CROYDON COMMENTARY: The latest sham consultation over the closure of some of the borough’s libraries – with half under threat of being downgraded or shut forever – looks like the end-game to ALISON HUNT
So there’s yet another consultation over the closure of certain libraries in the borough.
Long-term fight: the battle to save Croydon’s libraries has been going on for so long that the primary-aged children in this 2012 photograph are all adults now. But the threat remains
After fighting this for many years, I think this time we can all agree that the writing is on the wall. We now have to stand back, powerless, while our once lovely borough is taken apart by the financial incompetences of the leaders of Croydon Council.
The reasons for keeping libraries open are many.
Books are expensive, the cost of living is high, so why not borrow books instead of buying them? The library also acts as a social hub, a place for people to sit and work in the warm, access a computer or other information.
The council has been trying to close libraries for over a decade now. The cost of running the service plus the high value of the land the buildings occupy makes them a good target for a council drowning in debt. But you have to look at the figures.
The number of people using the libraries has gone down, they tell us. We can’t argue with that. But isn’t that to be expected when many of our libraries are only open two days a week? And those are weekdays up to 6 o’clock. When can you visit the library if you work?
You have to be suspicious, don’t you?
Deceptive figures: making our public libraries more difficult to access, with short and inconvenient opening hours, is being used by the council as an excuse to close them. But their own figures show they plan to close some of the better-used libraries
So what do we want? If the people of Croydon have given up using libraries, then they ought to close but we must think carefully before we allow that to happen.
Do we really want to be inside looking at screens all the time with no access to social spaces? And if we sit back and give the green light to this, what will be next? Our parks?
I will add that our libraries are fantastic spaces with hardworking, friendly staff. I don’t think the council will stop at four library closures (Bradmore Green in Coulsdon, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley, with two others earmarked to become “hubs”).
This is just the start.
The council is dismantling our once lovely borough, service by service. Shame on them.
But if the people of Croydon are happy to see this happen, then so be it.
As for me I still think seeing the look on a child’s face when they sit in the library surrounded by books and realise they can take some home is worth the fight.
- Croydon Council is not doing too much to publicise its public consultation. Perhaps, like the libraries themselves, it would rather the public does not use it. The consultation can be found by clicking here. It is due to close in April, after which, they will close four libraries…
Read more: Sanderstead among four public libraries under threat of closure
Read more: Consultants’ year-long study looks to close four public libraries
Read more: Lip-service webinars fail to consider libraries’ community future
Read more: Libraries are our long-term investment. Don’t squander it
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