SUMMER 2014
AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT has been launched to transfer the
historic Carnegie Library building in Herne Hill from Lambeth Council to a new charitable trust to run it as a Community Hub. The library, donated to Lambeth by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1906 and remains the jewel in Herne Hill’s crown.
The Project Group aims to create a Hub where everyone in Herne Hill will find something that suits them. More details are set out inside.
Today, however, it is too big for the library service; more than half of it will soon stand vacant. So a Project Group of local people, with Council support, is developing a proposal to convert the building for new uses. The library will remain as a council service at the heart of a new cultural and community facility that will also house educational, artistic, musical, and community uses, and provide services for a wide range of people, including youth, seniors and young families.
Lambeth has funded architects to develop Outline Options for the adaptation of the building. Watch out for details of an exhibition and meetings when these will be discussed. Your views are vital. We need to know what you think, and if what is proposed meets local needs.
“Led by local people, this is a terrific project that the Council supports and I hope everyone in Herne Hill will get behind it.” - Cllr Lib Peck, Leader of Lambeth Council
The only certainty is that the building must operate without public subsidy; so a certain amount of space will need to be offered as high-quality rental space. After the consultation a final Preferred Option will be agreed, setting out what goes where and how we think we can fund it. Read on to find out how to help shape this ground-breaking project.
THE PAST: ● 1902: Steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie grants Lambeth Council £12,500 to build a library at Herne Hill ● 1906: Official opening – first purpose-built library for open access ● 1981: Designated Grade II listed building
A LIBRARY FOR ALL In the new Carnegie a library service run by Lambeth Council will remain the core activity. The Library currently offers: ● A wide range of fiction and non-fiction books ● Audio and large print books ● DVD rentals ● Reference books and periodicals ● Access to audio, video and ebook downloads There is also a wonderful, well-stocked Children’s Library, a Teen Zone for young people, a Reading and Wildlife Garden and free access to computers and Wi-Fi. Now there is a chance to create a library facility that meets the needs of a new generation as well as those of existing users. Longer opening hours and better library stock will at last become a realistic prospect.
● 1997: Opening hours reduced to 16 (now 31) a week ● 1999: Friends of Carnegie Library formed to resist threatened closure ● 2000: Art gallery opened in former magazine reading room
A CULTURAL HUB
● 2006: Carnegie Library celebrates its centenary year
The library already has a dedicated gallery space where local artists, schools and other groups regularly showcase their work.
● 2007: Lottery funding enables opening of Reading and Wildlife Garden
But the building offers so much more potential. There could be a flexible multi-use space, suitable not only for private and community gatherings but also for: ● Music, drama and spoken word performances ● A cinema club ● A rehearsal room ● Talks, debates, and local interest group meetings What would you like to see going on? Let us know your thoughts.
WANT TO ORGANISE AN EXHIBITION OR PUT ON A SHOW? CATCH SOME LIVE MUSIC OR MAYBE SEE A FILM?
COMMUNITY/WORK/LEARNING The building is already home to a range of community groups and activities. Book groups, adult literacy sessions, children’s workshops, a chess club, tea and gardening days, a craft club, silver surfers, poetry events... the list goes on. But could you add to it? Could you use the building to run an activity? Some examples: ● A Yoga Class ● Homework Club ● Minecraft Club
● Language Classes ● Business Start-up Workshops ● Seniors Club
There will be meeting space for local organisations. And for those who need a place to work, the building could offer dedicated co-working facilities with rentable desk spaces from which to run small businesses. The Project Group arranged for vacant space on the top floor to be trialled as a co-working space, and this has shown a real demand for low-cost space on flexible terms.
CAFE/BAR/MEETING SPACE Local people tell us the Carnegie is ideal for a meeting place where food and drink are available. A daytime café would be a great facility, and likewise an evening bar, where the community could socialise after events. The Project Group has been examining how a new Trust could potentially involve a social enterprise to provide this service. It is hoped that if a café/bar is viable it could be used to employ and train local people who would like to work in catering.
THE FUTURE: ● 2011: Lambeth Libraries Commission recommends that the Carnegie, along with other buildings across Lambeth be designated as a Community Hub ● 2012: Council adopts Commission recommendations and agrees a capital investment for its library buildings Local volunteer Project Group (PG) develops ideas for building uses and income generation ● 2013: With Council financial support, PG commissions Conservation Statement benchmarking the Carnegie’s Grade ll Listed status PG appoints architects to develop viable options ● 2014: PG responds to initial architect’s report and is now consulting the public
Now TURN OVER to find out how you can get involved!
GET INVOLVED!
WHERE IS IT?
Driving forward this Project will require lots of energy, ideas, skills, commitment and, above all, community support. Without you, it simply won’t be possible.
Carnegie Library is the large terracotta brick building on Herne Hill Road, near the Red Post Hill junction, and close to Ruskin Park.
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GET IN TOUCH! Meanwhile, if you are inspired by the vision for a new Community Hub, and have a skill or experience to offer, or an idea (e.g. for an activity, or for fund-raising) or would just like to help the Project in some way, please email us at: getinvolved@carnegiehernehill.org.uk To receive future newsletters by email send a message titled ‘newsletter’ to the above address.
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The next step is a public consultation on the architects’ Outline Options when everyone will have the chance to put forward thoughts and suggestions for how the plans should take shape.
Carnegie Library: 188 Herne Hill Road, Herne Hill London SE24 0AG
Visit our website:
www.carnegiehernehill.org.uk FOLLOW US: carnegiehernehl
Buses: P4 (Brixton to Lewisham) stops outside. 68, 468 and 42 stop on Denmark Hill Trains: Denmark Hill, Loughborough Junction, North Dulwich and Herne Hill
carnegiehernehill DROP US A LINE : Fred Taggart, Hon. Secretary, Carnegie Library Project Group, c/o Carnegie Library 188 Herne Hill Road Herne Hill London SE24 0AG
CARNEGIE LIBRARY COMMUNITY COLLECTION POINT: Our Foodbank helps individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency non-perishable food supplies. The collection box is beside the Library desk. MORE DONATIONS PLEASE!