Sydenham Library

Sydenham Library Sydenham Library is part of the Lewisham Library service, staffed and run in partnership with the local community.

One week to go until we open our doors for the Indie Press Fair, Sunday 13 September at Manor House Library, 1pm to 7pm....
06/09/2026

One week to go until we open our doors for the Indie Press Fair, Sunday 13 September at Manor House Library, 1pm to 7pm.

Independent presses are how a huge amount of the best writing gets published. Small teams, real risk, real commitment to authors who might not get a look-in elsewhere. This fair is a chance to meet the people behind that work, browse their stalls, and put some money directly into presses doing it for the right reasons.

Alongside the stalls, four talks and panels through the day:
1:45pm Translation and Creative Practice, chaired by Erica Hesketh
2:50pm Koushik Banerjea on Animal Nightlife
3:50pm Nell Osborne on Ghost Driver, winner of the 2026 Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize
5:30pm Success in Small Press Publishing, chaired by Neil Griffiths

£8 gets you in, gives you the run of the stalls, a welcome drink, buffet food, and free access to book any of the talks.

Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indiepressfair/2342756

Come and back independent publishing.

MEET THE PRESSES 📚Loads of indie publishers, one afternoon. Here’s why your £8 ticket is worth it.🍷 A welcome drink (bef...
01/09/2026

MEET THE PRESSES 📚

Loads of indie publishers, one afternoon. Here’s why your £8 ticket is worth it.

🍷 A welcome drink (before 2:15) and buffet food included
📖 Browse and buy directly from independent presses
🎤 Free entry to all four talks and panels, you’ll be emailed an access code to book. Spaces limited.
💬 Meet the people behind the books, including Koushik Banerjea, Nell Osborne and the Success in Small Press Publishing panel
🤝 Supporting indie presses, we’re not charging them or taking a cut.

Bona Books — Q***r books across sci-fi, fantasy and horror, amplifying voices historically denied a platform.

Conduit Books — Ambitious, funny, political fiction and memoir with a focus on working-class narratives and regional voice. Founder Koushik Banerjea will speak on his novel Animal Nightlife.

Constellations Press — Fresh perspectives in fiction, memoir and essays, committed to new and emerging authors. Co-founder Claire Steele joins the Success in Small Press Publishing panel.

Deixis Press — Literary fiction and genre fiction that resists categorisation.

époque press — Great literature from diverse backgrounds, published in print and online. MD Sean Campbell joins the Success in Small Press Publishing panel.

Hajar Press — Political publishing run by and for people of colour, spanning fiction, poetry and essays. Co-founder Farhaana Arefin joins the Success in Small Press Publishing panel.

Héloïse Press — Championing women's talent worldwide with stylistically innovative, intimate storytelling.

MA BIBLIOTHÈQUE — Sharon Kivland's not-for-profit project publishing on art, architecture and writing.

MOIST BOOKS — Writing rooted in unease and disgust with the present, defying neat classification. Publisher of Nell Osborne's Ghost Driver, who speaks with Neil Griffiths at the fair.

Oblique House — Deptford-based poetry, art and architecture publisher, known for the tête-bêche Diptych series. Founder Oscar Mather joins the Success in Small Press Publishing panel.

Renard Press — Multiple award-winning, climate-positive publisher across genres, and founder of the Indie Press Network.

Spite Press — Edinburgh-based, championing unconventional poetry and art. Publishing a new Nell Osborne pamphlet in 2027.

Weatherglass Books — Structurally beautiful literary fiction and nonfiction. Co-founder Neil Griffiths chairs the Success in Small Press Publishing panel and speaks with Nell Osborne.

Sunday 13 September, 1pm to 7pm
Manor House Library, Lee

🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indiepressfair/2342756

📣 Sydenham Library closure updateWe are sorry to report that the electrical works at Sydenham have over run and we will...
01/09/2026

📣 Sydenham Library closure update

We are sorry to report that the electrical works at Sydenham have over run and we will now be closed until Thursday September 3rd.

We understand that this is very frustrating for our users and we apologise for the inconvenience and short notice of this announcement.

If you were hoping to attend the ESEA Heritage Month Chinese bookmark making session today, we are working to reschedule this.

Our nearest branch, Forest Hill Library, is open 7 days a week if you need us in the meantime.

Thanks for bearing with us.

Small presses take the risks the big publishers won't. Indie Press Fair is your chance to meet the people behind them fa...
29/08/2026

Small presses take the risks the big publishers won't.

Indie Press Fair is your chance to meet the people behind them face to face, browse their stalls, and find your next read before it's everywhere.

One ticket gets you in, plus a drink and access to four talks and panels on the day.

Sunday 13 September, Manor House Library.

Get tickets today https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indiepressfair or head to the link in our bio

Ever wanted to ask a publisher why they picked a book, or an author what actually happens after they say yes? Indie Pres...
27/08/2026

Ever wanted to ask a publisher why they picked a book, or an author what actually happens after they say yes? Indie Press Fair's entry ticket gives you free access to book onto four talks and panels through the day, with small press founders, editors and authors taking questions. Sunday 13 September, Manor House Library.

Sunday 13 September, Manor House Library.

Get tickets today https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indiepressfair or head to the link in our bio

Celebrate ESEA Heritage Month with Calico LibrariesThis September, Calico Libraries marks ESEA Heritage Month with a pro...
25/08/2026

Celebrate ESEA Heritage Month with Calico Libraries

This September, Calico Libraries marks ESEA Heritage Month with a programme of free events designed and led by Carry Hornby, Forest Hill Library's Artist in Residence. Carry is a Chinese brush artist and calligraphy teacher born in Taiwan, now based in South East London, whose work draws on ink and brush techniques she has practised since childhood.

The programme includes bookmark making, bilingual Chinese-English story times, and paper cutting, running across Sydenham, Crofton Park, Manor House and Forest Hill libraries. All events are free and family friendly .

Funded by a grant from Lewisham Council.

Chinese Bookmark Making
September 1, 10.45am-12.15pm, Sydenham Library

Bilingual Chinese-English Story Time
September 18, 11-11.30am, Crofton Park Library

Chinese Paper Cutting
September 25, 11am-12 noon, Manor House Library

Bilingual Chinese-English Story Time
September 26, 12-12.30am, Forest Hill Library

📚 Indie Press Fair 📍Manor House Library Calico Projects is bringing independent publishers, authors and translators toge...
24/08/2026

📚 Indie Press Fair

📍Manor House Library

Calico Projects is bringing independent publishers, authors and translators together for a day inside one of Lewisham's oldest library buildings, Manor House Library, built in 1771 and Grade II* listed.

Exhibiting publishers: Conduit Books, Constellations Press, Deixis Press, époque press, Hajar Press, Héloïse Press, MA BIBLIOTHÈQUE, MOIST BOOKS, Oblique House, Renard Press Ltd and Weatherglass Books.

Four free talks and panels run through the afternoon: Nell Osborne (Ghost Driver) in conversation with Neil Griffiths, Koushik Banerjea (Animal Nightlife) in conversation with Andi Thomas, Success in Small Press Publishing, chaired by Neil Griffiths and Translation and Creative Practice, chaired by Erica Hesketh.

Entry is £8 and includes a drink on arrival (before 2:15pm), buffet food, and access to book onto the talks. Level access and disabled toilets throughout.

Tickets and more details: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/indiepressfair

📣 Sydenham Library: temporary closure extendedSydenham Library will be closed Tuesday to Friday until September 1st, whi...
20/08/2026

📣 Sydenham Library: temporary closure extended

Sydenham Library will be closed Tuesday to Friday until September 1st, while we carry out essential electrical works.

We'll still be open as normal on Mondays and Saturdays.

Our nearest branch, Forest Hill Library, is open 7 days a week if you need us in the meantime.

Please note, Calico Libraries are not open on bank holidays.

Thanks for bearing with us.

📚 Indie Press Fair 📍Manor House Library Calico Projects is bringing independent publishers, authors and translators toge...
11/08/2026

📚 Indie Press Fair

📍Manor House Library

Calico Projects is bringing independent publishers, authors and translators together for a day inside one of Lewisham's oldest library buildings, Manor House Library, built in 1771 and Grade II* listed.

Exhibiting publishers: Conduit Books, Constellations Press, Deixis Press, époque press, Hajar Press, Héloïse Press, MA BIBLIOTHÈQUE, MOIST BOOKS, Oblique House, Renard Press Ltd and Weatherglass Books.

Four free talks and panels run through the afternoon: Nell Osborne (Ghost Driver) in conversation with Neil Griffiths, Koushik Banerjea (Animal Nightlife) in conversation with Andi Thomas, Success in Small Press Publishing, chaired by Neil Griffiths and Translation and Creative Practice, chaired by Erica Hesketh.

Entry is £8 and includes a drink on arrival (before 2:15pm), buffet food, and access to book onto the talks. Level access and disabled toilets throughout.

Tickets and more details: https://calicoprojects.com/indie-press-fair

📣 Sydenham Library: temporary closureFrom Tuesday 11th to Friday 21st August, Sydenham Library will be closed Tuesday to...
10/08/2026

📣 Sydenham Library: temporary closure

From Tuesday 11th to Friday 21st August, Sydenham Library will be closed Tuesday to Friday while we carry out essential electrical works.

We'll still be open as normal on Mondays and Saturdays.

Our nearest branch, Forest Hill Library, is open 7 days a week if you need us in the meantime.

Thanks for bearing with us.

Address

210 Sydenham Road
London
SE265SE

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+442087781753

Website

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