Keep The Keats Community Library Flying
As George Orwells Novel Keep the Aspidistra flying was penned, following events on Pond street. Round the corner at Keats Grove, the public at wonders at large if the precarious nature of the word has change much since then.
Keats Community Library maybe forging ahead, but keeps eye fixed on funding targets.
All is not well in the leafy suburb of Hampstead. As a spectre is stalking this genteel neighbourhood. * Reports are of 600 libraries close yet so far. Thought minister say the number could be much less, reports the Independent. (November 5)
Since The Keats community Library, (KCl), was transferred over from Camden council, to the new set up board of Trustees, formerly known as the board of heath Library.
Just over 2000 memberships in 6 months since opening in May. And 65,000 have visited through the library doors.
Camden’s Library Service have gifted about 20,000 items and £124,000 to the Keats Community Library as a transitional Fund. Stated Cllr Tulip Siddiq Cabinet Member for Culture in the Ham And High newspaper. Lee Montague (trustee) said ‘it will cost £250 a day to open the library if we keep to the current opening times of 42 hours which is a tough target. We hope to keep our costs down by using volunteers as much as possible’
Vicky Bobasch (Trustee) talks about the flurry of activity required to keep the newly reopened community hub. And long journey to securing its finances. Vicky was keen to point out that the KCl is ‘exceptionally lucky’ in its location and history and did not want to see itself as the example or the reason for more Library closures.
The trustees have finally found a Sponsor for the now much loved talks, and are ‘happy to thank Kilik finance for their involvement.’
Those that have given talks on books or other subjects are Howard Jacobson, winner of the Booker prise, Micheal Palin who attended the reopening of the library drawing a crowd of 300. Should be noted that as a sign of just how much local celebrates are willing to put themselves out. ‘Palin stayed for hours up until right at the very end. Perhaps knowing how much every little effort counts so much. Making absolutely sure that the very eager parents shot exactly the perfect photo with him and their children.’ Said Vicky Bobasch
Lord Bragg has also give a star turn drawing over a hundred attendees. Sue Perkins , Davis Badiel, Dame Lesley And many others have also given their time.
Keith Fawkes of the eponymous bookshop On Flask walk said ‘Anything that stimulates interest in books, literature and the arts is a very good thing’ and said it was great what KCL was doing creating contact between the public and Authors. Agreeing that Libraries are a vital part of this cultural ecology, ‘Any closure of libraries, and museums such as the Hendon Farm House Museum and the pending closure of Barnet museum is an enormous and tragic loss’.
Keats Community Library asks, members of the public please be fearless in forwarding or talking to any of the trustees in person about it. contact keatscommunitylibrary@gmail.com or phone 020 7431 1266