Hot on the heels of crowning the regional winners for the highly-coveted Independent Bookshop of the Year award, the British Book Awards are back to dish out some more shiny accolades. The bookworms and bibliophiles have now scoured the length and breadth of the country in search of the very best libraries. 42 libraries (and library authorities) from across the UK and Ireland were recently shortlisted for the award, but now the regional and country winners have been revealed.
The annual award (which is sponsored by DK Books and in association with the Reading Agency) shines a spotlight on the spots that engage and inspire their local communities in ‘meaningful and lasting ways’ through ‘thoughtful collaboration and innovation’. And a bunch of beloved London libraries have just been named the best in the capital city.
Southwark Libraries
The London regional winner for the prestigious award is Southwark Libraries; a network of 12 libraries scattered across the borough of – you guessed it, folks – Southwark. Praised for their community engagement and rising readership, Southwark Libraries nabbed the crown for London because of its many innovative initiatives.
Last year, Southwark Libraries launched the ‘To Be at Southwark Library’ campaign that focused on reconnecting residents with their local libraries and the range of services that the borough has to offer. The libraries in Southwark are also designated ‘Libraries of Sanctuary’, providing safe, welcoming, supportive spaces for refugees and asylum seekers.
The twelve libraries that make up Southwark Libraries are Blue Anchor Library, Brandon Library, Camberwell Library, Canada Water Library, Dulwich Library, East Street Library, Grove Vale Library, John Harvard Library, Kingswood Library, Nunhead Library, Peckham Library and Walworth Library. All of the Southwark Libraries offer free study spaces, computer access and a whole host of activities.
The overall winner of the Library of the Year award (and the Independent Bookshop of the Year award) will be announced at a fancy ceremony at Grosvenor House on May 11.
Philip Jones, editor at The Bookseller and chair of the judges for The British Book Awards, said: “Libraries are at the heart of our reading culture, and the initiatives implemented by these winners show how a love of books can be inculcated across large groups of library users, activating new readers and reactivating lapsed ones. Ranging from writing projects to book bingo to a community cohesion programme aimed at refugees, in the National Year of Reading these are standout examples of what can be done and done well.”
You can find out more about the other Library of the Year regional and county winners here.
