Wandsworth council libraries consultation and the sad, uncertain future of York Gardens Library

The Wandsworth Council libraries "consultation" result was announced in February - 10 days after the closing date. Singular because I find it impossible to believe it was not a ready-written press-release, a plan set in stone before a single pair of eyes were cast on the 1,200 surveys that were returned; or that 1,200 surveys could be analysed in just 10 days.

The original plan announced last month was that the library would retain only its children and IT services. Now it seems that the library as a whole will be saved, but only if volunteers will run it. Article from newspaper about how York Gardens would be used as a pilot for the Big Society scheme - it's noted that if the pilot failed the council could just put the blame on the community not doing enough to save it and thus evade any blame themselves.

The new plans being considered are published here:

It was quite clear from some of the survey results quoted that there was a large amount of questioning over the ability of volunteers to run libraries as opposed to trained, skilled, professional staff. Indeed, the result was resounding that the majority were deeply concerned over York Gardens being earmarked for closure and the detrimental effects this would leave on such a deprived, small, immediate community.

The way Wandsworth Council chose to present the reults are in PDF form here.

My comments were quoted directly from my consultation form at least twice that I can see, namely:

"Paid library workers with professional knowledge and skills, not volunteers, please."

"Having heard the news of the possible closure of York Gardens library in the Wandsworth

borough of London, I made a special trip to visit when normally I would access Southfields

library, 3 miles away. I immediately warmed to York Gardens library. Set in a large estate

of tower blocks, I can see how vital an asset it must be to the surrounding large community.

Looking at the various events, info, and things on offer, it's clear that there's so much more

than a mere book-lending facility here. Reading groups of all ages, activities for children,

craft activities for young people, even an old memories of Battersea group. What's more,

the library itself is inside a community building with a community centre that offers much to

the local residents. The library offers an incredibly impressive range of items on loan for

such a compact space, and is laid out in such a way that it's heart-warming - I feel

immediately positive of mood, after what had today been an upsetting morning; because it's

simply such a good place to be; good for the mental health. People think of London as

being this big centre, when really there are countless little communities just as cut-off as

anywhere smaller. And London does have its tiny communities. York Gardens is beset by

what must be Council or ex-Council tower block flats. There are pockets of poverty in all bits of London - and people forget this, just how vital libraries are in providing info on all kinds of local info, be it related to further education, benefits, leisure centres and other amenities in the area, local writing competitions, even the sale of local postcards and local history books. The provision is palpable. I will make the lengthy journey every week to use this library and make it my regular library. A former Wandsworth resident, I now live in Merton. It would be detrimental to the immediate community and beyond should the Council choose to close this library."

Save Kensal Rise Library

I'm heartened that legal challenges are in process in order to try and stop the ill-thought closure of libraries such as Kensal Rise in Brent borough. Posted online on the Save Kensal Library Blog a while ago, I saw a legal statement that said that as a condition of the building being bestowed as a gifted building on the general public, it would only ever be used as a library. There ought be some law to protect buildings as beautiful as this - libraries are often amazing examples of architecture and this is seldom respected.

It is a majestic building indeed. The area feels very community-bound with its close, Victorian houses and streets, and the library is at the centre of the neighbourhood, standing pillar-like proud. Inside reveals the only library I've ever set foot in that has chandeliers shining down. The book cases are of the deep mahogany wood and in the traditional library style that I am so fond of.

A compact library but as with York Gardens, I found that there was a mine of interesting and wide-reaching material on offer. I joined up, was met with friendliness and encouragement and information from staff, and I came away with a range of books - on low salt cooking, poetry and cat care.

I'm so glad to see that there are many events being put on to support the library's plight. In fact, it's said that if the council would open up use of the library's upper floor, events could be put on there regularly and could in fact fund the library and serve it very well. Why do councils and library management staff so consistently shun and fail to exploit the full benefits that fascinating and fun events could so regularly bring to libraries? Beyond readings - eg concerts/gigs, live comedy, social clubs and events?

Save Kensal Rise petition.

This is a library that stands at over 100 years old and was opened by Mark Twain.

Update

It's frustrating how little chance I get to update this blog, but trust that I have still been engaged in working towards various plights - filling in consultation forms, lobbying MPs, visiting and joining many many libraries, and working on a couple of print publications about the brilliance of mighty libraries. And I am all the while taking in as much as I can from the excellent public libraries blog.

I will do my utmost to blog some updates on all this and more...

Law that protects libraries to be scrapped if underhand MPs have their way

It has come to my attention via The Good Library Blog that there is something very underhand going on with the laws that protect our libraries.

I take this directly from Perkins' blog:

Please write urgently to your MP about the law that protects public libraries

I am sure that everyone reading this knows that in the UK there is a law which requires local councils to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service for all people who wish to make use thereof. It is the upholding of that 1964 Libraries and Museums Act which is the basis of all the campaigns to save libraries.

Yesterday we discovered a secret move by state officials to remove the burden of the duty placed on councils by including the main requirements of the Act in a whole list of possible changes to local government requirements. Quite easily the whole legal foundation of the public library service could be removed without the public or parliament realising that the law had quietly and secretly been changed.

It is an appalling and underhand thing of those officials to attempt. It reveals the worst of the state of our democracy. And it is really happening, do not be surprised.

Find and contact your local MP using this link.

Joining in the Campaign to Save Stony Stratford Library

The purpose of Wednesday was to get to Stony Stratford library and join in the borrowing campaign - to take the maximum number of books (15) on my library card; the end result being rows of empty shelves to show the council how the library would look if barren.

I travelled up to Wolverton, part of my hometown of Milton Keynes, and visited the library there first. This was the library I did my Work Experience at, aged 15. To my surprise the library was no longer there - in its place, a dental surgery. I was informed that the library had been rehoused in the town hall. What a beautiful transition and a worthy site for Wolverton library.

I stepped inside to hear the eager clamour of children involved in singing rhymes with the library staff.

I enquired as to whether my old supervisor from 1996 still worked at the library. To my surprise, all these years on, I was told she is still very much with Milton Keynes library services, albeit at another branch. No reunion today, but it was heartening to hear - it hit home the fact that this is a job that has been "for life" for so long, and that is all set to change with the new government proposals, with so much uncertainty and precariousness int he sector.

I became emotional when I asked how the campaign to save both Stony Stratford library and the other Milton Keynes library under threat - Woburn Sands (a tiny vilage library in a house). I was told that "progress" was being made with the proposals and things did not look positive.

With tears in my eyes, I made my way on the bus journey to Stony Stratford.

It struck me what a pretty little town Stony Stratford is - so untouched in its old, traditional shop fronts and historical pubs, with such quanity of architectural awe. The grand church that marks Church Street was an impressive, towering sight. I turned the corner and found the little library. I had passes many local shops that had posters displayed prominently in their windows supporting the library's continued opening. It was very clear that here is a town whose locals care about their library.

Stony Stratford library is a cosy and welcoming place. The childrens' library is on the ground floor and I was heartened to read many emotional comments of praise from children of all ages about what their library means to them.

Upstairs, there were already completely empty shelves in some cases. I was told by staff that there wasn't much left to take and it was true.

The quiet ambience and lack of self-service machines lent opportunity for me to talk to a member of staff sat by a computer. He told me a personal story of how he came to work in libraries quite by accident as it was a job that would suit his health problems - one temporary post of 8 weeks started him off and here he was about to retire. He was full of praise for the job and the relationships he felt it enabled him to build, and the value the job generated, since it felt to him very much about offering a community service.

(View of residential street from library entrance)

Stony Stratford is clearly a community library - clearly vital to the community it serves. In just a short visit, I saw droves of young children encountering playmates, or exploring books, and their mothers were talking away to each other too. In fact, everyone who entered the library was greeted warmly and it was as if everyone knew each other, or if not, they were keen to get to know those in their neighbourhood. Library users were exchanging talk about the book borrowing campaign, holding doors open for each other as heavy loads were carted away, and there was a great deal of enthusiasm, smiling, and sense of well-being about it all. The staff were very pleased to help and were happy to answer my many questions.

I learnt that the library used to be housed in the old fire station building nearby but had been in its current home since the 70s.

I have been a user of Milton Keynes libraries since my mum first introduced me to the service at Wobrun Sands when I was 2-years-old.

I paid £2.00 to get my replacement card, pay off old fines, and staff got me up to date on the system. I bought a jute bag to carry some of my haul of 15 books home in - in total I spent about £10.00 and I felt good about this branch getting my money as I would hope it would add to the cause.

It struck me that users were not just borrowing books willy-nilly, but carefully choosing their 15 nominations. I did the same, coming away with a book about the history of Top of The Pops, books on job searching and how to bolster your income with odd jobs, plus a stack of biographies (okay, the Eamonn Holmes one was a joke - of course!).

Soon my parents arrived in their car with their library cards and they too went about enjoying the library building and in selecting some stock to take home.

I am delighted to have just read that the campaign has worked in its first stage - all shelves were emptied, and even supportive councillors missed out on getting their share of books to loan as it was too late to grab what was left! Excellent work from everyone involved, and proof that a community can come together and act in positive force. Here's hoping it will make a mark, make a difference, and achieve a permanent library for the residents of Stony Stratford.

Link to the existing petition to Save Stony Stratford Library

Link to public consultation for Milton Keynes Council.

Save Stony Stratford Library - excellent campaign idea!

From Wednesday 12th to Saturday 15th January, local residents are invited to take part in the 'Wot No Books' campaign to help save the Stony Stratford Library.

All you have to do is go to the Stony Stratford Library and take out the maximum of books on your card (15) and keep them for one week.

The aim is to empty the library by Saturday the 15th January, when the press will be invited to witness the level of support being shown for the library by the local population.

Please help us Save Stony Stratford Library.

I certainly aim to get down to Stony Stratford library and do my bit. This is an excellent campaign idea that has put a smile on my face. I think it would be savvy to take this idea and run with it across many other libraries in a similar situation. I also like the idea of an amnesty on fines and a day or week of widespread library joining as a show of strength too.