tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2694365339845851672024-03-21T17:18:41.438+00:00Save Lewisham LibrariesSaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-80946805815668966052021-07-12T19:15:00.000+01:002021-07-12T19:15:05.584+01:00<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lewisham
Council are launching a consultation on our Library Service. </b>We have
concerns that the way it is worded may mislead residents into losing
crucial parts of the service. And also that others cannot access the
consultation at all</span></span>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://consultation.lewisham.gov.uk/library-and-information-service/re-engaging-our-audiences/?fbclid=IwAR1-t0T90Kx05vOUPl-4XClYzpsdHlE48VYbs8KbXZf7ZVwSjJxEk83yOXo"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">https://consultation.lewisham.gov.uk/library-and-information-service/re-engaging-our-audiences/?fbclid=IwAR1-t0T90Kx05vOUPl-4XClYzpsdHlE48VYbs8KbXZf7ZVwSjJxEk83yOXo</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
council say that “</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">the
Library Service will be reducing its costs by £300,000 per year and
will do so while looking at how best it uses staff.” </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">and
</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">“We
plan to maintain our building opening hours but may need to change
the way we work, and we can do so by better understanding how your
life has changed in the last year and what issues will be critical to
your lives in the next few years. We welcome responses from all of
our residents, visitors to Lewisham, services users and those who
have never used a library before. We’d also like to hear from
organisations that already work with the library service or would
like to work with us in the future.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">But
in this cosultationnstead of asking a straightforward question, “do
you want library staff in your libraris?” which we feel most if not
all residents would say yes to, the council asks:</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;">“</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #f6f6f4;">6.
How important are the following activities to you?”</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Browsing
and borrowing books from the library on my own</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Browsing
and borrowing books from the library with help from staff</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Browsing
and borrowing online resources (e.g. eBooks) from the library on my
own</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Browsing
and borrowing online (e.g. eBooks) from the library with help from
staff</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">and</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">7.
How important are the following?</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Accessing
computers in the library on my own</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">Accessing
computers in the library with help from staffSo peoplw</span></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">Library
staff in Lewisham (and everywhere) do far more than just assist with
borrowing books and accessing computers – they give advice,
discussion, social access, information, help with filling in job and
benefit applications and other admin, assistance, supervision,
activities, and many other things. We are very concerned at the
reduction of what the library staff do to “accessing computers”
and helping browse and borrow. Many people may complete these
questions not realising what it seems it is actually asking is ‘do
you want library workers in the library or not.’ </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">And
those library users who do need assistance or help in the library may
not even be able to access this online form to fill it in and most
people who use the internet in the library don’t have the internet
at home so how are they going to be consulted?</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">There
will be serious implications for Lewisham residents if the council
moves to staffless self service at any time in the 4 Libraries it
still runs, Lewisham has been relying on volunteer run “community”
libraries to provide some sort of service in 8 of the borough’s
libraries but because of Covid recruiting volunteers for a front line
service is very difficult, Blackheath Village Library is re-opening
for only for 8 hours a week, due to lack of volunteers. Lewisham
should not be cutting council run libraries, staffing and staffed
hours at a time while the community/volunteer model is struggling and
reducing the service they provide.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">At
a time when we need investment in our community resources to support
our residents, children and families in recovering from the effects
of the pandemic, slashing library staff is not going to help (and in
a year where Lewisham is going to be Borough of Culture)</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
</p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;">As
the council will not ask you if you want trained and experienced
library staff whenever you visit a library and who will be there when
you need them we recommend that Lewisham residents and library users
answer questions 6 and 7 to say that you want help from staff with
borrowing books, using online services and borrowing ebooks and with
accessing computers. Library staff can help you with much more than
this but if we don’t say we need this help then for much of the
time staff will not be there and a library in Lewisham will just be a
building with some books, some PCs and a security guard.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }a:visited { color: #800000; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }</style> <br /></p>SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-63095603366272296152021-02-27T17:10:00.000+00:002021-02-27T17:10:10.175+00:00<p>Our press release in response to threatened Lewisham library cuts.<br />
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>
Save Lewisham Libraries statement - 18th February 2021</b></p><p> <br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Lewisham’s plan to
cut up to £500,000 from the library service budget is very bad news
for </b><b>people in Lewisham.
</b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">After lockdown more
people than ever will need access to Lewisham Public Libraries for
resources,</p>literature,
children’s books, computers, wifi, and the help library staff give
them accessing library services, benefits,
business loans, debt and housing advice - issues people will be
struggling to cope with due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Lewisham council is proposing that staffing in
libraries be slashed by up to £500,000
(1, 2, & 3). In a crisis in which library workers have been
designated as key workers,Lewisham residents
should be asking what effects these proposed job cuts will have on
opening hours,safety and access to
our libraries.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>These staffing cuts
are likely to hit the poorest and most vulnerable groups hardest by
falling on</b></p><b>Lewisham, Deptford,
Catford and Downham libraries (the rest of Lewisham’s libraries are volunteer run as the
council offloaded responsibility for staffing them in 2011 and 2016).
</b><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Lewisham residents
will be asking if these proposed cuts are a reheat of the disastrous
£450,000 budget <br /></p>cut proposal 2018
that would have seen all staff cut from Downham and Deptford
libraries, making the libraries
self-service, or a severe reduction in staffed hours across Downham,
Deptford and Lewisham libraries.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>After protests, the
2018 plans were rejected by the council’s own committee, because
vulnerable <br /></b></p><b>people and protected
groups would have been disproportionately affected in every option of
the cut put forward (4).
</b><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">How will cuts of an
even greater amount, result in what one councillor describes as a
“new and greater <br /></p>service in terms of
outreach and inclusivity” (5)? Lewisham councillors say they want
libraries to be community hubs,
support digital inclusion and give advice and support; but with
libraries already doing this, it is
difficult to see how drastically cutting library workers’ jobs and
the library budget will help deliver these aims. Despite
the disproportionate harm COVID-19 has had on particular communities
in the borough in terms of
age, ethnicity, gender, and deprivation, it is these groups who are
already dealing with pre-existing
inequalities that these proposed cuts will likely affect.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The only
“non-traditional” model Lewisham has consistently been interested
in, is in replacing <br /></b></p><b>paid council workers
with volunteers.
</b><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It would be
patronising to the public to suggest that a new model could offer
“non-traditional” services <br /></p>such as help with IT
skills when libraries have always offered this, all the more
effectively when provided by trained
professionals in properly funded models. If by saying that “libraries
will accommodate a range of staff who have
not traditionally worked in libraries” (5), the council means to
propose to use library space for other
council workers to do their jobs and use them as indirect supervisors
for the space, then this could be
setting up self-service, staff-less libraries by stealth, potentially
resulting in even more volunteer-run
libraries.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Lewisham residents
deserve a properly funded service run by paid professional library
workers.</b></p><b>What they don’t
deserve is the managed decline of a hollowed out library service and
loss of trained staff,
disguised as ‘innovation’ and ‘transformation’.
</b><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">If Lewisham council
are serious about these things then discussion needs to be about long
term</p>investment and in
depth consultation, which doesn’t just get wheeled out when budget
cuts are on the table. Lewisham
council has said that they will review the service and engage
residents and library users soon, but they are
running out of time for any meaningful public consultation.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The timetable for
decisions on these proposals says that public consultation will be
completed by March 2021 but
that staff reorganisation will then begin in April 2021, with
restructuring completed by August
2021.</b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">For library users,
staff and unions to have any real impact on the formative stages of
this plan - a say in <br /></p>the future of their
jobs and services, and not to just be part of a box ticking exercise
- then wide ranging consultation,
including equalities impact assessments, need to begin urgently.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The definition of a
‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service, which councils
have a legal duty</b></p><b>to provide,
continues to be stretched and tested in Lewisham.
</b><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Currently the
council only funds staffing in 4 out of 13 libraries in the borough.
What do Lewisham <br /></p>residents envision,
want, and deserve: a minimum, staffless, cut to the bone "service";
or professionally staffed, properly
funded, well maintained and fully open libraries that fully meet
residents’ current and future needs?
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>We believe that
Lewisham’s libraries must be kept fully staffed, fully open, and
that cuts must be resisted.
</b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Libraries are vital
to recovery after COVID-19 but the proposed cuts seem to go against
the council’s <br /></p>own principles for
this recovery, “which will be at the heart of all decision-making,
planning and actions”, of “tackling
widening social, economic and health inequalities” and “protecting
and empowering our most vulnerable
residents”(6). Instead of library cuts and inflicting a total of
£40 million cuts, Lewisham council should stand with
people in Lewisham to demand more resources not less to help us
through this disaster, and
protect their residents’ jobs and vital services.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Please support your
libraries, sign our petition, email your councillor, email your MP,
raise it in <br /></p>your ward meetings,
raise it with your union and join our campaign to save our libraries
and services.
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Follow us on
Facebook: @SaveLewishamLibraries</b></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">References:</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(1) News Shopper. “Lewisham libraries could be cut by £500K”.
13th January 2021.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19008089.lewisham-libraries-cut-500k/" target="_blank">https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19008089.lewisham-libraries-cut-500k/</a> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(2) Lewisham Council. Scrutiny Committees Report: “Budget Cuts
Report”. January 2021.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s76785/Scrutiny%20Report%20second%20 round%20budget%20cuts%20Jan%202021.pdf" target="_blank">https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s76785/Scrutiny%20Report%20second%20 round%20budget%20cuts%20Jan%202021.pdf</a> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(3) Lewisham Council. “Cuts proposal template 2021/22”. January
2021.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s76802/Scrutiny%20Report%20second%20 round%20budget%20cuts%20Jan%202021%20Appendix%202.pdf" target="_blank">
</a></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s76802/Scrutiny%20Report%20second%20 round%20budget%20cuts%20Jan%202021%20Appendix%202.pdf" target="_blank">https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s76802/Scrutiny%20Report%20second%20 round%20budget%20cuts%20Jan%202021%20Appendix%202.pdf</a></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p>
(4) Save Lewisham Libraries. “The Unfeasible Study Rumbled!
Demand better and take action”. 8th April 2019. </p><p><a href="http://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-unfeasible-study-our-demands-and.html" target="_blank">http://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-unfeasible-study-our-demands-and.html</a></p><p>(5) News Shopper. “Lewisham libraries could offer more services
after remodel”. 15th January 2021. </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19014797.lewisham-libraries-offer-services-remodel/" target="_blank">https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19014797.lewisham-libraries-offer-services-remodel/</a></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(6) Lewisham Council. Mayor and Cabinet Report: “Budget Cuts
Report”. 3rd February 2021.</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="“https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s77135/Budget%20Cuts.pdf" target="_blank">“https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s77135/Budget%20Cuts.pdf</a> </p>
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<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }</style></p>SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-31296377761869139932019-07-19T17:45:00.001+01:002019-07-19T21:00:05.663+01:00Bromley Libraries strike update, picket at the Central Library<br />
<div style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;">A
representative from the Save Lewisham Libraries Campaign joined
striking Bromley library workers again today, this time outside of
Bromley Central Library, as their
dispute with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) continues. The strike
began on the 6</span><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;">
of June to protest against cuts being made to the Library Service. Many
of the comments made by those standing outside of the library echo what
members of the Lewisham campaign have been saying about libraries in
our borough. That libraries are so much more
than buildings containing books. One staff member stated that she had
seen children grow up over her time at Bromley libraries, that those who
used the libraries are a microcosm of society, that they were part of
the library community and that ‘They are our
friends’. Another went on the state that trying to run a library on so
few staff meant that ’it’s going to grind to a halt; there are not
enough staff to allow us to do our jobs properly’. Workers and campaigners in Bromley have kept up an incredible fight for their precious libraries as councils all across London and the country have taken the axe to this vital and much loved service. We all need to do what we can to support their fight</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;">Great public support for libraries and the strikers at Bromley Council meeting on 15th July</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17773331.bromley-libraries-council-meeting-halted-public-outbursts/" target="_blank">https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17773331.bromley-libraries-council-meeting-halted-public-outbursts/</a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheques can be made payable to Bromley Unite. please send cheques and messages of support to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Onay Kasab, Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, EC1V 8BB</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bank details for donations are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bromley Unite LE/531 Branch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Number 20272821</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sort 60 83 01</span>SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-32715188960202376962019-07-08T16:42:00.001+01:002019-07-08T16:56:28.586+01:00Inspiring library protest and picket outside Beckenham library today joined by local MP<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Members of the Save
Lewisham Libraries Campaign today joined a picket line outside of
Beckenham Library in support of Bromley library workers. They have
been out on indefinite strike since the 6th June in protest against
cuts being made to the library service by Greenwich Leisure Limited
(GLL) who run libraries on behalf of Bromley Council. To win the
contract, GLL promised Bromley Council that they would make cuts and
that they would do this by not recruiting staff as posts became
vacant. Following strike action last year GLL committed to filling
vacant posts, but have decided to go against this agreement. GLL have
also refused to pay staff what they would have received had they
remained Bromley employees. The strikers and their supporters, who
numbered around fifty, were also joined by Ellie Reeves, MP for
Lewisham West and Penge. Many signatures were collected, with many
library users and passers by having already signed. Songs were sung,
flags were waved and car horns were tooted in support. As the
strikers leaflet stated, 'Our Libraries, Our Services'. Act now to
support this important campaign. Sign the petition at </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.change.org/p/greenwich-leisure-limited-defend-bromley-library-service?recruiter=21625473&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition" target="_blank"> https://www.change.org/p/greenwich-leisure-limited-defend-bromley-library-service?recruiter=21625473&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition</a></div>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; }a:link { }</style><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; }a:link { }</style>SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-16781600927873749712019-07-08T16:25:00.002+01:002019-07-08T16:25:27.834+01:00Kathy Smith from Bromley Unite on the Bromley library strike and how you can help<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bromley library workers are out on indefinite strike since 6 June against cuts and recruitment freezes at Bromley's Greenwich Leisure Limited run libraries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kathy Smith, Bromley Unite branch secretary, outside GLL run Charton Lido with the Bromley library strikers, talking about what their dispute and how we can help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyIy9f2iI5gPJE08D-nj7YI4bG-eIzrqroGEZE-Ns8Xae0C_RjrbB3ktoqI4NQ1jHEKe1XxWGP4DtNV0XmItg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make a donation:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheques can be made payable to Bromley Unite and sent to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onay Kasab, Unite, 33-37 Moreland Street, EC1V 8BB</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or bank details for donations are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bromley Unite LE/531 Branch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Number 20272821</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sort 60 83 01</span><br />
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-59520657646295222922019-06-23T17:03:00.000+01:002019-06-23T17:03:18.474+01:00Latest News!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you couldn't get along the text of our latest leaflet is below.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our next meeting will be on the 4th July at 7.15, venue TBC.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NEWS ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HORRIBLE HISTORY OF LIBRARY CUTS</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Successive cuts have left many libraries in Lewisham with poor quality, disorganised book stock and an unskilled, voluntary workforce. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HITTING THE POOREST HARDEST</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JOB LOSSES</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>OUR DEMANDS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maintain</b> current staff levels in Lewisham Library, Downham Library and Deptford Lounge <b>Consult: </b>Library workers, users and campaigners should be consulted in the formative stages of planning a new library for Lewisham.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be transparent:</b> Council should be clear and open about any future plans or cuts to the service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bring our libraries back in house:</b> All controlled library services should be brought back in house with adequate, safe staffing levels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TAKE ACTION</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email: savelewishamlibraries@gmail.com</span></div>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-30712146302133694392019-05-03T22:46:00.000+01:002019-05-03T22:46:19.758+01:00The Library: An oasis for me and my daughter<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As the parent of a child with special educational needs
(SEN), libraries have proved to be my salvation over the years. I know where
they all are throughout London, from the local library in Lewisham, Charing
Cross library in the heart of the city, the Saison Poetry Library and onto the
British Library. In a large, busy and sometimes frightening city, they are oases
of calm where my daughter can find refuge. They are places where she can go to
engage in her favourite pastime, reading. As a one income household with rent
and bills to pay, I can keep her supplied with a never-ending stream of
wonderful books that I could never afford to buy. I’ll never forget her face
when she was ploughing through the history books on the open shelves in the
reference section of Lewisham Library, cross referencing dates and names,
completely engrossed; her reaction to the language of Dickens upon reading the
first paragraph of </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A Tale of Two Cities</i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">,
her wide eyes and her ‘wow’ as she gazed at me in awe and joy. These are occurrences
that I could never have experienced without my local library.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you are a parent or carer of a child with
SEN/disabilities, you can feel very isolated. Even as a member of a support
group or Facebook group, for many people social interactions with other adults,
other than health or education professionals, can be minimal. For me, in times
past, there were many days when the only adult conversation I had during the
day was with library staff. A smile and a brief chat can help you remember who
you are and what you care about. I know that I am not alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently, on a
trip to the opticians, my daughter had a complete meltdown. I stood while tears
and snot and shouting happened. These events can leave you feeling drained and
helpless. Once she had calmed down she elected to go to the library, a place
where she feels safe and secure and where she can read, her mechanism to help
her cope with life. I walked in and was greeted by a smiling face of a lovely
librarian who knows both of us. She had been thinking of us as she had recently
checked in a book that she thought my daughter would enjoy. Suddenly, the world
felt a much better place. It may have been a small event for the librarian, but
it was life affirming for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Libraries are so much more than buildings that are filled
with books. They are a community, a social service, a place where we and our children
can grow and learn about the world and our place in it. They are a part of who
we are and how we live life. I can safely say they are essential for my sanity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-61344000093928259412019-04-08T05:43:00.003+01:002019-04-11T03:08:14.029+01:00The Unfeasible Study Rumbled! Demand better and take action<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's
Going On</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Libraries
in Lewisham face a cut of almost half a million pounds to their
annual budget starting in the new financial year beginning this
April. Protest in 2018 led to council’s own committees rejecting
the whole range of proposed plans for <i>how </i>the cut could be
structured. We believe any cut to the service would disproportionately
affect vulnerable people and protected groups. This affect was
acknowledged as inherent in every option of the cut put forward, and its the reason why all options were <a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=189&MId=5161&Ver=4">referenced back by council's committee</a>. Council then declared
the cut ‘on hold’ which is misleading as it remains on the same
schedule as always in their financial plan. Council said they were
waiting to share their plans until a feasibility study into
construction work at Lewisham Library was sufficiently advanced or
finished. </span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
timing means that public consultation can only be a mere
afterthought: consider that pressure is on to see savings starting in
this same April; clearly this approach leaves contributions by
stakeholders too late. To quote a recent answer to a
public question submitted to council by the campaign, too late
actually, for library users, staff and unions to feasibly have any
impact on the formative ‘<a href="https://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/p/public-question.html">high level</a>’ stages of the plan.That applies especially to potentially outright rejecting the plan, as it would mean renegotiating the
budget in other areas and there would not be adequate time. It will only remain for us to have a say that
might tweak the ‘<a href="https://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/p/public-question.html">detail</a>’. </span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
a result the campaign has concerns that this feasibility study will have no effect on the plans for implementing the proposed cuts.
Will it be a convenient example they can point to and claim they have
done due diligence on this front as they put through cuts? In
reality, if the council begin implementing the cuts and
redundancies this year before consultation has been done, they could
face a judicial review. Consultation becomes unreal if the result is actually foregone conclusion. We remain worried they could try to make redundancies in September. We hope staff are treated with respect and kept fully informed, not kept in the dark about their future.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
It has recently broken news in the Newshopper. Read their report here <a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17553370.lewisham-library-redevelopment-study-due-next-month/">https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17553370.lewisham-library-redevelopment-study-due-next-month/</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's
the History?</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lewisham
Libraries Service has been cut drastically over the last decade, and
the promised improvement to the service of the community library
scheme that puts volunteers in place of staff managed by various
unaccountable organisations has been a predictable disaster: Recently
a new IT system was put in place and several community libraries
couldn’t lend, return or renew books. While some services in the UK
thrive, with increased borrowing and use, Lewisham languishes with a
huge fall in borrowing, due to reduced opening hours, poor stock,
privatisation by the back door and de-skilling as so many librarians
and assistants were made redundant including union activists.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Demands
- What is it our campaign must win?</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
Save Lewisham Libraries we’ll use every avenue we can, from public
appeals, protests and press releases to private correspondence
lobbying. More suggested actions and plans you can get involved with
to follow.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>TRANSPARENCY
</u>– Expose the decision-making for services reliant on public
funds.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
demand the public release of the brief given to internal consultants
of the feasibility study, and for consultation with the public to be
launched immediately. What goals must the plan meet to be defined
feasible? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Additionally
we demand immediate public scrutiny of the plans for how to cut
the service beside the feasibility study. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
demand regular meetings with the councillors responsible for the
service. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
demand an audit of the community libraries, which aren't being held
accountable on the standard service delivery the scheme guaranteed,
council pledged meant to take back in house services that fail in the
hands of community organisation, and has been turning a blind eye,
particularly at Crofton Park. We shouldn't have to make these
demands, we should be able to expect this diligence.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>ACCOUNTABILITY
</u>- Hold to account all the authorities over Lewisham irresponsibly
de-skilling, casualising and degrading the Library service.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
shall expose how not just Tory cuts to local authorities but the
council's decisions on how to deploy that shrinking budget have been
made on poor values and not the values of solidarity and socialism
they were elected on. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
is in order to make the case for a more realistic
approach: Resistance has always been and is increasingly the only
responsible direction. We can see where acquiescence gets us. We’ll
analyse what’s been done and look at councils that prove bolder
approaches pay dividends, and raise awareness of what can technically
and politically be done now.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>ANTI-AUSTERITY
AGENDA</u> - Stop further damage and raise awareness of the need for
the service to return to form. Right now we are at breaking point,
and council is still pursuing David Cameron's Localism and Big
Society idea, which was always an excuse for making crucial services
precarious. Council must start enacting alternative strategies like
the Preston Model for fair local procurement and municipal socialism.
</span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
must raise the public consciousness of how vital a professional
statutory library service is, how we can’t afford to see it run
down, remembering what is being lost, what qualities a good service
delivers and what underpins that. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">National
government, needless to say, needs to bring local authority funding
back to normal, back to the levels pre 2008 crash, with immediate
effect, and thereupon all libraries should be taken back in house and
a mobile library services set up again, along with serious investment
in the collection online and off, suspension of fines, and ensuring
all libraries have a quiet reading area.</span></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How
to take action for this</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Join
our next stall flyering to raise awareness midday Saturday the 18th
May 2019 outside the Deptford Lounge Library, Deptford High Street. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1235790189908838/"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">https://www.facebook.com/events/1235790189908838/</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;">Join
our next meeting </span> </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Monday,
15 April 2019 from 19:15-21:00 and the venue is still to be
announced:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2792041134171741/"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.facebook.com/events/2792041134171741/</span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Use
our <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">template of suggested points
collected by one of our activists</a> as inspiration to put in your
own words your concern in emails to your representatives. You could start with
your few local ward councillors and MP easily using
<a href="http://writetothem.com/">Writetothem.com</a>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Then
use your own email application to contact: Councillor responsible for
Lewisham libraries, the Lewisham Mayor and the Chair of Safer
Stronger Communities Select Committee, and UK Government minister
with responsibilities for Libraries:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">cllr_jonathan.slater@lewisham.gov.uk,
damien.egan@lewisham.gov.uk, cllr_Juliet.Campbell@lewisham.gov.uk,
michael.ellis.mp@parliament.uk</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Raise
it at your next </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/mayorandcouncil/localassemblies"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">local
assembly</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
of local public engagement with representatives! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Move
our motion
[</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/p/save-libraries-motion-8th-april-2019.html"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">https://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/p/save-libraries-motion-8th-april-2019.html</span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "liberation" serif , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">in
your trade union and local branch of your political party, if you're
in one.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In
your own time distribute copies of our latest flyer: (which we'll
link here when its ready)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Get
in the know the better to argue, by checking out the links on our
<a href="https://savelewishamlibraries.blogspot.com/p/resources.html">resources</a>
page</span></div>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-56737092322441961452019-04-06T15:08:00.000+01:002019-04-06T15:21:50.891+01:00Can we (please!) be more ambitious for our libraries?<h2>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">“We do mind-building, soul-affirming, life-saving work”. - Khalil Gibran Muhammad, former director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Imagine if the British Library was open to everyone, and was also responsible for running all the local </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">libraries in London. The funding, I suppose, would come partly from the Mayor’s office, with the rest coming from private donations. That’s the closest I can get to describing the New York Public Library system as depicted in Frederick Wiseman’s documentary </span><i style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;">Ex Libris</i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">, shown at Deptford Cinema last weekend.</span><br />
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The film is 3hrs 17 minutes long, which I appreciate sounds like a big commitment if you’re not a library nerd. But it doesn’t have a narrative, so you could watch it in chunks, or watch just half an hour of it to get the idea. I would urge anyone with responsibility for libraries to do so. The film moves from librarians and other staff on the front line, to glimpses of public events, footage of the many different services that take place across the library network – lectures, reading groups, baby sessions, kids’ programming classes - and a number of administrative meetings. While watching it felt like there were perhaps too many of these, but in fact they are the scenes that have really stayed with me. In every scene the leadership demonstrate passion, strong values, and most strikingly ambition.</div>
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This is what comes through most in the film, and has nothing to do with available funds or staffing structures. The management team are clearly aiming to meet not only their statutory requirements, but asking how they can go further. All their plans are underpinned by their mission, as they ask themselves not just what they need to do but what could they possibly do? How are they serving the communities they are working in? We see how they are constantly monitoring how their needs change and looking at how they can continue to meet them; planning alongside educators to make sure their collections meet the needs of students and teachers; considering their duty to homeless New Yorkers who use the library; providing local people with internet access at home, to help them develop their digital skills and access the library’s online services. There is such a strong sense of a mission, a passionate belief in who and what libraries are for.</div>
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Rather than exporting a model that treats libraries as a problem, rather than the solution to many problems, we should be learning from the places that <i>have</i> got it right – Chester West & Chester were the winners of last year’s Guardian’s Public Service awards for their ambitious Storyhouse project. Funded partly by the local authority and partly by the Arts Council and other trusts (see the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/28/chesters-award-winning-library-cultural-transformation-public-service-awards">Guardian article</a> here), Storyhouse combines a new library, cinema and theatre and is run by the council’s library services team. The result?</div>
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“Today, visitor numbers have rocketed by more than half a million, library membership has increased by 6% – up 11% among teenagers – and book borrowing is on the rise.”</div>
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The size and scope of the two are very different, but what Chester and New York have in common is ambition. Someone, somewhere in Chester thought big and then tried to make it happen. We may not be able to spend that much, or raise that much in additional funding, and we might not have a spare art deco building lying about, but surely we can do better than the minimum? Rather than asking how little can we get away with spending on our library service, why not ask how much we could get away with spending? What’s the best we could do with what we have, and what could we do if we had a bit more?</div>
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But with the best will in the world, such a service cannot be run on a shoestring. A service that goes above and beyond for its residents cannot rely mostly on volunteers, however passionate they may be. We need trained staff who can help the public with the wide variety of issues they have, and staffed opening hours that can meet the community’s needs.</div>
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I’m not suggesting that we move to a public-private partnership like New York, or that we could replicate their budget, but imagine if we could replicate the kind of ambition that both New York and Chester have for their libraries. I appreciate that these are hard times, and I’m aware of the huge cuts local authorities have suffered under austerity, but an ambitious library strategy would connect the service to other council goals – (as such they could be said to be part of social care strategies rather than leisure). As described in previous blogs, libraries are pivotal in reducing loneliness in older people, and supporting people living in poverty. The council aims to be a sanctuary borough, and admirably plans to welcome 100 refugee families in the next year, aims to improve our secondary schools, reduce knife crime and make Lewisham safer. Libraries can support all these ambitions, and should be seen as an intrinsic part of all those strategies, rather than a hindrance to them, just another rival for funding.</div>
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We await the results of the council’s feasibility study into the possibility of rebuilding Lewisham Library. I hope the council will take this opportunity to ‘think big’ for libraries, and will see the true value of a professionally staffed, well-funded and ambitious service.<br />
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<i>Ex Libris</i> film review by a Save Lewisham Libraries campaigner</div>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-39668032554077433282019-03-18T12:53:00.000+00:002019-03-18T20:18:11.600+00:00EX LIBRIS FILM & DISCUSSION AT DEPTFORD CINEMA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn1LwrXOHbmMf5OmjrDxJascls8gT_ZitEd2ClpUinEkpph5xiyFXys6nSn7hrJHkzAJ5Cnq94aC7Gs7yso-4jTHx-ohN1p40O9tQzJoEarhHrjwIwoKchMSA0iEk4maFGtrBMDW9tkA/s1600/EX+LIBRIS+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn1LwrXOHbmMf5OmjrDxJascls8gT_ZitEd2ClpUinEkpph5xiyFXys6nSn7hrJHkzAJ5Cnq94aC7Gs7yso-4jTHx-ohN1p40O9tQzJoEarhHrjwIwoKchMSA0iEk4maFGtrBMDW9tkA/s640/EX+LIBRIS+poster.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
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Join us on Saturday 30 March at Deptford Cinema for a rare screening of EX LIBRIS, a documentary by legendary filmmaker, Frederick Wiseman. The film offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of various branches of The New York Public Library. </div>
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The screening will have an intermission, plus a discussion with library campaigners in response to themes in the film.</div>
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For more information and tickets:</div>
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<a href="http://deptfordcinema.org/new-events/2019/3/30/exlibris">http://deptfordcinema.org/new-events/2019/3/30/exlibris</a></div>
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-26066593892253255432019-02-05T20:04:00.002+00:002019-02-06T14:55:37.460+00:00Libraries and the Fight against Poverty<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Libraries matter – and most of all to those who are homeless or living in poverty due to low income, debt, illness or issues with Universal Credit. For those experiencing poverty, libraries are not a luxury, but a necessity, providing essential information, access to online services and free education resources, with vital assistance from professional library staff.</span></h4>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">From <a href="https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/libraries/branches/pages/downham-library.aspx"><span style="color: #888888;">Wednesday 6 February, Downham Library will be closed for
refurbishment until Thursday 28 February</span></a>. Very little notice has
been given to the public regarding this closure, even though many rely on its
services. Some Downham Library users may have a Universal Credit <i>claimant
commitment</i> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">- a specified amount of time that must be spent logged in looking for
work and applying. If this is not done, they face sanctions. This could be a
real issue for claimants living in Downham.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">While we welcome the improvement of physical
library facilities, Save Lewisham Libraries campaigners are concerned that this
sudden closure, albeit temporary, will adversely affect those already living
under the burden of a low income, particularly those on Universal Credit who
have to undertake mandatory 'claimant commitments':</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> specified
hours that must be spent logged into the DWP's Universal Jobmatch website
looking for work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">We know that library staff frequently support users, particularly those
with limited digital literacy skills, to complete these mandatory tasks. During
the temporary closure no extra provision for assisted access to public
computers in the area appears to be available or advertised. We are
deeply concerned that this situation could lead to claimants facing benefit
sanctions - this is a serious issue as there are numerous cases where such
sanctions have led to loss of life.<br />
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We will be writing to Downham and Whitefoot ward councillors and Janet Daby MP
to request that they write to the DWP and to Job Centres serving the area
to make them aware of the situation, specifically that claimants may present at
interviews with good reason for not having been able to meet their requirements
during the period of the closure and that you urge them not to apply sanctions.<br />
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Any further cuts to professional staffing budgets at the three remaining
council-run 'hub' libraries in Lewisham (Downham, Deptford and Lewisham
Central) are likely to have a profound impact on users who are Universal Credit
claimants and/or food bank users. As <a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/universal-credit-claimants-librarian-help-application/"><span style="color: #888888;">a recent iNews article</span></a> on the realities
of working in a library in the era of Universal Credit reveals: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“People think that libraries are just
there for fun. A lot of the time we’re the only places with staff that have the
time to help people. [...] People talk about cutting library
services without really acknowledging we’re doing a lot to prop up services
that haven’t been provided by the Jobcentre. [...] It makes me very
frustrated about the Universal Credit system. I appreciate it being online but
it can be so isolating for people who haven’t had that experience before. I saw
the film I, Daniel Blake before I started working at the library and I thought
it must be an exaggeration. But that scene, when he’s holding the mouse up to
the screen and trying to control it, that’s exactly what happens on a regular
basis. “It’s really difficult for libraries to quantify how much we help. In
the case of [helping a benefit claimant with limited English language skills],
that counts as one enquiry and one digital support service, but in reality that
was making sure he didn’t get sanctioned. That was quite a big thing for his
life. Maybe we had fewer visitors last year but we’ve helped more people in a
more meaningful way."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Similar stories of unquantifiable social value abound in Lewisham. One Save Lewisham Libraries campaigner describes how she became motivated
to fight against library cuts because of the people she met while volunteering
at one of four foodbanks in Lewisham: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“The importance of libraries for
people who come to foodbanks is that – as well as being a wonderful source
of books – libraries are often the <b><i>only</i></b><i> </i>place
where they can access computers and find out how to use them in order to fill
in forms for benefits and make job applications. Foodbank users are often
caught up in an impersonal automated system, with no-one ever available to
answer telephone enquiries in person. It seems that it is only possible to
provide information and process applications online and many foodbank clients
have no access to computers except through their local libraries. And they
often have no recourse to public funds, having recently been in prison, or are
victims of domestic violence, refugees, or are homeless, or a combination of
several of these severe difficulties. The professional advice and sympathetic
support provided by experienced library staff to such vulnerable people is
really important and incredibly helpful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food bank donations at New Cross Learning</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">In his critical s<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23881&LangID=E">tatement following a visit to the UK in 2018</a>, Professor
Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human
rights, also raised the injustice of government cuts to local authority
services, including libraries, because of the safety net they provide for
people in poverty: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“It thus seems patently unjust and
contrary to British values that so many people are living in poverty. This is
obvious to anyone who opens their eyes to see the immense growth in foodbanks and
the queues waiting outside them, the people sleeping rough in the streets, the
growth of homelessness, the sense of deep despair that leads even the
Government to appoint a Minister for suicide prevention and civil society to
report in depth on unheard of levels of loneliness and isolation. And local
authorities, especially in England, which perform vital roles in providing a
real social safety net have been gutted by a series of government policies.
Libraries have closed in record numbers, community and youth centres have been
shrunk and underfunded, public spaces and buildings including parks and
recreation centres have been sold off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Cuts to library services hurt us all, but hit homeless people the
hardest is described by<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2018/apr/07/library-cuts-hurt-hit-homeless-people-council-outreach"><span style="color: #888888;"> a library worker writing anonymously in <i>The
Guardian</i></span></a>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">"For many homeless people, the
library is a sanctuary. The computers provide a way to stay connected to loved
ones, and access to information on jobs, benefits and housing. The books and
newspapers provide solace, information and entertainment. And it is a place of
safety – something most homeless shelter residents spend their days searching
for. I had assumed that the local park was the most obvious public space, but
one regular library visitor explained that it was lonely and unsafe out there.
The library was the only public place with staff to keep the space safe."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Libraries cannot solve the problem of poverty, but they can give
critical assistance to those in desperate need, by providing information about
where to get specific support, access to computers and support with digital
skills, and a warm safe place for people of all ages and backgrounds. Library
closures or reductions in trained library staff have far-reaching, long-term
consequences for society – but those experiencing extreme poverty, the
consequences are immediate and devastating.<br />
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<b>Join our campaign to stop further devastation to Lewisham Library
Services. </b><br />
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Our next meeting is on <b>Tuesday 12th February, 7-9pm</b>, at the
Amersham Arms pub, 388 New Cross Rd, SE14 6TY. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/397039014196452/"><span style="color: #888888;">https://www.facebook.com/events/397039014196452/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/lewisham/"><span style="color: #888888;">https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/lewisham/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008751; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lewisham
Foodbank</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; text-transform: uppercase;">MAIN LOCATION</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
Hope Centre<br />
Malham Road<br />
Forest Hill<br />
London SE23 1AN<br />
<br />
(open Wednesdays 10 am - 12 noon and<br />
Fridays 12 noon - 2 pm) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; text-transform: uppercase;">PHONE</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="tel:07938%20071854"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; padding: 0cm;">07938 071854</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="mailto:info@lewisham.foodbank.org.uk"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #2381d3; padding: 0cm;">info@lewisham.foodbank.org.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-64105163692184200102019-02-03T16:50:00.000+00:002019-02-06T12:32:14.401+00:00CAMPAIGN MEETING 12 FEB 2019<h3>
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You are welcome to join us at our next meeting</div>
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<b>SAVE LEWISHAM LIBRARIES CAMPAIGN</b> </div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">
7-9pm Tuesday 12 FEBRUARY 2019</div>
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Amersham Arms</div>
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388 New Cross Road </div>
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London SE14 6TY</div>
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We look forward to planning our next month of campaign actions. </div>
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Open to all. </div>
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-53455715929791103652019-01-14T09:19:00.004+00:002019-01-14T09:19:55.744+00:00Campaign Meeting 7.30pm Monday 14 JAN 2019<h4>
<b><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year to you all!</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There is a campaign meeting tonight at </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7.30pm Monday 14th January 2019</span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Please note we are trying out a new venue for our meeting... </span></h4>
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<b style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suttons' Radio <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">139-141 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6AA</span></b></h4>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://suttonsradio.com/map/&source=gmail&ust=1547543800797000&usg=AFQjCNHyGrmuhaDPlGjOKiqf7cMOU5yrvg" href="https://suttonsradio.com/map/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://suttonsradio.com/map/</a><b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please join us to plan for the campaign in 2019. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hope to see you all very soon!</span></div>
SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-85169737624133628262018-12-08T14:45:00.002+00:002018-12-08T14:45:34.037+00:00#SaveLewLibs in the news<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out our latest news coverage in the local press. </div>
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<a href="https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/closing-libraries-in-lewisham-a-false-economy-comments-ssl-representative-dr-alice-corble/">Cutting libraries in Lewisham ‘a false economy’ comments SSL representative Dr Alice Corble</a><br />
South London Press, 7 December 2018<br />
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<a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17244162.save-lewisham-libraries-campaign-wants-answers-on-possible-rebuild/">Save Lewisham Libraries campaign wants answers on possible rebuild</a><br />
News Shopper, 25 November 2018<br />
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<a href="http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2018/11/cuts-to-lewisham-libraries-put-on-ice-after-council-faces-opposition/">Cuts to Lewisham libraries put on ice after council faces opposition</a><br />
East London Lines, 23 November 2018<br />
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<a href="http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2018/10/campaigners-fighting-to-prevent-450000-cuts-to-lewishams-struggling-library-services/">Campaigners fighting to prevent £450,000 cuts to Lewisham’s struggling library services</a> East London Lines, 18 October 2018<br />
<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-58369824626113299292018-12-03T09:31:00.002+00:002018-12-03T09:31:25.384+00:00Christmas Social & Meeting 5th December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLpNiaOSGAkOEE0th_ou5l-12g89PgHe9dgf-3T2OxY-XcaomxPTDBIK7DmGt4VOi9sS3yKBS1h6dalE-S1Z_t24jFljZxdbRzNN7eWlsidp1B6sYbx0iUNhBdsMxsOKQZmloJVGzKE0/s1600/Library+Christmas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLpNiaOSGAkOEE0th_ou5l-12g89PgHe9dgf-3T2OxY-XcaomxPTDBIK7DmGt4VOi9sS3yKBS1h6dalE-S1Z_t24jFljZxdbRzNN7eWlsidp1B6sYbx0iUNhBdsMxsOKQZmloJVGzKE0/s400/Library+Christmas+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th December at the Catford Constitutional Club at 7pm. The meeting will be fairly brief and will be followed by a <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Christmas social! </span></span></span></b></h4>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Please join us to celebrate our successes so far and plan for the future. Feel free to bring friends/family and anyone else who might be interested in the campaign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s been a hectic couple of months, so we are really looking forward to a more relaxed evening and a chance to catch up with everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope to see you all very soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The campaign has recently been featured in local news </span><a href="https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17244162.save-lewisham-libraries-campaign-wants-answers-on-possible-rebuild/?ref=wa" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2018/11/cuts-to-lewisham-libraries-put-on-ice-after-council-faces-opposition/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span> </div>
SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-17683585893241250302018-11-23T09:45:00.001+00:002018-12-08T14:46:07.000+00:00Campaign Press Release 23 November 2018After several weeks of vigorous campaigning, the Save Lewisham Libraries Campaign group (SLL) welcomes
the council’s <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/news/Pages/We-are-considering-plans-to-rebuild-Lewisham-Library.aspx">recent decision to suspend library service cuts</a>, </span>pending a feasibility study into an alternative proposal of
re-developing Lewisham Library. We thank
Lewisham Mayor, Cabinet and Councillors for listening to our concerns and
acting on them. We posed a number of questions at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting
on 21 November 2018 and are grateful for a <a href="https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/libraries/Pages/Frequently-asked-questions-on-the-potential-redevelopment-of-Lewisham-Library.aspx">prompt response published the following day</a>, which addresses some of these questions.<br />
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However, many of our questions and concerns raised have not
been fully answered, but rather deferred to the outcome of the feasibility
study due to be completed in April 2019. Whilst we appreciate that some answers
will not be possible to give until the study is complete, there are some
guarantees that SLL will continue to seek, thereby holding Lewisham Mayor,
Councillors and Officers to account on issues that are a matter of public
interest to constituents and library stakeholders. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In particular, in response to our question regarding
potential reduction in staffing levels during the temporary relocation, the
Council has responded: ‘We will be looking at the staffing levels required as
part of the feasibility work. Our ambition is to ensure that any temporary
library is staffed for as many hours as the current Lewisham Library.’ <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The campaign would like to
reiterate that library staff should be valued as an integral part and
indispensable asset of the new service and building development, and should be
treated as such, both in consultation and continued service delivery in the transition
period. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
response to SLL campaigners’ presentation at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting, Cllr
Slater (Cabinet Member for Libraries) stated that </span>“we agree that we all
support a strong, innovative library service” and on inviting our
representatives to speak, Mayor Egan acknowledged that “library staff and
library campaigners are the experts”. We are glad this has been recognised, and
it is our collective expert opinion that the Council will not be able to fulfil
its statutory duties, nor its municipal and professional service missions,
without the current library staff teams. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We therefore call for the
current number of posts to be ring-fenced, as we believe that this is the only
way that Lewisham library service can operate within its statutory
requirements. Any reduction in staffing levels will be robustly challenged by
the campaign.</span> <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We
still have grave concerns for the safe storage and continued public access to
the archive and local history collections. Whilst we understand the council
will look for “safe storage of Lewisham’s archives” as part of the feasibility
study, this response does not state whether the library and information service
will allow continued access to the archives through any potential
redevelopment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Can the council guarantee
it will fulfil its public interest duties in safeguarding and enabling public access
to these collections with the newly proposed plans?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Finally,
we understand that the initial focus of the feasibility study will be on
financial viability, and we welcome the fact that the council have confirmed
that they will not consider the freehold sale of the current Lewisham Library
land to a private developer. </span><span style="color: #333333;">However, in terms of consultation within the feasibility study, the Mayor has publicly stated at the meeting on 21st November that it </span>“is really important that those conversations are had with staff and with library campaigners so we will ask that that is as transparent as it can be”. We will work with Councillors and Officers to ensure this commitment to transparent dialogue is held to.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We
look forward to being part of these conversations that inform the complete feasibility
study in April 2019 and will keep the wider publics of Lewisham and beyond
informed on this process. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our next campaign meeting will be in a couple of weeks - details to follow. Thank you and solidarity to everyone who has supported us so far. </span></div>
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-55870242664964354152018-11-21T12:15:00.002+00:002018-11-21T12:19:50.111+00:00BREAKING NEWS: Suspension of Library Cuts<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Save Lewisham Libraries Press Release re. Lewisham Council decision to suspend £450k library service budget cuts pending a feasibility study into re-building Lewisham Library 21/11/2018</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rYd9oH1arnm2dVqEox68fENuppIu6Cj8y-3fGEwpD_5MVTD4a_52HekdREY4v9uMFWOkdEn0LgqcgGgDDIgSPEpEunxnplZ4rW9rH-o-E2rpwyR5BCM5LUBCPUSe31aA0tZUgwYn_tY/s1600/SaveLewiLibLogo1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1169" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rYd9oH1arnm2dVqEox68fENuppIu6Cj8y-3fGEwpD_5MVTD4a_52HekdREY4v9uMFWOkdEn0LgqcgGgDDIgSPEpEunxnplZ4rW9rH-o-E2rpwyR5BCM5LUBCPUSe31aA0tZUgwYn_tY/s200/SaveLewiLibLogo1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Save the Lewisham Libraries Campaign group welcomes the Local Authority’s Cabinet decision to suspend the proposed cuts to staffing of Lewisham, Downham and Deptford hub libraries. We appreciate the extended period of time this decision has opened up to plan for a more sustainable and positive solution for library provision in the future. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We hope that the Council's decision to rethink its investment in libraries reflects an understanding of libraries' crucial role in underpinning other public services.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are very glad that valuable library staff jobs will be protected for the year ahead. However, we have a number of outstanding concerns about the<a href="https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/news/Pages/We-are-considering-plans-to-rebuild-Lewisham-Library.aspx"> <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #954f72;">council’s new proposal for a feasibility study into re-building Lewisham Library as part of a housing development.</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our concerns and questions are:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We request clarity regarding the duration of the suspension of cuts. How long will this feasibility study take and what will happen if the proposals for redevelopment are judged to be unfeasible?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We request that a rigorous and meaningful consultation with the Lewisham public and interested user groups is carried out as an integral part of the feasibility plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We are concerned that the council could end suspension of the staff cuts during the temporary relocation - thus diminishing the frontline service to its users and denigrating libraries greatest asset - its staff. Can the Council guarantee this will not happen?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We ask why has this option been re-opened as the Council’s preferred option after it had already been dismissed as a feasible option in the <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s60820/Appendix%202c%20Draft%20Libraries%20Consultation%20Paper%202018.pdf" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">Council’s consultation document</a> </span>published less than a week ago? This option was dismissed on the grounds that:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 72pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
“This would require the closure of the building. Lewisham library dealt with just under 50% of all the face to face enquiries received in 2017/18. This option would require the relocation of the archives, local history service and reference library. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 72pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
This option would deliver the required £450k saving but would require the closure of a library building. This option has therefore been dismissed although the service will continue to look at options for both short term improvements to the building that could support additional earned income and a longer-term re-provision of a central library for the borough.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We request an estimated timeline for the period of closure/relocation of Lewisham library that any development project would entail, and to know how the council will mitigate the equalities impacts on communities caused by temporary relocation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">We are particularly concerned about the safe storage
and preservation of, and public accessibility to, Lewisham’s archives and local
history collections during the period of relocation. We are looking into Lewisham
Library and Information Service’s professional and statutory duties on this
matter. </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/history/archives/Pages/default.aspx">As
the service itself states</a></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">, the material held in the Local History and Archives Centre “is in many cases irreplaceable, so it must be treated
with great care.”</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-left: 15.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->We have further concerns regarding the restructuring of the proposed new library building and the transparency of financial planning for this new proposal. The Council is studying the feasibility of re-developing the current Lewisham Library site and building council owned homes (how high and how many is unknown at this stage) and the library housed within or underneath the new building.<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt -3pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 18pt; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
This throws up many new questions:<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Will the base land itself be sold freehold to a private developer?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If not, how does the council propose to fund this development?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If yes, does this mean that the new library floor space will be leasehold only?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If yes, what is the size of the floor space? Will this mean self-service only?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black;">Will the Council commit to funding any budget shortfall during this period from reserves rather than transferring cuts to other Council services?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Save Lewisham Libraries Campaign is still very much alive, and we will continue to push the Council for accountability on these decisions and ensure that it meets its statutory duties in providing a comprehensive and efficient library service for Lewisham people. We will also be closely following its Public Sector Equality Duty in ensuring that access requirements and the needs of people with protected characteristics are met by the library service. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</style>SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-48134610383920838262018-11-19T08:19:00.000+00:002018-12-08T14:46:53.897+00:00ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE – where will they all go now?<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7d4bU_EYEWe1hoQiI_8H2nOmMvmOFCa0vOx2OL_-N2LR891RZRkgb_4H-KGzpwdK6MHjhCM0Vx1AQcd34RdH_7HYPCn1voA9YKBdwk0jy0gHOuHyYxxqhPIsxYcL5bxTs1qwjResGlA/s1600/800px-Eleanor_Rigby_2018-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7d4bU_EYEWe1hoQiI_8H2nOmMvmOFCa0vOx2OL_-N2LR891RZRkgb_4H-KGzpwdK6MHjhCM0Vx1AQcd34RdH_7HYPCn1voA9YKBdwk0jy0gHOuHyYxxqhPIsxYcL5bxTs1qwjResGlA/s400/800px-Eleanor_Rigby_2018-2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Have you ever been lonely? At a time when we are apparently more connected than ever before by technology, a loneliness epidemic has been declared. While there is a view that Smartphones have replaced the need for libraries, this is a gross misconception of the vital benefits that libraries have for their communities’ wellbeing. And although the free books are absolutely essential, libraries aren’t only about free books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Imagine you are one of the five million older people in the UK whose television is your main form of company.<a href="applewebdata://9E40BAC3-94D7-416E-BD00-8127925D9105#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="color: #954f72;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px;">[1]</span></span></span></a>Or a teenager, surrounded by noise, misunderstood by your family, and in need of some space, and printing facilities, to get your homework done. Or a person with a mental health condition who has no safe place to go. The library is a place where everyone is welcome to go, for free, to get peace of mind, to be away from the noise or equally, from the silence. To be with others, but not be in danger. Where the kindness, skill and assistance of trained library staff might just make a difference to their day, or to their GCSE grade, their feeling of self-worth, their future opportunities in the job market, or their ability to claim the benefits to which they have a right. In the face of unprecedented economic uncertainty and social isolation, fully resourced libraries, with their warmth, their open doors and their certainty, are needed more than ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And that’s before we’ve even talked about the <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/05/books-cure-loneliness-closing-libraries-reading" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">Reading Agency’s research</a> </span>showing how books themselves can tackle loneliness, and improve mobility and mental health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">According to Arts Council England, the World Health Organization’s age-friendly cities initiative and Age UK, libraries are key to reducing social isolation (a risk factor for loneliness) and maintaining independence and wellbeing – enabling people to continue to claim their rights, build relationships, participate and contribute in later life. Despite this, and all the evidence that shows their role in education, to propping up the NHS, and their links to future earnings, libraries are still seen as a soft touch when it comes to budget cuts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Save our libraries from catastrophic cuts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Earlier this month, we marched from the British Library to Westminster, in solidarity with all generations in all boroughs of the UK, many of which are experiencing the same threats to their library services. At the rally in Parliament Square, the point was made loud and clear that these services are not dispensable – in the words of Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Liverpudlian screenwriter and author, they ‘are not a luxury, not an add-on’ – but are absolutely central to the functioning of our communities and economies, and to the continuation of a long tradition of knowledge, culture and innovation in the UK. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The theme of loneliness, and libraries’ ability to stem that, recurred several times during the rally. The loneliness of a teenager in a new neighbourhood finding solace in the library, being helped to find some information by a librarian, the loneliness of an older person breaking up their day by visiting a library, finding a new interest in local history or simply solace in the companionable silence. The desolation of a homeless person, or of a family of refugees with nowhere else to go, walking into a library for tea and toast and a friendly face, and being directed via that library to the assistance they need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In Lewisham, we are facing a new proposal to cut costs by £450,000, half the budget for an already decimated service. The flaw in this plan is that libraries are not a cost, but an investment, and cutting this vital service can only put more strain on other services. Cuts will mean reduced hours, reduced safety, reduced access for the people who need libraries most. The most marginalised in society will become ever more marginalised and socially isolated. An investment in libraries means more than an investment in books; it is an investment in the collective wellbeing of our communities, and with that wellbeing a collective ability to function well in society, to have the confidence to do things and be things, to contribute in turn to that society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Libraries are the key to greater possibilities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">If we lose our libraries, we lose something fundamental to ourselves. Libraries give us possibilities – not just knowledge, but the sense that we are worth investing in; that we are not alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">An argument for reducing the funds is the decreasing usage – but this is a chicken-egg situation of a lack of investment. We still need our libraries, in ways that we might not appreciate until it is too late. Every time I go into Lewisham library, whatever the time of day or evening, it is full; you’d be hard-pressed to get a table. Often it is groups of teenagers studying or revising, children discovering new words and worlds, and people of all ages using the computers, or being signposted or asking for assistance from members of staff - or now, volunteers who, for all their best intentions, may or may not be able to deal with the more complex queries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There is no getting away from the fact that libraries are a casualty of the wider ideology of austerity; leave the people to fend for themselves. Indeed, the UN’s damning <span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #0563c1; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Poverty/EOM_GB_16Nov2018.pdf" style="color: #954f72;">report on UK poverty</a> </span>this week identified the closure of libraries as being damaging to society, and emphasised the need for safe community spaces in crowded cities like London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately for the Government, what they have not foreseen is that cutting council budgets in this appalling way will lead to increased pressure on all the other services that they are responsible for maintaining. It has been well-documented that inequality, which the continued austerity agenda is exacerbating, is bad for us all. Councils, too, need to recognise that when making the horrific budgeting decisions they must now make, that libraries are more than an extra; they are central to the connectedness of our communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Libraries can help end loneliness<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The current Government has pledged in the past three Budgets to invest in mental health care. Although welcome, this is a tragic irony, since by reducing councils’ ability to run a proper library service, they risk exacerbating the mental health crisis. It is imperative that the Government, and all those with influence over it, begin to make the connection; libraries provide a safe haven for those on the very edges of society, and are an investment in our deep human need for connectedness to other people. They underpin all the services that enable people to fully function as part of their communities and economies. And with adequate funding and forward-thinking, libraries could play a huge part in ending loneliness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Kate Horstead</span></div>
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<a href="applewebdata://9E40BAC3-94D7-416E-BD00-8127925D9105#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="color: #954f72;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.266666412353516px;">[1]</span></span></span></a>Age UK: Loneliness Evidence Review (2015)<o:p></o:p><br />
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Public event to discuss the threat to Lewisham Libraries Tuesday 20th November 7-9pm at New Cross Learning</h4>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=269436533984585167#allposts/postNum=3" style="font-size: 10pt;">https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=269436533984585167#allposts/postNum=3</a></h4>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-75338492108500791282018-11-18T22:18:00.001+00:002018-11-19T18:39:03.264+00:00UPDATE TO PROPOSED COUNCIL CUTS<b>London Borough of Lewisham has just published its draft consultation paper on proposed library cuts - which now includes four (originally two) options for implementing the £450,000 cuts.</b><br />
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You can read the draft consultation here: <a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s60820/Appendix%202c%20Draft%20Libraries%20Consultation%20Paper%202018.pdf">http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s60820/Appendix%202c%20Draft%20Libraries%20Consultation%20Paper%202018.pdf</a></div>
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The Council has stated that they prefer Option 4 (not 3, that's a typo!) - 'reduce staffed opening hours across Lewisham, Downham and Deptford hub libraries." "The staffed opening hours would be reduced to 35 hours per week."<br />
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On the surface, this option looks the better of these four terrible options, but we believe will still have an unacceptable negative impact on residents who use this essential service. The campaign believes that this option does not represent "a comprehensive and efficient" service for any inner-city library serving diverse communities. The service is already fully-stretched, working to capacity, so to sustain our library services and keep them truly accessible and safe for all, these three libraries have to be fully staffed at current levels.<br />
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For more detailed discussion about why the campaign continues to oppose these cuts, and how you can help, please come along to our public meeting with guest speakers and performers this Tuesday, 7-9pm 20 November at New Cross Learning.<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1923289367785890/">https://www.facebook.com/events/1923289367785890/</a><br />
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-32078075605217080982018-11-11T10:16:00.003+00:002018-11-11T10:18:58.507+00:00Template Letter to send to Mayor and Councillor<h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Please write to the Mayor Damien Egan and your local councillors </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">to express your concerns about the proposed cuts to library services. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">You can use the example letter below - or simply cut and paste the parts you would like to use. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Don't forget to make it personal too - saying why you love your local library.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">Mayor's email: </span>damien.egan@lewisham.gov.uk</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;">To find your local councillors simply put in your postcode here:</span></div>
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<a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx"></a><a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx">http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">Dear Mayor Egan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">Re: Proposed Cuts to our Library Services<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">I am writing to express my concerns regarding cuts to staffed opening hours in the Hub Libraries.<b> </b>It is proposed that £450,000 is cut from the library service budget with two options, meaning that that Deptford and Downham may have all library staff removed, or that opening hours will be reduced in Lewisham, Downham and Deptford by 45%. I find these proposals unacceptable, because they will have a negative effect on vulnerable library users and contribute to a rise in anti-social behaviour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">I oppose these proposed cuts to library services because of the essential role libraries play in providing information, support, learning, community connections, access and assistance for the digitally excluded, and safe spaces. I believe that library services are essential for communities to thrive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">1. EQUALITY: I am very concerned about the impact of these cuts on young people in borough. With one in four of Lewisham residents under the age of 19, I would argue that reducing what's left of the already decimated library service is a crime against the next generation. Recent research studies clearly show the positive academic impact of reading for pleasure in children and teenagers, and there is real need for quiet study/revision areas for young people in the borough. However, the council’s own report predicts a rise in anti-social behaviour as a result of the proposed cuts. This will make our libraries unsafe, impacting negatively on children’s reading for pleasure. With fewer staff to ensure the safety of young people visiting libraries in Lewisham, these quiet, safe study areas will also come under threat, putting our young people at an educational disadvantage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">Older people living in Lewisham would also be affected. Libraries help to reduce social isolation and help maintain independence and wellbeing – enabling people to continue to claim their rights, build relationships, participate and contribute in later life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">Therefore, I believe an urgent Equality Impact Assessments should be made, that is full, transparent, rigorous, looking at any actions to remedy the proposed cuts - and carried out <i>before </i>the public consultation, so that members of the public will be fully informed as to the real impact of these proposals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">2. PUBLIC CONSULTATION: I request that the proposed consultation is meaningful, transparent and shows that it is genuine by listening to diverse voices <i>and </i>acting upon our contributions. I argue that simply giving the public an either/or choice between the two proposed solutions is not a consultation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">3. RING-FENCE THE LIBRARY BUDGET: I press you to ring-fence library budgets to protect essential, statutory services. I believe that public libraries are important for all other public services. For example, other council services signpost their users to local libraries for assistance in making online applications for Universal Credit and other benefits. Cuts to library staffing are a false economy, placing greater burden on other council services and make no savings in the long term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">I would like Mayor and Councillors to value the contribution of library staff with their expertise and relationship with the community. I ask that instead of making cuts, that Mayor and Councillors aim to improve the library service provision to a standard that we all need, as is our right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">I look forward to your response to my concerns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 9pt;">Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-4013325459431577922018-11-10T10:02:00.002+00:002018-11-19T18:39:42.281+00:00Public Event with Speakers<h4>
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Come along to our public meeting<br />
7-9pm Tuesday 20 November at New Cross Learning.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">We are at a critical time, trying to save our libraries </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">from a massive £450,000 cut in budget. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Guest speakers will include spoken word artists, librarians and library campaigners from other London boroughs. </span></div>
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Let's share, build solidarity and get organised!</div>
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SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-32495373922322089182018-11-08T10:39:00.001+00:002018-11-08T10:39:26.672+00:00Lewisham Library Cuts proposals referred to Mayor & Cabinet for further scrutiny<br />
Following our successful lobby at Lewisham council's Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee meeting on Monday 5th November, last night Save Lewisham Libraries campaigner Alice Corble was granted 3 minutes to speak at the council's Public Accounts Select Committee (PAC), presenting our argument against the proposed cuts to Lewisham Library Service. The outcome of the meeting was that these proposed cuts will be referred on to Mayor and Cabinet for further scrutiny, on the grounds that a full Equalities Impact Assessment needs to be undertaken to inform a meaningful consultation. The <a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=139&CF=&MeetingId=5211&Ver=4">Mayor and Cabinet meeting</a> will take place on <b>Wednesday 21st November at 6:30pm</b>.<br />
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A full copy of Alice's statement to PAC is detailed below. <br />
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Wednesday 7th November 2018</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dear Cllr. Mallory, Chair of Lewisham Public Accounts Committee,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I would like to request that a statement be tabled at the Public
Accounts Select Committee meeting tonight, 7 November, 2018 7.00 pm, and that I
could be granted permission to speak on this statement at tonight’s meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The statement concerns budget cuts proposals: <b>COM 11 Hub
Libraries cuts to staffed opening hours</b>, which have been added to section
3.28 of tonight’s supplementary agenda as a result of the outcome of a vote on
this matter at the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee meeting on
Monday 5th November 2018. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I posed my initial statement to the SSCSC and have as yet received
no written response from any councillors or senior officers on my concerns.
Head of Cultural and Community Development Liz Dart verbally defended the COM
11 budget cuts proposals the SSC Committee members present did not deem her
response sufficient to dismiss my concerns and hence referred it on to PAC. <b>I
argue that it is essential that this urgent matter is referred up to Mayor and
Cabinet so council officers can formally address my concerns and the council be
held accountable in its statutory duties. </b>My argument is elaborated in the
statement below. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I write this statement from several pertinent subject positions of
expertise:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">as a
long-term Lewisham resident and library user (SE6, Catford South);<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">as a
former Librarian employed by Lewisham Library and Information Service;<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">as a
Lecturer at Goldsmiths College with a recent sociology doctorate on the
topic of the negative implications of cuts to public library services for
UK society (a thesis which includes London Borough of Lewisham as an
empirical case study); and <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">as a
member of the Save Lewisham Campaign group, on behalf of whom I write.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Statement
requesting Lewisham Public Accounts Select Committee to refer <i><span style="color: black;">COM 11 Libraries cuts to staffed opening hours</span></i><span style="color: black;"> proposals to Mayor & Cabinet for Public Scrutiny</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It is proposed that £450,000 is cut from the library service
budget via one of two implementation methods:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Option
1) – remove library staff from Downham and Deptford making these self-service
facilities with occasional support from the peripatetic team.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Option
2) – reduce staffed opening hours across Downham, Deptford and Lewisham by 45%
from 64 hours per week to 35 hours per week. The buildings would remain open on
a self-service basis outside those hours, although access in Lewisham would be
restricted to the ground floor.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This is quoted verbatim from Appendix 2: Community Services
Proformas Cuts Proposals: </span><a href="http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s60231/04Appendix2CommunityServicesProfomasCutsproposals.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s60231/04Appendix2CommunityServicesProfomasCutsproposals.pdf</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Following the SSC Select Committee members’ discussion of a
challenge we posed to them potential illegality and failures of public duty in
implementing these proposals, it was decided to refer this matter onto PAC on
the grounds that:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Committee felt the proposals in their current form were
unacceptable and further consultation was necessary before a decision could be
made. A full Equalities Impact Assessment should also be undertaken. The
Committee highlighted that section 9 of the budget pro-forma stated that those
affected included ‘some of the most vulnerable in our society (who) will have
been signposted to the library service by other public sector bodies such as
Job Centre Plus, Central Government Departments, council services, GP etc.’</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We request that urgent Equality Impact Assessments are made, that
are full, transparent, rigorous, detailing any and all mitigating actions with
regards to people with disabilities, adults with learning difficulties,
homeless people, EAL residents, children and young people, the digitally
excluded - all of whom will have difficulty accessing library services without
staff - this particularly applies to Deptford and Downham: areas highly populated
with residents with 'protected characteristics' as defined under the Equalities
Act 2010. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The initial index impact report for the COM 11 Hub Libraries Cuts
Proposals has already identified a high risk of further antisocial behaviour
within the named libraries, which are likely to make these libraries unsafe
no-go areas for children, vulnerable adults and older people. What will be done
to mitigate this? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We request that the Equality Impact Assessments and Health &
Safety Assessments are made public <i>before </i>the consultation on the cuts
and argue for more time for these to be carried out by officers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Along with the predicted impact on communities, we believe these
cuts will lead to the rational probability of Lewisham Council failing to
exercise its statutory duty to “provide a comprehensive and efficient library
service for all persons desiring to make use thereof” under the Public
Libraries and Museums Act 1964. It is with regard "all desiring
persons" that Lewisham may fail its statutory duty if these cuts go ahead.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can the Public Accounts Select Committee justify continuing with
these proposed hub library cuts, when unstaffed/reduced-staffed libraries are
likely to Lewisham to a failure of meet its public sector statutory duties on
several fronts and leave vulnerable service users with with nowhere to go at
times when they need them most? </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The three ‘hub’ libraries are the only libraries in the borough
that remain fully operational with paid professional staff following the
successive rounds of cuts in 2010 and 2015. Removing staff and/or reducing
staff hours from these critical sites in 2019 means that they would become hubs
without spokes, unable to move forward in meeting the needs of Lewisham’s
population, and thereby precipitating an irreversible decline in both quality
of service and quality of life.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Children and young people are the most likely demographic group to
use a library and are the most frequent users of library services across the
country (</span><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593993/Focus_on_diversity_final.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">DCMS Taking Part 2016
diversity statistics</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">). Children under the age of 16 can only enter during “staffless” times
if accompanied by an adult. With many families in Lewisham struggling to make
ends meet and work multiple jobs to survive, and one in four of Lewisham
residents being under the age of 19, the professionally-staffed public library
is one of the only places children and young people can go safely to meet their
needs after school. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
Women, BAME people, disabled people and people with limited English language
and digital literacy skills are much more likely to use their local library, so
they will be disproportionately affected by library cuts </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">(</span><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/593993/Focus_on_diversity_final.pdf"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">DCMS Taking Part 2016
diversity statistics</span></a>)<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The contribution that professionally-staffed public libraries make
to safeguarding the literacy</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">,<span style="color: black;"> development</span> and productivity<span style="color: black;"> of current and future generations is not worth sacrificing to these
cuts. Indeed, cutting from public libraries at this critical time will only
increase demand on other essential services:</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Being
a regular library user is associated with a 1.4 percent increase in the
likelihood of reporting good general health. We valued this improvement in
health in terms of cost savings to the NHS. Based on reductions in GP visits
caused by this improvement in health, we predict the medical cost savings
associated with library engagement at £1.32 per person per year. It is possible
to aggregate NHS cost savings across the library-using English population to
estimate an average cost saving of £27.5 million per year.” (Arts Council
England, 2015)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“Digital
inclusion delivery models and pilots carried out by 16 library services across
England, funded by Tinder Foundation [now Good Things Foundation], allowed
library services to support 1,600 people. Potential channel shift cost savings
for government services of £800k per annum across the 16 library service areas
was identified -</span><a href="https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/sites/default/files/research-publications/library_digital_inclusion_fund_action_research_project_final_report.pdf"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">£7.5m per year if rolled out nationally across all 151
authorities</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">”
(CILIP, 2018).</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="background: white; color: #262626; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Public library
services and spaces are unique insofar as they underpin and intersect with
elements of all other public services.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We urge the Public Accounts Select Committee to recommend to Mayor
and Cabinet that these proposed cuts be reconsidered as they are based on a
false economy, put large sections of the Lewisham public at risk, and are
likely to place the council in breach of its public sector statutory duties. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Yours sincerely,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dr. Alice Corble</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">(on behalf of Save Lewisham Libraries Campaign Group)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Dr. Alice
R. Corble</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gungsuh",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Associate
Lecturer</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sociology
and Media, Communications & Cultural Studies departments</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Goldsmiths,
University of London</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gungsuh",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">New
Cross, London</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gungsuh",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">SE14
6NW</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Gungsuh",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Corbel",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><a href="mailto:a.corble@gold.ac.uk">a.corble@gold.ac.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-6386195932357459492018-11-04T08:59:00.002+00:002018-11-04T09:08:25.091+00:00National Demo for Libraries 3 NOV 2018<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">We are proud to have marched from the British Library to Parliament Square alongside other library campaigners, school librarians and public library workers from around the UK, all of us fighting hard to defend our essential library services. </span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC2Msq3lpQxlOwhey-mDbZiX1TlMoYjU1NtmYVsRx34g9JjY2boYkaDlhQJJlsCRhOMwr8eyKzTqKMHjRdQiiZDncmFfGcmFmz4b18oTI1OgC42UDKE7dlLVqkaWAQ6vRq6LFVfVEMVE/s1600/DrE8nlUXgAAqQmg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1200" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC2Msq3lpQxlOwhey-mDbZiX1TlMoYjU1NtmYVsRx34g9JjY2boYkaDlhQJJlsCRhOMwr8eyKzTqKMHjRdQiiZDncmFfGcmFmz4b18oTI1OgC42UDKE7dlLVqkaWAQ6vRq6LFVfVEMVE/s640/DrE8nlUXgAAqQmg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">GREAT SPEECHES AND SOLIDARITY!</span></b></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Check out excerpts from the speeches at <a href="https://twitter.com/savelewlibs">@savelewlibs</a></span></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: magenta;">Future Actions: 6.15pm MON 5 NOV</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lobby of Stronger Safer Communities Committee at Town Hall, Catford</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have submitted a question to the committee regarding the proposed library cuts. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Come and support us - or meet us in the Catford Constitutional Club after the lobby.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-2086774662333566552018-10-25T10:19:00.002+01:002018-10-25T10:19:13.474+01:00Placard-making for a National Demo to Save Libraries<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>You are welcome to join our next campaign meeting when we will be making placards for the <i>National Demo to Save Libraries. </i></b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: magenta;">Meeting & Placard-making</span></b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>7-9pm Monday 29 October 2018</b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
New Cross Learning, <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">283-285 New Cross Rd, </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">London SE14 6AS</span> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>National Demo to Save Libraries, Museums and Culture </b> </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>11am-4pm Saturday 3 November 2018</b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>Join us on the march followed by a rally at Parliament Square</b></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>Meet up at 10.55am at Pret a Manger (corner of Euston Road and Mabledon Place) </b></div>
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<br />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269436533984585167.post-6606832331544091242018-10-17T23:50:00.001+01:002018-10-18T13:09:10.072+01:00New Aims & Objectives for our Library Campaign!<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>Our Aims & Objectives</b></u></span></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To raise awareness of the proposed changes to library staffing and publicise how these changes may impact communities in Lewisham, some of which are among the most deprived in the country.</span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To expose the hidden impacts of these proposed cuts, such as the loss of ‘behind the scenes work’ including outreach services to schools, young and older people; cultural and educational programming of activities and events; peripatetic professional support for community-managed libraries;</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and more. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To gather evidence to demonstrate the value of our libraries, and library staff, through engagement with library users, mapping activities and services, collecting accounts and personal testimony as to how library staff, spaces and services have helped them. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To oppose the proposed cuts to the library budget resulting in loss of staff and staffed library hours, in recognition of the essential role that staff play in providing information, support with developing multiple literacies, in particular meeting the information needs of vulnerable users who need to access ‘digital by default’ services and safe spaces for learning and community connections. Reducing staff capacity and opening hours in these areas will leave vulnerable service users with nowhere else to go.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To hold Lewisham Councillors and Mayor to the highest standard in meeting their statutory “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">duty of every library authority to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” (</span><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/75/section/7?view=plain" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). The reductions currently proposed to the already hollowed out service would entail that “all persons desiring” to use Lewisham libraries would be unable to meet their needs through appropriate opening hours and levels of staff support.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To campaign for ‘ring-fencing’ of the Lewisham libraries budget and argue for improvements in the library service to match the cultural and literacy needs of its users. This joins up with the </span><a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/228742" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">national petition to lobby parliament</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to ring-fence funding for all statutory library services. </span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To engage with library users across the borough, as well as library workers, volunteers, as well as other library campaigns and council departments across the country also affected by the cuts, demonstrating that this is a national as well as a local public issue.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To protect the ideal of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'holistic service' offered by public library services. Public libraries are unique insofar as they underpin and intersect with elements of all other public services and we demand that our libraries are recognised for their unique and vital role by Mayor and councillors.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lewisham’s municipal motto is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Salus Populi Suprema Lex</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (‘The welfare of the people is the highest law'). In line with this, our objectives are:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We will defend our legal right to fully staffed, safe, egalitarian library services and spaces - in which to learn, to research, rest and reflect, to create, to make community connections, and to thrive in an increasingly unequal society. </span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We urgently request a full and transparent Equalities Impact Assessment report, detailing the mitigating actions in areas where the impact on equalities is high. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are calling for greater transparency regarding the decision-making process behind the £450k cut to the libraries budget. We seek to establish how this figure has been calculated and the rationale behind this specific reduction in funds in relation to other cuts. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We argue that cutting from a service that in fact reduces demand on other services is a false economy.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We demand that the proposed consultation is comprehensive, meaningful, transparent and demonstrates that it is genuine by listening to diverse voices and acting upon their contributions. We argue that simply giving the public an either/or choice between the two proposed solutions is not a consultation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Join us in the campaign to achieve these ends. </b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW8AeROI2GksVYKyePp9cY5A5cqND6XmYaNfA2k4nR_-gQ68medj4hUAOdrmZNyDyjVmXcg9PhYNlc3c-SJ_6J34igUjoIld3nNbZiDJW1rwckYrJFbk4qWAxer5-5DUVVMycg9Mvouw/s1600/MyLibraryByRight.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqW8AeROI2GksVYKyePp9cY5A5cqND6XmYaNfA2k4nR_-gQ68medj4hUAOdrmZNyDyjVmXcg9PhYNlc3c-SJ_6J34igUjoIld3nNbZiDJW1rwckYrJFbk4qWAxer5-5DUVVMycg9Mvouw/s1600/MyLibraryByRight.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Next Meeting & Placard Making: </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7-9pm Monday 29th October 2018 </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Cross Learning </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">283-5 New Cross Road</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">London SE14 6AS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Come along to help plan & make a placard!</span></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />SaveLewishamLibrarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00262431869880205233noreply@blogger.com0