But they do need to come up with a proper plan now for a replacement library building. Hopefully the Amey debacle will help here, the Council are on the back foot and need to be careful about what they do next.

[feargal]

Feels like what the tories do when in government, they suggest something and if there's a huge backlash they drop it. It is like a really rubbish referendum. If they had done plans and then dropped it we'd complain Because they'd wasted money getting that far.

 

True of course, but at least we'd have summat to moan about! Its not as though planning is a key part of the groundwork for such a large negotiation or anything, and someone surely must have covered it already. Oh... Hang on... yeah, its the council.

[Hopman]

The important point is that any new venue must replicate the facilities already at the Central Library. As long as the facilities are retained, then the loss of a building is no big matter. We need the new library to contain a new Library Theatre for community use.

 

I wonder if the Victoria Hall would sell their site for a new modern library building?

[Alcoblog]

Looking on the bright side, at least if the library is cobbled together (if it's the same builders who've done the Moor) to make the new Graves Hotel/The Graves, there'll still be a use for some of the old books.

[taxman]

I think a lot of people wouldn't be so against the hotel business, if the council had announced it in a sensible way. "We'd like to replace your library with a modern facility, based at X or Y or Z. We hope it might look like this (show a mock up), and have these features...".

 

As usual, they can't win us over because they're unwilling or unable to properly put forward a coherent plan.

 

Unfortunately this council (and every other council in the last 20 years, and all the full time officials who get over£100k a year) have been so **** nobody will trust them with anything. They've proved to be inept again and again and again. Small little people, with no experience, shafted by a massive Spanish multinational...with no come back..and no say so. What sort of cretin agrees to 25 year contracts that take money from council tax payers and give it to private companies?

[hackey lad]

Unfortunately this council (and every other council in the last 20 years, and all the full time officials who get over£100k a year) have been so **** nobody will trust them with anything. They've proved to be inept again and again and again. Small little people, with no experience, shafted by a massive Spanish multinational...with no come back..and no say so. What sort of cretin agrees to 25 year contracts that take money from council tax payers and give it to private companies?

 

I know taxmen a generally disliked but well said

[Den Den]

The council's Capital Programme for 2016/17-2021/22 makes interesting reading on pages 4/5 where it states that the objective (re. Central Library) "will be to provide a refurbished and improved central library and gallery facility to meet modern requirements, while maintaining the heritage value of the existing building." !!

[philyyy]

The council's Capital Programme for 2016/17-2021/22 makes interesting reading on pages 4/5 where it states that the objective (re. Central Library) "will be to provide a refurbished and improved central library and gallery facility to meet modern requirements, while maintaining the heritage value of the existing building." !!

 

Don't be confusing peeople with information.

[harvey19]

I found it strange when it was decided to spend money on refurbishing the Sheffield Archives building.

Why wasn't Sheffield Archives incorporated into the Central Library building.

It would have incorporated the Archives and Local Studies Library in one building enabling more efficient and effective access for researchers.

[carol-60]

John George Graves (1866–1945) was a successful English entrepreneur and public benefactor. He became Sheffield's Lord Mayor and an Alderman in 1926 and he was given Freedom of the City in 1929. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1866 and died in 1945, after having settled in Sheffield.

Graves moved to Sheffield to become an apprentice watchmaker. He set up one of Britain's first mail order businesses, selling first watches and then a wide range of goods. The company employed, at its peak, 3,000 people in Sheffield and had an annual turnover of £1m. The company was absorbed by Great Universal Stores after Graves' death.

A keen art collector, Graves donated nearly £60,000 towards the development of art galleries in Sheffield, including Sheffield Central Library, the Graves Art Gallery and the Mappin Art Gallery. He also contributed hundreds of pictures from his private collection. Between 1902 and his death in 1945, Graves lived at Riverdale House in the Ranmoor area of Sheffield.

Graves donated over £1 million to Sheffield, including the establishment of Sheffield University's Student Union. Part of the Union building is known as the "Graves Building". He also made gifts of land to the city, including Graves Park, Ecclesall Woods, Tinsley playing fields, Concord Park and Blacka Moor. The J. G. Graves Trust, a charitable trust set up in his name, exists to the present day.