Readers lose out

Published: 10 June, 2010

To Camden libraries chief Mike Clarke 

• AS a member of the Friends of Heath Library, it was exciting to hear about the refurbishment plans for the library which I use especially with my children to research homework projects in both the children’s and adult section. 

It was therefore with great anticipation that we recently went to the library after its refurbishment. 

To our great surprise we found a much diminished and crippled inventory. 

The once so well-stocked and well-furnished children’s library run by an enthusiastic and highly committed librarian has lost considerable amounts of books and reference material – we can no longer find vital reference material essential for homework and educational purposes

Parts of furniture and toys that served as inviting features for young children and their parents or carers to spend time at the library have been removed.

Shelving is diminished and tables for older children to work at have been removed.

The staff member who guided, consulted and supported the children in the use of the library has apparently been moved or cut. Also the main section of the library is in a sad and uninviting state. 

Again the stock of books and shelving are greatly diminished.

Furniture that invited users to do research and read has been removed.

The working area for the employees in its current state does not seem to meet health and safety standards, appears unprofessional and is difficult to use for both librarians and users. 

Heath Library has been a much frequented and appreciated community institution in our neighbourhood. 

The children’s library has run a very successful programme that drew great numbers of visitors with young children from the entire neighbourhood. I know that the library is regularly visited by a group of schoolchildren from the Maria Montessori School at Lyndhurst Gardens. 

My daughter’s friend prepared for her GCSE exams with the help of this library. 

But now, in its present state, she can no longer use it for her further studies. Neither can my children any longer find the support that they relied upon for their school work. 

These are all children who live locally and whose parents are Camden taxpayers.

I am angered to find that what was expected to be an upgrading of the library has produced a diminished and downgraded if not unusable content within a building that has received “a lick of paint”. 

This is definitely not the way we as Camden residents expect our already considerable council tax to be used. 

I am eager to hear if you have any plans to reinstate staff, furnishings and content that have been lost or removed and in which way this library and community centre will deliver the expected improved refurbishment promised to its users.

CHRISTINE LIESESCHIKANDER
Downshire Hill, NW3