Kensal Rise Library campaigners gain support in Oxford

News from Jodi Gramigni about yesterday's demonstration at All Souls College, Oxford

The Save Kensal Rise Library Rally in Oxford was a great success with support from Oxford students, the community, and even campus security.

All Souls were invited to join us, and although they weren't available on the day, a meeting to discuss their plans for Kensal Rise library is scheduled in a weeks time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of the day, and a special thanks to all of the children, they were brilliant!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.425159230870843&type=1

Many thanks for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Jodi

Kensal Rise Library sell-off 'a breach of faith' by All Souls College

The Trustees of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library  have written to the Warden and Fellows of  All Souls College LINK asking them not to proceed with the sale of the library building to property developers.

The Trustees set out in detail why they think they have been  'misled by the College, and in particular
the Bursar, Mr. Thomas Seaman', as to the College's intentions in relation to Kensal Rise Library'.

They set out the inadequacy of the proposal to charge the Friends of Kensal Rise a market rent for a much reduced space. They descibe as 'cavalier' the Bursar's statement that if FKRL did not want to run the library the College would find someone else who would.

They go on to say:

While the College is not responsible for the folly of the Brent Council officers and councillors who caused the library to be returned to the College, we had hoped for a resolution that would advance our mutual charitable purposes in a more meaningful and sustainable manner.

Moreover, we represent a larger community that sees the College’s current proposal as nothing short of a breach of faith with this relatively poor area of north-west London, from which it has already profited handsomely. Although the College donated the land, the library building from which the College and Mr Gillick (the developer) now seek to profit was not paid for by the College, but by public subscription and a donation from Andrew Carnegie, the philanthropist.

Setting the record straight on All Souls' 'support'

Thanks to Jodi Gramigni  for this update:

I felt it was essential to provide an update on the developing situation with All Souls College, Oxford, due to inaccurate information being circulated by Thomas Seaman, Estates Bursar and Fellow of All Souls (http://www.all-souls.ox.ac.uk/people.php?personid=61).

He has said that the College is giving the library campaign the space that was requested in our bid. This is incorrect. In addition, their offer of support is a fraction of the over £1m in proceeds that they expect to receive for the sale of the building, and is short term, leaving the library to secure resources to pay for commercial rents in perpetuity. An unsustainable proposition due to the very limited size of the space we are being offered. 

Laura Collignon elaborates:

“Just so you all know what this "support" means, All Souls College are selling the building to property developers who will turn it all into flats, except for the old children's section which will be demolished and turned into our new library. That is all we are getting. Oh, and it is suggested that we should pay a market rent for the space we get. And if we don't want to run a library on that basis, apparently they will find someone who will, because we have persuaded them of the importance of a library remaining there!!” https://www.facebook.com/groups/krlibrary/permalink/421730247880408/

All Souls are requiring the Friends of Kensal Rise Library to negotiate directly with the developer Andrew Gillick of Platinum Revolver Ltd, whose proposal includes partial demolition of the existing building which would require a change of use from Brent Planning (http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/platinum-revolver).

If this is the Colleges idea of support, god help us if they turn against us…

More details to follow soon.
Kind regards,
Jodi
about.me/jodi/gramigni
twitter: @jodigramigni

Sign Kensal Rise Library petition and read latest news

 Dear Supporters,

All Souls College, Oxford, has decided to sell Kensal Rise Library to developers who are going to strip the buildings and convert to flats. The developers are offering us a very small section (for a library) in exchange for helping them with planning, but we will have to pay commercial rates in perpetuity. Not a very good offer.

We are greatly saddened that this venerable college has chosen profit over people. The destruction of our only local cultural asset is shocking and demoralizing for all of us who have been working to support a service that benefits the most vulnerable amongst us. That All Souls chose this path in the face of our shared history, accelerating the gentrification of our community, is a direct rebuke to the original residents of Kensal Rise that the Fellows gifted the land to so many years ago.

Luckily there is another developer with a much more generous proposal for Kensal Rise Library re: space & terms. They have been in touch with the campaign and will submit a Bid to All Souls College, Oxford, by Monday for urgent review. We sincerely hope that All Souls gives this proposal serious consideration.

There will be a lot of activity over the next few days and your support is vital. Please help spread the news and share our petition as widely as you can. If you would like to get involved further, or have any ideas or suggestions for the campaign I'd love to hear from you email me via: about.me/jodi.gramigni or twitter: @jodigramigni

Many thanks again for all your support.

Kind regards,
Jodi

PETITION HERE

All Souls College sells out to developers

The Brent and Kilburn Times reports that All Souls College are to sell the Cricklewood and Kensal Rise libraries to developers, despite the pleas of local library campaigners that they be handed over to the community. LINK

Friends of Kensal Rise Library had raised more than £70,000 to fund their proposal.

The land is now likely to be used to build flats.

All Souls College is a registered charity with assets of £264,000,000. Clearly in this case money talks.

My admiration and sympathy goes out to the campaigners who fought so hard for what in any worthwhile society should be a given: an accessible, free public library and public space.

Kensal Rise Library petition: don't delay, sign today

 Kensal Rise Library campaigners are meeting with All Souls College today about the future of the building. They urgently need more signatories for their petition below to reach the 3,000 target and thus  strengthen their hand. Sign HERE
 

Kensal Rise is a melting-pot of culture, faith, and class, and the Library has been at the heart of this community ever since Mark Twain opened its doors 111 years ago. The Library was created for the betterment of the working class residents, and while the land was gifted by All Souls College, Oxford, the local community and local taxes financed the building itself.

Kensal Rise Library has survived two World Wars and the Great Depression; but sadly it was not able to fend off Brent Council’s closure threats, and the Library was brutally shut in October last year when Brent shamefully disposed of six of its 12 libraries (brentsoslibraries.org.uk/sos).

The local community is determined to save Kensal Rise Library and has established a campaign (savekensalriselibrary.org) as well as a charity, the Friends of Kensal Rise Library (friendsofkensalriselibrary.org), to oversee the running of the Library. The Friends are ready and able to take over the Library at a moments notice, but there is one significant hurdle before this can be achieved - All Souls needs to RESTORE THE BUILDING TO THE COMMUNITY.

All Souls has previously stated that they are “happy for the Friends to run the Library”, but they are preparing KENSAL RISE LIBRARY for an OPEN BIDDING PROCESS. All Souls current plans are in contrast to their previous commitments to the community and their long history in Kensal Rise. Surely this cannot be what the Fellows intend?

We therefore ask All Souls to revert their current course and transfer the freehold of the building to the Friends of Kensal Rise Library so that it can be restored to the community.

All Souls urged to bring their original spirit of enlightenment to Kensal Rise issue

Lindsey Davis, Chair of the Society of Authors, has written to the Warden of All Souls College, Oxford, about the situation at Kensal Rise Library.

Dear Warden,

Like many people I was horrified by the uncivilised scenes when Kensal Rise Library was recovered by Brent Council in the middle of the night.  I won't dwell on that. If nothing else, All Souls must be aware what a terrible PR disaster it was. I am writing to you both in my position as Chair of the Society of Authors and personally, as a concerned Oxford alumna. I remember that friends of mine who read Law were fortunate to use the wonderful Codrington Library in their studies.

I was ashamed to see an institution of my university, and a registered charity, involved in actions that were reported so luridly. There has long been a spirit that Oxford colleges, often unobtrusively, bring help and enlightenment to deprived areas (my own has a Settlement in a poor area of London, for instance) The same spirit would appear to be behind the original grant of the land at Kensal Rise under a restrictive covenant to the people of that area, the gift to stand as long as the building was used as a library.

I understand that the library doors are now locked and All Souls have put a security guard inside - a sad image. As I believe you are advertising for tenants, may I say on behalf of the Society, that we hope All Souls will bear in mind the importance of public libraries at a time when so many are threatened with closure. I wrote recently in The Bookseller about what libraries had meant to me , growing up in a depressed city environment and a home where money was tight, eventually allowing me to be one of the first in my family to go to university, and Oxford at that.

Of course you have financial responsibilities, though in this context I was interested to see recently that Lord Hodgson has suggested making it easier for charities to invest in social enterprises by scrapping the requirement that charities have to maximise profits. Perhaps this would help All Souls in their current predicament. Perhaps, since you have the original grant of land as a precedent, you might even anticipate the change.

Friends of Kensal Rise to attend 'Block Viewings' at library

Now the talk moves on.....

 Cluttons, the property agents for All Souls College will be holding 'Block Viewings' of the library on Wednesday 1 August from 9am to 12 noon.

This will give 'interested parties' an opportunity to view the library with a view to purchasing or leasing the building.

The Friends of Kensal Rise Library are preparing their proposal to the College and will be at the library too. 
 
We would be very happy to talk about our plans as we think we have the best proposal and we won't give up easily the fight to save the library for this community.
 
Petition to All Souls

The online petition is here and it would be great if you could sign it and circulate it to your friends:

http://www.change.org/petitions/all-souls-college-oxford-university-save-kensal-rise-library

Potential purchasers viewing Kensal Rise Library on August 1st?

I am unable to confirm but I have received a Tweet  saying All Souls College are holding block viewings of Kensal Rise Library for potential purchasers  on Wednesday August 1st 9am to noon.

Mark Twain House: Brent needs 'mental food'

Dear Secretary Hunt, Minister Vaizey and Brent Council Members, 

Good morning!  I would like to grab a moment of your time and some brief attention as you hurriedly prepare for the arrival of the Olympians this Summer.  Stateside, we are all very excited to see how you celebrate this monumental event!  There is great anticipation for the Olympics as it is a wonderful opportunity for the world to come together in the spirit of competition and excellence.  It is, of course, also an opportunity for you to showcase the assets of your great city.

One of the assets of any city, any culture or any society great is its repository of knowledge.  Mark Twain, the man we honor here at his home in Hartford, CT, USA, knew this when he said:

“A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection; for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and survives them.”

The one thing Twain might not have anticipated a library having to survive is our current economy.  Another of his wonderful quotes:

“The lack of money is the root of all evil.”

I understand, due to tight budget constraints, you have had to close or are considering closure of several libraries in the Brent borough of London.  This may seem necessary to bring shortfalls in budget in line.  Being an American, I may not know the difference between a chip and a crisp or a loo and a lift, but I do know that closing a library is an Olympian decision where everyone loses.  We all know that libraries are important, vital and essential to the livelihood of a community, especially a financially challenged one. 

In 1900, Mark Twain on a visit to Dollis Hill attended the opening and dedication of your historic Kensal Rise Library.  It is dismaying to hear of its closure, but the reason is not so surprising.  Twain, in a way, anticipated it at its opening:

“If the community is anxious to have a reading-room it would put its hand in its pocket and bring out the penny tax.  I think it a proof of the healthy, moral, financial, and mental condition of the community if it taxes itself for its mental food.”

I would heartily encourage you in your decision-making roles to reconsider the closure of libraries and find the means to reopen ones like Kensal Rise that may have already found themselves on the chopping block.  

What you are losing in a library cannot be replaced in a community.  You are leaving a legacy, much as Twain left a legacy of 5 books when he helped dedicate Kensal Rise’s library.  I pledge, on behalf of The Mark Twain House & Museum, to personally come over to Kensal Rise with another 5 books to donate at the rededication of this irreplaceable institution.  

Looking at the Brent Council website, I can see that you are all incredibly attractive.  On top of that, you are incredibly diverse.  I hope that in your diversity you can find unity of purpose to make sure that you nourish your community with, as Twain called it, “mental food.”

I wish you the best with your Olympic preparations and hope you can clear the hurdles to return your libraries to full operations.

Sincerely,

Jacques Lamarre

Director of Communications

The Mark Twain House & Museum

351 Farmington Avenue

Hartford, CT 06105

"Make a stand for public libraries," RSL urge All Souls

All Souls College, Oxford

Maggie Fergusson, Director of the Royal Society of Literature has sent this message from the President, Chair and Council of the Royal Society of Literature  to Sir John Vickers, Warden of All Souls College, Oxford, ahead of its property meeting today.

Dear Sir John,

The Council of the Royal Society of Literature has for many years actively campaigned against the closure of public libraries. We write to express our concern over the plight of Kensal Rise Library, recently stripped of books, commemorative plaques and furniture in a night raid by Brent Council. As we understand it, their action means the library building may revert to All Souls’ ownership.

The Friends of Kensal Rise Library is a charity set up last year to keep the library running, backed by our Vice President and former Chair, Maggie Gee, and by a committed local population who have, it seems, proved their mettle by maintaining an improvised “pop-up library” on site since the doors of the library closed in October 2011.

The defence of Kensal Rise Library, opened by Mark Twain in 1900, is a cause which has caught the imaginations of many writers and intellectuals. All Souls College is of course renowned both for its intellectual traditions and for its Codrington Library.

We now urge you to make a stand for public libraries and education at this vital juncture by exercising your discretion under charity law in favour of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Thubron (President)

Anne Chisholm (Chair)

Robert Binyon, Anthony Gardner, Romesh Gunesekera, David Harsent, Paula Johnson, Caroline Moorehead, Andrew O’Hagan, Peter Parker, Piers Plowright, Fiona Sampson, Helen Simpson, Ali Smith, Jeremy Treglown, Timberlake Wertenbaker (Council)

The Royal Society of Literature

Somerset House

Strand

London WC2R 1LA

020 7845 4676

www.rslit.org

All Souls 'distressed' by Kensal Rise raid

Extract from the Guardian website's coverage of Kensal Rise Library:

In an email sent to one campaigner following Tuesday's clearance, All Souls' estate bursar expressed regret at recent events. "The college became aware of what happened yesterday and we find it distressing," wrote Tom Seaman. "We had told the council that we would have been happy for them to have kept the library open, possibly through co-operation with the Friends of Kensal Rise Library, who had developed an interesting business plan. This was not to be, however."

Seaman pointed out that the reversion of the land was a purely legal process, adding: "This is not something we ever wanted to see happen, but because it is the law, is something we cannot change either.
"Any spin being put on this by others is unfortunate, but I hope you at least understand that the college is in no way responsible for the library's closure, nor what happened the other night."

A college official told the Guardian that All Souls had encouraged the Friends of Kensal Rise Library to talk to its agents about the possibility of renting or buying the building. He added that the building had always been intended to serve as a library.

"When we made the gift under the 1854 Literary and Scientific Institutions Act, it was a gift of the freehold to the local community and its democratically elected representatives," he said.

"We made that gift and there was only one condition: that it continued to be used as a library. Others, ie the democratically elected officials of the people of Brent, decided to close that library and therefore they triggered something – which is a law, which we have no control over; it's an act of parliament – and now it's reverted to our freehold."

The official also expressed his surprise at events that had resulted in the reversion. "We never thought that would happen. I am sure our predecessors in the early 20th century never thought this would happen: they gave it away."

All Souls: Our 20th century Fellows never imagined this would happen

Keep Willesden Green campaigner Susan Clark has received the following response from All Souls College to concerns she expressed about the situation at Kensal Rise Library after Brent Council's dawn raid:

The College has of course been made aware of the “dawn raid” to which you refer. 

It is indeed very sad that the Council has closed the library.  This is something we made clear to the Council would trigger a reverter, thereby resulting in the freehold coming back to the College, something our Fellows of the early 20^th century never imagined would have happened. 

We had hoped the Council might keep the library open, and encouraged them to discuss with the Friends of Kensal Rise Library that possibility.

At present, we have no “exact plans”.  On all property-related matters, however, we are advised by professional advisers.  Some time ago we advised the Friends of Kensal Rise Library to meet with these advisers to discuss what might happen if the site were to revert to our ownership, and I know that at least one meeting has taken place between them.

Yours faithfully,

Tom Seaman

Fellow and Estates Bursar

 

Kensal Rise campaigners leave meeting with new council leader empty handed

Kensal Rise Library campaigners emerged from their meeting with Cllr Muhammed Butt, new leaders of Brent Council and Ruth Moher, his deputy, pleased to have had a meeting but disappointed by the result.

Cllr Butt did not give any practical assurance to the campaigners but instead really just restated the John-Powney position.

He said that the ownership of the library had already reverted to All Souls College and the relevant deeds will soon be signed. Campaigners said they had indications that All Souls, even at this late stage, would be content to see the library remain in Brent's hands and be run by the campaign group. However, if it does revert it will be put on the market within weeks, probably at commercial rates.

Butt said he hoped that the council would be able to persuade All Souls to come to a compromise agreement with campaigners. However, they feel that with the current frosty relations an apparent attempt to shift responsibility from the Brent Council to the college will not be well received.  Campaigners said, "Brent seem to think they can give the building back to All Souls and then ask All Souls to let us have it, instead of just letting us have it themselves. All Souls have always said they would be happy if we reached agreement with Brent, so from where we are standing the problem at the moment is with Brent, not All Souls".

Cllr Butt said the council would be reluctant to freeze the transfer of ownership back to All Souls because it would go against their current policy of reducing the council's property portfolio. If that wasn't enough he then claimed that having a community library in a council building would undermine the whole Libraries Transformation Project to which he remains committed.  Kensal Rise campaigners said their proposal was for taking a long lease on the building with no expenditure commitment or administration burden on the council. If the community library failed the building could revert to All Souls anyway. The idea that the whole Libraries Transformation Project would be undermined by a small, volunteer run community library, in an area not otherwise served, was described as 'verging on the pathetic'.

Finally Muhammed Butt said that he couldn't promise the books currently in the library would not be removed as 'the council needs them' (despite removing book shelving from many of the remaining libraries) and All Souls' solicitors had asked for the building's contents to be cleared. Campaigners made it clear that books remaining was legally significant. If the building had no books it would make it harder to argue that the reverter clause had not been triggered. Campaigners offered to move their donated books in at the same time as the council moved their books out.

Refusing to give way on these and other issues Muhammed Butt said he would need to consult Brent's legal team and others to see if  the campaigns suggestions were viable and if he had any room for manoeuvre. He has not yet got back to the Kensal Rise community library campaigners.

They said:

Obviously, we are concerned about the extent of Cllr Butt's goodwill. He may hope to fob us off with bland reassurances while offering nothing concrete. He may also hope he can shift blame for the loss of the library onto All Souls if they refuse a meeting, or if they resist a compromise arrangement. Clearly his main concern is to take the political heat out of an issue that has caused the Council huge problems and a lot of bad publicity. 

Cllr Butt and other councillors may now regret how the library closures and community aspirations have been handled, and they are  obviously nervous about the pubic perception of the council and would like to change that, but if this new 'support' for us is simply a devious attempt to achieve 'good press' we will not be happy about being used in this way and this community will be very angry if this is the case.

 

So we do wonder if this is what the meeting with councillors was all about - damage limitation for the very bad public image that they have created for themselves and an attempt at co-opting us to help with its restoration, because, after all, we left that meeting empty handed.

The campaign will continue to keep on the pressure and will be vigilant at defending the building and preventing the removal of books.