Kensal Rise Library

Kensal Rise Library

Kensal Rise Library was a public library situated in London, United Kingdom, opened by American author Mark Twain in 1900. The site was donated by All Souls College, Oxford.[1] The library has been threatened with closure, with a large campaign to save it led by figures including Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, Nick Cave and Pet Shop Boys.[2]

Opening Ceremony

Mark Twain at the opening ceremony of Kensal Rise Library

Kensal Rise Library was opened by Mark Twain, who had been staying nearby at Dollis Hill House, whose guests have included Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone and which was later used by Winston Churchill's War Cabinet.[3] At the ceremony, Mark Twain gave the Library Committee Chairman five of his books and a signed photograph.[4]

Present

In 1994, the interior was refurbished in a Neo-Edwardian style.[4] Due to the current closure of the library, volunteers in the local community have set up a pop-up library outside.[5]

Proposed closure

Brent Council put forward proposals to close the library in November 2010. The proposals have been met with widespread condemnation and significant media coverage, including coverage in The Independent on Sunday,[6] The Guardian,[1] BBC News,[7] and protests at council meetings.[6] Philip Pullman has described the proposed closure as 'barbarism'.[8] The campaign to save the library is being supported by Alan Bennett,[9] Zadie Smith,[10] Nick Cave[11] and the Pet Shop Boys.[2]

All Souls College sold the building in April 2015[12] to Uplift Properties Ltd,[13] stipulating to the buyer that Friends of Kensal Rise Library have a rent free space for a community library on the ground floor of the library building. An open day was held inside the library building on the 6th June 2015,[14] and after an estimated £200,00 of refurbishment costs, the new library is scheduled to open in Spring/Summer 2016.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 Topping, Alexandra; Page, Benedicte (2011-01-07). "Libraries seen as easy touch when it comes to balancing the books". London: guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  2. 1 2 "Alan Bennett and the Pet Shop Boys lead campaign against 'unlawful' proposed library closures". Daily Mail. London. 2011-07-19.
  3. ↑ "Brent Heritage - Gladstone Park". Brent Heritage. 2002. Retrieved 2007-07-03.
  4. 1 2 "Kensal Rise Library". Brent Heritage. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  5. ↑ Fresh hope for campaign to save Kensal Rise Library - News - Brent & Kilburn Times
  6. 1 2 "Tim Lott: The local library, a beacon of civilisation". The Independent. London. 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  7. ↑ "Author Maggie Gee: 'Libraries are a free education'". BBC News. 2011-01-19. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  8. ↑ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23922987-philip-pullman-slams-council-over-plan-to-shut-kensal-rise-library.do. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ Alan Bennett backs crusade to save Kensal Rise Library - News - Brent & Kilburn Times
  10. ↑ Zadie Smith's anger at 'shameful' library cuts - News - London Evening Standard
  11. ↑ Chilton, Martin (2011-07-08). "Library campaigners helped by Nick Cave". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  12. ↑ "April 2015 Update". Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  13. ↑ "July 2015 Update". Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  14. ↑ "Open Day in the Library!". Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  15. ↑ "July 2015 Update". Retrieved 2015-09-23.

External links

Coordinates: 51°32′02″N 0°13′34″W / 51.5339°N 0.2261°W / 51.5339; -0.2261

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