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Search the Public Notice PortalChildren's and teen areas at Balham Library are being transformed to make them brighter, cosier and more welcoming.
The aim is to create a more welcoming environment in support of early literacy, creativity, and learning. The project is part of Wandsworth Council’s Libraries First! strategy, a wider programme of investment across all 11 libraries in the borough.
The new children’s area will feature reading corners, flexible space for story sessions, new furniture and shelving, upgraded lighting, and sensory-friendly design elements.
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Cllr Judi Gasser, cabinet member for children, said: "Every child deserves a warm, inspiring place to fall in love with reading. Libraries are one of the beating hearts of our communities, and this investment shows our commitment to giving families the very best spaces to learn, explore and have fun.
"We’re proud that Wandsworth is investing in libraries and ensuring they remain inclusive, innovative, and accessible to all."
Construction is expected to finish by summer. A temporary children’s library has been set up on the lower floor to ensure young readers can continue to access books and activities during the refurbishment. This has resulted in reduced study and IT space, but staff are available to assist visitors during the transition.
The library remains fully operational, with activities such as baby rhyme time, craft clubs, digital inclusion sessions, and dementia café events continuing as usual. Additional study space has been created in the main library area, and the Balham Library hall is now open three times a week as a dedicated teen study zone.
The refurbishment is funded entirely through developer contributions, with no extra cost to local taxpayers.
The Balham project builds on recent upgrades such as the refurbishment of Putney Library and the opening of new branches in Wandsworth Town and Northcote.
Further improvements are planned for Battersea Park Children’s Library, restoration of the glass roof at Battersea Reference Library, and a new Roehampton library as part of the Alton community hub.
The Roehampton site would include both adult and children’s library spaces, IT and study facilities, bookable rooms, and flexible layouts for community use.
Wandsworth’s libraries remain among the best performing in the country, with more than 1.3 million items borrowed and around 4,000 events held each year.
The council’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library scheme delivers free books to more than 6,800 children across the borough each month.
The Libraries First! strategy outlines a five-year plan to put libraries at the heart of community life, ensuring they remain welcoming places for reading, learning, hobbies, and safe social interaction. This scheme is a key early milestone for the wider strategy.
Libraries in Wandsworth also serve as community spaces during the colder months, providing warm drinks, conversation, and easy access to council services.
The Balham Forum, set up to gather community feedback, has led to additional improvements in the area. Based on resident input, the council has introduced neighbourhood wardens, increased CCTV coverage, and made environmental upgrades such as jet washing in public spaces.
