London’s Smallest Library
It is true that ‘video killed the radio star’. However, smartphones failed to kill ancient red telephone boxes in the UK completely. The well-designed boxes are used in many different ways. In Lewisham, a box has been renovated into a small library where people in the area can find their favourite books. It has been a well-known Instagram worthy spot recently.
The box stands near the corner of Loampit Hill and Tyrwhitt Road. In the hand made shelves, there are nearly 200 books of many kinds such as British literature, picture books, and Japanese mangas. The lowest shelf used to be divided into children’s books, although now there are some other books too. Because it opens 24 hours a day, people who live in Lewisham visit whenever they want to read something. It inspires not only bookish types of people but also people who do not have a habit of going to libraries or bookshops by its unique atmosphere.
The person who established this library was a former resident, a semi-professional musician, Sebastian Handley, a man who had a desire to create something which makes people in the community happy. After he donated some of his books in 2013, locals copied him. Consequently, many residents have been borrowing and returning books they like.
The red telephone boxes are a ‘must to see’ in the UK. They were originally designed in the 1920s by Sir Gilbert Scot who is known for the design of TATE Modern’s building. According to British Telecom, although there were about 78,000 telephone boxes in the UK, there are less than 7500 now. The company restores the boxes and sells one for 2,750 pounds. They are used as free mobile phone charging points or small offices too. However, there are few that are used by many people like the one in Lewisham. Therefore the library has won several awards. When Sebastian received the Point of Light Award, Prim Minister Cameron said ‘his innovative idea has become an incredible resource for all ages in his community’.
The unique place is now popular among Instagramers. Since 2015, there have been more than 150 posts on Instagram and people who have posted the picture of the library usually get a lot of likes. On the Facebook page of the library, there are more than 1700 followers. It is a large number compared to the page for Lewisham libraries which has approximately 530 followers.
In the ceiling, there is a message, ‘it’s not what you get, it’s what you leave behind.’ Even though Sebastian has moved to Brighton, locals are taking care of the place. How long a library will continue to be open is highly dependent on people’s participation and interests. So far, it looks like it will never die.
Hideaki Hara
