We feel isolated since our homeless library lost its home
A couple who credit a homeless library in Edinburgh with helping turn their lives around say they feel isolated after it closed overnight.Michelle Kwiatek and Colin MacMillan said the Streetreads Library was a refuge when they spent more than five years living on the streets and in hostels.Managers of the service have been looking for a new home since January when the lease on a premises at a Methodist Church in Nicholson Square was not renewed. The church's minister, the Reverend James Patron Bell, said they made the decision amid concerns about the safety of tenants, visitors and staff.
Michelle, 45, told BBC Scotland News the library gave her and her partner something "normal" to do every day. "I've read lots of books while being homeless but it wasn't just about the books," she said. "It gave us a community of like-minded people who were trying to change their lives and make a difference, who just wanted to come together and drink tea or take part in making things and that's what was important."Now we are isolated and on our own just constantly asking if they have found a new home for the library, it's not good and it's not the same."The library was operated by homeless charity Simon Community Scotland and funded solely through donations and fundraising.
Its 250 users could spend as much time in there as they wanted, without having to spend money or even read a book. Some said they didn't want to use council-run libraries because they felt they stood out as homeless. Colin, who stopped taking heroin and crack cocaine four years ago, said the library offered a unique service.The 41-year-old said: "When we were at the library it was really helping us stay off the drugs."It was really helping us keep on the straight and narrow."
The library was founded by Rachel Cowan in 2021, after she offered to buy a sandwich for a homeless person - they told her they would rather have a book. With the help of Streetwork, a department of Simon Community Scotland, she opened the library in the basement of City of Edinburgh Methodist Church.The church's minister said they wished Streetreads "success in their future endeavours". "We regret that we could not renew the lease for Streetreads due to ongoing concerns around the suitability of the location for their work, which were not resolved despite years of discussions," Mr Patron Bell added."This included the safety of our tenants, visitors and staff which is and always will be our priority."
Fiona Williamson, head of service for Simon Community Scotland in Edinburgh, said up to 100 people sleep rough on the city's streets each night.She added: "The library is so important because we asked groups of homeless people in areas in the city why they were congregating and they said for community and connection and we thought yes that's what we are all looking for in our lives."And we thought it really is that simple and so it became much more than a library."Ricky Kerr, service lead for Streetreads, said it would cost more than double to rent new premises, which they planned to reach through fundraising.He said some people visited the library six days a week and they have been left at a loss as to how to spend their days. "The library was a beautiful, welcoming and calm place for people who were experiencing or were at risk of homelessness to come and access not only a wide variety of support but also to feel accepted," he added.Michelle said the library offered refuge."When I was reading my book during the day some people seemed to think just because you're sitting on the street they were entitled to give you abuse and that's hard because you are already at your lowest."The library gave us a safe space where we could get away from that."
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Readers reply: Should back gardens be sacrosanct, or are loud phones and speakers OK?
It's common these days for people to play music in their gardens on smart speakers or smartphones. But is it fair on the neighbours? Should gardens be quiet spaces without these kinds of sounds? Graham French, Sutton Coldfield Send new questions to nq@ Only do it twice per year. Any more and there will be retribution! KrisFernie I would rather hear music than the neighbours having another nasty argument. GrandMoo2018 One of our neighbours uses a leaf blower whatever the season and it wavers around a B flat. On the opposite side is a biker with a mate who when revving can create duets ranging from a deep low G to a high F#. At the bottom of the garden, we have children who can reach Philip Glass-like operatic heights with a touch of Stockhausen. I'd kill for some music on speakers! Alec1961 Unless you are fortunate/wealthy enough to own a back garden large enough to get lost in, the answer must surely be 'no'. With the possible – and occasional – exception of a child's birthday party. Name supplied, by email It is insensitive. Another instance of the 'It's my right to do as I wish' philosophy which holds individual 'freedom' over and above consideration of others. Noise pollution is at best an unthinking intrusion and invasion of privacy. Rob Eyres, by email Why not smash through the hedge and set up your deck chairs on nextdoor's lawn while you are at it? Headphones were invented so that we could listen to music and not disturb other people. Gillian Parker, by email It's not for others to decide how quiet or otherwise others have their gardens unless it's reaching the levels that you could get the council involved for. The outside isn't silent! natfantastic Absolutely not OK to bother one's neighbours with your music and other noise. It creates a lot of unnecessary upset and distress and disputes. Listen to birdsong instead. Caroline Laffertu, by email Playing music in the garden would be fine if people did it on cold wet evenings when I'm sat inside. 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If you want silence, move to the country or join a monastery. If you live in a city, there will always be a certain amount of noise. As another writer commented, just don't be a jerk about it. ChitownLiberal Yes! A person's back yard should be a haven. Some people have hypersensitivity to sound and they should be able to relax in peace. Miranda Johnson, by email We used to have a festival evening garden party in the grounds of the old manor house. They consulted and warned neighbours, and ensured the sound level was reduced as the late hours approached. All OK. Neighbours playing loud music which is drowning out mine such that I have to resort to headphones is not. Name supplied, by email Do as you would be done by. If you don't wish to hear your neighbour playing the final act of Götterdämmerung at full volume in his garden, then you shouldn't be playing Ibiza dance music. Peter Neville, Brecon, by email Mostly my neighbours are great, bar one. 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Ecomouse1 There unfortunately will always be the odd flash point with noise but I find that plugging into several hundred watts of amp and practising scales quickly gets the point across. TyPing I lived in the countryside a few years ago, in search of peace but I didn't find it, due to loud music, dogs barking, strimmers, drag racing, tractors, and drones. I moved back to the city and now find the noise less intrusive. Elephantmoth People should definitely play their music outdoors at a moderate volume level. I do not enjoy listening to other people's music while sitting in my backyard. Tom Garvey, by email Yesterday afternoon someone a few doors down was playing music. It was music I didn't mind, which helped. Then someone else started playing music, at which point it became a cacophony. Though I suspect the second person was making a point, because then both were turned off. Just be aware I guess, and considerate. LorLala
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