The landmark library was designed by renowned architect Sir Basil Spence and is considered one of the most ambitious library designs in the UK and as one of Spence’s most accomplished civic buildings. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on November 10th 1964. In 1997 English Heritage gave the library a Grade II listing.
Over the past sixty years it has welcomed countless people from the local community to come and borrow a book, to read the paper, to revise for exams, or simply to be in the space. It has hosted exhibitions, arts and literacy groups and many more. People have brought their young children to the children’s library, those children have grown up and now bring their own children. Researchers have used the archives that were once housed there and people still come from far afield just to look at the building. More recently it has been used as a warm hub.
For this project Camden Library Service teamed up with oral history specialists digital-works to explore the history from the perspective of the workers as well as the library users. Oral history interviews were recorded for the project with the full interviews given to Camden Archives. These interviews were filmed and used with archive footage and images to create a documentary film.
This project has been made possible with funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy and the Primrose Hill Ward Councillors.
Visit the project website
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