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Thanks to the continued support of the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Lutfur Rahman and his cabinet colleagues Cllrs. Rofique Uddin Ahmed, Alibor Choudhury and Marc Francis, the promised £255,000 for improvements to Bancroft Library was included in the 2009-2010 budget approved by the cabinet on Wednesday 8 April.
Senior officers in the Communities, Localities and Culture Directorate have also been busy setting up a project (initially under the directorship of Judith St John, Head of Idea Stores) which will involve twice-monthly meetings of the Bancroft Library Steering Group. The campaign will be represented by Brenda Daley, Melissa Parker and Tom Ridge; and representatives from "active Local History Groups in East London" (please email the campaign with your representative's name and contact details). It is also anticipated that council officers on the Steering Group will include representatives from Children's Services, 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Development and Renewal and the Conservation and Urban Design Team; also a representative from English Heritage.
A Heritage Manager is also being appointed to manage the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives at Bancroft Library; and to direct its future development as a hub for improved local history and archive services. Many details have still to be worked out but there is now a real possibility that the Tower Hamlets Local History Centre (former Bancroft Library) will be fully operational by 2012.
Obviously, further progress depends on fundraising by the Heritage Manager and others. We were very pleased to learn at our meeting with senior officers on Wednesday 8 April that arrangements for the building work are in the capable hands of Peter Fox of THE PROJECT AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY. Peter is already drawing up a short list of suitable conservation architects to specify and supervise the works. This conservation-led approach will meet the requirements of heritage funding bodies, such as English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Clearly, not all the rooms at Bancroft Library can be made suitable for their new uses in 2009-2010. But it is envisaged that the large first-floor front room will be used as the Local History Library and search room, whilst the present Local History Library and search room is being repaired for eventual use as the main search room or reading room.
Unfortunately, the essential replacement of the lift will have to wait until funds are available. An additional archive strong room is urgently needed, together with an archivist's work room on the ground floor. We hope that the front part of the former ground-floor children's lending library will eventually become a large multi-purpose room for school groups and meetings. In the meantime, temporary arrangements should allow this area to be used as soon as possible; and the entrance hall used for reception and exhibitions.
The campaign thanks Tower Hamlets Council Leader, Cllr. Lutfur Rahman for his October 2008 decision to "retain Bancroft for the Local History Library and Archives"; and thanks the Council for setting up the project which will "give the Local History Library and Archives the home it deserves". The world-renowned Bancroft Library can now become an even better centre of excellence on High Street 2012, not only for local residents and visitors from all over the world but also for the borough's school children and students: helping them with their national curriculum studies in local history and geography, and other initiatives such as Find Your Talent and One Tower Hamlets.
Tom Ridge
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