Sydenham Library
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1904

The library was made possible by a donation from the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. He sponsored seven new libraries for the newly established Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham. All of them are still the serving the community.

It started with in controversy. The borough wanted to build Sydenham's Library in Adamsrill Road. The people would have nothing of it and a petition of 1200 names insisted it was in a central prominent position. The council gave way and the present site was procured for £504 from the trustees of Sir George Grove (the famous musical publisher) adjoining the Home Park Recreation Ground and next to his former home.

The infamous first Mayor of Lewisham TW Williams <see here> commissioned Albert L Guy of Gray's Inn as architect. The estimates came in at £178 over Andrew Carnegie's gift of £4,500 with the borough covering the difference. The final cost came in at a £1 under budget. The first librarian was paid a grand salary of £220 and the library was stocked with 7,472 books in time for the opening ceremony held on Saturday 24th September 1904. Andrew Carnegie could not make it but lots of the local gentry certainly did!

The Library from the start was described as light and airy - a contrast to the earlier Victorian tradition. Not that many enjoyed it. The library's entrance was, in those days, directly onto the main road. It was a 'closed' library in that you ask a library assistant for a book at the front desk and it was brought to you. No grubby fingers were to be allowed to wander unhindered around the bookshelves.

The first major change came in 1962. The library was closed for a year for refurbishment. The interior walls were swept away and an extension (now Opening Doors) was added at the back. The entrance was moved to the east side and in 1963 the library was truly open for all.

The library was again refurbished in 2001 when, sadly, the fine polished parquee floor was covered in carpet tiles. But now the library not only provides books and periodicals, but CDs and Internet access. It is now ready for the next 100 years!