What should be done with Sheffield Central Library?

The Star, Sheffield

We asked: 'What should be done with Sheffield Central Library?'

Transcript

00:00Could you tell me what you think they should do with the library on Tudor Square?

00:06Well, I think the library should remain open.

00:09I have a real passion for libraries.

00:12I came from a family that didn't have very many books,

00:15so most of my childhood was spent borrowing books from my local library.

00:20So I think it should be kept as a library.

00:23I've been doing some work actually,

00:26some drama and dance work with a drama group in the Graves Art Gallery,

00:31and we noticed not that many people come through,

00:34that, you know, it's not very busy.

00:37And for me it's a shame that the cafe is shut.

00:41I understand that was ten years ago.

00:43So I suppose one of my other answers to your question,

00:46a long way around about it,

00:48is to build some cafe on the side

00:52or something that will attract people into the library.

00:56Because at the moment it just seems to be

00:58the handful of people who are interested in going into the library

01:01and into the gallery.

01:05I think it ought to stay as it is as a library.

01:09It's served the city for many years as a library,

01:12and I would like it to stay like that.

01:14I know in the past there's been plans for it to become an hotel,

01:17all sorts of things.

01:18It'd be nice to stay as a library.

01:20Keep it as a library for children.

01:22Yeah.

01:23I think that, yeah.

01:25There's been talk of things like hotels as well,

01:27do you think that would be unsuitable?

01:29No.

01:30I think there's plenty of hotels in town centre.

01:32I think we need a library just for children,

01:34somewhere for people to bring the kids and read stories and stuff.

01:38Yeah.

01:39I think I'd like to see it still be a library

01:41or something with public use.

01:43It's such a beautiful building,

01:45it'd be a shame to make it something boring or private.

01:48I'd like the people of Sheffield to be able to use it still

01:51for something useful.

01:52I don't think they should do anything with it.

01:54I think it needs to remain a public building

01:56for the use of the people of Sheffield as a library.

01:59It's still a public space,

02:01but obviously if it was having to be sold on by the council,

02:04then maybe a very luxurious hotel,

02:08something very high-end,

02:10because there doesn't seem to be anything like that at the moment.

02:12People tend to go to Kenwood Hotel,

02:15which is a bit dilapidated.

02:17Obviously there's the new Radisson,

02:19but I don't think that's mega high-end either.

02:22So yeah, really luxurious hotel.

02:24More baby and toddler groups would be great.

02:28This would be great.

02:29This would be great.

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