'Village Wandsworth' displays at libraries

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Putney starts the borough wide exhibition -personalised to each area

The council is bringing local history closer to home with the launch of new heritage displays and workshops in five major libraries throughout the borough.

Each display will have a village theme reflecting the history of the local area and its different communities.

Selected items of local historical interest will be housed in large glass cases which will be sited prominently in each library. The collections will be supported by additional information about the area's villages.

The first local display will be launched at Putney library in October followed by Balham and Battersea. Tooting and Wandsworth will be added once the planned refurbishment works at these libraries are completed.

Visitors will also be able to view presentations of social history on large overhead screens which will be installed at each of the five locations.

These will focus on the diversity of the area and the involvement of the many different communities. The screens will also provide up to the minute news on local exhibitions and library services. The new local focus for heritage services will also be able to accommodate boroughwide themes with touring exhibitions visiting each of the five main libraries in turn.

The local history pages on the council's website will also be extended with more paintings, maps and photographs added. These will all be available for purchase online.

The new heritage service will be run from Battersea library where staff will be able to answer initial enquiries on local and family history seven days a week.  The enhanced service will be incorporated in the reference library on the ground floor where it will provide easy access for visitors and be available for twice as many hours each week as the existing local history service.

Executive member for leisure and environment Malcolm Grimston said:

"The new heritage service will aim to introduce new audiences across the borough to the area's history. The displays will have a strong 'people focus' which will celebrate the borough's tradition of diversity and reach out to the many new communities who continue to make Wandsworth their home today.

"Whether you are a casual library visitor discovering the history of your part of Wandsworth for the first time or a keen researcher requiring access to the borough's archives you will find the new service ready to meet your needs.

"This is a dynamic, outward-looking approach which puts an understanding of local heritage at the heart of our modern society. By reaching out to many more people than has ever been possible before the service will encourage a sense of belonging in all our communities."

The proposals will be considered by the environment and leisure overview and scrutiny committee on July 2.

 

June 27, 2007