Staff from Coventry’s Central Library will be holding a vigil outside the council house today in a last ditch effort to persuade councillors to stop public toilets being installed in place of the information centre.

They are to reaffirm their opposition to the plan before the scrutiny board monitoring the scheme meets to decide whether the plans should be given the go-ahead.

The board put the decision on hold after insisting that staff and users be consulted over the scheme.

But in a statement issued today, staff say they have not been consulted over the feasibility of the plan.

The statement says:

“Whilst recognising the demand for extra toilets in the city centre, library staff believe this should not be at the expense of a well-used existing information service.

“The service receives 110,000 visitors a year with more than 33,000 enquires per year.

“Quite apart from losing the centre this plan has huge implication for the library service as a whole, including loss of a fire escape, access to library services and the health and safety of customers and staff.

“Each council has legal responsibility to ensure that its citizens have access to the best learning and information services.

“Birmingham City Council is currently planning to enhance their already impressive central library.

“Meanwhile Coventry City Council is planning to turn the ground floor of the central library in Smithford Way into a major public toilet.

“What does this say about our council’s commitment to public library services, accessible information and education resources, the public who use them and the people that work in libraries?”

SEE: [08 NOV 00] LIBRARY STAFF PAN COUNCIL'S TOILETS PLAN