Hull in print : Kickin Off

Young people themselves make the rules for using their brand-new area within the library at Ings Customer Service Centre.
The 'Learn-Ings Zone' has six computers, comfy seating, a drinks cooler, listening station, TVs and games consoles.
Oh yeah...and there are plenty of books too (this is a library, after all!).
So what are those rules?
Well, one of the main ones is that access to DVDs and games consoles is not allowed until after homework has been completed.
That's to ensure that the room is a place for learning as well as leisure.
"Local parents who wanted to see where their children have been spending their time have come for a look around and said that it's fabulous," says Cath Nicholson, Ings Library coordinator.
Children and young people have been involved at every stage of the project, including choosing furniture, books and DVDs.
The zone, open to people aged 11 to 16, was the idea of library employees Alison Houldridge and Lorraine Dolman, who raised £25,000 through an Awards for All grant, and from donations made by local businesses and organisations.
In November Alison and Lorraine's work with the Learn-Ings Zone was recognised at the Making a Difference in Yorkshire and Humber local government awards, where it came runner-up in the outstanding contribution category.

Libraries - what do you think?

Young people who use the Avenues library, on Chanterlands Avenue, are being asked their views about what new facilities they would like to see there.
Library user Callum Hart (12), with support from Wyke Youth Forum, Avenues library and Hull Youth Council, will be organising a youth event at the library during January 2009 to officially launch the 'Youth at Avenues' consultation to young people.
If you are a young person who would like to attend this event, or if you would like to be sent a consultation form in the post, please call Helen Dalgairns at the Hull Youth Council on 300300.
In the meantime, here's what Callum and other users think of the Avenues library at the moment.
Callum himself likes using the internet and borrowing books, and would like to see a dedicated area for young people, like the Learn-Ings Zone, where video game tournaments could take place. He found others also share his view..

Steve Holmes, aged 20
"There could be more computers and a young people's area. I think it's important to keep the library, especially for people who haven't got much money who can use it rather than go out and spend money they haven't got on books and CDs."

Joe Ingram, aged 10
"I like to borrow books on Manga and Anime. I think it would be great if the library invited a Manga or Anime illustrator to come and discuss their work with us."

Did you know?

Hull's 15 libraries recieve a million visits every year. Together they have more than 700,000 items for lending, including videos, DVDs, CDs, computer games and magazines.


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