Carnegie Library Project Group

86 Fawnbrake Avenue, Herne Hill, London, SE24 0BZ

THE FUTURE OF THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY

AS A COMMUNITY HUB

Dear Community Stakeholder

Lambeth  Council has adopted a policy to create a “Community Hub” in the Carnegie Library in Herne Hill for community uses and activities.  It aims to transfer the building to a new charitable body to manage operations.

This gives our community a unique opportunity to consider what other uses could be based in the Carnegie to create a much needed community centre for Herne Hill whilst taking into account the financial and other implications of any such changes from the Council’s point of view.

The Friends of Carnegie Library have been considering how the building could be used in the way now proposed whilst retaining a library service at its core.  Some discussions with local organisations have already taken place to identify potential new uses to complement the library service and address the need for community activities and services to have a secure ‘home’.

The Council is looking for a speedy response on community aspirations and the Friends, together with Cllr Carol Boucher, have established a small Project Group to consult on potential new uses, pull together a shortlist of the most appropriate and, in due course, commission the necessary technical support work to make the case for its viability.  As Honorary Secretary to the Project Group I am writing to advise you that the Group exists, invite your initial views and, hopefully, form a good working relationship with you.

We would also like to know if a representative from your organisation would be interested in working on the Project Group to help us develop the project. 

If you would like to give us your views I would be grateful if you would email me at  ftaggart70@btinternet.com for the form and return it to me by 24th November.  The return details are on the form.  At this stage we are only looking for an indication of interest and a broad outline of your ideas or suggestions for community services in the Carnegie.

The Project Group will put together a potential package of new additional uses.  Once we have an outline position we will have more detailed discussions with interested groups and individuals and then bring them together into a collective meeting.   Consultation with the wider community on the preferred package of proposals will take place later.

This is a great opportunity to create something new and badly needed in Herne Hill and we would really value your participation in its development.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely

Fred Taggart

November, 2012.