Be brave

The Czechs are having a few problems with the design for their new national library. The design has been described as "a nine storey green and purple blob", and has been nicknamed the 'Octopus'. A new library is always controversial - but why not push the boat out? Most libraries are not that exciting - architecturally speaking - just think of how boring the British Library is to look at, squashed into an awkward site between two main line stations! - so perhaps this an opportunity to push the boundaries that little bit further. Having worked in an upside down pyramid when a practicing librarian - I would enjoy going to work in a jelly mould, and it would certainly not give out the wrong impression that libraries are stuffy places to visit and study in. I look forward to visiting Prague in the future and seeing this alien rooted firmly next to the castle.

'Octopus' library stirs up Czechs