Shadow Chancellor Joins Debate on Ealing Libraries

John McDonnell says they are the 'essential foundation of a civilised society'


Hanwell Library. Picture: Hanwell Community Forum

 
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The Shadow Chancellor has waded into the debate over the future of Ealing’s threatened libraries, describing them as the “essential foundation of a civilised society”.

MP John McDonnell’s statement come as nearly 5,000 people sign a petition to save seven of Ealing’s libraries faced with closure.

He said: “I am totally opposed to the government’s continuity of austerity which is attacking so many of our public services. Labour will end austerity and invest once more in these essential services.”

The Save Ealing Libraries campaign has also called a public meeting for 8 May to rally support.

Taking place from 7pm at Ealing Town Hall, organiser Grace Quansah said the meeting would also discuss setting up a demonstration later in May.

She said: “We’re not keeping quiet, we want the council to take note.”

Meanwhile, Ealing Council has sent out a call to local groups and not-for-profits for expressions of interest in running the seven threatened libraries, with responses required by May 31.

In the New Year the council notified residents that Greenford, Hanwell, Perivale, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Wood End and Northfields Libraries all faced closure.

The Ealing Draft Library Strategy 2019-2023 stipulated if volunteers do not come forward from the community to run these libraries they would be closed.

If the closures go ahead, only six of the original 13 libraries in Ealing will remain open.

The move is part of an effort to find £57m in savings, against the backdrop of central government cuts.

The council is currently running a 12-week public consultation on the changes.

The decision will be taken at July’s cabinet meeting.

The council said volunteer operators would be supported with start-up funding, new books, computer systems, and in some cases the building may also be available.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “It also allows the opportunity for community groups to use the community managed library as a base to provide a wide range of community focused activities and services to local people.”

“Last year, we issued 831,536 books from our 13 libraries. On average, this cost the council £6.12 for every book that was issued and £2.91 for every visit that took place. If the proposals go ahead, they will save as much as £1.14 million and help to bring us closer to our £57m savings targets.”

Tony Clements, executive director of place, said: “We have already had conversations with interested groups and many see the potential of running a library service alongside other community-focused services and activities.”

The council plans to continue to run four main town centre libraries, Acton, Ealing, Northolt and Southall, as well as two branch libraries in Jubilee Gardens and Northolt Leisure Centre, which will remain open with a reduction in some opening hours.

Objectors also pointed to a piece of recent reserach by Gina Babe which found “volunteer-run libraries are not sustainable, and cannot run in an efficient, freely accessible and wholly ethical manner”.

However, the council said there are were many as 400 community-managed libraries across the country.

Ged Cann - Local Democracy Reporter

 

May 1, 2019

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