Why I’m Loving London’s Local Libraries

A bonus post on the magic of modern community hubs

Hi, I’m Holly - coach, mindfulness facilitator and author of Zestful Zen. I write about self-care, change, personal growth, mindfulness, and purpose. If you like life to be full of zest and energy, complemented by a zen, calm mind, Zestful Zen is the community for you! 💖✨

The following post is part of a Seed Pod collaboration about libraries. Seed Pods are a SmallStack community project designed to help smaller publications lift each other up by publishing and cross-promoting around a common theme. We’re helping each other plant the seeds for growth!

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My SmallStack Seed Pod post 🫛

Hi friends! I know you won’t be expecting to hear from me today, but hopefully this bonus post comes as a pleasant surprise. 🎁

It’s been a rather busy September so far, but I couldn’t miss my chance to to do the Seed Pod post I’d committed to. I’m taking it right to the wire by posting on the final day of the collaboration, but better late than never. 😅

The Seed Pod announcement was serendipitous timing (I know, I use that word a lot, but serendipity just seems to fit well with my generally optimistic outlook on life!) ✨

I tend to get in the zone best with people around me, some white noise and chatter to give me a bit of a buzz (you can read more about creative places in my recent essay Hot Spots and Not Spots: Where are your ideal creative and relaxation spaces?)

But, while I love hanging out in cafes writing, my wallet and waistline don’t.

So SmallStack’s call to action to write about libraries was just the spur I needed to experiment with switching up my creative locations to gain and reduce the pounds.

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Exploring my local libraries 📚

I was perhaps a bit over-ambitious aiming to try three new London libraries and revisit two in Northern Ireland. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t manage to cram in that many over a few short days.

My Norn Iron haunts will have to wait until my Christmas trip. 🎄

But I did check out two new neighbourhood spots and one old favourite:

• Tate Streatham Library: a Grade II listed building close to me, run by Lambeth Council. It’s been around since 1891, planned and funded by Henry Tate: sugar merchant, philanthropist and Streatham resident who also established the Tate Gallery. It even has a little garden for summer reading.

• Balham Library: Another Tate legacy, opened in 1898. Falls under Wandsworth Council, but it’s managed by Better, a charitable social enterprise. An hour’s walk away through my lovely local park, Tooting Common.

• The British Library: The national library of the UK with over 170 million items! Conveniently for me, it’s right next to London St Pancras Station, where I frequently hop on and off the Eurostar. It has exhibitions, events (talks, readings and performance - online and in-person) and treasures including the Magna Carta.

Community is where it’s at 💖

So, what did I learn from my change of scenery?

Well, a little like Substack, it seems like people might come to the library for the quality reading material, but they stay for the kind community vibes and support.

Modern libraries provide SO MANY services, beyond just lending books out.

A warm welcome to all in Lambeth

Here’s just a small sample of what’s on offer at my local branches in south London:

• You can borrow a whopping 20 books/audiobooks and 20 e-items (e-books and e-audiobooks) at a time, with a 24/7 digital library.

• Books are available in an impressive number of neighbourhood languages from Abkhaz to Zulu (it makes my heart sing to call such a diverse city my home), plus a subscription to Transparent Languages (120+ languages you can learn).

• The Home Library Service can deliver books to those with access challenges due to disability, age or full-time caring responsibilities.

• Digital inclusion is a big feature of modern UK libraries – computers for adults and children plus free Wi-Fi. Screen magnifiers and screen reading software, audio books, e-books, online reference sources, printing and photocopying all available.

• The Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme provides books to support health and wellbeing, selected by health professionals and people living with the conditions covered. This includes lots of books on mental health, books helpful if living with dementia, and books for children.

• You can even Book-a-Librarian to provide one-to-one help and support with daily tasks such as passport applications, job searches, freedom pass applications (free transport passes for pensioners).

• A soundproof debt advice kiosk for private video consultations with expert advisors.

• Business support for local start-ups.

• Social groups and support sessions: book clubs (books provided of course!), chess clubs, baby rhyme-time, under-fives story-telling sessions, Knit & Natter, English classes, IT and digital inclusion support, yoga, mindfulness, board games…

• Designated Cool Spaces in summer (providing air-conditioned shelter from the sun on hot days) and Warm Spaces in winter (heated spaces grow ever more important for the vulnerable as energy costs have sky rocketed).

• Safe Haven spaces providing temporary refuge for anyone experiencing harassment or feeling unsafe – practical help such as phone charging and contacting emergency services.

• Hygiene Bank, accepting and distributing donations of hygiene and personal care products for those living in hygiene poverty.

• Borrow a ukele!!

• And of course, work/study spaces, which I availed myself of.

I’m wowed by the wide range of services provided and the feeling that my local libraries are true community hubs, serving our diverse neighbourhood.

The Verdict 🏆

✅ I still adore the British Library – it makes a great pitstop for me by St Pancras. It’s sleek, modern and comfortable and has that studious and youthful vibe that comes from being so close to London’s top universities.

✅ But I’ve been won over by the charm and community warmth of my local options too. Now I’ve got my library card, I’ll definitely be back for the books as well as the company. ✨

Have you been to your local library lately? 😁

• How does your local library inspire and enchant you? What makes it unique?

• How can you give back to your local library and community?

Give it another go if you’ve not been in a while!

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Want to see more posts from this Seed Pod or join in on the fun? Head over to our thread to learn more!

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