Read-in at York Gardens Library 5th February- Hugh's point of view

On Saturday, February 5^th, the hall attached to bustling York Garden Library was buzzing to the chatter of young children, concerned parents, angry adults and agitated pensioners gathered to voice their opposition to its proposed closure by Wandsworth Council. More and more people arrived meaning that more and more chairs had to be put out and eventually only standing room was left.

The meeting was introduced and contributions enthusiastically linked by publisher Clare Hey. She drew everyone’s attention to the posters displayed around the hall showing the figures gathered by both Wandsworth Council’s report and a recent CIPFA survey which clearly outlined the reasons why the library should continue to function as the social, cultural and educational centre of the community.

First on the stage was Rebecca Elliot (author and illustrator). Surrounded by illustrations from her book ‘Just Because’, she first talked about how the library played such a vital role in her life and those of her two young children. She entertained those present with a reading from her children’s book and finished with a demonstration of drawing when she completed a quick sketch of one of the listening youngsters.

After telling of his own experience of libraries, the well-known actor and director Samuel West gave an impassioned speech outlining their vital importance to both local communities and the cultural well-being of the country as a whole. The strongly expressed and well-reasoned statements made were loudly applauded.

Singer-songwriter Tim Ten Yen also told of his own use of libraries before launching into two of his truly original and entertaining songs. Dancing across the stage, he cheered the crowd with his whole-hearted delivery and amusing lyrics.

A local historian then provided an informative analysis of the facts and figures surrounding the issue of York Gardens Library and to question arguments put forward for its closure.

The attack upon its proposed closure was joined by Nadifa Mohamed (author of ‘Black Mamba Boy’) and fellow writer Alex Wheatle. Both told of how libraries were so vital in their development as writers and, due to noise at home, how much of their work was actually written within libraries. Comments they made concerning the local community and the importance of the facilities offered by the library for both young and old obviously met with the agreement of those present.

Sophia Bennett (author of the popular teen series ‘Threads’) then argued for the retention of York Gardens Library and its importance to the young of the community. She reminded those gathered of how libraries provided a gateway for children’s development and educational progress before reading short passages from two of her books.

Ninety-two year old local resident Lucie Hauser then took to the stage. She talked of how she, her children and grandchildren all used the library and how the opportunities it offered to the young should not be removed. Her eyes had, however, now grown weak and she was unable to read. The highlight of her life had become her visits to the bridge club sessions run in the library’s hall. Here, along with many other local pensioners, she still had a social life and could form friendships in a warm, secure environment. Her clearly expressed, heartfelt appeal to the council to protect her library was loudly applauded.

The crowd was then treated to the wide vocal range of singer-songwriter Emmy The Great who, between songs, also added her support to the cause of York Gardens Library. Again, the detrimental effect upon the local community if the library closed was stressed.

Guardian journalist Polly Toynbee made a rousing speech in which she warned of the dire consequences of closing libraries and especially attacked plans to take away a library serving such an economically deprived area. The point was made that the council had been elected to protect the interests and welfare of the community it served and not to blindly follow political expediency.

Nikesh Shukla (poet, filmmaker and author) also expressed his views concerning the value of the library before filling the hall with laughter by reading extracts from his work.

Jan, a former employee in the library service of Wandsworth Council, had travelled from Berlin to support the cause of York Gardens Library. Now being free from the constraints placed upon library staff to voice opinions concerning the closure or even to put up posters, she felt liberated when pointing out the flaws in the council’s reasons for closing York Gardens Library. Analysing the economic arguments, she pointed out that adding fifty four pence a year to the council tax of category E properties would provide all the finance required for York Gardens Library to continue to thrive. Wandsworth Council seemed to pride itself on having one of the lowest rates in the country and appeared more concerned with maintaining its one hundred and five million pound surplus than protecting the services it was elected to provide. She did, however, express her gratitude to the two councillors who had turned up to the meeting and her hope that they would seriously consider the arguments they had heard.

Bestselling children's author Caroline Lawrence also joined in the appeal to save the library by talking about the role such places play in ordinary people’s lives. There were readings from her latest book before she moved back to a case full of copies of her bestselling ‘Roman Mysteries’ which were distributed free to youngsters at the end of the meeting.

The importance of access to knowledge was stressed by local successful businessman, Duncan Sambrooke of Sambrookes Brewery, as he supported the calls for York Gardens Library to continue. He shared the knowledge he had gained by giving a brief outline of how to make beer.

A number of other local residents voiced their views. Sandra Munoz, who had made an excellent video concerning the threatened closure, talked about what the library meant to her and the families living in the neighbouring estates. Thea Sherer, a local mother who had helped organise opposition to the council’s plans, made several moving observations. Neil, Kambala Estate Residents Association, argued against the council’s assertion that there were nearby libraries and added his association’s voice to those of others who had pointed out the detrimental impact the closure of the library would have upon the area.

Comedian Arthur Smith arrived to lend his support and helped to end the afternoon by putting a smile on people’s faces while still encouraging those present to continue their fight against the proposed closure of York Gardens Library.

 Duncan Sambrooke explains how to make beer to an interested audience

 Emmy the Great

 Tim Ten Yen

 Thea Sherer- local mother who, as well as giving a brilliant speech, was contributing to the Guardian's live blog of library events around the country,