South Norwood Library

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South Norwood Library
Southnorwoodlibrary.JPG
South Norwood Library
General information
AddressLawrence Road, South Norwood, SE25 5AA
Town or citySouth Norwood, London
CountryUnited Kingdom
Completed1968
ClientLondon Borough of Croydon
Design and construction
ArchitectHugh Lea
Website
www.croydon.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-culture/libraries/find-your-library/south-norwood-library

South Norwood Library is a public library in South Norwood, South London. Known for its brutalist style,[1] it stands in the London Borough of Croydon and is part of the [2] arm of the council. It is next to the High Street on Selhurst Road / Lawrence Road and is also close to South Norwood Recreation Ground.[citation needed]

The library building is arranged over five levels split across the front and rear of the building. The front part of the building has the ground floor entrance level, which houses the reception, and the second floor which houses the children's library. The rear of the building has the basement, first and third floors. The levels are offset so that the floors in the front and rear of the building appear like mezzanine levels to each other. There is a lift serving all five floors.[citation needed]

A new South Norwood Library building was built in a block of flats, due to open in 2019 but remains empty.[3] Since the COVID-19 lockdowns the library service has reopened in the existing 1968 building with reduced opening hours.[4] The Friends of South Norwood Library continue to campaign for the library, supported by authors including Alex Wheatle.[5] A petition also exists to ensure protection for the building due to its architectural merit.[6]

History[]

The library was designed by , Borough Architect for Croydon in 1967[1] and opened in 1968.[7] It is locally listed within the South Norwood conservation area.[1]

A mosaic designed by local schoolchildren was also installed to the front of the library in 2006.[1]

Services[]

Services available at South Norwood Library include Books & CDs for reference and loan at the reception area. There is a children's library on the second floor.[citation needed]

Other services include [1]:

  • Enquiry service
  • Free access to PCs including the internet
  • Black and white photocopier
  • Books in community languages
  • Newspapers and periodicals
  • Community information
  • Reading groups

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "General 4". Brutalist Library SE25. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-02-04. Retrieved 2007-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ insidecroydon (2020-12-02). "BxB-built library which has never opened is now to be closed". Inside Croydon. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  4. ^ "South Norwood Library | Croydon Council". www.croydon.gov.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  5. ^ "Home | Friends of South Norwood Library". Friends of South Nor. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  6. ^ "Save the building". Brutalist Library SE25. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
  7. ^ "South Norwood Library | Open House London 2021". openhouselondon.open-city.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-16.

External links[]


Coordinates: 51°23′51″N 0°04′43″W / 51.3974°N 0.0787°W / 51.3974; -0.0787

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