Deadline: Sunday 24 August, 11:59pm
Apply: Email your proposal to submissions@setspace.uk
Since opening in 2023, SET Social has hosted two community-led library projects. To continue this legacy, we are inviting proposals for a third iteration—a new project to take over and reimagine our dedicated library corner.
This open call is an invitation to help shape SET Social’s identity as an open, accessible and community-rooted space. We’re looking for an individual or group to bring fresh energy, ideas and commitment to the library, offering a small but meaningful platform for public programming.
About the library space
Over the past year, the library space was transformed by writer and organiser Oisín Roberts, whose free community library project lent hundreds of books and hosted an evolving programme of readings, screenings, book launches, writing groups, workshops and markets, all centred around the ethos of care, accessibility and collective learning.
Now, we’re looking for someone new to take the baton and build on this work.
What we’re offering
- Free use of a small, dedicated library space inside SET Social.
- The opportunity to programme four public events over the course of a year.
- Support from the SET team in producing and publicising events. These events might include talks, readings, discussions, workshops, screenings or other public happenings that resonate with your project.
Who should apply?
We welcome proposals from:
- Independent or community libraries (existing or emerging).
- Bookshops, small presses and publishers.
- Local organisations, collectives and charities.
- Cultural workers and artists interested in publishing, literacy, access or archives.
- Anyone with a strong idea for a community-facing, bookish or research-based project.
We’re also open to imaginative and unexpected proposals, including non-literary uses, provided the project aligns with SET’s ethos of affordability, accessibility and public benefit.
How to apply
Send a single PDF to submissions@setspace.uk with the subject line Library Proposal by midnight on Sunday 24 August.
Your proposal should include:
- A short introduction to yourself or your group.
- A brief outline of your project (max 500 words).
- Up to five images of past work or related ideas.
You don’t need to be a formal organisation or have an existing library—passion, purpose and thoughtfulness matter more than polish.
To arrange a visit to the space or ask questions, email the same address with the subject line Library Enquiry.
About SET Social
SET Social is a not-for-profit café, bar, community garden and arts venue in Peckham. We host an evolving programme of exhibitions, talks, screenings, workshops, clubs and DJ nights, all rooted in community access and creative experimentation.
SET Social operates under a membership model and is home to a wide range of public and collaborative projects. The library corner is a permanent fixture within the space, intended as a resource and meeting point for learning, connection and exchange.
Learn more