Zadie Smith’s Private Visit

Award-winning writer, Zadie Smith, recently made an after hours visit to Kensal Rise Community Library. Zadie, who hadn’t been to the library since Brent Council closed it in 2011, said approvingly: “It’s really changed!”

She appreciated how the community has attractively refurbished and kitted out the albeit, now reduced space. And she noticed on our shelves nine of her own titles, including her latest, The Fraud.

Rap Video Shoot

Zadie was taking part in Doc Brown aka Ben Bailey Smith aka her brother’s video shoot for his latest rap track, Say Less, inside the library. They were joined by third sibling, Luc, who also appears in the video.

Family Affair left to right: Ben Bailey Smith/Doc Brown, Luc Skyz, Zadie Smith

Doc Brown

Multi-talented and prolific Ben, professionally known as Doc Brown, is a successful singer/songwriter, actor, comedian and of course, writer. Ben has very generously donated six of his own children’s books to our library.

Zadie, who said using the library before the Council closure had helped her academic career, supported our campaign back in 2011 (see About Us/Our History website page). So we were delighted to welcome her and her talented family back to enjoy the results of her efforts.

final image: Christian Sinibaldi, The Guardian

words & shoot images: Stephanie Schonfield