The Upper Norwood Library Trust is set to be able to deliver a full range of community activities in the future, thanks, in large part, to a Croydon Council grant of £85,000 for the next two years.
The activities will be operated out of Upper Norwood Library, in Westow Hill.
As well as providing access to traditional library facilities and the local studies archive, the trust will be creating a new and exciting community learning hub and offering a number of services such as parenting classes, homework clubs, supported reading programmes, a local history club, digital-inclusion courses, a money-advice service, a job club, and a citizens’ advice access point.
In addition, there are plans for a ‘library without walls’ programme including community and schools outreach work, an online knowledge portal, a volunteer project, and digitisation of archives.
A cultural and creative hub to enhance learning from the arts will be run from the building, enabling the development of creative workshops, life drawing, and other cultural events, both within the library and elsewhere in the community.
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport
“I’m delighted we’re able to continue to support the provision of library and community services in Upper Norwood. Croydon Council is committed to ensuring local people continue to enjoy access to cultural and learning facilities despite intense pressure on local authority budgets.”
Trustee Bryher Scudamore said: “We are delighted that Croydon Council, along with Lambeth Council, is supporting the Upper Norwood Library Trust to deliver a range of community services with the much-loved Upper Norwood Library service at the heart of the activities. We wish to thank Councillor Godfrey for his support and look forward to creating something very special in Crystal Palace.”
