Birkenhead has an idiosyncratic literary history: Hone Tuwhare was once a borough councillor while Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once visited Birkenhead resident and former meteorologist Clement "Inclement" Wragge to talk about Maori navigation and Atlantis.
A Scot, whom Sir Arthur described as a "blue-turbanned, eager man, half Western science, half Eastern mystic", Wragge was the first to use people's names for cyclones but named his own son Kismet.
This week, Birkenhead Library celebrates its 68th anniversary, as chronicled in loving detail on its Wikipedia page (7000 words!). Yet Wikipedia knows nothing about its current handsome library building, opened in late 2009. The record ends with the pre-construction squabbling about its location - it was a clash of the Nation's Mothers (among many others) as Judy Bailey battled Thea Muldoon. Unsurprisingly, Sir Rob's lady won.
Built on Nell Fisher Reserve (named for Birkenhead's first full-time paid librarian), the building offers a wonderful harbour view, a comfy newspaper nook and a teen collection in prime position. But it's not my favourite-favourite library.
Its long, narrow shape feels restrictive and an imposing, building-length white-patterned wall, plus those ubiquitous wooden David Trubridge light fittings, feel oh so tastefully impersonal. The split-level space is only saved from total neutral-shaded anonymity by a large, delightful ribbon rainbow created by local schoolchildren. More art, please.
