Upper Norwood Library campaigners hold day of protest
IS CROYDON Council's decision to cut ties with Upper Norwood a case of daylight robbery?
These protesters certainly seem to think so, as they staged a demonstration with a difference last weekend.
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Actress Freya Copeland dressed up for the protest outside Upper Norwood Library
Fears have been raised for the future of the 111-year-old library in Westow Hill, after the council terminated its joint agreement with Lambeth for the running of the facility.
It is due to withdraw its funding for the library on March 31
This has provoked strong feelings among library users who, on Saturday, took to the streets to express their anger.
The group included actress Freya Copeland, who donned a burglar's stripey jumper and swag bag to make her feelings clear over the council's decision.
Protest organiser Lou Garratt demanded a face-to-face meeting with council leader Mike Fisher, to give campaigners a chance to have their say.
She said: "Councilor Fisher should come here and tell the children of the area why their library is closing.
"We are not going to take this lying down."
Around 1,000 signatures were added to a petition during the protest, which was held to coincide with National Libraries Day.
2 Comments
by The3rd
Monday, February 13 2012, 2:06PM
“None of this would be happening if Upper Norwood/Crystal Palace were in 1 borough rather than shared between 5. No one council wants to take responsibility for the area.
Time to change the boundaries. I vote Bromley to take over Upper Norwood/Crystal Palace.”
by Dayglo666
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:39PM
“Croydon's decision goes against
• local government policy
• Localism and the Big Society objectives
• Their election promises
The procurement strategy (which excludes the option of a best practice in-house library service that runs at up to 50% cost)is unfair and not transparent?
A different library service in Upper Norwood could INCREASE costs and if Croydon go ahead and cut funding in their own words they will reduce economic growth, prosperity, they will detrimentally affect health and wellbeing and reduce opportunities in life?
Please visit the library and you will see a vibrant well used facility that is fantastically run by dedicated staff at a phenomenally low cost (half the cost of other neighbouring council
libraries) and has been a beacon of big society local independence and empowerment for
111 years and should be used as a blueprint that would all libraries to run at
greatly reduced costs without affecting services.
Please do not allow Croydonto tear the heart out of our community and let politics get in the way of a morals, ethics and common sense for the sake of £200,000 p.a”