Visitors to the award-winning North City Library are snapping up the chance to capture their passion for it on camera.
The 'I Love NCL' community digital photography project is encouraging enthusiasts of the ultra-modern library in Harpurhey to create an image of their favourite feature - whether it's the bright blue photovoltaic cells which give the building its distinctive appearance, an intriguing view or simply a comfortable chair.
The building, shared with MANCAT's North Manchester Sixth Form College, has won national recognition including an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects who labelled it 'inspiring.'
It is not only experts it has found favour with, though. The new library proved so popular that visitor figures for its first year shot up more than 500 per cent from the previous year's figures for the area's former facilities.
Those who own a digital camera can take part in the photography project at any time while anyone who doesn't can borrow one from the library by arrangement. A series of workshops are taking place to give would-be digital photographers a few pointers. Anyone who goes along can also learn about other photography and art courses available in the area.
Already scores of striking images have been contributed and can be viewed at free photograph sharing website http://www.flickr.com/groups/ilovencl North City library staff can show visitors how to access them.
Margaret Horsfield, of Windsor Road, Harpurhey, took part in the first workshop with her husband Alan and contributed a number of images including an amusing shot of a teddy bear perched next to a computer on a library worker's desk.
She said: "We decided to go along to learn a bit more about digital photography and really enjoyed it. We concentrated on taking unusual shots - there's a lot you don't see until you look for it. The library looks really good and I'd definitely recommend the workshops to other people."
Councillor Mike Kane, Executive Member for Culture and Arts, said: "The key to North City Library's popularity has been its welcoming, inclusive atmosphere as well as its striking design. This project sees all those elements coming together and I'm sure regular library visitors will be keen to put the rest of the city in the picture about the outstanding asset they have."
Many of the best images will be permanently displayed in the library on a stunning collage. A celebration event for those who have taken part will be held on a date to be announced.
All workshops take place at North City Library. Forthcoming dates are: Thursday 13 September: 5-7pm Thursday 20 September: 5-7pm Thursday 27 September: 5-7pm Saturday 6 October: 1-3pm
Anyone interested in taking part who wants more information should contact either Sue Lawson on 0161 908 1902 (e-mail s.lawson@manchester.gov.uk) or Sam Davies 0161 219 6445 (e-mail s.davies7@manchester.gov.uk).
Media contact:
Roger Williams, Tel: 0161 234 3275