Staff photo

We have started to receive copies of some of the official photographs taken on open day. Seen above are some of the staff just before the library opened. In the front row, from left to right are Chris Edwards, Sian Jones, Sandra Wildsmith and Alison Singleton along with Margaret, Jill, Andrea, Paula, Therese, June, Alison, Yvonne, Collette, Donna, Zoe, Clare, Angela, Katherine, Marie, Julian, Gillian, Danielle, Janine, Tina, Gavin and Dylan.

Group photo on steps

The photo above was taken on the steps of the Town Hall building just before the library opened. The mayor takes centre stage, along with Vale councillors and chief officers. The photo also includes the architects David Caird and Martin Taylor. Most of the staff who worked on opening day are here too.

Architects

Architects Martin Taylor and David Caird on opening day.

Alun Pugh

The minister forCulture and Sport, Alun Pugh, visited the library and exhibition area today and was given a tour by Sian Jones and Margaret Alexander.

Art wall

This is the first sight of the art work produced by pupils at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. The graffiti board is still at the school but we will be arranging for it to be collected and brought to the library and installed in the next few days. Seen above are Bryce and the pupils who have produced the work.

Visit by the First Minister

Rhodri Morgan and Jane Hutt visited the library today and were greeted by Margaret Alexander the council leader, and the mayor Nic Hodges. Sian led a tour of the library, pointed out all the new facilities and interesting design features, and explained all the new services we are able to provide in the building. The visitors seemed impressed and took time to chat to staff and customers. One of the visitors was overheard to say that this was the best library in Wales but we are far too modest to attribute such a quote. We'll add a few official photographs when we get them.

Noddy and Snow White

Our special visitors, Snow White and Noddy, led a Clap Tap party for our smallest customers today. They were a little surprised at their own popularity, not quite expecting nearly 50 babies and toddlers to show up with their parents. Maggie and Gillian enjoyed their costumes so much they did a tour of the library and stopped to wave to people at the bus stop.

Clap Tap

First children's event

The honour of being the first writer to visit the library and talk to children goes to Cat Weatherill. Cat is a storyteller and author who has written two children’s books called Barkbelly and Snowbone. She came for the day and preformed and number of traditional Welsh tales for the children of Barry. Some of the children appear in the photo with Cat Weatherill above, along with Gillian Southby, Children's Librarian.

First through the door....

Inside the library it was more like the January sales as the first visitors streamed through the doors. Over 3000 people visited in the first few hours and many of them stayed all afternoon. We welcomed many of our most dedicated customers who returned the piles of books they took out in November. Over 100 new customers joined. Other visitors used the computer facilities or sat down with a newspaper. The children's and youth areas were heaving with children and young people looking at the books, using computers and watching t.v.

The Lolfa

The newpaper area proved popular

Computer users

61 library members logged on to internet in the first few hours of opening. The library now has a wireless network and we know of at least one customers who brought his laptop to try this out.

Press coverage

The press were in attendance. The BBC filmed a t.v. news report which was broadcast on the main evening news on S4C. The Barry and District News reported on the event and the South Wales Echo sent Peter Collins and a photographer. The Barry Gem had the best coverage of photographs but these are not available online.

The Big Day

The library opened at 2 pm following a speech by the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Nic Hodges. The speech was given at the exhibition entrance on the square to avoid any congestion on Ty-Newydd road. This was a wise decision given the number of people that gathered to wait for the doors to open.

Philip John Community Room

The Philip John Community Room was opened by Councillor Neil Gibbs and Sue Rushton. Sue is the daughter of Philip John, a previous Barry librarian who spent 45 years working to develop the service at Barry.

Red ribbon

Councillors and officers were invited to view the library before the main doors were open to the public. A speech was given by the mayor and the chief executive. The mayor then cut the ribbon between the exhibition centre and the library to declare the library open.

Final touches

The final day before we opened was hectic. Vale carpenters completed work in the staff room and hung framed photographs in the old part of the building. Staff received final training throughout the day and tidied posters and leaflets put out for display. Gavin checked the set-up on the print kiosks. Rivermeade arrived to erect directional signs, including signs next to the lift and at the foot of the stairs. Plescon switched on the book security units and tested the self-issue machine. The day was not complete until Blackboxav arrived to installed one of two information screens at 7pm. The second screen will be installed at the library entrance window sometime in the next few weeks.