Prosecco flowed as Camden’s mayor joined book lovers to mark the official reopening of Highgate Library, in Chester Road, on December 4.
The refurbishment was a collaboration between Camden Council and the Friends of Highgate Library, which has campaigned for years to keep the 118-year-old library open.
Sarah Harrison, chair of the Highgate Library Management Group, said: “We wanted a formal launch because it’s a huge achievement we want to celebrate.”
Toby Faber, president of the Friends of Highgate Library, with mayor of Camden Samata Khatoon (Image: Nathalie Raffray)
Mentioning the “catastrophic” impact of austerity, she added: “Camden has to be congratulated for finding the money to refurbish this library and to recognise that libraries are incredibly important both in a traditional way, like reading, but in a more modern way, for people to do courses or join classes.”
Work began in January to gut the historic building and repair the leaking roof, replace gas boilers with air source heat pumps and insulate the walls.
Leroy Murray has used the library since childhood. He said: “It’s a beautiful refurbishment, it’s nice to see the books are still front and centre of the library.”
His son John said: “When I came here it was so gloomy but it doesn’t appear that way now.”
His friend Oscar Causer said he had had “a lot of freedom” playing computer games in the children’s library, the only Camden library to include toys.
Gary Watson, senior building services engineer at Camden Council told the Ham&High: “Up close it doesn’t look like we’ve done anything.
“Because it’s listed we’ve only been able to do what we’ve been able to do but it looks pretty similar to how it did before.
“This shows you can decarbonise a heritage building and keep all the features. There’s a reluctance to do it because people think it’s too difficult.”
“I spent a lot of time here and it means a lot,” he said.
“I’ve volunteered for a few years. I’d encourage people to volunteer a shift as it will keep the library open and maybe extend the hours.”
Friends of Highgate Library volunteers work 4,000 hours a year to keep the library open.
Katherine Ives, director of Lauderdale House, said: “It’s brilliant, really exciting for the community. Having had our own refurbishment in 2017 I really know what a difference it makes.
“It’s a lot more comfortable because it’s warm and for management, easier to keep it clean.”
