Closure of Waterloo Library

I popped in there today and it was really busy. Every computer was being used, several people were sitting reading - perhaps waiting for their turn on the computer, and quite a few people browsing the books. Not sure why they want to close it down since it has recently been refurbished.

Because they are money-orientated philistines who believe they are responsible only to themselves and who delight in making perverse decisions.
Probably the same thought process that had Lambeth moving out of the old library in the first place and what a brilliant decision that was.

At least we can still buy cheap books from the Book Warehouse just along the street.

Oh wait...

It does seem lunacy to have spent money on a refurb and bother with things like the following (which seems to tick every educational and inclusive box) just to close it:

NATIONAL LIBRARIES DAY
Saturday 7 February
2.30pm-5pm at Waterloo Library, 114-118 Lower Marsh; free
Have a look round the newly refurbished library in Lower
Marsh [which is now threatened with closure], learn about
ebooks and emagazines, listen to talks, take part in
children's activities and enjoy coffee and cake.

Has anyone read about a new library opening? Shouldn't developers be made to include one in their development plans?

TELL LAMBETH!
The idea is out for consultation. They swear they are open to other ideas.
So... please...

GET reports & forms at the library or go to www.lambeth.gov.uk/culture2020consultation 

CONTACT your councillors

JOIN the library

JOIN the new Friends group via the library or https://www.facebook.com/groups/738324299608359/#_=_

TWEET via #Culture2020 and #LoveLamLibs

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
There is no reason at all why the mega-bucks sloshing into Waterloo can't be used to maintain this vital, well-used resource.

LAMBETH just needs telling!

It's hardly surprising if Lambeth's assertion that the library was underused is true. Staff and users have been forced to use what is effectively a large Portakabin for years on end, due to the chronic underfunding of the service (which long,long, predated the current across-the-board funding cuts to Lambeth Council.

And what a waste of public money to wield the axe so soon after some long-overdue financial resource enabled the purchase of new equipment etc. This is hardly prudent, cost-effective budget management by the Council, which could in any rational way be said to mitigate the impact of central government cuts.

Please take a look at the link Laura has posted and make your feelings known to Lambeth. They are claiming that it could work to make Brixton Library the hub for North Lambeth!!! They quote that everyone will have a library within a 20 minute journey - utter nonsense - my mum is in her 70s, lives in Waterloo and simply will not travel 20 minutes ( by some super-sonic bus) to go to Brixton. Let's not let them get away with the line that residents agree with their proposals because we haven't commented on the consultation!

It is completely short sighted to close Waterloo library and counter-productive when it is well used, especially by local children.

rant over :-)

They did not even tell the staff of the planned closure. First they heard was on this forum. How inconsiderate of them.

Hi. I have filled in their 'consultation' (ha ha) form.
It is so predictable of Lambeth to refurbish and then close down out amenities.
Anyone would think they hold the residents in contempt.

The three local Councillors for Waterloo Library share very much the passion being expressed here. I would please ask everyone who is interested to read

www.keepalibraryinwaterloo.com

and to join our campaign to ensure that the Council meets the promises that we have won of it in the last week - namely that if it has to close and sell Waterloo Library to deal with the massive Lib Dem Conservative Cuts imposed on the Council, then Waterloo Library will not close before the new library has opened. We need as much support as possible to ensure that the Council does the right thing.

We called an emergency meeting with Councillor Jane Edbrooke and Kate Hoey MP this week at Lambeth Town Hall where we voiced many of the same worries I see expressed on SE1. To their credit Lambeth Council are trying to find ways to deliver what local people are strongly telling them - that we MUST have a library in Waterloo.

I can assure you that we do not hold anyone in contempt. We consider ourselves the servants of those who elected us in May.

Please help us and sign the petition if you can.

www.keepalibraryinwaterloo.com

Kevin