SAVE SYDENHAM LIBRARY

[Pat Trembath]

Just a reminder about Saturday 9 October, 11am – 1pm. It’s Party Time again outside Sydenham Library as part of Children’s Book Reading Week with a raffle and book giveaways and games for the children. Bring tea and cake to share. We hope that some of the Sydenham traders will also be donating some food. The Cake Store kindly donated a cake (as seen on ITV) for last Tuesday’s birthday party, and last week there was also a generous donation of a tray of delicious jerk chicken from Cummin Up, the Caribbean takeaway opposite Library.

Also the public meeting called by Lewisham to "consult" with local residents about the threatened closure of tthe library is on Monday at 7pm at the Livesey Hall. We hope there will be a good turn out.

[Robin Orton]

Pat Trembath said:

Also the public meeting called by Lewisham to "consult" with local residents about the threatened closure of tthe library is on Monday at 7pm at the Livesey Hall. We hope there will be a good turn out.

Was there? What happened?

[leenewham]

Latest update and pictures from the march:

http://sydenhamlibrary.wordpress.com/

[maestro]

Decision has now been deferred for two months...............


http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/86334 ... _by_mayor/

[stuart]

Another reason to help save the library by increasing footfall is they are giving away FREE window stickers:

“No thanks!” Say no to Cold Callers

It comes with an information leaflet which provides residents with advice about dealing with cold callers and how to prevent people tricking their way into their homes.

So Lewisham has some money to spare on an information campaign but not for our repository of information ... comments to Cllr Susan Wise.

Stuart

[olatunde]

there is one thing bugging me over all this.
lewisham want to close five librarues in total but still go ahead with the Catford Town Centre Area Action Plan.
as lewisham has aready spent 11.5 million on just buying the land how many millions will it take to finish it
if they have that sort of money why are they even thinking of cutting services at all in the next three years

why can't they put that money towards keeping the libraries open and delay the town center action plan ?
they wuld not even loose out on any money as the shops which at now owned by lewisham are paying rent to them,

am i the only personstaring to wonder where lewisham can find all the money to do this poject and noy find even 1 million to keep the libraries open.

[Bram]

Olatunde

You are not alone - see here http://forum.sydenham.org.uk/viewtopic. ... 994#p39994

But note -

How the council plans to finance the scheme is currently blocked from public viewing.

[carolrobinson]

why do they have to shut them when they re such a good service to the community?

[paultreacy]

Decision was to be the 17th. Any word on outcome?

[simon]

Paul, see maestro's link above.

[paultreacy]

I see. Thank you.

[tjc]

t

[admin]

Just in from Lewisham:
---------------------------

Council calls for interest in taking over library buildings

Lewisham Council is seeking organisations and community groups that may be interested in taking over one or more of the five library buildings being considered for closure.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock deferred a decision on the proposed closure of five of the borough’s 12 libraries last month to allow time for community solutions to be explored. The libraries affected are Blackheath, Crofton Park, Grove Park, New Cross and Sydenham.

“We would like to explore ways in which community library services could continue to be provided from these or other buildings,” said Councillor Chris Best, Cabinet Member for Community Services. “The Council would continue to provide books as well as providing visiting library services, such as storytelling, homework sessions and reading groups,”

“If we were to agree to these closures we would prefer to retain most of the buildings in community use. We are looking for vibrant organisations to take over the management of the buildings and ensure that they continue to stand at the heart of the community.”

The Council is prepared to transfer buildings to organisations on a lease or, exceptionally, freehold where possible. Anyone interested would need to prepare a business case setting out how the ongoing running costs would be funded. Continued community use will be a requirement, but the buildings could also be used for other purposes that could generate revenue.

Information packs will be available from 10 December 2010. To register to receive a pack please email librarybuildings@lewisham.gov.uk. The deadline for expressions of interest is Thursday 20 January 2011.

The proposal to close libraries has been made as part of the Council’s efforts to balance its budget in the face of huge reductions in its funding from Government. Over the next four years the Council may have to reduce its budget by as much as £78million.

Posted by Admin