“Somertrees Avenue, please.” That’s what you might have told the bus driver back in the day to visit Grove Park Library. This library stands as a testament to community spirit. It offers a wealth of resources and activities for everyone.
Grove Park Library is more than just a place for books. It is a vital hub for the local community. The library is located on Somertrees Avenue in Grove Park, London.
Before we delve deeper, let’s set the scene. This area was mainly woodland until the 18th century. Many trees were cut down to make charcoal. That’s why part of the area is called Burnt Ash. After the trees were cleared, Burnt Ash Farm covered much of today’s Grove Park. Near Somertrees Avenue, there was a smaller farm called Grove Farm. This farm gave Grove Park its name.
In the mid-19th century, the land was dug up to make bricks. Houses started to appear. The Grove Park station opened in 1871. This made the area attractive to commuters. More houses were built. But farming, especially dairy farming and plant nurseries, continued.
Now, back to our beloved Grove Park Library. Lewisham Council built the Grove Park Estate in the 1920s. Private housing also went up between the wars. The railway to central London was electrified in 1926. This made commuting even faster and encouraged more people to live here.
The last farmland was built on in the 1960s. But open spaces remain, including private sports grounds and Chinbrook Meadows.
Grove Park Library is a community and volunteer-run library. Eco Communities hosts it. It is also part of Lewisham Council Libraries. Inside, you will find a second-hand bookshop. All the money from the bookshop goes towards keeping the library open. The stock includes books, DVDs, CDs, VHSs, and records. The library carefully selects and updates its stock from donations.
The library also has a cafe. Volunteer baristas offer sweet and savory snacks. They also serve teas and a full range of coffees. You can enjoy your treats in the library or take them away. Profits from the cafe also help keep the library open. The Jimmy Mizen Foundation will soon open a cafe within the building.
Need internet access? Grove Park Library offers free computer and internet access. You get one hour guaranteed and a maximum of three hours. After that, there is an hourly charge. The library also provides free limitless Wi-Fi. To use the free internet, you need to be part of the Lewisham Libraries network. Cheap, high-quality printing, copying, and scanning are also available. Bring your USB stick to scan. Again, all money made goes towards keeping the library open.
Grove Park Library even has a re-use center. You can bring in small electrical appliances. These get re-used for parts and don’t end up in landfills. The library guarantees complete wipes and PAC testing before any items move on.
The Grove Park Library hosts many events and activities.
If you need a space for a group or activity, you can hire a room at Grove Park Community Library. Contact the library for details. In the evenings, outside of opening hours, room hire costs £20 plus VAT per hour.
Grove Park Library stands as a symbol of community resilience. It shows how local efforts can create a valuable resource for everyone. So next time you pass by, remember the journey of this library. It evolved from woodland and farmland to become the heart of Grove Park.