Kensal Rise Library

Kensal Rise Library is a public library in London, England, opened by American author Mark Twain in 1900. The site was donated by All Souls College, Oxford.[1] The library's threatened closure prompted a large campaign to save it, led by figures including Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, Zadie Smith, Nick Cave and Pet Shop Boys.

Kensal Rise Library

History

Kensal Rise Library was opened by Mark Twain, who had been staying nearby at Dollis Hill House, whose guests have included Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone and which was later used by Winston Churchill's War Cabinet.[2] At the ceremony, Mark Twain gave the Library Committee chairman five of his books and a signed photograph.[3]

In autumn 1964 the Children's Library was moved into the 1928 extension.[4] Murals created in 1934 were still in the building, stored on one of the upper floors, in the late 2000s.[5]

Brent Council put forward proposals to close the library in November 2010. The proposals were met with widespread condemnation and significant media coverage,[6][1][7] and protests at council meetings.[6] Philip Pullman described the proposed closure as "barbarism".[8] The campaign to save the library was supported by Alan Bennett,[9] Zadie Smith,[10] Nick Cave[11] and the Pet Shop Boys.

All Souls College sold the building in April 2015,[12] to Uplift Properties Ltd,[13] stipulating to the buyer that Friends of Kensal Rise Library have a rent free space for a community library on the ground floor of the library building. An open day was held inside the library building on 6 June 2015,[14] and after an estimated £200,00 of refurbishment costs, the new library opened in 2016.[13]

In 1994, the interior was refurbished in a Neo-Edwardian style.[15] After the closure of the library, volunteers from the local community set up a pop-up library outside.[16]

By late 2018, Friends of Kensal Rise Library had signed a long lease for part of the ground floor, following refurbishment. The library part of the building has been open for various community and fundraising events in 2018 and 2019. Book shelving is in place and KRCL was open for book donations from 7 to 13 April 2019. The Library expects to lend books later in the year. Fundraising for fitting out, stock and running costs continues.[17]

References
  1. Topping, Alexandra; Page, Benedicte (7 January 2011). "Libraries seen as easy touch when it comes to balancing the books". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  2. "Brent Heritage – Gladstone Park". Brent Heritage. 2002. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  3. "Kensal Rise Library". Brent Heritage. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  4. Barker, Robert. "Kensal Rise Library, 1900 – 2000" (PDF).
  5. 'Kensal Green', a history talk (essentially an extended version of the Brent Archives Places in Brent booklet on Kensal Green) by Brent Archives given at Kensal Rise Library in 2007.
  6. "Tim Lott: The local library, a beacon of civilisation". The Independent. London. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  7. "Author Maggie Gee: 'Libraries are a free education'". BBC News. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  8. Bryant, Miranda (14 February 2011). "Philip Pullman slams council over plan to shut Kensal Rise library". Archived from the original on 23 February 2011.
  9. Mohammed, Syma. "Alan Bennett backs crusade to save Kensal Rise Library". Kilburn Times.
  10. Parsons, Rob (30 March 2011). "Zadie Smith's anger at 'shameful' library cuts". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  11. Chilton, Martin (8 July 2011). "Library campaigners helped by Nick Cave". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  12. "April 2015 Update". Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  13. "July 2015 Update". Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  14. "Open Day in the Library!". Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  15. "Kensal Rise Library". Brent Heritage. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  16. Brady, Tara. "Fresh hope for campaign to save Kensal Rise Library". Kilburn Times.
  17. "Kensal Rise Library | All about the community run Kensal Rise Library". Friendsofkensalriselibrary.org. Retrieved 13 October 2019.

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