BBC Breathing Places library project
Breathing Places is a three-year campaign from BBC Learning, which aims to get 1 million people involved in nature and their local environment.
Lambeth Libraries are pleased to be able to join the BBC and will be providing local wildlife information, meeting places for events and special book promotions throughout the campaign. We will also be looking to create places to experience and learn about wildlife and the environment within libraries.
Are you looking for somewhere to while away the time? Try one of our reading gardens.
Check your local library for more information on what is happening locally and where to get wildlife information.
Current projects
Give a Bird a Home - BBC Nest box Challenge
As part of the BBC Nest Box Challenge, Lambeth Libraries are asking you to help give a bird a home.
In February Lambeth Park Rangers gave an exhibition of bird box making in Lambeth Libraries. Amongst the saw-dust there were free instruction templates, RSPB information, fun events, games and quizzes for the children.
Many children entered the ‘bird art’ competition to win a bird box kit to take home. See some of the winning entries.
Register your bird box with the BBC Nest Box Challenge and track the inhabitants, adding your information to the national survey.
Carnegie Library Reading Garden Project 2007/8
Lambeth Libraries, in partnership with the Friends of Carnegie Library and Lambeth Parks, were awarded a grant from the Breathing Places Big Lottery Fund to create a ‘Reading Garden’ at Carnegie Library.
This ambitious project, which opened up the currently unused garden at the back of the library for storytelling, reading and quiet contemplation, was launched on 7 July 2007 by Jeffrey Doorn from the Friends of Carnegie Library. He was joined at the launch by Library Manager, Laura Chrysostomou, Dr Ian Boulton, Lambeth Bio-diversity Officer, and support was given by author and restaurant critic, Jay Rayne
r.
Included in the plans are to hold garden events, run a gardening club for children and create a sensory garden with Braille signing. With the help of volunteers the first phase of the project, to clear the ground and prune back the overgrown shrubs, was successfully completed. Following structural work the garden was opened to the public on 3 May 2008 by the Mayor of Lambeth, one year from the beginning of the project.
For more information on the Project to volunteer or to join the Friends of Carnegie Library please contact Tim O’Dell, Reader Development Officer, Lambeth Libraries on 0207 926 1105 to'dell@lambeth.gov.uk or Jeff Doorn, Friends of Carnegie Library on doornjeffrey@hotmail.com
How can I find out more
For full details of the BBC Breathing Places campaign pick up a brochure at your local library or visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
For more information on Green Spaces in Lambeth visit our Parks and green spaces pages and see the Park and green spaces locations map.
For more information on rich wildlife in Lambeth please visit our Wildlife and biodiversity pages.
You can find some wildlife books in Libraries by visiting our online Library Catalogue or by visiting one of our local libraries.