Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – South Chingford Community Library in Waltham Forest may relocate after its building owner announced redevelopment plans and a major rent increase.
Trustees have now reached an agreement with Waltham Forest Council to relocate to a nearby council-owned building in Old Church Road.
Richard Aspen, chairman of the board of trustees at South Chingford Community Library, said:
“We’ve been in this location now since 2012.
We’ve gradually built things up over here.
But now this building is going to be redeveloped so we have to move elsewhere.
We’re delighted that the council found us a new place to go to up in Old Church Road – the building with a mural on the side.
It’s an exciting opportunity for us because we’re going to be able to design our own library exactly as we’d like to do it.”
In addition to lending books, the volunteer-run library provides employment counseling, a poetry reading group, and rhyme time for young children.
The council has backed the library’s relocation by providing professional guidance through its property team and by designing the new location.
Additionally, its social value team has collaborated with neighborhood developers to assist with the new building’s fit-out.
Councillor Ros Dore, cabinet member for culture, libraries, sport and leisure, said:
“This volunteer-run community library is an amazing resource in South Chingford.
By next summer, we’ll be in our new home just up the road, but will still be very much part of the South Chingford community.”
The library has been officially designated as a voluntary and community sector organisation, which the council said qualifies it for a significant rent reduction in the new space.
What are the reasons behind the redevelopment of the library site?
A lot of library buildings, like community libraries, become outdated and no longer serve their purpose. They can be non-compliant with current building codes, have outdated physical structures, and poor layouts that do not meet contemporary usage needs.
Increased populations in communities, and the changing needs of community residents can outgrow library buildings. Redevelopment provides the opportunity to increase the area for collections, study space, community space, and all publics with new modern amenities.
Library use has changed drastically where there is now increased demand for digital access, group study spaces, and multi-use community spaces. Redevelopment is used to create open, adaptable, and inviting places for the diverse users and improved access for members of the public with disabilities.
