Have your say on the future of Southwark’s libraries

It's part of a review to establish how Southwark Council can maintain a high quality library service, fit for the 21st century, in the face of unprecedented budget cuts. 

Southwark Council is having to make savings of nearly £400,000 in its library service over the next three years.  

The council will be speaking to key groups such as community councils, and will be asking residents their views through public meetings and through a survey of library users launched next week (week beginning June 27). 

Councillor Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and the Olympics at Southwark Council, said: 

"The financial challenges we are currently tackling spread right across the council and libraries are no exception. What I hope to do with this review is make sure people are fully informed of the situation but also able to see this as a potential opportunity to change the service for the better. 

"This is why we are starting our review by speaking with our partners and key stakeholders, and listening to the public, as the future of our libraries is too important to get wrong."   

The consultation will include an extensive library user survey, public meetings in every library, an online survey and attendance at community councils.  

Members of the public who are unable to attend a meeting at their local library are welcome to attend any of the meetings outlined below.  

Background Information

NOTE: The survey will start at Peckham Library later, on Friday 8 July and run for three weeks from then.  

The survey will also be available at the following 12 public meetings, held across libraries throughout the borough:  

• East Street Library, 29 June 2011, 2pm to 3pm
• Nunhead Library, 01 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm
• Kingswood Library, 05 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm
• Blue Anchor Library, 06 July 2011, 2pm to 3pm
• John Harvard Library, 07 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm
• Rotherhithe Library, 08 July 2011, 2pm to 3pm
• Dulwich Library, 11 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm
• Grove Vale Library, 13 July 2011, 2pm to 3pm
• Camberwell Library, 13 July 2011, 6pm to 7pm
• Newington Library, 14 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm
• Brandon Library, 15 July 2011, 2pm to 3pm
• Peckham Library, 19 July 2011, 7pm to 8pm

All of these meetings are open to the public and will give local people an opportunity to put forward their views about the library service and make suggestions about how savings could be achieved. There is no need to book your place in advance.