Brixton Library
{{Short description|Public library in Brixton, London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Brixton Library
| library_logo =
| image = Tate Library, Brixton - geograph.org.uk - 472859.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Brixton Tate Library, Brixton Oval
| country = United Kingdom
| type = Public library
| established = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1892|paren=yes}}
| location = Brixton Oval, Brixton, London, SW2
| num_branches = 1
| items_collected = Books, public records
| collection_size =
| legal_deposit =
| req_to_access =
| budget =
| director =
| website = [https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries-0/brixton-tate-library https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/libraries-0/brixton-tate-library]
}}
The Brixton Library (also known as the Brixton Tate Library) is a public library in the London Borough of Lambeth in Brixton, South West London. It was built in the 1890s by the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate and is a Grade II listed building.
History
Brixton library was once part of common land called Rush Common. An Act of Parliament in 1806 "stipulated that 'no Buildings or Erections above the Surface of the Earth' should be erected upon Rush Common within 150 feet of the London to Croydon Turnpike Road (now Brixton Road and Hill)".{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vol26/pp131-136#h3-0007|title=Brixton: Rush Common {{!}} British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|access-date=2019-01-20}} In 1891–3, Sir Henry Tate built the library at a cost of £15,000, and it was opened by the Prince of Wales on 4 March 1893.
File:Brixton library in 1905.jpg
According to the Survey of London (1956), "the architect was Sidney R.J. Smith, and the builders were F. and H.F. Higgs. A brass tablet in the entrance hall records that the garden in front of the library was given in 1905 by Amy, Lady Tate in fulfilment of a wish of her husband Sir Henry Tate".
Dame Amy Tate had bought the land in front of the library in 1904 and created a public garden, with a bust of Tate at its centre which now stands in front of the library.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brixtonsociety.org.uk/friends-of-tate-library/history-of-tate-library/|title=History of Tate Library – The Brixton Society|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-20}} The bust of Tate is a Grade II listed structure.{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1434203|title=Bust of Sir Henry Tate, outside Tate Library, Brixton Oval, Non Civil Parish - 1434203 {{!}} Historic England|last=England|first=Historic|website=historicengland.org.uk|access-date=2019-01-20}}
The theatre next to the library was destroyed by bombing in 1940, allowing the nearby cinema to expand into its place. This cinema is now known as the Ritzy cinema, of which the bar and cafe now stand on the theatre's former site.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2015/03/brixton-history-over-120-years-of-the-brixton-tate-library-in-photos/|title=Brixton History: over 120 years of the Brixton Tate Library and Gardens in photos|last=Urban|first=Mike|date=2015-03-16|website=Brixton Buzz news, features and listings for Brixton, London|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-20}} The library has been Grade II listed since 1999.{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1387287|title=TATE LIBRARY, Lambeth - 1387287 {{!}} Historic England|last=England|first=Historic|website=historicengland.org.uk|access-date=2019-01-20}}
Present day
Today the library houses a collection of books that include reference encyclopaedias, as well as books in Bengali, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The building is wheelchair accessible and has computers and internet access for users.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hernehill.org.uk/places/brixton-library|title=Brixton Library|last=Sixteenfeet_|date=2015-06-01|website=Herne Hill|access-date=2019-01-20}}
The library also offers free digital skills training{{Cite web|url=http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2017/09/learn-internet-and-computer-skills-for-free-digital-champions-at-brixton-library-thursday-fridays-and-sundays/|title=Learn internet and computer skills for free: Digital Champions at Brixton Library, Thursday, Fridays and Sundays|last=Urban|first=Mike|date=2017-09-28|website=Brixton Buzz news, features and listings for Brixton, London|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-20}} and hosts live music performances{{Cite web|url=http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2018/02/in-photos-languid-looms-performs-live-at-the-brixton-library-sat-3rd-feb-2018/|title=In photos: languid looms performs live at the Brixton Library, Sat 3rd Feb 2018|last=Urban|first=Mike|date=2018-02-06|website=Brixton Buzz news, features and listings for Brixton, London|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-20}} and other events.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brixtonblog.com/2016/10/black-history-month-at-brixton-library/ |title=Black History Month at Brixton Library |date=October 6, 2016 |website=Brixton Blog |language=en-GB |access-date=April 13, 2022}} In 2024 the library hosted an exhibition of Sir Frank Bowling's work. {{Cite web |date=2024-11-12 |title=Sir Frank Bowling, OBE RA: Selected Prints {{!}} Lambeth Council |url=https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/events/sir-frank-bowling-obe-ra-selected-prints |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=www.lambeth.gov.uk |language=en}}
References
{{Commons}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Libraries in London}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|51.46101|-0.11486|format=dms|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}