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.

“Led by local people, this is a terrific project that the Council supportsand I hope everyone in Herne Hill willget behind it.”- Cllr Lib Peck, Leader of Lambeth Council

The library, donated to Lambeth byScottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1906 and remains the jewel in Herne Hill’s crown.

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.

The Project Group aims to create a Hub where everyone in Herne Hill will findsomething that suits them. More details are set out inside.

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 meetslocal needs.

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 onto find out how to help shape this ground-breaking project.

SUMMER 2014

In the new Carnegie a library service run byLambeth 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 Zonefor 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.

A LIBRARY FOR ALL

A CULTURAL HUB

The library already has a dedicatedgallery space where local artists,schools and other groups regularlyshowcase their work.But the building offers so much more potential.There could be a flexible multi-use space, suitablenot only for private and community gatherings butalso 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.

THE PAST:● 1902: Steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie grants Lambeth Council £12,500to build a library at Herne Hill

● 1906: Official opening – first purpose-built library for open access

● 1981: Designated Grade II listed building

● 1997: Opening hours reduced to16 (now 31) a week

● 1999: Friends of Carnegie Library formed to resist threatened closure

● 2000: Art gallery opened informer magazine reading room

● 2006: Carnegie Library celebratesits centenary year

● 2007: Lottery funding enables opening of Reading and Wildlife Garden

WANT TO ORGANISEAN EXHIBITION OR PUT ON

A SHOW? CATCH SOMELIVE MUSIC OR MAYBE

SEE A FILM?

COMMUNITY/WORK/LEARNING

CAFE/BAR/MEETING SPACE

The building is already home to a rangeof 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 ● Language Classes● Homework Club ● Business Start-up Workshops● Minecraft Club ● 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.

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 Commissionrecommends 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 commissionsConservation Statementbenchmarking the Carnegie’s Grade ll Listed status

PG appointsarchitects to develop viable options

● 2014: PG responds to initial architect’s report and is now consulting the public

NowTURN OVER

to find out howyou can get

involved!

GET INVOLVED!Driving forward this Project will require lotsof energy, ideas, skills, commitment and, above all, community support. Without you, it simply won’tbe possible. The next step is a public consultation on the architects’ Outline Options when everyone will have the chanceto put forward thoughts and suggestions for how the plans should take shape.

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.ukTo receive future newsletters by email send a message titled ‘newsletter’ to the above address.

KEEP UP TO DATE:Visit our website:

www.carnegiehernehill.org.uk FOLLOW US: carnegiehernehl 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

WHERE IS IT?Carnegie Library is the large terracotta brick building on Herne Hill Road, near the Red Post Hill junction, and close to Ruskin Park.

Carnegie Library: 188 Herne Hill Road, Herne HillLondon SE24 0AG

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

CARNEGIE LIBRARYCOMMUNITY 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!

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