We have very exciting news !
The Crystal Palace Library of Things that you all supported with your pledges is coming your way. Since the successful crowd-funding campaign where you all played such an important part, we have made a lot of significant progress in the lead up to our launch this April !
The most exciting new development is that the two-way partnership between Upper Norwood Library Hub and Crystal Palace Transition Town has become a three-way partnership, – with the dynamic team from Library of Things coming on board in a major role to co-deliver the services and systems !
We all feel this is a real win-win for the project, with the Library of Things bringing their experience of running the West Norwood project and developing other projects, plus their plans to create a ground-breaking and innovative version of Library of Things in Crystal Palace.
Alongside the Transition Town’s strong experience in building local sustainable projects such as the prize-winning Crystal Palace Food Market, and the Library Hub as a vibrant and active location, we think we’re on a winner! This will be the first library in the country to host a Library of Things !
We also really appreciate our support from the Mayor’s Fund For London, Barclays’ Lifeskills Fund, B&Q Sydenham and Martin & Co. Crystal Palace.
However the most important partner is you - and it was your brilliant support throughout the crowdfunding campaign that made this happen. You can now stay in touch with our updates, events and news of the affordable borrowing service by signing up to our new CP Library of Things newsletter
So what’s been happening in the last couple of months?
In early Feb, Library of Things directors, Sophia & Emma, did a walk-through of the space with Emily from Upper Norwood Library Hub and Joe from Crystal Palace Transition Town, measuring and zoning the areas where our Things will be housed.
The Library of Things team also hosted a packaging ‘hack’ along with representatives from DHL and eBay to work on designing some beautiful and practical packaging for the Things.
On Sunday 25th February we were on both floors in the Library. Downstairs we were designing how the space will be laid out alongside our designers, Cindy and Mike from Unit Lab, and Pett from Norville’s coffee :
We will be running lots more events to support your borrowing, including more Restart Parties, mending meet-ups and much more!
And of course behind the scenes we’ve all been busying away with designs, spreadsheets, emails, sourcing things, software, hardware, communication systems and much more to get everything in place.
Fancy help making it happen?
We have some very exciting and interesting volunteering opportunities coming up, - as Hosts, Thing Fixers, Ambassadors and Skill Sharers. Come along to our Volunteer Night on Tuesday 27th March to Upper Norwood Library Hub 6.30 - 8.30pm to find out more and meet the team !
By the way, we still have a small amount of pledged money that didn’t come in - you can also help us with that by checking that your pledge went through and checking your inbox for an email from “Go Cardless”. Drop us an email if you want to check anything about this.
You can also help by sharing this link on Facebook, Twitter and through your contacts to let everyone know we’re coming soon !
So as I think you can tell we are very excited that you will be able to come in and borrow items from late April ! Signing up for our newsletter will also mean that you can get advance notification of how to borrow!
Very best wishes from everyone at Crystal Palace Library of Things and hope to see you very soon !
Contact us at: crystalpalace@libraryofthings.co.uk
Big Thank You To Dylan Lowe For Photos
Additional photos: Joe Duggan
Illustration: Tim Sharville

