The committee of Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library has sent a paper to Lambeth Council (Adrian Smith, John Kerridge, Gareth Edmundson, Praveen Maghani) setting out the role it is offering to play in the new “co-production” regime proposed for the running of the six smaller libraries in the borough. A summary is below or you can read the full version of the FoTSLL in the co-production era document here.
SUMMARY
Our vision
Our long-term vision remains the development of our local library as a centre for activities that enhance the life experience and life chances of the local community. All the proposals listed below have this purpose in mind.
What we propose to do
Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library are not proposing to take over the management of Tate South Lambeth Library, but we want to deepen and expand the cooperation with the public library that has characterised our group since its inception in 1999. To this end we are proposing to maintain and develop our programme of activities at the library, working with the current management – Lambeth Libraries – or any successor managing body.
That programme features:
- evening talks
- a gardening group
- a monthly film night
- art exhibitions
In maintaining and expanding our current programme we hope to deepen local involvement, both directly and by example. We already have a history of partnership – with Tate South Lambeth Library library staff in putting on events and activities, with local schools in our art exhibition programme, and with local businesses and corporations in raising cash and in-kind support.
What we propose to encourage
Sustaining the library in the co-production era requires the involvement of other local groups. Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library will encourage and facilitate that involvement and seek to work with them.
We see a range of co-production activities that are immediately realisable with the existing capacity and resources of the library. These are:
- adult education classes
- study evenings
- group meetings in the main library and – in fine weather – in the courtyard
- rehearsal space for actors and musicians
In addition, after a modification and upgrading of facilities, the following might be feasible:
- training sessions for business
- business presentations and conferences
- evening programmes for young people
- drama and music performances
One big proviso here is that any modification of the building and its facilities must not compromise its core purpose as a library.
Read the full version of the FoTSLL in the co-production era document here.
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