A Liverpool library is the UK’s only on in Britain to been chosen as part of the ‘Window of Shanghai’ programme, receiving 500 books from the Chinese city.
Liverpool is the only UK city with a full exhibit at the 2010 World Expo which starts in Shanghai in May.
Liverpool’s Window of Shanghai collection is unveiled as part of Toxteth library’s official re-opening after a £1.3m refurbishment funded by The Big Lottery Fund.
To celebrate the re-opening, the library - which services Europe’s oldest Chinese community and has nearly a 1,000 regular Chinese customers - is hosting a special ‘Through the Eye of The Tiger’ party.
The community event, which also forms part of Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebrations, kicks off at 1.00pm on Wednesday (20th Feb) with activities ranging from food tasting, planting, face painting, story telling, poetry and music both inside and outside the library until 8.00pm.
Shanghai, which has been twinned with Liverpool since 2000, launched its book programme in 2003 to promote Chinese culture and has now established connections with 150 libraries in 20 countries.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Liverpool’s Chinese community plays a hugely important role in the dynamic make-up of our city and the new-look Toxteth Library will be a fantastic asset for them and countless others.
"I’m sure the Window of Shanghai collection will be greatly treasured by our customers at Toxteth. It is a hugely welcome boost to Liverpool’s cultural connections with Shanghai and China and will further cement good relations with our twin city in the run up to the World Expo there in May.’’
The £1.3m grant from the Big Lottery Fund enabled the restoration of many Edwardian features at Toxteth Library, such as the original sash windows and radiators, along with the creation of new study areas, meeting rooms, exhibition space, a refreshment area and performance space. It has also funded two outreach workers to work in the Toxteth community for the next three years.
The library, on Windsor Street, is managed by Liverpool City Council’s Library and Information Services, also has new computers and Wi-Fi internet access installed throughout, while adding many new books to its collection.
Toxteth is the 17th community library in Liverpool to have been refurbished or redeveloped in the past ten years.
Helen Bullough, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the North West, said: “Libraries sit at the heart of our communities so are ideally placed to host a range of important local services. The Big Lottery Fund has invested over £12.9 million to improve libraries in the North West, enabling them to offer a range of services beyond their traditional role, including advice, education and training.
“It’s fantastic to see the new and improved library in Toxteth and I’m sure it will become a hub for activities in the area.”
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