The five Idea Stores developed by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are a radical rethink of the traditional library concept. The highly accessible buildings combine a public library and state-of-the art learning spaces with community facilities.
Local people had become disengaged with Tower Hamlet’s libraries, which were often in inconvenient locations, inaccessible for disabled people and in need of modernisation. Following a major public consultation, Tower Hamlets unveiled its plans to invest £30 million in a series of Idea Stores that would bring libraries up to date with modern lifestyles and community needs.
The first Idea Store opened in Bow in 2002. Over the next few years Idea Stores opened in Chrisp Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf. Located at the heart of communities, amongst supermarkets and other shops, Idea Stores make library and learning facilities available where people want to use them. They address the needs of diverse community groups, widening participation in lifelong learning and helping to strengthen community cohesion. Each one offers a convenient and accessible one-stop location for library, learning and information services.
Tower Hamlets had set out to double the use of library and adult education facilities across the borough within five years – and managed to exceed its own ambitious targets. Funding for the Idea Stores came from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and a range of public and private sector organisations. The five-storey flagship Idea Store in Whitechapel was built by Verry Construction and designed by architects Adjaye Associates.
Topics associated with this project
Cohesion, Education, London, Private sector