Celebrate our libraries this Saturday

This Saturday (February 7) is National Libraries Day. At a time of proposed cuts and closures for several local libraries, it’s an important moment to highlight their value and importance.

brixton-library-protest-1

You can get involved with the national celebrations by visiting the National Libraries Day website and organising your own event. There’s lots happening on social media too: share a library #shelfie and join the Thunderclap to let people know how much you bloomin’ love libraries.

Locally, Lambeth libraries are running their own social media campaign to celebrate libraries all this month. They’re asking local people to describe what they love about Lambeth libraries and what makes them great. Check out all the responses live on the @lamlibs Twitter feed (hashtag #lovelamlibs).

It’s an important moment for our local libraries, with Lambeth Council proposing to sell the historic Minet Library building, which houses the Lambeth Archives. “Selling Minet and Waterloo libraries will give us a pot of money to support community libraries” Cllr Jane Edbrooke told the Brixton Blog. Minet Hub, a charity made up of local community hubs, is holding a candle lit vigil in support of the library from 5pm to 6pm in Myatt’s Field’s Park on Saturday and ask locals to join them.Â