Lee Hub – Independent Community Library

Lee Hub began operations in early 2021 after Hampshire County Council decided to close the former Lee on Solent library due to budget constraints. A group of dedicated locals formed a charitable organisation to take over the building, transforming it into a self-sustaining hub reliant on volunteers and community support.

Registered as a charity, it focuses on delivering library services, a cafe area and rooms for activities that promote health and wellbeing. The team behind it raised funds to stock shelves with over 9,000 titles, ranging from fiction to reference materials, ensuring borrowers have plenty to choose from.

Volunteers handle everything from book lending to organising sessions that draw people together. Children’s groups feature crafts, toys and a Lego club where young ones build and play, encouraging creativity in a relaxed setting.

For adults, options include an arts and crafts circle, plus a popular over-60s lunch club that fills up quickly, often with a waiting list. Veterans gather monthly for the ‘Buns and Banter’ club, sharing stories over tea and cake, while new parents meet with their babies to connect after months of limited social contact.

These initiatives address everyday needs in a town where travel can be tricky for some, creating opportunities for interaction close to home.

The space also hosts author talks, with writers like Louisa Treger and Louise Morrish visiting to discuss their works, adding a literary spark to the calendar. Table top sales and community cafes run on Saturdays, complete with homemade treats and raffles, turning the library into a lively spot for browsing and chatting.

Partnerships extend the reach, such as collaborations with the National Coastwatch Institute for events like calendar launches that highlight local photography. Digital access comes via computers and online resources, helping with everything from job searches to family research.

Funding remains a key focus, with campaigns to buy new books and maintain the premises. The charity’s accounts show income from donations and events covering operations, though expenditure sometimes outpaces it, underscoring the need for ongoing support.

Chair of trustees Christine McGrew describes the effort as a ‘huge labour of love’, pointing out challenges like fixing a sticking front door amid broader concerns about councils shifting responsibilities to communities. Trustee Paul Twine emphasises the broader impact, noting how the hub fills gaps left by the pandemic, bringing people who might otherwise stay isolated into shared experiences.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has visited, praising the achievement in keeping the facility alive to boost education, skills and social ties. Positioned on the High Street near schools and the seafront, Lee Hub integrates into daily life, serving as a practical base for groups like writers’ circles that use its tables for sessions on topics such as short story development.

Recent gatherings, including those with the NCI stand, showcase its role in local happenings, blending information stalls with library services. Through these efforts, the library continues to evolve, adapting to what the area requires most.