A man from Lewisham has set up a free library in Lewisham Station after books helped “save” him after a mental breakdown.
In 2023, Michael Peacock from Blackheath experienced what he described as a “mental car crash” after a difficult time in his life.
Soon after, the 65-year-old discovered the “enriching" power of reading that he claimed “saved” him from “a serious mental health crisis.”
And one day after discovering an “empty-looking” mini library situated in a phone-box on Loampit Hill in New Cross, Michael felt driven to make a difference.
The retired rail worker explained: “I picked up a tatty falling apart copy of The City Boy by Herman Wouk and that started everything.
“I tidied the phone box as best I could and I took a photo of the nearly empty phone box, did a post on various local Facebook groups asking for more books and within two days it was completely full.”
But Michael’s work didn’t end there and in April when his mental health began to improve, he was able “get back a social life”, resulting in him frequenting Lewisham Station.
At this point Michael was struck with an idea to create a free library space for Lewisham locals and commuters.
With the approval of Southeastern and aid of station staff, Michael created a library using donated bookshelves and books, featuring a range of titles from children’s books to adult fiction.
Southeastern’s station manager for Lewisham, Richard Lloyd said: “We are always looking at how we can work with the local community to make our stations more welcoming.
“Offering a book exchange was a great idea from Michael and we were happy to support him with it.
“Reading on a train is a very relaxing way to pass time on a journey, and I hope our customers will use the library both by selecting a book to read and bringing in ones they have already read to share with their fellow passengers.”
Michael said: “The response has just been off the scale.
“People say people don't read books anymore, well they do in Lewisham.
“I’ve been told by station staff that there’s often a queue for the library during busy times, so there’s quite clearly a demand.
“I go there at least six times a week to top up the books and keep things organised.
"I feel like I'm a proper librarian, because I actually stamp the books.
“It’s been therapy for me and it’s such a great conversation starter.
“Having free libraries crosses all social divides, it's completely classless, books, it's for everyone, including homeless people who don’t have an address for a library card.”
Michael’s work has also benefited a local pub, as in November 2023 he discovered “by happy accident” the small library at the Royal George Pub in Deptford.
After seeing its collection of books, Michael volunteered as a “custodian” of the library, and has helped to restock its shelves with a variety of contemporary fiction books to appeal to younger readers and local students.
To date Michael has created two new free libraries in Lewisham Library and Lewisham Community Space.
Michael has also helped to “rejuvenate” several free libraries across south east London, including Blackheath Station library, the Royal George Pub and various free phone box libraries in the borough.
He replaced the former piano at Lewisham Station with a newer one, which he independently sourced and transported to the station after the former one fell into disrepair.
For Michael, the experience of starting free libraries has heightened his “sense of community”, with people, businesses and schools rallying around to help donate books to replenish the libraries Michael said: “The response has been fantastic, I’ve got books coming out of my ears, I have books stored in places because there are so many.
“I've had schools donating books. I had one donation of over three and a half thousand books so I had to hire a van to transport them all “Charity shops like Scope and Cancer Research in Lewisham, and Salvation Army in Catford, have also donated.
“Now I don’t even need to appeal for books, because so many people know that I'm looking for them.”
At the end of 2023, Michael launched a JustGiving fundraiser to raise £750 towards the costs to transport books and bookcases to the libraries he has created and supports.
Michael said: “I put together the fundraiser to help cover costs arraigning transport to pick up the big donations of books, getting the piano replaced and other things.
“I’ve spent all this money, really, for the benefit of the community.
“So I'm hoping by this appeal that the community will generously respond.”
So far Michael has reached £500 of his £750 target, which will help cover the costs to transport the thousands of books that have “benefited the Lewisham community”, according to Michael.
Michael told the News Shopper that he continues to maintain and replenish the free libraries he has created and “actively encouraged” other locals with a vision for one to do the same.
He added: “I wouldn’t say I’m on a ‘library crusade’ for the whole of south east London, I’m just one retired man.
“But I hope what I’ve done inspires others to look at spaces for libraries in their community and act on it.
“Books are a lifeline for people, they are an escape from the real world.
“It’s so important that people should be able to have access to books, and especially in this cost-of-living crisis it’s such a positive thing.”
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