WHO ARE WE?

A small committee of local residents who since 1988 have provided voluntary support to the library to raise its profile as a community resource and try to ensure the retention and development of library facilities in the building.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We raise funds to support the library and organise monthly events with speakers giving talks on literary, historical and cultural topics.

The events take place on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm in the library Antrim Road NW3 4XN.

Come along and meet people from the area and enjoy a glass of wine.

If you would like to be on the library mailing list and/or would like to join our committee, volunteer or support us financially, please email us at friendsofbelsizelibrary.org@gmail.com.

Belsize Community Library, situated in Antrim Road, was built in 1937, replacing the original library founded in 1897. The design by architects Gold and Aldridge won widespread acclaim for its use of open–plan spaces. The library continues to be owned by Camden Council but following threatened closure, its management was taken over by the Winchester Project (the Winch) in 2012. In 2016 the library building was granted ‘listed’ status.

Over the years, many Belsize residents, including some of the most vulnerable, have enjoyed the facilities offered in the library, from older people reading the newspapers and looking for human interaction, to mothers with young children who feel isolated and young people looking for a place to do their homework. The library is now a thriving community centre offering a wide variety of activities with many focusing on children. It is also available for hire. However, due to financial constraints, the library is only open from Monday to Wednesday. The initial grant awarded by Camden to the Winch expired and the library continues mainly with the support of grants and generous benefactors. Its future as a library and community space is, therefore, precarious.