LAMBETH COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT ON THE LIBRARY SERVICE

Laura Swaffield (Friends of Carnegie Library, Chair of Friends of Lambeth Libraries) was there and addressed the OSC on behalf of all Friends of Lambeth libraries. Priscilla Baines (Friends of Durning Library) was by her side.

"The good news is the very extensive and apparently genuine support for libraries among all the councillors who intervened, all saying how important libraries were to local communities because so many local people relied on their services.

"The enthusiasm for libraries of Donatus Anyanwu (Cabinet Portfolio Holder) came over well and he said several times that there were no plans either to close any libraries or to cut opening hours.  Neil Fenton (the Council Officer) confirmed this and he and Donatus both said that no staff cuts or redundancies were planned.

"Not clear how that is to be achieved when there are currently 14 (or is it 16 or is it 9 - that is still not clear) unfilled vacancies or frozen posts and there is widespread anxiety among library staff about the possibility of job cuts or industrial action.

"There was some discussion about possible revenue from room hire etc. but no one saw that as a serious way of raising money.

"The conclusion is that we need to get Donatus et al. to commit to keeping 10 libraries open with the same opening hours and adequate staffing levels to achieve that: no one wants unscheduled closures and that can only be achieved with proper staffing levels."

NEXT - THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT
"The OSC chair scratched together some recommendations, rather on the hoof - 
- ensure that libraries remain a free space for local groups
- no closures or reduction in hours
- no job cuts
- any future vacancies to be filled
- resources to be used flexibly to ensure no unscheduled closures
- a survey in 2026 to see effects of cut on user satisfaction
- room hire to be less for small/community groups
- better communication with staff, at an earlier stage
- work with Friends groups and trusts

She declined a request to pause the whole cut."

On Wednesday evening the 5th of March, as expected, Lambeth Councillors, following Cabinet orders, voted to cut £1m from the library services at the Council Budget meeting.  A deputation was delivered to the Council before the vote by Ruth Cashman on behalf of Unison and Laura Swaffield (pictured) on behalf of the Friends of Lambeth Libraries.   The Council promises no closures and affirms its commitment to the library service, but it is unclear how they intend to implement these cuts. Cutting the book budget by £100K and "efficiencies", such as a freeze on hiring staff and cutting overtime, unwelcome as they are do not add up to £1m.

Local Press coverage:

South London libraries take £1m hit as council slashes budget despite outcry, Robert Firth, South London News, 7 March

Authors and illustrators sign open letter condemning Lambeth over library cuts: “A library should never  just be a room of books without staff, with old books without a stock budget”…News from Crystal Palace, 7 March

“Labour councillors applaud” as they rubberstamp £99 million of savings and cuts which Lambeth council leader Holland says “are all decisions made by our Labour council and with our Labour values at their heart”, News from Crystal Palace, 6 March

In other news:

Lambeth’s financial crisis deepens: Auditors deliver scathing verdict on Labour’s mismanagement, Jason Cobb, Brixton Buzz, 7 March

Political row as auditors warn South London council over ‘challenging financial situation - Opposition politicians have accused the council of financial mismanagement, Robert Firth, South London News, 5 March

Lambeth denies 'burying' a £1 million package of savings to libraries in 10 page spreadsheet - Robert Firth, Southwark News, 27 February 2025

More than 1,000 sign petition against library cuts of £1 million as decision is “rubber stamped” by Lambeth’s Labour cabinet – and council leader Claire Holland says: “We need to be open with residents” - News from Crystal Palance, 26 February 2025

Residents rally outside town hall against £1m cuts to library budget - London News Online, 26 February 2025

Petition launched to save Lambeth libraries from proposed 25% funding cut - Brixton Buzz, 25 February 2025

Residents rally as Lambeth Council ‘plans to slash £1m in library funding’ - Isabel Ramirez, Southwark News, 24 February 2025

Lambeth council set to axe £1 million from libraries budget – as Lib Dem councillors reveal £6.7 million spend on external consultants. In just one year. - News from Crystal Palace, 21 February 2025

LAMBETH UNDER FIRE – Plans to slash £1 million from libraries budget uncovered as new review warns council they may not be able to set a balanced budget – and anti-eviction protesters invade their town hall - News from Crystal Palace, 21 February 2025

In other news:

Lambeth Libraries in the Running for an Award - Leslie Manasseh, Brixton Blog, 20 February 2025

Take a Stand – Protect Our Libraries!

We heard at Lambeth’s Cabinet meeting on Monday 24th February that a 21% cut to Lambeth’s libraries budget is just fine. The Lambeth Council Cabinet expects to impose its will on The Council without debate at the next Council meeting on Wednesday 5th March.

Wednesday 5th March - 6:00 pm

Please come to the Town Hall at 6:00 pm, before that next Council meeting on Wednesday 5th March (the Council meeting starts at 7pm) and let The Councillors know that we are not OK with The Cabinet's £1 million cut to the Lambeth Library budget. (The total library budget is £4.7m and this has barely changed in 40 years.)

Don't Steal Our Libraries T-Shirts will be given out at the demo (while supplies last) to all those who support Lambeth Libraries and the Lambeth Library Service, run by professional librarians, free at point of use, as required in law:

7 General duty of library authorities.

(1) It shall be the duty of every library authority to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof, . . .

Sign the Petition Now

How many people have already signed this petition?

Over 2,530

Spread the word: No cuts to Lambeth Libraries!

Visit the Campaign website:

savelambethlibraries.uk

(We've been here before)

On 4 February the City of Sanctuary organisation recognised the work Lambeth Libraries do in supporting refugees, asylum and sanctuary seekers and we were awarded Library of Sanctuary status.

To celebrate the public libraries who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary, we have the Libraries of Sanctuary Award.

The key criteria for the awards are:

• Learn: find out what it means to be seeking sanctuary; and be actively involved in awareness raising.
• Embed: take positive action to make welcome and inclusion part of the values of your organisation or community, to support sanctuary seekers and refugees, and to include them in your activities.
• Share your vision and achievements: let others know about the positive contribution refugees make to our society and the benefits of a welcoming culture to everyone.

"This has been something we have been working towards for nearly two years so we had a library service that could support this new part of our community and welcome them to Lambeth." - Susanna Barnes - Head of Lambeth Libraries

The Lambeth Council Cabinet is going to table plans to slash £1 million from the library budget at the next Cabinet Meeting on Monday, 24 February. This is sudden and unexpected and comes without consulting The Lambeth Library Service or even Councillors.

There will be a demonstration outside the Lambeth Town Hall (opposite Windrush Square, in Brixton) and in the Lobby at 5 pm on Monday, 24 February. The meeting starts at 5 pm. Please come to the demonstration to show your support for The Carnegie Library, and all of the ten Lambeth libraries, and let the Council know that the public will not accept destruction of its libraries.

£1 million is almost 25% of the total library budget of £4.2 million, a figure which amazingly has not changed in 40 years. (With inflation this means the budget has already eroded by about two thirds since 1984.) This in the context of the Council's £1.47 billion annual gross expenditure (2023-24).

Please attend the demonstration on Monday, 24 February (5 pm at the Town Hall). Make your voice heard.

Look for news of further developments on this website or in local press, such as Brixton Buzz

Sign the petition.

Wear the T-Shirt.

Join The Friends.

friendsofcarnegie@gmail.com