Help kick start Cricklewood Community Library

The New Library is a Project with a long history which you can read about here : https://www.cricklewoodlibrary.org.uk/welcome/history/

The New Library is designed as a community hub with 2 activity rooms that can be hired out for any socially acceptable purpose. There are bookings already made for the activity rooms and the library space has mobile bookcases that can be rolled into a storage area so the main library hall is also available to be hired for other purposes. 

The Active members of Friends of Cricklewood Library have been working for the last 10 years to get the new library open and their efforts have almost got the project finished. Sadly, due to a run of very bad luck and delays resulting from the Covid pandemic, they have now run out of money and needs help to cross the finishing line. 

I have helped occasionally, in the past, at fund raising events for the new community library but a few months ago I volunteered to organise a team of other helpers to decorate the library and fit out the bookcases that had been donated by others.  

All the rooms were bare plastered walls and ceilings without skirting boards and with broken plasterboard sills to doors and windows (don't ask) . 

Over 4 months of lockdown working socially isolated shifts a small group - mainly 3 pensioners -  have decorated all the rooms, repaired the cills and fixed all the permanent bookcases in the library.  Transforming this : 

To this :

and :

We have also provided some of the materials for things such as the skirting boards and a new wall plate for a sliding partition wall in the activity room but we do not have the skills or resources for the final outstanding piece of work - the new library cafe. 

Another supporter has built part of the new cafe' reception counter and we have prepared detailed drawings and a scope of work to get things finished. 

It should look something like :

So our final effort is to raise money for completing the library and getting it open. 

We have received an estimate of £24000 to complete the cafe area - so that is the sum we need to raise (+ costs). The Friends of Cricklewood Library want to open in June - so we need the cash as soon as possible.  Any surplus will be used to support the revenue requirements up to the time the Library becomes self sufficient and then to provide free activities for children in the local community.