02/08/10…..A new era for Thame library

BY 1pm today, 477 people had passed through the doors of Thame’s new, state-of-the-art library in North Street, to see for themselves what they had waited for for over ten years.

And they were not disappointed. Hundreds of books, attractively displayed, sofa and chairs to sit on, coffee and tea making machines, internet access, helpful staff and a self-service checking out system for books make this the most modern library in Oxfordshire.

In the afternnon, author and illustrator, Shoo Rayner, the originator of such characters as Ricky Rocket and Vic the Viking, talked about how he came to re-write the Just So stories after a middle-of-the-night epiphany, after his own children had rejected Kiplings tales. His reading of his own story, How the Whale got his throat, was both funny and enspiring for both the children and the adults who sat up in the mezanine floor which includes teenage fiction.

John Ansell, spokesperson for The Friends of Thame Library, who have done so much to fight for Thame’s new library, said: “We are delighted to see what an excellent job Oxfordshire Libraries have made of the new Thame branch. The new building is a tremendous improvement in terms of space and its much more central location in the town. The building capitalises on natural light and is colourful and welcoming; it should be an asset to Thame for many years to come.”

Beatrice Dobie of the Friends added that it was wonderful to see all the work and effort over many years come to fruition.

The North Street library’s opening hours will be 9.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays, except Wednesdays when it will be closed and Thursdays when it will open at 9am and not shut until 7pm, and 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturdays.

PHOTO: Shoo Rayner reads from his book, How the whale got his throat.