"Libraries are about the general health and wellbeing of the population," says Peter Barnett, head of libraries, advice, health and information service at Coventry council.
In a sector beset by austerity-driven library closures, the Norfolk library service has "worked very hard to respond to the needs of library users and to stay relevant", head of libraries Jennifer Holland said.
Perhaps, but I remember interviewing Birmingham's head of libraries, Brian Gambles, in 2010 when he showed me a chunk of concrete that had fallen from the library as evidence for the need to demolish it.
John Dolan, the former city chief librarian, who now works in urban regeneration after a spell as head of libraries policy at the soon to be abolished Museums, Libraries and Archives council, says the existing building is not fit for purpose, and is confident the new library will be an international landmark.
Alison Stevenson, head of libraries, archives and collections at the GSA, said: "Immediately after the fire, with support from Historic Scotland, the GSA was able to remove substantial amounts of material from the Mackintosh Building.
Prior to joining the University of Manchester in 2011, Simon was head of digital library at the University of Edinburgh, and digital library manager at the National Library of Scotland.
In the early 1930's, a new head of the library system, Milton J. Ferguson, got the project moving again, and in 1941 the completed library finally opened -- in a form far different from its original Beaux-Arts design.
"We are great strategic planners," Shirley Michaels, the head of the library board, said.
"This is very exciting," said Rachel Heuberger, head of the library's Judaica division.
His commitment impressed Lauren Gilbert, head of the library's community services.
