125 years of Putney Library celebrated with £1million refurbishment  

Wandsworth Council’s continued investment in community facilities has seen the completion and official re-opening of the refurbished Putney Library today, the same year it celebrates 125 years of service to the local community.   

The original library, opened to the public in 1899, has had a bright refurbished children’s library completed, as well as a new Start-Up Wandsworth co-working space, a quiet study area, and a cafe-style reception included to ensure there’s something for everyone.   

The completion of the improvements follows closely behind the new  Wandsworth Town and Northcote Libraries being officially welcomed into service in 2024.   

The opening of Putney Library also comes at a time when the number of people visiting the 11 libraries across Wandsworth continues to increase. Last year there was over a million visits to the borough’s libraries, an increase of 17 per cent on the year before.  

Judi Gasser, Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member responsible for libraries said: “I’m proud that we’re keeping our libraries up to state-of-the-art quality for our residents.   

“Putney Library has been open 125 years now, and this investment to keep it open for many years to come is very exciting. There’s so much history here and as a council, we’re passionate about ensuring our residents can create more, long into the future.  

“Wandsworth libraries have a record of being some of the best used in the country, and usage is only going up – so residents deserve to be repaid with the best possible facilities.  

“We want to make sure that as a council, we’re creating a fairer borough for everyone by investing in our libraries, and continuing to provide the brilliant basics our residents need.”   

Libraries are also a key part of the council’s Community Spaces programme, where people can feel safe and warm in a free space where they can meet like-minded people. This is just part of the total Cost of Living response by Wandsworth Council, and another step to being a safer and fairer borough for all.   

Find out more about what the fantastic libraries in the borough offer for you and when your local one is open.