News

Fury as library users react to news of council’s planned closures

Residents concerned by the proposed closure of eight borough libraries have voiced their anger, reports James Cracknell

Users of Oakwood Library say they rely on it for many different services

Users of libraries at risk of closure have spoken of how they rely on their local branch as Enfield Council’s consultation continues.

The council is currently consulting on the proposed closures of Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries, which it says will save up to £630,000 per year and generate up to £3.25m from property sales.

The consultation continues until 14th November and the council claims it is open to suggestions from residents of alternative solutions that could save the same amount of money.

But during a drop-in event at John Jackson Library in Bush Hill Park last month, attended by the head of the council’s library service, there was visible anger from users, some of whom said they’d only learned of the closure plans when they walked in that day.

One library user described John Jackson as a “safe space” and a “sanctuary”, while another said she took part in exercise classes run by Age UK Enfield, adding: “It is not just used as a library, it is used for so many other things – why does everything have to be about money? I don’t understand, I am very angry.”

John Jackson Library is based within a modern, purpose-built building and is surrounded by social housing. Regarding the council’s choice of libraries to close, one resident said: “If you’re going to shut down eight libraries, go and actually look at the ones which are not fit for purpose. This one is fit for purpose – find out which libraries actually work.”

Another resident said that “the whole exercise is driven by the financial needs of the council” and claimed John Jackson was being chosen because of its potential value to developers – a claim the council’s head of libraries denied any knowledge of.

A drop-in event at John Jackson Library saw 20 residents quiz the council’s head of libraries

Also on the proposed closure list is Oakwood Library, used by a variety of community groups. Last month the Dispatch met some of the library’s users to hear their views. One of them is Thomas Devine, who said: “I was quite appalled at the planned closure of both this and Southgate Library. I am 80 years old and I shall have to rely on Palmers Green or Enfield Town libraries instead.

“It will be a great loss, I use it at least once a week. I go there to borrow books, use the photocopier – and pick up Enfield Dispatch!”

Thomas, who is secretary of Merryhills Court Residents Association, said the group sometimes used the meeting room at Oakwood Library. He added: “When [nearby] Reservoir Hall was demolished and the site sold, we were told there would be a community room in the library we could use.

“To us it is more than a place to borrow books, it is a place where people meet and even just sit in a warm place.”

Tony Watts, assistant secretary of Enfield Over 50s Forum, also said the group made use of Oakwood Library. “The forum is devastated that the local libraries are going to be closed,” he said.

“They are such a vital resource for communities, both older and younger people. The forum uses Oakwood Library every month and personally I use it every week.

“[The closure] means communities are not going to be able to access a real source of information and culture. It is terrible – it is increasing digital exclusion.”

At a full council meeting at Enfield Civic Centre on 18th September, there was a lengthy libraries debate that lasted nearly two hours. Conservative councillor Edward Smith began by saying the consultation was “essentially a cost-cutting exercise” and said: “It’s worth noting the annual savings from the proposed closure of eight libraries is insignificant compared to the £25m-a-year debt [repayment] charge the borough’s council taxpayers face at the moment.”

Cllr Smith then questioned some of the council’s figures. He said: “The council has projected £600,000 in savings in operating and staffing costs, £5.3m in maintenance costs, and £3m in capital receipts if the sites were sold off. The only thing we have any confidence in gaining is the staff and operating costs – the other two projections are highly speculative.”

However, cabinet member Chinelo Anyanwu accused the opposition of “once again” providing criticism “without alternatives”. Describing the Conservative group’s attitude as “do nothing” she defended the Labour administration’s approach and said: “We must run a sustainable service, within the resources we have.

“After £228million worth of savings made since 2010, thanks to central government cuts and their [Conservative] party, it has become harder and harder.

“This administration has protected our libraries and run a higher than average number compared to neighbouring boroughs.”

While Enfield does currently have the joint-highest number of council-run libraries in London, with 16, if all the eight closures go ahead it would be left with among the fewest – and well below the average number of libraries per borough, which is twelve.

Labour councillor Josh Abey pointed out during the debate that many other councils had been forced to close libraries and said: “The Tories have demonstrated they live in an alternative reality where the world only extends to the borders of Enfield and nothing has ever happened beyond there.

“After the previous government came to power in 2010 about one in every five libraries in the UK closed. Almost 1,000 more libraries on top of that have reduced their operating hours.

“It’s just not credible for them to sit there and pretend they care about libraries.”

Take part in the council’s libraries consultation:
Visit
enfield.gov.uk/consultations/library-consultation


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