THE BOOKSELLER: Poet to petition Sadiq Khan over library closures

Read the article on The Bookseller website by Natasha Onwuemezi:

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/poet-petition-sadiq-khan-over-library-closures-329815

SADIQ URGED TO ACT ON LIBRARIES

One of South London’s leading poets is to petition London Mayor Sadiq Khan about the future of library services.

Chrissie Gittins, Lewisham’s first honorary writer in residence, will hand in a copy of her latest book, Between Here And Knitwear, to Mr Khan at City Hall next week. 

She wants him to pledge his support to campaigners trying to stop Forest Hill, Manor House, Catford and Torridon libraries from being turned into community-run centres.

Chrissie, who has lived in Forest Hill for 26 years and who writes poetry for adults and children as well fiction and radio dramas, said libraries were vital for the well-being of local communities.

She said: “To lose five of our borough’s libraries in 2011 was bad enough, but now to lose another three is extremely disturbing and devastating.

Read the full article by Kate Gould

http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/article.cfm?id=117912

Chrissie Gittins will be speaking at the march and rally to Save Lewisham Libraries

Saturday 21 May - Assemble 12noon at Lewisham Library, march to Town Hall, Catford.

LIBRARY WORKERS TO STRIKE

Solidarity with Unison members in Lewisham Libraries who will be on strike next Saturday to defend our libraries and joining us on the march.

Please spread the word and send messages of support to savelewishamlibraries@gmail.com so we can pass them on.

https://www.facebook.com/events/555662284607544

READY TO MARCH

Eight days to go before the big march! Your help is needed: Spread the word, tell friends, family and work colleagues. Make a placard. Get in touch if you can help on a stall or with leafleting.

Please invite your friends on facebook and share our event.
If you can help with leafleting for the demo this Saturday 12-1pm in in Lewisham please contact Mark 07931 289199 or email savelewishamlibraries@gmail.com

LEWISHAM MARCH FOR LIBRARIES

Saturday 21 May

Assemble 12 midday
Limes Grove - next to Lewisham Library
199 - 201 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6LG

March to Town Hall for rally with speakers including :

Carnegie Library occupier from Lambeth
Alan Wylie - Libraries campaigner
Heather Wakefield - Unison
Save Lewisham Libraries campaigners
More speakers TBC

CAMPAIGN STALL at the 4TH LONDON RADICAL BOOKFAIR

Save Lewisham Libraries campaign will join booksellers, publishers, artists and other activists at the 4th London Radical Bookfair. Visit our stall and support the campaign!

12-6pm 
Saturday 7 May 2016
The Great Hall
Goldsmith's College
London SE14 6NW


With over 130 exhibitors and 20 guest speakers, this will be a unique gathering of progressive readers, thinkers and doers, in a celebration of radical publishing and politics. 


The free event is organised by the Alliance of Radical Booksellers (ARB), which formed in 2011 to raise awareness of the radical book trade.

https://www.facebook.com/events/891054811007074/

See you there!

LEWISHAM LIBRARY WORKERS BALLOT TO STRIKE

We support the library workers balloting for strikes to save our libraries from the council's cuts. Save Lewisham Libraries campaign will be right behind you in this fight.

Shame on the council who refused to justify their attack on jobs and services when approached for comment in this article.

http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/article.cfm?id=117159

SAVE LEWISHAM LIBRARIES MARCH - SATURDAY 21 MAY

Library staff in Lewisham Unison and Save Lewisham Libraries campaign have jointly called for a demonstration to protest against job losses and library cuts.

12 NOON SATURDAY 21 MAY 2016

Meet Limes Grove, next to Lewisham Library.

March to Town Hall, Catford.

Save that date! 

Lots of planning and building of support is needed before then - let us know if you want help with campaign leafletting and stalls.

More details to follow...