LEYTONSTONE: Community library 'can't use branch's books' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LEYTONSTONE: Community library 'can't use branch's books'

8:00am Wednesday 16th November 2011 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

Campaigners, pictured her outside Harrow Green Library, want to continue running the library with voluntary staff.

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save a library scheduled for closure by staffing it with volunteers have reacted with disbelief to news they cannot use any of its current books or equipment.

Residents living by Harrow Green Library in Leytonstone are currently in negotiations with the council to set up their own facility in the same building after it shuts on Friday December 2.

But they are furious to learn that the council will not let them use the branch's current stock of books as they had hoped.

The authority says the resources will be redistributed and that no decision has been made on whether to let campaigners use the building.

But a spokesman added that it would be willing to provide some books, computers and furniture once any plans are finalised.

But campaigner Hayley Bowden, 29, of Orange Grove, said the news came as a surprise.

Fellow resident Ros Kane, of Matcham Road, added: "Members of the Save Harrow Green Library campaign are reeling in disbelief.

"[The council are removing the books] despite telling the campaign that they were happy about our proposal to run it as volunteers.

"Given the borough's history of destroying hundreds of thousands of library books in the last few years, we wonder about the fate of our books."

Campaigners say they will continue their negotiations and hope a solution can be found.

A council spokesman said: "The council has made quite clear the fact that it will supply books, furniture and PCs to help any community-run library succeed. This will not, however, be the exact stock currently in either Harrow Green or South Chingford Library as this can be put to better use elsewhere while plans for community-run libraries are being formalised.

"What we have told the Harrow Green campaigners from the very beginning is that we will help them set up, run and develop a community library if they have a feasible plan.

"This will require work and cooperation on their part, and given the practicalities of organising volunteers, learning the ropes and operating a library service will not be something we can help them achieve overnight.

"Members of the council’s Community Engagement Team will be meeting residents on Thursday to hear their thoughts and answer any questions they may have."

Last month councillors approved plans to close the branch, along with the South Chingford facility in Hall Lane, as part of measures to save £1million in two years.

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