Library closures - not in our borough!
Thursday October 13, 2011
Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Council (second from left) and Cllr Sir Merrick Cockell, RBKC (right) with Ben Chang, Tom Rowe, Natasha Litherland, Olivia Remia and Ossie Gregory
On the day that Brent Council has won their High Court battle over their plans to close six libraries, three flagship London boroughs have reaffirmed that it is possible to improve library services at the same time as making savings.
Combining the library back office functions at Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will save taxpayers more than £1million a year and ensure all of their 21 public libraries remain safe from closure.
In addition to the huge cash saving, the agreement means that residents will be given access to around one million books, hundreds of entertainment and cultural events and scores of weekly skills and education classes.
The move means that a one year old, living to the average life expectancy of 81, would need to read at least 26 books every day for the rest of their lives if they wanted to get through the whole Tri-Borough collection. The new arrangements will boost the drive to improve literacy in the capital through increased access to children's libraries and specialised services such as regular homework clubs.
David Ruse, currently Director of Libraries and Culture at Westminster City Council will become Britain's first Tri-borough Director of Libraries and Archives in January.
New Tri-borough Director of Libraries and Archives, David Ruse said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the library and archive services across the Tri-borough area. I sincerely believe that this is the right approach for our services, and have championed the 'joining-up' of library services for some years."
The proposals have been backed by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Ed Vaizey MP. "When funding is short, it is important that local authorities find innovative ways to provide this vital service, said Mr Vaizey. "Merging services across three boroughs is vastly preferable to library closures and I hope that other local authorities will come up with their own forward-looking plans for keeping libraries open."
The library proposals are part of wider plans to combine some council services across the three boroughs in a bid to save £35 million a year by 2014/15. Adult, children's, environmental and corporate services are also expected to be combined with around 500 jobs going in management, back office and support roles.
