Four options for future of popular library (From Croydon Guardian)

Four options for future of popular library

11:41am Monday 19th March 2012 in Local news By Nick Hitchens

Consultation on the future of a library at the centre of a dispute between neighbouring councils has opened to the public.

Croydon Council is seeking resident’s opinions on the Upper Norwood Library which has been financed by themselves and Lambeth council.

Questions asked concern the way the library is run and funded following months of discussions between the two councils and a large public movement to protect the service.

Options include continuing to fund the library at the existing level, reducing funding to the library, withdrawing funding, with money then used in improve other library services in the area and finally withdrawing funding and using the savings to protect other council services.

Councillor Sara Bashford, cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport, said: “Once we have obtained responses to the questions in this consultation paper we will be in a far stronger position to make a firm decision on how we move forward.”

A deadline of April 29 has been set for people to submit their views.

The consultation is available online at www.croydon.gov.uk/UNJLconsult or it can be picked up from libraries and council offices.