The future of our library

Published: 1 September, 2011

• COUNCILLOR Tulip Siddiq (cabinet member for culture) says in relation to Highgate Library, Chester Road that: “Highgate Library is not closing. It has been saved by Camden Labour in the face of national government cuts” (Letters, August 25).

However, the report, which the Labour cabinet approved on June 8, says the council “would seek an alternative delivery model for Highgate Library working with the community and local organisations.

Reduce library space and the range of library services, exploring opportunities for community use of the library building and sharing space.”

It also says that the budget for Highgate Library will be cut by £110k out of £180k a year.

At the moment the community has no idea whether others will come forward to share this space and therefore whether this new model will work.

So we have a temporary reprieve but little certainty about the future of the library.

I am aware that Cllr Siddiq has given the community some verbal assurances and we will seek to hold her to them.

Till we have some greater certainty, however, its clear to me that our local library is still at risk.

The Green Party position is that libraries need to be improved and made better use of, not starved of funds and threatened with closure.

CLLR MAYA DE SOUZA
Green Party, Highgate ward