Self service libraries could be trialled in Croydon

A trial of new technology is planned at Selson Library where people would be able to access the library after opening hours.

Cllr Oliver Lewis cabinet member of culture, leisure and sport said: “In terms of our libraries we are looking at using new technology like the open plus model for our libraries.

“That is where libraries are open longer but staffed for the same amount of time.

“So you might be open in the evening and people can use their card to gain access monitored by CCTV and we;re looking to initially trial that at Selsdon Library.”

The library in Addington Road shares the site with Selsdon Community Centre and Sainsbury’s.

Cllr Lewis added: “[It would be] policed by the Sainsbury’s shop and there is an opportunity to see how it works and iron out any difficulties with that.

“But I think what that will do is deliver a more flexible services so people can go before work or after work and they can use the library more on their terms which I think is where we want to get to with a modern library service.”

He made the comments at a scrutiny and overview committee.

A libraries strategy is set to go to cabinet for approval early next year which will include dates of the proposed trial.

Cllr Joy Prince asked: “The paper mentions library buildings. I’m wondering to what extent you’re working with asset colleagues on how we can maximise the value or the income from the assets which are library buildings.

“Is there scope for, I don’t know, building flats on top of them, while obviously getting money from that to buy books or whatever?”

Cllr Lewis pointed to the new £500,000 library in South Norwood, part of a Brick by Brick development and set to open next year.

He said: “We are absolutely looking at how we can get the best value from our libraries portfolio.

“In terms of South Norwood Library, currently on the corner of South Norwood High Street is a building that is split over a number of floors.

“It doesn’t really lend itself to the space being used in an efficient way.

“A process was followed with Brick by Brick, the council’s development company and they are developing a site next to Aldi in South Norwood with a brand new library on the ground floor.

“We get a brand new site for a library and [the old] site can be redeveloped for housing by Brick by Brick.”

Across Croydon there are 13 libraries – all have been managed by the council since January when Carillion PLC, which was the contract holder, went into liquidation.

The libraries recieve two million visits a year with Central Library the busiest with 900,000 visits a year, followed by Thornton Heath Library.