Carnegie Library Hub may close by December 2024.

[Keith.Whitworth]

The Carnegie Library Hub is at a difficult juncture and is likely to close by December 2024

Over the last years we have developed a lively and diversified community hub and have worked hard to get everything in place to open a community cafe and lounge that will further develop the Hub. However, the terms of our arrangement with Lambeth make it impossible for us to continue to develop the hub further as planned and the trust who run the Hub have made the difficult decision to close by the end of December 2024 unless community support can persuade Lambeth to honour the support needed.

[TCLJ]

Here’s how you can help:

1. Write an email to the relevant Lambeth councillors to express your support for the Hub project.  Please include what you like about the Hub and would like to see in this public building.  We have added some suggested text pieces for ease, please use relevant text as you see fit.  If the previous link does not open a draft email for you here is a letter that you are free to use.
2. Our MP, Helen Hayes, has been kind enough to meet with us a number of times to understand the situation and make representations for us directly to Lambeth.  You may want to write to Helen Hayes ([email protected]) with a similar letter indicating your own views on the matter.
3. Sign our petition supporting a motion to ask Lambeth what their strategic vision is for the building.
4. If you are a partner running events at the hub, share this page with your clients and ask them to write and petition.
5. Share this page with your local contacts in the areas the Hub serves: Brixton, Loughborough Junction, Camberwell, Dulwich, and Herne Hill.

[Sue]

Sorry to be so dim, but where is the Carnegie Library, and what is the Hub?

Is this where the local history centre is on Walworth Road, where there was a fire, or is that something different?

Is there a website?

[ianr]

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries-0/carnegie-library

It's a nice little library and meeting place.  One of the Carnegie ones of course. Actually not so little, the actual building: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carnegie_libraries_in_Europe#/media/File:Carnegie_Library_Herne_Hill.JPG

I get books from there sometimes, and have been to an occasional talk.  Last week there was a foursome quietly playing ?bridge/whist there mid-morning.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the Hub project itself.

 

Edited September 26, 2024 by ianr

[Sue]

11 hours ago, ianr said:

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries-0/carnegie-library

It's a nice little library and meeting place.  One of the Carnegie ones of course. Actually not so little, the actual building: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Carnegie_libraries_in_Europe#/media/File:Carnegie_Library_Herne_Hill.JPG

I get books from there sometimes, and have been to an occasional talk.  Last week there was a foursome quietly playing ?bridge/whist there mid-morning.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the Hub project itself.

 

Thanks for that, ianr. I must have passed it, but not really noticed it.

I also had no idea that Ruskin Park extended so far in that direction.

[Jenijenjen]

I'm sorry to learn the Carnegie Library may be closing. Is it possible to give more details as to how Lambeth aren't giving more support?

[ianr]

I've done some searching and come up with these.  The first looks very helpful for getting to know about the Hub itself, and the others may give some useful history.  I've yet to look through them myself.

https://carnegielibraryhub.org.uk/

 

 

[LurkyMcLurker]

I'd recommend just using the Hub's website to get caught up on this.

I'm not sure why it wasn't posted at the very beginning because it is always best to go to the source especially since the original poster just copy/pasted directly from their news: https://carnegielibraryhub.org.uk/the-carnegie-library-hub-is-at-a-difficult-juncture/

The older EDF posts look irrelevant to the issues the Hub is having with the council since the main issue stems from a decision from the council in 2023.

It doesn't look like the council is shutting down the library, but revising the library's operators terms, which then has prompted the operator to determine it'd be better to shut down than continue on?

Their 3 main points of contention don't mention the council kicking them out, but rather reducing their scope within the building.

"Consequently, the trustees and team have decided that, with Lambeth as a principal stakeholder and with the new restricted terms of tenancy which Lambeth appears unwilling to materially negotiate on, we are not able to fulfil our charitable objectives and have no choice than to set a timetable for an orderly close.

We have informed all of our partners that we no longer have secure tenancy and will be closing by the end of December 2024 unless we can urgently agree terms that foster success for community use aligning with our charitable objectives."
 

"new restricted terms of tenancy" doesn't equate to "we no longer have secure tenancy". To me this reads as they're fed up and would rather close down due to their frustrations. That seems fair enough to me, but I think they should just say that, since it's how the entire thing reads to me.

I've been to the library loads of times with my child for parties and school events. It's a lovely place and it would be better if the Hub could continue as it is, but this also gives me the vibe that if they can't have it their way then they'll shut down entirely.

[sizemore]

Sorry if I’m misreading this but isn’t the hub a separate entity that runs inside the library? They’re responsible for the hiring of rooms for parties etc and run local activities. So is it the hub that’s closing in December while the library itself will continue to run?  Or is the building itself going to close?

[Jenijenjen]

31 minutes ago, sizemore said:

Sorry if I’m misreading this but isn’t the hub a separate entity that runs inside the library? They’re responsible for the hiring of rooms for parties etc and run local activities. So is it the hub that’s closing in December while the library itself will continue to run?  Or is the building itself going to close?

Thanks for this, looking further I think you're right, hub and library are separate entities though if anyone else thinks different do correct. Not really sure what Hub does though it seems they're upset they'll no longer be able to open a cafe.