Yellow ribbons back on the Carnegie railings. Photo by Michael J Keane from the Defend the Ten website.
LAMBETH LIBRARY REFUGEES NOW “CROWDING INTO SOUTHWARK” SAY CAMPAIGNERS / NEW ART EXHIBITION ON CARNEGIE HERNE HILL OCCUPATION STARTS
Lambeth council just can’t resist opportunities to waste money, alienate residents and make itself look silly.
So, on Tuesday this week bemused locals watched council employees spend ‘hours’ solemnly taking down the notes, quotes and yellow ribbons that decorate the needlessly-closed Carnegie library – living proof that residents miss their library and want it back.
Unsurprisingly, by Wednesday local people had replaced everything destroyed – and added more.
Passers-by cheered them on, and passing cars tooted in support. (Among the latest literary quotes removed was his one: “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. “Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read” Groucho Marx – Ed.)
Meanwhile both the Carnegie and the also-closed Minet continue a regular programme of events outside the buildings, rain or shine.
Hopes remain high that the libraries could re-open, saving the council the thousands of pounds it is spending on security guards while actual savings from the closures are nil.
Exam time has seen severe over-crowding at alternative libraries by students who have nowhere else to study. Embarrassingly for Lambeth, library refugees are also crowding into Southwark libraries. Expect further chaos when school holidays begin. Many former users, of course, cannot reach any alternative library.
LIBRARIES IN EXILE
* Brixton library – Monday 4 July (official opening 4pm – PRESS WELCOME!) for two weeks, Friends exhibition by local artists including works by, and featuring, the people and events of the occupation of Carnegie library in early April.
* Minet Library – Saturdays 2-4pm, fortnightly. Gardening, cake, music etc. Next date 9 July, including special bring-your-memories session for Vassal ward residents – ending with a march to join Carnegie’s special event.
* Carnegie Library – every Saturday 2-4pm. Chess club and get-together – every Wednesday, 7pm, get-together on library steps. Bring wine and nibbles.
* Saturday 9 July, Carnegie Library celebrates 110 years to very hour and day when the library opened in 1906 on Lambeth’s solemn promise to fund and maintain it. Re-enactment of the opening event at 3.30pm, followed by rally to support re-opening of Carnegie and Minet. (Source: Friends of Lambeth Libraries)
