Something to Shout About

Gary Powell and Taufaaso Filise of the Cardiff Blues visited the library today as part of the month long Something to Shout About campaign across libraries in Wales. The library was packed with children on their half term holiday and also with a good number of parents and olther adults waiting to see which rugby players would show up. The crowd were not disappointed and it took the best part of an hour for the players to sign autographs and answer questions before they could get a look at the building and speak to staff. We'll add some professional photos of the players to the blog when we received them.

The library has now been open 7 weeks and during this time we've attracted almost 50,000 visitors and enroled 1300 new library members. We issued 21,801 books in our first month and this works out as over 350 more per day than the same period last year. Staff don't need statistics to tell them we've been very busy and I think we can rightly claim the building and the service to be a hit.

As well as the Blues we also had Zoolabs in the library today with their hissing coackroaches and other less than cuddly creatures. This was one of many activities running in the County library and across all our libraries in the Vale during half term.

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.