Raise the Hammer

While guests swing on poles, local singers will perform and there will be sessions on novel writing. Books will be used as bats in games of "booky table tennis" sessions held through-out the day.

Council bosses at Midlothian Council in Scotland hailed the unusual event as the first as its kind, calling it a "fun and interesting" way of encouraging people to use libraries in the area.

But Laura Swaffield, chairman of The Library Campaign, said that while pole-dancing was a novel approach to whipping up interest in local services, using books as table tennis bats was "just a step too far".

"We all agree in particular that the more that people use our libraries the better but I think using books as tennis bats is just a step too far," she said.

"Pole dancing is a new way of drumming up support so I suppose if it works what the hell, we may as well give it a try. But books as tennis bats? I'm absolutely appalled."

Bob Constable, Midlothian Council's Cabinet member for public services and leisure, defended the decision saying that the council had decided to host the pole-dancing event as a "fitness session".

Ultimately, he said, it was a "fun and interesting" way of encouraging more people to borrow books and try out local library services.
He added: ''But it's not just pole fitness on offer. I'm delighted to see such a wide range of free and exciting events organised to mark this special occasion.''

Other activities on offer in Midlothian including country dancing, head massages and an Xbox challenge. Local musicians are also performing, and sessions will be held for hopeful authors on how to write a novel.

The pole-dancing event is being held on Love Your Library Day – February 2 – at Mayfield Library in Dalkeith.

The pole dancing class is for over-16s only.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9811094/Library-under-fire-after-offering-free-pole-dancing-lessons-to-encourage-users.html