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THE MANOR VIEW |
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This is the official Newsletter of The Users & Friends of Manor House Library |
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January 2009 |
Apology: Regretfully, no Winter Warmer edition of "The Manor View" has been produced this year, as there has been little activity, due to the on-going refurbishment of the Manor House, an update of which follows.
Manor House Project Update
The last Project Meeting was held on 7th November last year which gave us all a conducted tour of the house and a look at the latest plans.
| Pictured is the main library floor taken on the 7th November 2008, viewed from the existing adult library through what used to be central area and on to the Childrens Library. As you can see, the refurbishment is steadily coming to fruition. Much of the work has been done, (despite apparent evidence to the contrary!). But, like many other building projects, the finished product just suddenly appears! We now look forward to that happy event. We were told that the finished library will open on 9th March 2009, which just happens to be the date that the Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning is due to become public. More of that later. |
However, both the building contractors and the architect registered some doubt
that this ambitious date could be met. Already the eastern wing alterations
revealed lack of substantial footings and consequent delays, which has caused
an over-run of the estimated completion date.
An important administration statement was made, that the house management would
rest on the Library Manager once the property is re-opened. No new post would
be created.
Landscaping and Security
Martin Hyde, Parks Regeneration Manager, was invited to this Project Meeting
for the first time. Within the discussions, it was agreed that because of varying
daylight hours and static hours of opening, responsibility for the locking
of the Library gates would be shared between Glendales and the Library Manager.
A great discussion took place as to the point of retaining the low fence between
the entrance to the park and the house property came to no specific conclusion.
The problem is the fence will end where it currently forms a corner with the
existing rear fence which terminates on the wall of Pentland House. Under current
plans to open the park to the house and vice versa, that rear fence will be
removed, with only the house entrance gates preventing (and not 24/7) free
movement from and to Old Road. In addition, there are no plans to re-instate
the railing fence that once topped the house wall between the entrance gates.
In this way it presents a security problem for both the house and the gardens.
This appeared difficult for Martin Hyde to comprehend - as it did for Peter
and to which he objected, when the proposal was first made. Martin requested
a re-appraisal of the plans for the fences and gates. We have e-mailed the
Library Service requesting a meeting to include the Safer Neighbourhood Team,
on grounds of security. As you will recall, Peters concern was protection
of the house and its contents, being particularly vulnerable from the park
once that rear fence was removed. This problem has not gone away. All of the
shrubbery, and some trees, along that rear fence are earmarked for removal.
Shrubbery along the dividing fence, which might yet be retained, will also
be removed. The flower beds and shrubbery along the front wall abreast of Old
Road may also be removed, the garden being put out to grass. Responsibility
for upkeep of the garden is to be transferred to Glendales on completion of
the refurbishment.
At the rear of the property, the "relaxation" area outside the crèche
caused great controversy for all present. It seems the area, will be lower
than the surrounding land and was intended to be grassed. Martin Hyde was baffled
by this suggestion as was the Glendales local manager, Adrian Wickham as well
as Peter. When details of the fencing of this area were disclosed, (a low,
step-over fence) Martin asked for it to be referred, on the grounds that anyone
could so easily snatch a child. A final point on the landscaping plans was
finally admitted, as Peter had reported at the time, that the grade II gate
post at the entrance, was hit by a vehicle attempting entry, at the start of
the refurbishment (refer The Manor View, Spring 2008). Three disabled and 4
unrestricted car parking spaces will be set in the front garden of the house.
We have written to the Traffic and Regeneration Depts. and the Mayor, due to
plans to extend the existing CPZ based on Old and Bankwell Roads. Inadequate
parking facilities will limit full use of the House and Library. The good news
is for cyclists. Although the cycle stands on either side of the portico are
to be removed, a bank of stands will be located to the east of the new east
wing entrance.
Library Layout
Tenders for furniture supply had been advertised and four returns had been
received. All of these were priced under budget. At the time of our last meeting,
two had been short-listed. The award was to be temporarily suspended pending
details of the final fit-out. However, the plans offered at the meeting show
the Childrens Library remaining where it is currently located, with fixed
shelves lining the wall. There is provision also for seating and two standard
round tables with two seats for each and one small round table with 4 small
seats around it. There will be two childrens dedicated computer terminals
on a half-moon table with two seats situated in what was the fireplace.
Double opening doors will allow for through-put or closure during storytime
to the left of the "welcome" area entrance, with the main bay window ahead
of you. (see photo) In this area, there will be two Quick-pick stands, featuring
best sellers etc. and a large sofa. There is also a shelf of periodicals and
two round tables in the bay with two seats in the bay plus several shelves
projecting in to the area. Although a wi-fi hot spot, there will be no fixed
computer terminals here. 16 internet-ready computer terminals are to be scattered
throughout the adult library and the basement quiet area, where additional
catalogue-computers are also located. A Self-Issue/Return bay is situated
on the wall separating the welcome area from the lobby.
In the main adult library, to the western wing of the building, is a "staff
pod" and several shelving units. Shelving also line the walls. In the northwestern
corner, to the front of the building abreast of Pentland House, is a dedicated
Teen Area which will have a sofa, a standard round table with three chairs
and two of the 16 computer terminals located on a half-moon bench between two
of the windows overlooking the front garden. A Self Issue/Return bay is situated
to the east of this. Two additional round tables with 3 chairs are located
to the south of the access pit on the western wall which provides a single
story lift and stairs to the basement quiet area. On the southern wall, two
computer terminals are located near the fire-exit to the left of which is a
Help Point and a catalogue computer. Additional computer terminals and the
photocopier will be located alongside the wall separating the lobby and adult
library.
The quiet area in the basement provides the remaining computer terminals and
study area. Three round tables with 3 chairs each are located here. A 4-terminal
bench is located to the south close to a French window in the southwestern
corner. At the northwestern corner, 4 more computers are located. Shelves line
the other three walls. Those to the south of the access pit form the non-fiction
area of the library.
Remaining Spaces and Business Plan
The remainder of the basement, inaccessible from the basement library annexe,
houses the crèche, and classrooms and toilets. The area is to be sub-let
to the Childrens Centre. The East Wing provides disabled access and disabled
toilets. It is anticipated, that these spaces will be used exclusively by the
Childrens Centre, 9 am to 5 pm, releasing them for community use thereafter
which must be rented via the sub-letee. The first floor function room, The
Baring Room, and the 2nd floor Function Room will be available to rent via
the library manager. There is talk of the upper function room being primarily
a training venue. Fees may be set according to the intended use and for whom,
as appropriate to Community needs. Town Centre Manager, Joan Middleton, has
been tasked to contact local businesses and offer marketing material to the
Chamber of Commerce.
Additional spaces are set out for access and escape routes, tea and coffee
kitchens,
toilets for everyone, staff room, climate control and water-heating, power
terminals and storage.
In the basement, there is even a room to store baby-buggies!
General Information
Head of Libraries, John Hughes, presenting The Future of Lewisham Libraries at Downham |
Much emphasis has gone in to the introduction of large format
screens in public libraries, with Roy Clare, Head of Museums, Libraries
and Archives being a major proponent. Manor House Library will have these.
Similar to Downham, there will be one in the Teen area and of course in
the main library there will be more, one of which will be tuned to 24 hour
news. One of the spaces is intended to be a cinema, as at Downham. The
LCD screen for this was part-funded by the Lee Green Ward Locality Fund
for financial year 2008/9. This was organized by your ward councillors
on behalf of the community. In the previous financial year, The Users and Friends of Manor House Library won a Locality Fund award to purchase an external notice board, including the cost of installation. Though already purchased, it is currently held in store and is intended to be placed in the front garden of the library, once refurbishment is complete. Plans for art exhibitions in the house are being made, and perhaps a return of the fabulous "Teatro Vivo". |
Members of your group committee are finalizing details of decoration for
The Baring Room. A Layout Plan of the main part of the library is shown below.
Layout Plan of Main Library Floor
And Finally: The Mayors Commission on Libraries and Learning is due to report its findings on 9th March, 2009 - the anticipated Opening Day for your new library........ Details of the Library Service and Community Education Lewisham, and its impact on you, will be disclosed. Meanwhile........
Watch this space!