Species of Spaces

On the 21st April 2009 I was given a 1-day brief and some accompanying reading material, and we were asked to go to an environment and record through writing the everyday of that environment.

The destination I was given was Stockport Central Public Library, and so for an hour I sat, observed and recorded my surroundings. I realised that even though there wasn't alot going on, I started to question and look further into the few things that were taking place, for example: why are the receptionists talking loudly when its a library? and why do those women get to have cups of tea, are they special members? I wonder how long these people have been here for? and so on.
Here is what I came up with:

"As I walk in I smell the type of scent you smell when you walk into an old building, like a murky wood smell. Then I enter the second door and I can smell the paper, a new book smell. I see shelves upon shelves of books, some shelves positioned at a perpendicular angle. The library is not quiet. I can hear typing from people on the computers and most of them are young. I think that they are students. One is looking at a website with images of cars, the other is writing an email. Who is he writing to? He looks in deep thought, I think it might be of some importance but then he briskly switches to Facebook. An older looking gentleman next to him is on Facebook too so it is not just us youngens then that use this site.

The receptionists are loud – I thought they are the ones that are supposed to keep us quiet. They look happy and one of them just cracked a joke. There are a group of women behind me who are in deep discussion about a woman who “followed him round for years”. They are discussing a novel, however, this quickly switches to poetry. Their table is covered with books and pots of tea. I really want a cup of tea. Books and tea are a classic combination. It is good they have met and are doing what they are supposed to be doing and talking about what they are supposed to be talking about. If it were myself I would probably stray away and take the opportunity to discuss my current life predicaments. The man who was on facebook has now left, whereas the girl has stopped looking at cars and is now playing Tetris. I wonder why she is here; perhaps it is how she relaxes. Or is she avoiding being somewhere else? Why is she not playing Tetris at home?

I’m sat on quite a comfy turquoise sofa in the far right corer of the library. I am surprised this part of the library is not already in use as it is the comfiest part of the library, yet there is nobody using it apart from me.

I have just noticed a CCTV camera to the right high up on the wall, watching me. If it is to make sure no-one puts there feet up on the table or to check that no-one is behaving in a weird way, then thats it, I’m sussed. A security man walks past me and gives me “what are you up to” look. I’m observing - but maybe I should take my feet off the table.

I thought there would be more books in this area but there are only a few shelves, most of the books are in the far left side of the library but most of hidden from view by the ark shaped walls. Even if everyone was quiet you would still be able to hear the traffic outside, it sounds like a bus or some other kind of diesel-fuelled transport has just pulled up by the traffic lights right outside the window. The windows are big and divided into smaller square windows with a circular window in the top centre. They all look the same with the exception of one that has a stained glass window, with a colourful design. I think at first it looks like some sort of fish, perhaps a sting ray but then I realise it is a Viking boat, how you confuse a boat for a fish I do not know. Why don’t the other windows have stained glass in them? Perhaps it costs a lot of money.

Opposite me there is a set of double doors, what makes this door stand out is the gigantic hand painted image of the Jurassic park logo. However, you cannot get through these doors, as there is a sofa in the way. I wonder what is in that room. The doors look old with a thick wood panel around it and I think it looks more like a walk in wardrobe than a door.

This library is colour co-ordinated, the carpet is turquoise as so are the sofas, and so are the signs, whilst the walls are cream and light blue. These colours are peaceful – perfect for a library.

I look to my right at the bookcase and there is a book that every library should not be without, whoever heard of a library that did not have Harry Potter?"