Public Library Geographies explores the diverse human geographies and their intersections that can be examined through studying across a range of temporal and spatial scales the institution of the Public Library. Researching the historical and cultural geographies of Public Libraries and Geographies of Knowledge considers the pioneering work of public library advocates in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the regional and national campaigns in the UK that pioneered initiatives such as children’ libraries that led to the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act.

Papers focusing on different aspects of public libraries and their geographies (for example, the emancipatory gender geographies of the public library, children libraries and children geographies of the public library) have been presented at national and international academic conferences and at public lectures (See Activities and Events section of this website).

In 2017, my first academic paper on public library geographies was published in Performance Research‘s special issue On Libraries, and this can be read here.

Despite a number of funding applications between 2016 and 2019, there was very little political or funding appetite to look into the past and the grassroots campaigning and work of the likes of Thomas Greenwood FRGS who helped to campaign for public libraries and initiated the investment for Manchester Central Library. I have continued writing and researching about his pioneering reformist educational endeavours, but began to focus instead from 2017 on Hendon Public Library and the work of Eileen Colwell, without whom, there would be no Jackanory for the BBC and who pioneered story-time and children’s libraries in Britain and its global territories from the 1920s until the late 1970s.  Colwell’s pioneering library in Hendon, North West London became and remains under pressure as do many public libraries from local authorities that have transformed their purpose from municipal providers to businesses since 2010.  The geographies of the physical buildings of public libraries – often built in prime locations for ease of access for users – are often the reasons why, with high land values, many local authorities see them as an easy financial win for short-term book balancing at the expense of the loss of a public space being turned into a private concern.  I am pleased that in a small way, my research on Colwell and the significance of Hendon Libraries cultural heritage fed into a successful stay of execution for the library in 2021.  That this is just one library of over 1000+ that have been erased from public services and landscapes in England since the localism Act of 2010 is politically punitive hitting the majority of users from diverse and often low income backgrounds (despite the lies circulated by national newspapers).

 

With further central government directed cuts to cash strapped local authorities such as Birmingham and Nottingham city councils recommending the closure of significant numbers of public libraries in early 2024, there remains urgent vigilance and awareness to campaign for saving these vital public services and spaces.  Further details can be found about the library campaign here