Lambeth’s Library

Proposals to reform Lambeth’s library services are being heard by the Council today. The plans, drawn up by Lambeth’s Library Commission, propose to give residents more say in how libraries are run. This is on the back of Lambeth Council’s heavily publicised plans  to become a co-operative council. The commission – set up to recommend how Lambeth’s libraries could bring about a £750k reduction in the library budget – has suggested that, rather than close libraries, staff structures should be remodelled, waste reduced, and more self service technology brought in. Under the plans, Brixton and Streatham libraries will be open seven days a week fully equipped with the latest IT and a full range of specialist library staff. West Norwood, Minet, Carnegie, Durning and South Lambeth libraries will all remain open and be developed into community libraries, run in partnership with the residents who will decide how they are managed, how budgets are spent. Clapham’s new library will open in the New Year.