Location: Construction of the new Library building c1980s
A new building was constructed and opened in 1988. The award winning building was designed by Colin St John Wilson, who also famously designed the British Library. Similarities in the two building designs can be seen in the use of exposed breeze blocks and pillars.
The building was constructed on land previously occupied by the Nuevo (or New) Beth Chaim Cemetery for Spanish and Portuguese (Sephardic) Jews, which was established in 1725 and in use until 1920. The cemetery was excavated 1974, the remains were reclaimed and interred in the grounds of a halls of residence in South Woodford. What remains of the cemetery can be seen to this day adjacent to the Library building.