A Liverpool library torched during last summer’s riots is finally set to reopen.
The Spellow Community Hub and Library in Walton was set alight on the evening of August 3 following a day of far-right violence which spread throughout the country.
But the facility, a one-stop shop for deprived families and individuals, has been reborn thanks to a huge response and a fundraising campaign of £250,000.
Books were donated from across the country alongside several famous authors.
To mark the reopening, Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson, called on local authorities across the country to be part of a nationwide symbolic moment on Wednesday evening.
Scores of libraries – from Lancashire and Newcastle to Southampton, Cornwall and even the Isle of Wight – have agreed to light up in solidarity and share photographs of it on their social media platforms using the hashtag #ShareTheLight.
At the same time, there will be a community-focused event for local people in Walton, part of which will be broadcast live on The One Show on BBC One.
The building is being officially reopened on Thursday morning at a civic event, which will include members of the local community, schoolchildren, first responders and political leaders.
There will also be contributions from poet Levi Tafari and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Following the event, the venue will welcome the public from 12.30pm.
Cllr Robinson said: “The torching of Spellow Community Hub and Library affected not just the local community, but also people across the country.
“The #ShareTheLight moment on Wednesday evening is an opportunity to show that hate will never win in our communities.
“Spellow Library and Community Hub’s rebirth is testament to the spirit not only of this City, but to the people across the country and beyond who reached out in support.
“I know that the library staff can’t wait to welcome back the local community and show them the work that has been done to restore this valuable resource.
“The reopening of Spellow Library Hub marks the start of a new beginning for Walton, which we will be saying more about in the coming weeks and months.”
Following the reopening, there will be a weekend of family Christmas events on December 12, 13 and 14, which the local community are welcome to attend.
More information is available by searching for Spellow Library at https://liverpool.gov.uk/libraryevents.
