Very large public libraries will become white elephants

Published: 17 February, 2011

• PAUL Braithwaite made a very good point in his February 10 letter – small libraries are the cornerstone of their communities. 

Faced with the unimaginative options contained in the council’s survey document, it is quite understandable that he decided that the closure of Swiss Cottage Library should be his preferred one. It is quite tempting to call the council’s bluff and follow his route. It is clear that the option was inserted in an attempt to frighten people into accepting slightly less draconian measures.

Instead of closure, why not downgrade it to a community library? 

A large saving would be obtained. 

Swiss Cottage does do a reasonable job for Camden – it is true that its traditional reference and book lending activities have been hampered by the general book stock policy and the internet is eroding this further – however, its events and computing activities are well supported. 

In the long run, very large public libraries are destined to become white elephants. The small libraries, embedded in the local communities, have the flexibility to adapt. Why not get ahead of the curve and innovate? 

If we aim at producing a replica of, say, Highgate Library in Swiss Cottage, there will be a good provision of computers and experience suggests it would serve schools and community well. 

If only the downgrade is carried out, the borough will have less access to books and computers. Decades of book vandalism by Camden has resulted in large areas of shelving underutilised. So simply distribute the spare books to the other libraries and improve access to books for the old, infirm, and mothers with young children.

ALAN TEMPLETON
Chair, Camden Public Libraries Users’ Group