Jane Eyre, Manga and a wimpy kid top book list for Southwark’s new library
Published 5 January 2011
For the past six months Southwark Council has been asking residents which books they most want to see in the forthcoming Canada Water Library.
The range of requests has spanned Japanese Manga (most requested children's series) to the Charlotte Bronte classic Jane Eyre (as the most requested fiction title).
Over the last month local schools from the north of the borough have been visiting Rotherhithe Library and Blue Anchor Library to help with this selection, with nearly 360 requests made for children's books. Meanwhile more than 100 people requested adult titles.
The most requested, by category, were:
- Adult fiction: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
- Adult non fiction: A Million Little Pieces, by James Frey
- Children's book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Children's author: Malorie Blackman
- Children's series: Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto (Japanese Manga)
Each of the requested books will be bought and, if the requester's name was included on the form, a bookplate will be put in the front of the book naming the person who selected it.
The very first book to be requested for the library was The Very Hungry Caterpillar, written by Eric Carle, during the Rotherhithe Festival.
Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council, said: "What better way to get residents involved right from the start in their local library than by asking them to choose the books they want in stock. We're really excited by the Canada Water Library, which is set to be a stunning example of what libraries can achieve, as well as being so much more, being at the heart of a public space that will form part of a buzzing new town centre."
Canada Water Library
Due to open in late 2011, the £14.1m iconic, state of the art library and community facility has been commissioned by Southwark Council and will sit at the heart of Canada Water in a new civic plaza.
A dominant feature of the four-storey building is a full height atrium, with a timber-lined central spiral staircase travelling up to the expanding shape above.
The building is clad in aluminium sheets that are anodised in a light bronze with sequined perforations, giving it sculptural appeal and striking visual effects. The library also has excellent green credentials, with a ground source heat pump and a green sedum roof. All this is designed to chime with the buildings position, overlooking an old timber dock.
