From There to Here with poet Louise Walker

Tuesday, 13 May - 7 pm

Join Louise to discuss her poetry collection From There to Here, published by indie press Dithering Chaps

Louise Walker taught English for 35 years where she enjoyed sharing her life-long passion for poetry, while snatching moments for her own writing. Over the last few years, her work has been published in many journals and recognised by awards. Born on Merseyside, she is proud to be a Londoner and has lived in Herne Hill for 29 years.

From There to Here is her poetry collection exploring, with painful honesty, how a sibling relationship is shattered when her brother dies suddenly in his twenties but also celebrating unexpected joys in living life after loss.

The Friends of Carnegie Library are delighted to host this evening with Louise Walker, in cooperation with the Lambeth Library Service.

Please register to attend on Eventbrite, to help with planning.

Admission is free.

This event will be livestreamed from the Carnegie Library Facebook Page where it will be available to view for about 30 days

Adam Mars-Jones

Tuesday, 10 June - 7:00pm (6:30 for tea & cake)

at the Carnegie Library

Meet John Cromer – ‘one of the most original comic creations in recent fiction’ (Guardian) – and discover one of the great overlooked adventures in literature.

Thank god for John Cromer and his creator Adam Mars-Jones, one of the funniest, most self-aware characters in English fiction, whose minute observations on everything from constipation to lust are a source of unexpected delight.’ - Linda Grant

Faber

Join author and critic and novelist Adam Mars-Jones and the Friends of Carnegie Library to discuss Adam’s writing, including just published Caret the third-volume in a trilogy (following Pilcrow and Cedilla).

Admission is free

Please reserve a place with Eventbrite (this will assist with planning).

This event will be livestreamed from the Carnegie Library facebook page and will be available to view for about 30 days.

Organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library in cooperation with the Lambeth Library Service.

Report from the Oversight and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 11 March

LAMBETH COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT ON THE LIBRARY SERVICE

Laura Swaffield (Friends of Carnegie Library, Chair of Friends of Lambeth Libraries) was there and addressed the OSC on behalf of all Friends of Lambeth libraries. Priscilla Baines (Friends of Durning Library) was by her side.

Priscilla Baines (Friends of Durning Library) reports:

"The good news is the very extensive and apparently genuine support for libraries among all the councillors who intervened, all saying how important libraries were to local communities because so many local people relied on their services.

"The enthusiasm for libraries of Donatus Anyanwu (Cabinet Portfolio Holder) came over well and he said several times that there were no plans either to close any libraries or to cut opening hours.  Neil Fenton (the Council Officer) confirmed this and he and Donatus both said that no staff cuts or redundancies were planned.

"Not clear how that is to be achieved when there are currently 14 (or is it 16 or is it 9 - that is still not clear) unfilled vacancies or frozen posts and there is widespread anxiety among library staff about the possibility of job cuts or industrial action.

"There was some discussion about possible revenue from room hire etc. but no one saw that as a serious way of raising money.

"The conclusion is that we need to get Donatus et al. to commit to keeping 10 libraries open with the same opening hours and adequate staffing levels to achieve that: no one wants unscheduled closures and that can only be achieved with proper staffing levels."

NEXT - THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT
"The OSC chair scratched together some recommendations, rather on the hoof - 
- ensure that libraries remain a free space for local groups
- no closures or reduction in hours
- no job cuts
- any future vacancies to be filled
- resources to be used flexibly to ensure no unscheduled closures
- a survey in 2026 to see effects of cut on user satisfaction
- room hire to be less for small/community groups
- better communication with staff, at an earlier stage
- work with Friends groups and trusts

She declined a request to pause the whole cut."

The Last Self-Help Book You’ll Ever Need – Georgia Holleran

8 April - Tuesday Evening, 7pm at the library (6:30 for tea & cake)

40 years devouring self-help products and searching for answers to life's struggles, Georgia Holleranen encountered nothing but disappointment, frustration and despair!

Until...she suddenly discovered herself to be a pretty capable and confident person!

Why was she so bulletproof? How did she get to be so calm, resilient, resourceful and level-headed? - Even in crisis. Was it age? Wisdom? Luck?

How can we make the best of our time on this planet, without letting ourselves get in the way?

With her background in the arts, education, neuro-linguistic programming, cognitive hypnotherapy....

The Last Self-Help Book You’ll Ever Need summarises the best she has learned...so far.

AND...

Georgia has set up a free online course for anyone who wants to explore Parts Theory and master the triangle of Knowledge, Process & EMOTION.

The Wandering Lightbulb Programme

This event live-streamed and available to view for a limited period on the Carnegie Library Facebook page.

Admission - free.

Reservations are not necessary - but please reserve your place on Eventbrite (this helps with planning).

Organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library in cooperation with The Lambeth Library Service.