The Library Plaque

This plaque, which is rather hard to read in this light, is on the wall just inside Garston "Library and One Stop Shop" and commemorates its opening in 1909, thanks to the "munificence" of Andrew Carnegie. Some 3 and a half years ago I featured the eleven local libraries in Liverpool that were threatened with closure. Amazingly, all are still open (as far as I know, at least), albeit many have changed considerably- by diversifying, reducing hours, reducing staff etc etc. It must be so hard to work for a service that is continually under threat, and that certainly remains true today given the continuing cuts to local government funding. "Footfall" is used as a key indicator of their worth and value and I couldn't but wonder whether it might not be sensible to concentrate even more on providing an exciting service to those with the smallest feet, who are yet to own a mobile device.