About the Primrose Hill Community Library

On Saturday 31 March 2012, Chalk Farm Library sadly closed its doors for the last time.  But on Saturday 28 April 2012, we re-opened as Primrose Hill Community Library.


We are a group of volunteers who came together to save our much-loved local library when it lost all public funding in 2011. We have been inspired by the strength and spirit of the community backing our efforts –  thanks to over 200 residents volunteering their time and 494 financial pledges totalling £593,000 we have taken over the building from Camden Council on a 20 year lease.

We’re excited about the future for the Primrose Hill Community Library but we all need to pull together to make it an inclusive, vibrant community space we can be proud of.

The Grand Opening

On Monday 22nd October 2012 at 7 pm we officially opened as Primrose Hill Community Library.

The ‘Piper of Oldfield’ played as the ribbon was cut by local boy Roman Haddon, one of the first children to receive a new Primrose Hill Community Library card.

The library patron Joan Bakewell, Alan Bennett and Primrose Hill Community Association and Library Chair Maureen Betts all gave speeches in support of the library. Guests then tucked into a very yummy cake, donated by Primrose Hill Bakery, which featured the library logo, and canapes provided by the Princess of Wales.

The Primrose Hill Community Choir gave their first ever performance. It was a wonderful evening with wine, cake, singing and a bringing together of the local community.

Campaign History

More about the history of the campaign to save the Primrose Hill library here…