Monkey Tennis
FEATURE ARTICLE FROM BLACKPOOL LIBRARIES
Visitors to Blackpool Central Library sometimes ask about the toy monkey hanging from one of the lofty arches in the lending library. This is the mascot for Monkey Tennis, an informal reading group for young people aged 16 - 25'ish. The name was 'chosen' from one of Alan Partridge's ideas for a TV show.
The group meets every month on a Thursday evening from 5.30 until 7.00 pm at Blackpool Central Library. Members discuss a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction, which can sometimes be controversial or extreme in content. The links between books, popular culture, music and films are emphasised.
Members enjoy the social element of the reading group and prefer to choose their own titles. The most interesting recent discussion was around Chuck Palanhiuk's Fight Club. The current title under discussion is Melvin Burgess' "Doing It".
Some younger library staff attend in their own time and the group benefits from the knowledge of staff who are aware of and enjoy contemporary literature. Listening to these staff also gives members of the group the confidence to talk about their own reading.
The group was formed in August 2002 and has survived exam pressures for some and also a high level of transience. Numbers attending average 8-10 with a good percentage of young males attending regularly.
For more details contact Martin O'Callaghan on 01253 478080.
