The Tearoom Library, located at The Railway in Streatham, houses more than 500 books – ranging from young children’s picture books and teen fiction, to adult non-fiction, and classics. Books can be loaned by anyone who is a member of Lambeth Libraries, although anyone can come to the library to sit and read.
Staff at The Railway created the library after hearing how much their locals miss the old Streatham Vale Library – which closed 14 years ago. They decided to pilot the idea of local businesses taking on important new roles, providing community spaces, and improving access to books in the area.
The library has proved very popular and now has a large number of regular visitors. Currently, the most popular genre of book is teenage fiction, which shows how the library is encouraging young readers. Rebecca Fudder, who attends the free Library Reading Group on Tuesdays with her daughter, supports this, “I’m excited at having a local library which can get my child into a good routine of reading, and can allow her to love books”.
The Tearoom Library also hosts ‘Wriggle and Rhyme’, an Under 5’s session with storytelling and rhymes for parent and toddlers (term time only). Mother, Sammi, who attends the session, appreciates how the library “can remind children of the value of books, as well as wider horizons”.
Why not check out The Streatham Tearoom Library when you’re next in the area?
Culture 2020 Conversation
Do you have views on the future of libraries in Lambeth? The council is currently holding a wide ranging consultation on the future of cultural services in the borough – looking at how we can make the most of our local parks, libraries, sports facilities and more.
You can find out all about the consultation at www.lambeth.gov.uk/culture2020consultation – including events being held across the borough and how to complete a questionnaire.
Streatham event
- The Culture2020 Conversation event in Streatham takes place on Monday 2nd March, 7 to 9pm at Streatham Library.
- This is an opportunity to discuss all the proposals with council officers and the cabinet member and includes a theme workshop on town centre libraries.
- The event is open to all but if you can, please register to help us to plan for the numbers who want to attend
Other events will be taking place across the borough and will include other theme workshops – visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/culture2020consultation.
[…] local people can do whether it’s local management of a park, such as The Rookery, setting up a community book lending service or running a community sports organisation, like the St Matthew’s […]