A multi-million pound development will transform a Camden Road library, which will be relocated and rebuilt in an ambitious project lasting 18 months.
The John Barnes Library will be torn down in January 2014 and rebuilt on the Lower Hilldrop Estate in a move that may surprise some residents, as just one month ago it was announced that the building would only be refurbished.
Named after a former councillor, the library was built 40 years ago but has seen a steady decline in use. Having once attracted 83,000 people a year its heyday, it is now used by 55,000.
An executive council member, Janet Burgess, hopes the new development will draw more people back to the library.
She said: “We are really excited because this will encourage people to come to the library and we know if children read for pleasure, it has more effect on future job prospects than anything else.
“We also want to raise adult literacy levels right across the borough. I am a genuine library user trying to encourage more people to use them.”
Jessica Asato, labour councillor for St George’s, told Islington Now: “This is a fantastic opportunity, both for building much needed homes in Islington and for bringing the John Barnes Library into the twenty-first century.
“It does suffer from being in quite a dark corner of the ward and so if this new development can help bring it out then that will be brilliant.
“This is an example of the council putting money to a very good use.”
During the building work, locals will still be able to borrow books from a temporary library based out of a portacabin.
The John Barnes library was named after my Uncle John, and we, his Welsh family as he called us, were very proud. His late wife Charlotte (Lottie) was Welsh and quite well known in the Hilldrop Crescent/Camden road area. It was good to know that the library is having a “re-vamp” and wish it every success. Do hope that the name John Barnes will be kept.
Marion Carney, Tredegar, Gwent