Fears 110-year-old Upper Norwood library might close (From Your Local Guardian)

Fears 110-year-old Upper Norwood library might close

9:27am Wednesday 7th July 2010 in

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Campaigners fighting for the future of a 110-year-old library fear Croydon Council could try to close it.

Upper Norwood library’s annual general meeting descended into chaos last Wednesday after the Conservative council’s decision to replace local ward councillors on the committee of the facility – funded by Lambeth and Croydon – with Tory cabinet members.

Upper Norwood Library Campaign (UNLC) secretary Pam Gray said: “We believe Croydon has ulterior motives. It has always seen Upper Norwood Joint Library as a burden rather than a benefit.”

Sara Bashford, Croydon’s cabinet member for culture, denied the council was trying to take control of the committee to make cuts, but admitted cabinet members could “see Croydon as a whole” and said “in these current financial conditions, everything has to be looked at”.

Croydon paid £186,297 to the library in 2009-10, compared with Lambeth’s £211,186. UNLC has always argued the unique service should continue to exist because it is the most efficiently run library in both boroughs.

More than 40 protesters turned out on Saturday to fight Croydon Council’s decision to cut opening times at South Norwood library.

Labour ward councillor Wayne Lawlor said: “To turn round to the people of South Norwood and say ‘You can’t have your library open on Tuesdays or Friday evenings’ is unbelievable.”