New library opens in Ferndale ward!

The first new library in Lambeth for over forty years was official opened on Friday 20^th July 2012 in Ferndale ward.  The new Clapham Library is in the renamed Mary Seacole House, built on the site of the old Lambeth Council social services building, at 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. 

The library was opened by Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, local author and broadcaster John O’Farrell.

From left: Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed,
John O'Farrell and  Ferndale councillor Sally Prentice

Your local Ferndale ward councillors Paul McGlone, Sally Prentice and Neil Sabharwal celebrated this achievement along with a large gathering of local guests.

This event was an opportunity to celebrate Labour’s commitment to Lambeth’s library service, providing local residents with an innovative new library which is modern, light and airy, with over 20,000 books, café space, performance space, free wi-fi and internet access.  It features a distinctive spiral design that draws inspiration from Manhattan’s famous Guggenheim Museum.

Designed by world famous London based architects Studio Egret West, the library is part of an innovative public private partnership between the council, primary care trust(PCT), Cathedral Group and United House Group to rebuild Mary Seacole House, making it home to not only Clapham Library but a medical centre and 136 residential flats as well. 

Vauxhall councillors at the opening of the Clapham Library

Ferndale ward councillors outside the Clapham Library