LIBRARY UNDER THREAT FROM LAMBETH

LIBRARY UNDER THREAT FROM LAMBETH

SWEEPING CHANGES to the way Upper Norwood joint library is run are being recommended in a report set to be considered by Lambeth council’s cabinet on October 12.

Upper Norwood – along with Waterloo, Tate South Lambeth, Carnegie, and Minet ibraries -will see “significant changes to the service delivered in these neighbourhoods” the report admits..

“This will include the decommissioning of the existing service and the creation of a neighbourhood library model.

“There will be no permanent Lambeth library staff on site for the libraries’ opening hours.”

Lambeth’s proposals are set to cause uproar across the whole borough.

The report adds: “As a result of recommendations in the Culture 2020 report, library users currently accessing the service at Upper Norwood, Waterloo, Tate South Lambeth, Carnegie, and Minet Libraries will experience:

 A reduction in physical space for the library service at these sites.  A reduction in the range of library services on offer at these sites.  No professional library interface at these sites.  A detrimental impact on the distance they may need to travel, if they wish to access a broader range of library services.

It is also recognised that elderly, disabled residents or those with small children may find the extra distance and cost problematic.

Creation of a neighbourhood library model will consist of:  Free access to the internet.  Study space.  Book stock will be managed by library service to reflect local need, culture and language.  A self-service machine providing residents with access to borrowing a reduced selection of books, as well as the ability to return them. 

Each neighbourhood library is within a reasonable distance of a town centre library either on foot, public transport, or private car.

Under the proposals Brixton, Streatham, Clapham. West Norwood and Durning (Kennington) will become town centre libraries. Upper Norwood, Tate South (South Lambeth); Carnegie (Herne Hill), the Minet (near Brixton) and Waterloo will become neighbourhood libraries.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: I have only just accessed this report. To read the whole report Google lambeth.gov calendar of meetings  – go to the date of October 12th on the calendar and you can access the report which is listed as: Item 3 Culture 2020 Culture 2020 Appendix 2a EQIA Libraries)

Updates to follow.