The Old Library

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The Old Library A vibrant community hub we can be proud of, for the community, by the community! Available for community events and private hire. Want to get involved?

Bringing people and families together, run by volunteers.Basil's Community Cafe open term time Mon, Thurs & Fri 9am - 3pm. The Old Library, Eastville, is a volunteer, resident run community space for the South Lockleaze & Purdown neighbourhood, providing a multi-use space, cafe, lounge, playground, edible garden and computer access space with events, activities and workshops run and managed for the local community, by the community. The Eastville Library was closed in March 2016, after council budget cuts saw the space not viable for the council to continue. The space was put up for a Community Asset Transfer, and a number of residents set up the South Lockleaze & Purdown Neighbourhood Group to take on this building for the benefit of the community. Taking on the building as of May 2016, the SL&P group have pulled together a fantastic team of local people & gained amazing support from the wider Bristol community, and are transforming the Old Library into a space that all of us can use, be involved in and drive from the community upwards, not the other way around. We created a space that brings people and families together through a community led and run project, that promotes the things our community wants and needs. The Old Library is in a unique position as a gateway to Purdown, and the community have come together to create something amazing, unique and to be proud of: a hire space for workshops & activities, a community kitchen/cafe with seating (and tasty coffee!), workshops, crafts, quiz nights, music, book clubs, a repair cafe, and more! Please join the Facebook group, contact us at [email protected] to get onto the contact list, let us know how you can be involved or what you want to see, and keep up to date by checking out the Old Library website!

Purdown Sessions is back!! #4 returns with fabulous headline Soma Soma, bringing afro-brazillian grooves to our beautif...
19/10/2026

Purdown Sessions is back!! #4 returns with fabulous headline Soma Soma, bringing afro-brazillian grooves to our beautiful Old Library. We can't wait!!

The People’s Emergency Briefing Fri 30 Oct 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMThe Old Library, Eastville, BS5 6XP📢 A special communit...
17/10/2026

The People’s Emergency Briefing
Fri 30 Oct 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The Old Library, Eastville, BS5 6XP

📢 A special community screening: The People’s Emergency Briefing

What’s happening with climate and nature, and what does it mean for everyday life in the UK?

Join us for a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing - an eye-opening 50-minute film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence and why it matters for things like:

🌧️ Extreme weather

🍞 Food security

🏥 Health

💷 Cost of living

The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster (featured by ITV, Channel 4 and The Times) with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, and a range of voices from across the UK.

The film is suitable for those over 16 years old only.

After the film there will be an (optional) open discussion about what it means for our community and what we can do locally.

Seats are free but limited so please book in advance.

If after booking you are unable to attend, we’d be very grateful if you could let us know so that we can re-allocate your ticket to someone else.

Bring a friend, neighbour or family member: everyone is welcome.

Tickets : www.tickettailor.com/events/narrowaysclimategroup/2477698

National Emergency Briefing | The UK’s leading climate and nature experts brief MP's on the risks, impacts and solutions to the climate emergency

Our affordable space is available to hire. We have a well appointed kitchen, tables, chairs, kids toys, pa and lights, e...
13/10/2026

Our affordable space is available to hire. We have a well appointed kitchen, tables, chairs, kids toys, pa and lights, enough space for a bouncy castle plus a wonderful outside space. Please get in touch for more info or to book - [email protected]

Our doors are open *every second Saturday of the month* for our Repair Cafe 💚🛠 Alongside the repairers some of our wonde...
03/10/2026

Our doors are open *every second Saturday of the month* for our Repair Cafe 💚

🛠 Alongside the repairers some of our wonderful volunteers run a cafe.

🧁Pop in for tea, coffee, soft drinks & cakes!

🔧 And if you have something to repair - bring it along.

🌻 If you're keen to get more involved you can speak to the volunteers on the day.

The Old Library is open to the community at various points throughout the month. We are pleased to annouce that our FREE...
29/09/2026

The Old Library is open to the community at various points throughout the month.

We are pleased to annouce that our FREE Climate Book Club is back from October and running 7pm on the following Tuesdays. 💚📚📖♻️🌍

💚 Tues 06 Oct, Michael Christie's Greenwood
🌍 Tues 03 Nov, Wu Ming-Yi's The Man with the Compound Eyes
📚 Tues 01 Dec, Ian McEwan's What We Can Know
💚 Tues 02 Feb, Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behaviour
🌍 Tues 02 March, Charlotte McConaghy's Wild Dark Shore
📚 Tues 06 April, Jens Liljestrand's Even if Everything Ends

Love literature and want to read more about the climate? This book club gives you the perfect opportunity to discuss a variety of contemporary novels that engage with the changing climate.

The book club is developed and led by Dr Sarah Robertson (UWE English Literature), whose current research is on climate change and literature.

The book club is free of charge and you can join by dropping-in with no prior booking (though it would be great if you could let Sarah know at [email protected] if you are intending to join, just so she has a rough idea of numbers).
1st Tuesday of the month 7pm - 9pm.

We are so thankful for the many different ways members of the community join in with the Old Library. Thanks to Chrissie...
24/09/2026

We are so thankful for the many different ways members of the community join in with the Old Library. Thanks to Chrissie & Justin for once again bringing their amazing camera obscura's along at the party - this wasn't planned, they just knew everyone would love it!

We loved welcoming everyone to our 10 Year Party last week 😊 Thank-you to our supporters & all our amazing volunteers 😍 ...
19/09/2026

We loved welcoming everyone to our 10 Year Party last week 😊 Thank-you to our supporters & all our amazing volunteers 😍

is open to the public at various points each week. is open term time :
Monday, Thursday & Friday
9am - 3pm
🫖 Serving up affordable, healthy & very delicious cakes, coffee, breakfasts, lunches, & kids meals. 😋 Come along, say hi, and enjoy our cosy community space. 🌻💚

Summer Party Celebrating 10 Years at The Old Library 🎉 🌻
13/09/2026

Summer Party Celebrating 10 Years at The Old Library 🎉 🌻

Happening NOW UNTIL 7PM
12/09/2026

Happening NOW UNTIL 7PM

Address

Muller Road
Bristol
BS56XP

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3pm
Friday 9:30am - 3pm
Saturday 9:30am - 3pm

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