The copper ship topped the weathervane here at Tooting Library since it opened in 1902 and was an iconic feature of the Tooting skyline. Elements of a Viking longboat mix with the deck and sails of a galleon, just like the one on the Wandsworth coat of arms. 

For many years, the galleon weathervane. In 2017, Libby (Tooting History Group committee member), noticed that it had disappeared from the library roof. 

The galleon had blown down in high winds and was stranded on the roof. It was reinstated but came down again in 2019.

Stored in a library cupboard for several years, and after very nearly appearing on “The Repair Shop”, Ellie (another THG committee member) and Libby worked with staff at the Library, and Wandsworth Council, to have the galleon restored.

It is now mounted inside the Library, so everyone can admire the galleon (and it’s not in danger of being blown from its perch!).

The library was presented to the people of Tooting by the then Mayor of Wandsworth, Sir William Lancaster. Originally, it was single storey terracotta building but it was seamlessly extended with an additional storey in 1908 to reflect the rapid growth of Tooting’s population.

The clock was added in 1915 to commemorate the work of Reverend John Hendry Anderson, Rector of Tooting and ex-Mayor of Wandsworth.

The library was temporarily closed, reopening in 2010, following internal reworking funded by Wandsworth Borough Council and the National Lottery.

 A small mezzanine floor was introduced and accessibility greatly improved with the addition of a lift. Crittal windows were sensitively reproduced, maintaining the art nouveau style floral patterned leaded lights, and a striking full height bay glazed in a wide palette of colours added. 

Tooting Library won a Wandsworth Design Award in 2011 and was locally listed in 2017.