Children are joined by writers, actors and politicians at Highgate Library as they fight to prevent closure

Published: 10 March, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

LIBRARY users held a literary love-in on Saturday and sent a message to the Town Hall that public spending cuts must not mean closing beloved branches.

The event at the 105-year-old Highgate library was organised by Emma Jolly, Grace Livingstone and Sara Ayech, who are parents of children at neighbouring Brookfield school. They invited writers who live nearby to  speak, and hosted storytelling sessions for children. 

Author Julian Barnes, who lives in Dartmouth Park, read a piece he wrote about the area he has lived in for the past 30 years, and told the New Journal that he had been an avid user of the library service, currently the subject of a consultation, as a young man. He was joined by biographers Hunter Davies and June Rose, art historian Jane Hill, poet Celia Mitchell, actor Danny Scheinmann and children’s author Graham Marks.

Mr Barnes said: “Most writers of my generation grew up borrowing library books each week – it was a ritual. It may be different now, but it is still essential as a formative experience. Libraries bring a range of values to our society which can sometimes be hard to quantify, but is nonetheless extremely important.”

Actor Roger Lloyd-Pack, who is president of the Friends of Highgate Library, said that while he accepted central government cuts meant the Town Hall did not have as much cash to spend, this was no excuse for slashing library services.

He said: “I have looked at the consultation and I will probably just put a big line through it. None of the options are acceptable. It is like being asked if you want to lose your left foot or your right foot.”

He added: “The library service should be increased not destroyed. The opening hours should be extended. We have the lowest literacy levels in Europe amongst our children and improving reading can’t be done by using a Kindle. Books are beautiful objects themselves. It is often the only place children can go in and have access to books and literature. It is criminal for this to happen.”

Author Tracy Chevalier also spoke at the event, insisting libraries were a hub for communities to come together.

She said: “It is a tricky issue, because we do not use libraries as they did in 1906, when Highgate opened. You have to accept it is the 21st century and libraries have to have a slightly different role. They need repositioning in the community, but that does not mean get rid of them. I understand why they are doing the consultation, but the council has to look again.”

Ms Chevalier also questioned how the government could peddle the “Big Society” yet force Town Halls to close the fabric of such rhetoric. She added: “They talk about a Big Society, and this is the place to grow it. They close at 5.30pm and a lot of people would like it if they could use the libraries at night, staying open until 10pm. I think they have to go one way or another – pour resources in and make them a thriving place for stimulation, or close them down altogether. “

Camden leisure chief Councillor Tulip Siddiq and Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson went along to offer support. Mr Dobson said: “The government is taking nearly £100million away and the council can’t spend money if it is not there. They are facing some awful dilemmas. With libraries, the council has been working to cut costs to avoid closing any. The answer may be to keep all open with a skeleton service, so if we can ride out the Tory storm of cuts, we can undo the damage caused when better times come back again.”

Meanwhile, the Camden Public Library User Group has booked the Town Hall chamber for a protest rally on Wednesday, March 23.