10,000 signatures reached
To: Sheffield City Council
Save Sheffield Central Library
Keep the beautiful, purpose-built Central Library building as a library, reject any plans to re-purpose the building and invest in the upkeep of this building as a full public resource.
Why is this important?
Libraries have been under threat across the country. Sheffield has already seen Walkley library sold to commercial interests. Now our council has opened up a review into commercial uses for the Central Library, with the possibility it will become a five-star hotel.
The Central Library is a meeting space for groups and individuals, hosts talks by local and national authors and helps people use the internet. It is also a beautiful building, purpose built as a public space, which the general public can currently enjoy.
The story of our beautiful art deco Central Library began in 1929, to a design by W. G. Davies and was conceived as part of a plan to create a civic (public) square. Today, the library houses Sheffield's largest general lending and reference collection. The Graves Art Gallery sits on the third floor with a gift shop and cafe and the Library Theatre, a space for local and student theatre companies, lives in the basement. It also houses a children's library. From the start, this building was imagined as a public space from top to bottom and should remain as such.
How it will be delivered
I plan to deliver the signature to Sheffield City Council. Once we have 5000 signatures, I can present the petition at a full council meeting and have a chance to speak to the Council about the future of the library.
