Toxteth...probably the best library in the world

By John Owen - 24/8/2012
Photos by Alice Lenkiewicz

The Nerve Centre libraries tour kicked off at Toxteth library on Saturday, August 18th. This event brought together many people, many cultures and many voices with different talents. We grooved, listened and discussed on all floors. Packed like a holiday suitcase with as many possible under one roof. Great stuff!

Artists, poets, performers, painters, musicians, community activists and speakers came together to weave a beautiful tapestry of life as it is now in Toxteth. Showing deeply and passionately that they will not take cuts, to their service lying down. But back to the future, serious fun with childish adults and children alike enjoying face painting on a gloriously sunny perfect oh what a perfect day. Fun and frolics aplenty, for all. No sand, but under the bike stand a beach?

Inside the library visitors were treated to the chilled voice of poets, two films in the basement (on Cuba coped with US blockade of basic foodstuffs and fuel, and the black music scene in 70s Liverpool), with director Bea freeman on hand for questions.

Musicians were cranking it up, with Bolshy, a youthful ska punk band setting the tone with their laidback groove and upbeat skank rhythms. They were followed by solo vocalist Iris, a lyrical virtuoso, meanwhile inside more poems floated across the books and a painter called Ossie Jones began sketching a portrait. His work was offered as a raffle, with free tickets having been given upon entering the library.

Philosophy and much controversy and debate resounded in the downstairs of the building, fortunately refreshments were also there. On the walls, art showing pictures by local artist David Jacques whose work was about allotment space for trauma treatment, and Nerve cover regular John O’Neil.

To me the highlight was the building and staff that carried on a normal day's work with all this going on and never once complained, doing nothing but extend a hand of friendship to people who’d basically took over the building. Local users seemed intrigued by the goings on. Roll on the Wavertree library road show.

The next Nerve Centre event is at the Wavertree Library on 29th September 2012. Watch this space for more info.

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