Latest News!

June 2019

Thanks to everyone who came along to our stall this weekend. It was lovely to chat to so many people and hear what you think about the library service.

In case you couldn't get along the text of our latest leaflet is below.

Our next meeting will be on the 4th July at 7.15, venue TBC.

NEWS ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY
The feasibility study into new plans for Lewisham Library has been finished. The proposals they looked at were all found to be unfeasible and so for now the only action they will take is to maintain the current building. The proposed cut has now come out of the council’s reserve funds but this is only temporary.

HORRIBLE HISTORY OF LIBRARY CUTS
Over the last decade, Lewisham borough has lost 9 out of 13 council-run libraries. These 9 libraries were handed over to outside organisations, with no professional library staff, just untrained volunteers. Since then, there has been a dramatic fall of 45% in book borrowing in the borough. 
Successive cuts have left many libraries in Lewisham with poor quality, disorganised book stock and an unskilled, voluntary workforce. 

HITTING THE POOREST HARDEST
10% of the population don’t have internet access at home. Many essential services are only accessible online, making digital services provided by the library absolutely essential for Universal Credit claims, rent payments, online banking, security checks, booking travel and communication with loved ones. Many vulnerable users need assistance from library staff to fulfil job and benefit requirements. And to fulfil the promise of a sanctuary borough, the council must consider that EU Settlement, Visa, Permanent Residence and Asylum applicants may need staffed libraries to assist them.

Quiet study spaces and research materials are also essential for low income households. The last published plans for cuts were rejected by council’s own committee as disproportionately effecting vulnerable people. Our campaign will oppose any cuts that hit the most disadvantaged in society.

JOB LOSSES

Many experienced library staff have been made redundant - 55 library workers in 2016 alone. Cutting Lewisham jobs at a time of austerity is bad for the borough. Replacing paid council staff with untrained volunteers managed by unaccountable organisations has been a disaster as predicted. 

OUR DEMANDS

Maintain current staff levels in Lewisham Library, Downham Library and Deptford Lounge Consult: Library workers, users and campaigners should be consulted in the formative stages of planning a new library for Lewisham.

Be transparent: Council should be clear and open about any future plans or cuts to the service.

Bring our libraries back in house: All controlled library services should be brought back in house with adequate, safe staffing levels.

TAKE ACTION

The campaign needs you! We meet regularly to discuss and plan actions. Contact savelewishamlibraries@gmail.com with any ideas or ways you can help, and to be added to the mailing list to receive information about forthcoming meetings, events and actions.

Raise awareness of the value of good quality libraries: Tell us why you value the service, or use your own social media with the hashtag #savelewishamlibraries

Send a letter forwarding your concerns and our demands to your own electoral ward’s councillors and your constituency Member of Parliament, using Writetothem.com. Be sure to mention you are a resident. 

Email Councillor Jonathan Slater, who is responsible for Libraries, (cllr_jonathan. slater@lewisham.gov.uk) and Lewisham Mayor Damien Egan (damien.egan@ lewisham.gov.uk) 

Email: savelewishamlibraries@gmail.com