Part of the Council’s draft, officer proposals include the closure of five libraries:
- Crofton Park
- Blackheath
- Grove Park
- Sydenham
- New Cross
At a meeting with officers and some stakeholders we were informed that there was a need to have a more flexible service but this was difficult due to the poor buildings. Crofton Park is a beautiful building that we all love, (I used it 30 years ago with my children). However there is subsidence and the upstairs is in need of considerable capital repair works.
The downstairs is a thriving library (Nobody is questioning its usage) with a very well used computer suite.
I am backing the campaign to 'Save Crofton Park Library' and would prefer to see it made available for use by the voluntary sector and local businesses, when the library is closed (equivalent to five days – including evenings).
In times of high job losses and the closure of job centres, the computer suite should be made available to the public for: computer training, job clubs and research
Most of us take our computer for granted and under estimate the numbers of local people who do not have access to a computer and need training to use one.
I would prefer to see officers work to develop the existing library to fully exploit its facilities and develop some income generation to help keep the library local for local people.
Cllr Pauline Morrison