In Liverpool: On National Libraries Day

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Well where else would I go on such a day?
I’ve spent the last couple of Saturdays working in my local library. I love to go there when I want to really concentrate on writing something. I love too the serendipity of finding what I didn’t even know I was looking for when accidentally sat next to an unfamiliar bit of library. These are sacred places.
But today I decided on a change. Decided I’d get the bus down to Liverpool Central Library. The new camera’s not been there yet so is naturally keen on a good look round.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Off the bus at Lewis’s. Its endless renovation continues.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Lime Street looking particularly forlorn on a slate grey day.

Don’t worry, we are walking towards the library. I’m ‘putting it in context!’
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Past the old ABC Cinema.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Towards St George’s Hall.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Past St John’s Market which appears to have been invaded by aggressive plastic bags..

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Here the blue beast of Liverpool’s ugliest structure broadcasting all day at the beauty of St George.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Imperiously ignored by Albert.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And Victoria. Can you really ride a horse like that without falling off?

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417While Jack Jones watches the imperialists from a distance.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Walking down towards the Tunnel.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Here it is. Liverpool Central Library.

Said by some to be our third Cathedral.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417In we go.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Everyone passes here at the entrance to look up from their lives.

And of course many take that photograph.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Even now it’s been reopened a couple of years I find it impossible not to gaze around me in wonder.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Heaven with books.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Floor upon floor of them.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And see those people on the left?

They’re librarians and you simply can’t run something like this without them. This is not the bookshelves at the back of an Oxfam. Cheerfully stocked by willing volunteers.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417This is one of the greatest libraries on Earth.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417The place where we keep the stories.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And store our dreams.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Where we make up our futures.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417From all that we’ve learned.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417A place where all of the books are precious.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417A library.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417A particularly magnificent one it must be said.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417But a library like any other library.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Where one discovery will lead you to another.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Higher and higher…

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And higher we go.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Not quite at the top yet.

We’ve reached Liverpool’s main Storehouse of our Memories.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417The Liverpool Record Office.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Here are the records.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Many stored in miniature.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And the maps of where we lived.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Liverpool the last one, Runcorn this one. The Castle at Castlefields.

Here are also the precious books of our place.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Well done ‘Hidden Liverpool’ – in a place of honour.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Mind you it’s strange some of the buildings that have been honoured here.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417The Royal Liverpool received its own architectural monograph?

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417One more floor to go.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417I came up here last year to talk about the future of our libraries.

We know know they’ll all be kept open somehow. But we still await details of how. And in some cases, who by. I’m watching carefully as we all are.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417But now, out onto the roof.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Where there is company.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Looking down along Victoria Street.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Towards the river.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Across St John’s Gardens.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And coming closer.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Down at St George’s Hall.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Where we are is a mixture of a new central building and restored and reopened older buildings.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Time to go down now.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417I was here.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Wise words always relevant.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Beyond the books there are always more books.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Sarah’s book displayed next to Elton John’s. She’ll be delighted.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417On the way down.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417People on computers and iPads all around me.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Someone else comes in and takes the photograph we all take.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417In this magnificent place.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417This place of wonder.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Where our history is written on the wall.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Our future is just through there.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And our present is the campaign of the week.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417I could stay here forever.

And most night’s the library’s open late, unlike the local ones now we have the gift of austerity dumped on us. But on Saturday even here closes at five. So I walk through town to get the bus home.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Past the names of the 96.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Nearly always flowers here for one of them.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Through the darkening streets.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Curlers in ready for Saturday night.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417The corporate lights beam down on the shoppers.

I go into no shops myself. As ever, I don’t feel the need.
https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417A gaming machine set up on the street. People in comfy chairs playing imaginary football.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417The strange half-world of Liverpool One.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417Out near the river.

https://asenseofplaceblog.files.word...pg?w=625&h=417And there’s my bus. Home to write this.

On National Libraries Day, long may they thrive.
Recommended article: Chomsky: We Are All – Fill in the Blank.
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