The proposal would save the civic centre up to £630,000 per year

Southgate Library is one of those earmarked for closure

The public consultation on Enfield Council’s plan to close eight of the borough’s libraries has now officially launched.

Earlier this month, a bid by opposition councillors to force a rethink on the new libraries strategy – which includes the proposal to save up to £630,000 per year by closing Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries – failed.

The Labour administration is now pressing ahead with its plans but does say it is open to suggestions from residents of alternative options to the library closures that might save the same amount of money.

On its consultation page, the council explains: “We want to provide a comprehensive, sustainable and efficient library service for people who live, work or study in Enfield. This includes books and access to digital resources, quiet spaces for study and reflection, access to support groups and social activities for all ages, health and wellbeing support, makerspaces, training and employment advice.

“The council faces budget challenges after over a decade of government underfunding, historic inflation levels and recent interest rate rises, and the ongoing cost of living crisis resulting in more residents needing our support. Savings will inevitably need to be made now and in years to come across council services to balance our budgets. In this context, we need to ensure our libraries are delivering accessible and responsive services in the best and most efficient way to meet local need, and matches the offer delivered by other London boroughs.

“Our library service plays a critical role in helping people realise their full potential, including those living, working, studying in or visiting Enfield and particularly those facing disadvantage. A number of factors have impacted what people need from their library service, including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.”

It is for these reasons that the council says it must make significant savings to its libraries budget, with the closures, bringing the total number of council-run libraries from 16 down to eight, seen as the most effective way to do this.

However, the civic centre says that by doing so it can also “improve and enhance” its remaining libraries at Ordnance Unity Centre, Edmonton Green, Ponders End, Fore Street, Millfield House, Palmers Green, Enfield Town and Ridge Avenue, “by increasing opening hours at these libraries by a total of 56 hours per week”.

The council has also pledged to “retain the home library service and digital library service”.

Take part in the council’s libraries consultation before the deadline on 14th November:
Visit https://www.enfield.gov.uk/consultations/library-consultation

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