PILOT PLAN SET FOR TAKE OFF IN LIBRARY – Praise for Robbie Gibson
Upper Norwood Library Trust has come to an agreement with Lambeth council to run a temporary pilot in the joint library on Westow Hill.
In a Facebook post expressing their delight at the announcement of a partnership with Eco Communities Ltd, Upper Norwood Library Trust say: “The pilot will explore ways of supporting Upper Norwood Library’s activities in the future as well as finding ways of working more closely with the local community.
“It will run between now and March 2016 on a temporary basis as Lambeth have yet to assess and report their culture consultation. (see below – Ed.)
“Depending on the results of Lambeth’s consultation, we may, or may not, be able to continue to develop our activities in the library.
“Eco Communities Ltd has a track record of working successfully with local authorities to make libraries more sustainable.
“Please watch this space for more news of the pilot project and ways that you can become involved over the next few weeks.
“Sadder news is that Robbie Gibson has resigned from the trust. He has tirelessly campaigned to save the library from closure and was until last week the co-chair of the trust.
“In his email of resignation Robbie said ‘I have enjoyed being with the trust from its inception and I have really valued the time spent with all the trustees and the friendships that have developed. ‘I hope those will continue.
‘The work of the Trust should be centred on the future of the library I don’t want my decision to shift that focus.’
“Laura Wright, who chairs the trust said, “Without Robbie’s whole-hearted campaigning efforts to save Upper Norwood Library, and his leadership as co-chair of the trust, the chances are that Upper Norwood Library would have been closed by now.
“We are delighted that despite his resignation he will continue to support the trust’s efforts to save the library for the local community”.
Lambeth council are due to report the results of their Culture2020 consultation in mid-October.
Eco Communities describes itself as a social enterprise, specialising in the reuse and recycling of all types of computer equipment.
“Established in 2007, we hold all the required licenses from the Environmental Agency to handle unwanted computer equipment and adhere to the WEEE directive” says its website.
“We collect donated equipment from all sources from large companies to residential, and we aim to get at least 60% back into reuse. “The income we receive from selling the computers go towards our running costs and community projects. “Anything that we are unfortunately unable to reuse, then goes to a responsible recycler. .
“As a social enterprise, we donate 100 per cent of our profits back into the community. “We support various community projects, such as IT training and elderly clubs, and in May 2011, we took over the management of three Lewisham libraries (Sydenham, Crofton Park and Grove Park) which were under threat of closure. “Please check our Twitter feed for regular updates.”
