Camberwell Library has celebrated receiving The Bookseller’s Library of the Year award.
To mark the occasion, Councillor Johnson Situ, Southwark Council’s cabinet member for business, culture and social regeneration, was joined by author Sophie Hannah, library staff, and a crowd of more than 60 people.
Visits to the library have almost doubled and new borrowers have tripled since it was opened in 2015.
Among other things, staff deliver, recommend and summarise large print books and audiobooks for Southwark Pensioners Centre’s visually-impaired Eye-To-Eye Group.
Volunteers have also helped deliver 250 hours of community sessions, like homework help and reading buddies, and the library also runs baby and toddler activities and internet taster and job-hunting sessions.
Cllr Situ commented: “This award recognises the council’s commitment to maintaining and improving its library service, but local people have really taken ownership of this wonderful space and made it their own as well.
“I’d like to thank our library staff and volunteers for organising outstanding events and activities, encouraging partnerships with both local and international authors, and welcoming everybody through the doors. This award is a credit to them as well.”
Author Sophie Hannah added: “Local libraries are an important community resource, and I was delighted to come and talk about books at Camberwell Library, the 2017 Library of the Year.”