Desperation

Liverpool Central Library has installed gymn equipment alongside its bookcases according to this report from 24dash.com :
www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=2&newsID=8810

In an attempt to throw off their old stereotyped image libraries are forgetting the importance of what in marketing terms is known as brand-marketing and are prepared to try any gimmick to get people through the doors - but the simple truth is that for years library bookstocks have been cut across the country, staffing reduced, libraries closed (with more closure announcements every month) - there is a simple statistical correlation between the running down of the library service and the falling numbers of users.

Ex-Waterstones' boss Tim Coates has made himself very unpopular in some library quarters by campaigning on this issue, but he is getting wide-spread support from Library users - his blog is becoming essential daily reading:
www.goodlibraryguide.com/blog/