Stephen Bourne’s War to Windrush

Author Event

Black Women in Britain 1939 to 1948

Tuesday evening, 10 October 7pm to 8:30pm - at the library and online

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Stephen Bourne's War to Windrush explores the lives of Britain's immigrant community through the experiences of Black British women during the period spanning from the beginning of World War II to the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948.

In those short years, Black British women performed an integral role in keeping the country functioning and set the stage for the arrival of other Black Britons on the Empire Windrush. The book shows first-hand what life was like in Britain for Black women through photography and evocative prose.

War to Windrush is a celebration of multiculturalism and immigration, much needed in today’s political climate. For more information about Stephen's Black British history books go to www.stephenbourne.co.uk

Organised and presented by the Friends of Carnegie Library

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Author C.J. Schüler: The Wood that Built London

Author Event

Tuesday, 12 September 7:00 - 8:30 at the library (or online)

Author C.J. Schüler presents his book exploring the vast woods which were intensively managed for a thousand years, providing timber for construction, furniture and shipbuilding, and charcoal for London's blacksmiths, kilns and bakeries. Now they afford important green space, a vital habitat for small mammals, birds and insects.

The Great North Wood gave its name to Norwood.

Event organised by the Friends of Carnegie Library as part of the Lambeth Heritage Festival, and with the cooperation of and kind assistance from the Carnegie Library librarians

This event will be streamed live online - to view online please register with Eventbrite

Lambeth Libraries Survey results!

News

In February 2023 Lambeth Libraries undertook a survey of library users. The survey is the CIPFA Public Library Survey which has followed mainly the same format for well over a decade and so provides a useful insight into trends and views of library users over a long period of time.  

Executive Summary

  • Satisfaction with the library has increased in all areas over the last thirteen years
  • The standard of customer care is now rated at 94% Good/Very Good
  • Overall satisfaction with the service is 93% Good/Very Good
  • Areas for improvement: study space provision
  • More people use their own devices in libraries
  • 6 people out of 10 use the library for study and learning
  • Health and wellbeing is seen as the next most beneficial reason for using the library by 44% of users
  • To borrow books is still the main reason why people go to a library
  • 18% of library users do not have a library membership
  • Most people visit the library once a week.
  • Most people travel to the library on foot

CIPFA USER SURVEYGood or very goodadequatepoor or very poor
All Libraries Results: What do you think of this library (overall results)201020132016202320102013201620232010201320162023
Opening hours78%81%83%86%18%14%12%12%5%5%4%2%
attractiveness outside62%69%83%84%27%23%14%13%12%8%4%3%
Attractiveness inside58%68%86%87%32%24%11%11%10%8%2%1%
Standard of customer care78%87%91%94%18%11%8%5%3%1%1%1%
Choice of books61%67%80%84%32%26%16%13%9%7%5%1%
Physical condition of the books72%76%86%89%26%21%12%10%3%2%1%0%
Computer facilities60%65%77%76%33%29%20%22%7%6%2%2%
Information provision66%74%82%84%31%24%17%15%2%2%1%1%
Events and activities   78%   20%   2%
Study space and facilities (seating and tables 2010)56%  76%31%  20%12%  4%
Overall how good is the library service75%82%91%93%22%16%8%7%2%2%1%1%

Carnegie Library is in the upper table for Events and Activities (81% very good or good), but room for improvement for Study Space (74%) and for Opening Hours (77%).

This is a great tribute to the Lambeth Library Service from the users.

Friends of Carnegie Library wish to thank the Carnegie Library librarians for their part in achieving this clear line of improvement.