Bethnal Green Library
51°31′35″N 0°03′14″W / 51.5265°N 0.0539°W / 51.5265; -0.0539
LocationCambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0HL, United Kingdom
TypePublic library
Established1922
Branch ofTower Hamlets
Access and use
Access requirementsFree entry, library membership required to access most services
Other information
Website

Bethnal Green library is a public library situated in Bethnal Green Gardens on Cambridge Heath Road in Bethnal Green, London.[1] The library was opened by Mayor Councillor J.J. Vaughan on 13 October 1922.[2] The first known building on the site was built in 1570 and was leased in 1727 to Matthew Wright. It was then turned into a private lunatic asylum which became known as Wright's Madhouse.[3] The asylum closed in 1920.[4]

History

The first building that has been recorded on the site in Bethnal Green Gardens was a large timber-framed mansion. It was built in 1570, by a rich merchant named John Kirby, and was known as 'Kirby's Castle' by locals.[5] Matthew Wright was leased the building in 1727 and turned it into a private lunatic asylum: Wright's Madhouse. It became notorious for its cruel treatment of patients.[6]

Thomas Warburton bought the asylum in September 1800. Shortly after, it was extended and renamed the White House. There was another large mansion next door, named the Red House, which also became a part of the mental asylum. Eventually the White House was demolished, and the Red House was enlarged to include a new male block in the south-west side of the asylum in 1896. This would eventually become the site of Bethnal Green Library.[7]

The library was hit by a bomb at the beginning of the World War Two Blitz, then librarian George F. Vale and his deputy Stanley Snaith extended the library service to the underground bomb shelters with a "Shelter Library".[6][8]

In 2019 the library was renovated and nominated for the New London Architecture Awards' Conservation and Retrofit category.[9][10]

In March 2021 the library, along with Cubitt Town Library, was threatened with closure. The decision was reversed at the last moment at a council cabinet meeting.[11]

Area of a library with wooden shelves, illustration of children playing and coloured mats on the floor
Children's area of the library

2022 will see Bethnal Green Library celebrate its centenary, with events and activities.[12]

Events

The library has held many types of events. The bands Sacred Paws, Ste McCabe and Tuff Love have played gigs at the library.[13] There have also been talks, children's activities and book fairs.[14][15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "Bethnal Green Library". www.towerhamlets.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "BETHNAL GREEN LIBRARY, Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Stapely, Tabitha. "Bethnal Green Public Library, from mental asylum to refuge of the arts". Bethnal Green LDN. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Hisayo Buchanan, Rowan. "The Library of Books and Bombs". The Paris Review. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Kempton, Ben. "Terrifying story behind Bethnal Green 'madhouse' asylum - in a building you might recognise". MyLondon. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 Thompson, Kate. "Bethnal Green Library helped us win the war. Don't let a pandemic close it". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Stapely, Tabitha. "Bethnal Green Public Library, from mental asylum to refuge of the arts". Bethnal Green LDN. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Bethnal Green's underground wartime library – Historia Magazine". www.historiamag.com. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  9. ↑ "Bethnal Green Library, a Hackney housing estate and Whitechapel's neuron pod shortlisted for architectural awards – Eastlondonlines". www.eastlondonlines.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  10. ↑ "NLA New London Awards 2019 Nomination — DONALD MC CRORY". DONALD MC CRORY. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  11. ↑ Brooke, Mike (2021-03-03). "'War of words' at Tower Hamlets cabinet meeting stops library closures". East London Advertiser. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  12. ↑ "Idea Store - Bethnal Green Library 100 Years Celebrations". ideastore.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  13. ↑ "Bethnal Green Library, London Events & Tickets 2022". Ents24. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  14. ↑ "Bangladesh Book Fair, Literary & Cultural festival - Arts events - Tower Hamlets - Arts & Entertainment". www.towerhamletsarts.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  15. ↑ "'Gringer the Whinger'". independent. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  16. ↑ "From page to stage: should more libraries become theatres? | Natasha Tripney". the Guardian. 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
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