A 'Community Liaison' meeting on 20th July between Herne Hill Councillors, Helen Hayes MP and residents living near the Carnegie Library gave local people their first opportunity in a public meeting to express opposition to the library redevelopment as a gym with 'neighbourhood library'. Residents had not been consulted on these plans except via the planning application - where 300 objections were recorded.

Councillor Dickson repeated the assertion that the redevelopment would save money in the long term - although no income from the gym will go to the library until 2023, and its viability has never been justified. After long delays, the development schedule is now being pressed at full speed, with basement excavation + building work from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays -- for 7 months.

Minutes of the August CLG are here.

Over 200 residents and library campaigners attended the April 1st event to mark 1 year since the Carnegie was closed, and to call for its re-opening, along with the Minet, as a public library. Speakers included Stella Duffy, Rachel Heywood, Toby Litt, Jeremy Hardy, Laura Swaffield, and Friends chair Jeff Doorn.

A video showing our human chain around the library (well, around the parts that can be reached) is here.

We began our 19th year with an AGM which, despite being off-site, was very well attended. Over 80 people filled St Saviour’s including 79 Friends and 40 members of Carnegie Library Association, whose AGM followed on.

The Chair’s report outlined the events and activities staged during the past year to keep the spirit of the library alive following the closure and subsequent 10 day Occupation. Consistent campaigning to reopen the library and support for the displaced clubs and groups continues, though Lambeth councillors and officers have been distant and largely uncommunicative.

The library is now being cleared of all books, shelves and furniture, including items belonging to the Friends. While sorting these, we have seen the dreadful damage caused by water ingress, which has not been repaired since last summer and which could have been prevented had the gutters been cleared in spring. Images of the damage are
here:

The first anniversary of closure, 1 April will be marked by a gathering on the library steps at 1.00pm to celebrate the library at the heart of our community and all that we miss and aim to reinstate. Expect music, rousing speeches, colourful costumes and fun. Come and take part, then surround the building as a symbolic gesture of protection and love.

That event will begin a year of action, led by our newly elected committee, to show we are not giving up and not going away.

The Friends are holding their AGM at St. Saviour's Church Hall, Herne Hill rd., on Thursday 16th March. The meeting starts at 6.30pm. Committee member elections and reports on the year will be followed by discussion on the way forward to restore the Carnegie library to full operation for the community - taking into account that GLL's planning application to develop a gym at the Carnegie has now been approved by Lambeth Council.

After the Friends AGM, there will also be the first AGM of the Carnegie Library Association (carnegielibraryassociation.org.uk), the charitable trust supported by the Friends and Carnegie user groups to manage the library building.