THE SCHOOLS minister has said he believes the city’s university and public library is helping to breathe new life into learning.
David Laws was speaking during his visit to Worcester last Thursday (December 12) where he was given a guided tour of The Hive.
Since opening in July 2012, the £60million library and history centre, which is jointly run by the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council, has issued more than a million books while attracting people of all ages.
And Mr Laws said The Hive was a great example of what libraries should look like in the future.
“To have a library of this quality – really fit for the modern age – used not only by students but by the whole community is very unusual and very impressive,” he added.
“People are used to thinking of libraries as old, dusty buildings that nobody – particularly nobody young – ever wants to be seen in, but this is quite the opposite, and I think places like this could really breathe life into libraries and learning in the future.
“It’s a really inspiring facility and those people involved in creating it really deserve our praise for what they’ve achieved.”
Mr Laws, who also spoke to pupils from St Clement’s CE Primary School in St John’s, praised the university’s efforts to train teachers as it now works in partnership with more than 500 schools across the region.
Professor David Green, vice chancellor and chief executive of the university, added: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Schools to the university and to show him around The Hive, which is a unique facility so full of life and vibrancy.
“We also discussed our model of teacher training with David Laws. This model is based on sustained and really close partnership working with schools.
“The Minister listened carefully and asked insightful questions. He seemed taken with the quality of work we’re doing in conjunction with our school partners, in classrooms across the region and in partnership with the Worcestershire County Council and schools here at The Hive.”
