• RECENTLY I had the pleasure of visiting Kentish Town Library to celebrate its reopening following an extensive upgrade.

Libraries are a key part of all our communities, offering a space where people can meet, learn and discover new skills. That’s why we’re committed to keeping them open and future proofing them for generations to enjoy.

After speaking with residents in Kentish Town, we knew they wanted a library which included more space to study, access to the latest technology and spaces the community can get together and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

Library users are now benefiting from a community space and study areas that have been refurbished as well as improved digital facilities, including state of the art technology with better and faster computers.

As well as the range of existing activities, including our popular rhyme time sessions, book clubs, creative writing and knitting clubs, the library will be hosting new sessions including toy box sessions, chess and board games clubs, whilst also offering more space to enable community groups to work together following the success of the Think and Do community space for climate and eco action.

The upgrades are part of our £1.5m investment to ensure Camden’s libraries continue to thrive in the future, but the work doesn’t end here and these enhanced facilities are just the start – we’ll be working in other libraries over the next year to invest in them as digital and community spaces.

JONATHAN SIMPSON
Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture & Community Services
Labour Councillor for King’s Cross ward