Hundreds of people attend the opening of Catford’s new library!
After the formal ribbon cutting outside to mark the opening of the new library, the Mayor and residents were able to tour the new facilities at the 7-day a week library including:
• A new children’s section with homework space and digital access.
• Resources to help residents find work and get online.
• Innovative pods for hybrid working.
• New community space available to hire.
The Mayor tested out the new Soundscape project, The Sonic Mind, by sound artist Gawain Hewitt. Then the Mayor and Janet Daby MP were presented with their own copies of Green Lewisham, a new book by the author, Candy Blackham, celebrating Lewisham’s award-winning parks and green spaces.
Across the UK, 800 libraries have been forced to close their doors for good since 2010. Lewisham Council has managed to keep all our libraries open with the invaluable help of local community groups, the first council in the country to do so.
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham said:
“It was great to see 100s of people join us for the opening of our new library in Catford Shopping Centre.
“Our new library is open 7 days a week and there’s a lot going on, from children’s activities at the weekend to start-up work space for new businesses.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the launch and I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make sure that we can open in time for the holidays”.
Cllr James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Culture and ward councillor for Rushey Green said:
“Since 2010 more than 800 libraries have closed across the UK, as Council services nationally are under pressure like never before and Government cuts become ever deeper. Here in Lewisham we’re fighting to keep libraries at the heart of communities. For us, being able to open a new library in the Catford Shopping Centre enables kids to access a great space for home work, gives job seekers the resources to find work and offers homeworkers a space to connect with others. These things, as well as offering all the traditional services, are vital.
“Our year as the Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture has highlighted time and again, that culture cannot be seen as a luxury – it’s absolutely a necessity in order to create active, vibrant and sustainable communities, with local government having a critical role in enabling it.
“We want this library to be a place where everyone can feel safe to be who they are, to learn and find answers, to access help and support, or for those who just simply need somewhere welcoming to go. Our phenomenal librarians are already hard at work ensuring this new community asset is a place of joy, creativity, learning, community and belonging. 7 days a week. For everybody.”