LIBRARIES are usually quiet places but when Naomi Schrecker paid a visit to the Prestwich branch, the entire room was made to sit up and take notice.

Special-needs teacher Mrs Schrecker was outraged to discover that the Longfield Centre branch did not stock a reasonable selection of ballet videos and classical musical cassettes.

And she was so disgusted with the lack of provision that she made a loud speech to a crowd of around 30 people and library staff.

Mrs Schrecker, of Gardner Road, Prestwich wanted to borrow specific classical items to help in her work with problem teens.

She said: "I have spent 18 months teaching dance to boys who have been socially excluded and they have all given me such a positive response. They like ballet and classical music and say it gives them a feeling of well being. I went to the library for videos and tapes to help in their studies but was told that the library does not stock a lot of classical music."

Mrs Schrecker said she felt compelled to speak out publicly about the lack of resources and explained her dilemma, quite loudly, to the busy library.

"I was angry, but I was able to control my anger," she said, "I said how I have given my life to education and that socially excluded people do actually like things like classical music. What on earth is Bury doing as an authority? The Victorians set up the library service so working class people could educate themselves. But this is inverted snobbery as they are saying working class people cannot like classical music and ballet."

Mrs Schrecker, who said she has never disturbed people like this before, was asked by a member of the public to be quiet.

But she felt so strongly about making a stand that she returned to the library to make a demonstration outside.

Dressed in her ballet uniform she told people how dance can be beneficial and informed passers by about her work. She has since written to council leader John Byrne voicing her concerns.

A spokesman for the library was unavailable for comment.