Showing posts with label Save Kensal Rise Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Save Kensal Rise Library. Show all posts

Friday 7 February 2014

Brent library campaigns alive & kicking for National Libraries Day tomorrow

National Libraries Day tomorrow will see indefatigable campaigners marking the day and continuing their fight.

The Save Kensal Rise Library website  LINK announces:


National Libraries Day Saturday 8th February, 11am at Kensal Rise Pop Up Library

The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate National Libraries Day.

An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.

A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.

Barham Library campaigners are holding this event:

 
 and Preston Library campaigners this one:




National Libraries Day Saturday 8th February, 11am at Kensal Rise Pop Up Library
The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate
National Libraries Day.
An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.
A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.
- See more at: http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org/#sthash.ljWZEzpu.dpuf
National Libraries Day Saturday 8th February, 11am at Kensal Rise Pop Up Library
The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate
National Libraries Day.
An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.
A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.
- See more at: http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org/#sthash.ljWZEzpu.dpuf
National Libraries Day Saturday 8th February, 11am at Kensal Rise Pop Up Library
The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate
National Libraries Day.
An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.
A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.
- See more at: http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org/#sthash.ljWZEzpu.dpuf
The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate
National Libraries Day.
An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.
A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.
- See more at: http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org/#sthash.2g8VvgEh.dpuf
The community will be out in force to repair and get re-established, the Kensal Rise Pop Up library and to help celebrate
National Libraries Day.
An opportunity to show that you love libraries including the Pop Up.
Bring balloons, ribbons, cakes, drinks, and energy.
A great chance for the community to come together and show  we will not let the pop up spirit be destroyed.
- See more at: http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org/#sthash.2g8VvgEh.dpuf

Friday 6 September 2013

Chief Planner recommends refusal of Kensal Rise Library change of use

Kensal Rise library campaigners have welcomed the news that Brent's Chief Planner has recommended that the application for change of use of the building should be refused.

The Planning Committee will make the decision on September 18th after hearing the Officer's report and ant submissions by the applicant and opponents.  It is not unknown, but unusual, for the Committee to go against the Officer's recommendation.

The battle to save Kensal Rise library has been a long one but if the planning application is refused it will be one more step in the campaign's ultimate aim of having a library return to Kensal Rise.

I applaud the commitment and tenacity of the Save Kensal Rise Library campaign.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Brent library closures could swing local elections

The pop-up library continues
A report today from the Save Kensal Rise Library Campaign gives the result of a survey of a  representative sample of local residents:
  • 72% of local residents say that shutting the library will definitely or probably affect their voting intention at the next General and Local elections
  • Brent Council are overwhelmingly viewed as “very responsible” for the library closure by 94% of residents in 2013 (and a further 6% “slightly responsible”). All Souls College (54% very responsible and 30% “slightly”) and the Coalition Government (52% and 38%) come next on the list 
  • 96% of respondents in 2013 feel that “Brent Council doesn’t listen to residents” and 98% think the actions of Brent Council have been “against the interests of the local community”. 
  • Nine in ten (94%) locals “object to the library being turned into flats”. 95% agree that they “would worry about the lack of community space in the area”. Eight in ten agree “turning the library into private rental flats would harm the community” (82%). Only 3% think that “private rental flats would benefit the local community. 94% of survey respondents think urge that “the developer should listen to the pleas of the residents” 
  • Since the library has shut,  72% of residents have decided against a trip to a different library which is particularly worrying in the context of our local literacy challenges and 51% have been forced to buy books they would have wanted to loan 
  • 79% of residents say the pop-up library that has emerged is a cheerful presence that symbolises community spirit and 72% believe it epitomises local residents’ determination to fight Brent Council’s decision
In a survey released today of public attitudes to Kensal Rise library, the Save Kensal Rise Library campaign highlights the critical impact library closures will have on the next local and general elections. 
Almost 3 in 4 residents (72%) say closure of libraries “will definitely” or “probably” affect their voting intention. When asked who is responsible for libraries closing in Brent, 9 in 10 residents firmly cite Brent Council as most responsible (94%) with over half blaming the All Souls College (54%) and the Coalition Government (52%).
Highlighting the impact the decision is having on local lives, since the library has shut, 72% of residents have decided against a trip to a different library and 51% have been forced to buy books they would have wanted to loan  – placing ever greater pressure on tight family finances particularly on those with children. Over 1 in 5 (22%) residents say they have nowhere local to go to spend time with others. 17% have experienced overcrowding at an alternative local library session. The numbers have increased in all the areas over the two-year time period between surveys – which are worrying trends. 
Efforts to create a temporary pop-up library had gone down well with residents. 82% of respondents in 2013 said “it is a cheerful presence and a symbol of community spirit” and 84% agreed that it is a “good indication of residents’ determination to keep the library going”. All measures have improved over two years between surveys – indicating growing appreciation of the pop-up library despite recognition is it no long term alternative to a properly-resourced library. 

Margaret Bailey, co-chair of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library campaign said:
“The stark reality of the impact on lives comes through strongly. Closing Kensal Rise library is not just an issue for Brent’s balance sheets – it is hurting local families, children and elderly residents. People are putting off trips to the library and being forced to spend precious money they don’t always have to meet a shortfall in local provision. The social value of the library is going completely unnoticed”
David Butcher, co-chair of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library campaign said:
“The survey confirms what we knew, that passion is running high on this issue and that people will take this issue to the polls. Politicians and developers ignore this at their peril.”
“It’s time for all concerned to recognise the implications of closing services. We want them to come and speak to us about our plans to open a community-run library space that the public so overwhelmingly are demanding”
Voices from the survey – a selection of quotes from the survey
The library was a life saver for me when my children were small. It's the hub of community, somewhere to go when you are isolated.

As a child, I made my first fairy cakes from a book I borrowed at the library. Being Indian this was a big step as we don't bake traditionally. This one of many steps that made me feel part of the British community

When my first baby was two months old we were locked out in the cold and left keys inside. Desperate, I eventually sought help at my library, the woman advised me and offered me warmth and reassurance till the fire brigade came. Where else offers this kind of safe haven to isolated people?  

My children went there from birth & joined in all the events - Christmas, Divali, Chinese New Year etc.  We kept contact there with people who'd gone on to different schools etc.  I have always belonged to a local library and have never used one less than I currently do (in 51 years!).  I feel very sad every time I walk past it (almost daily).
I feel more isolated and I no longer have the help and service it's staff provided

I have nowhere to take my children to find books to help with their homework.

I have lost the chance to study in a venue with other people. Deprived of access to resources, I often work alone in my room

I regularly have outstanding loans as I have irregular internet access and have to travel specially to Queens Park.
I loved walking into the library space…and seeing the building, its beautiful fired tiles, the architraves and the feeling of welcome and well being it gave me. This reflects Brent Council’s lack of understanding about what makes people contented.

The day before the library closed, I got a book on Superman. This was when I was 7. I’m 10 now. I also remember a big party that took place before the closure, made to try and stop the council closing it. Everyone thought this was enough. 

I came with my four year old to the library on the afternoon the library had been raided by the police. My daughter was frightened and sad to hear her library had been closed and all the books stolen (as she saw it) by the police. 

Knowing that I am in a community where people can work together on something like this gives me hope for the future and inspires me to try to contribute more to the community 

The campaign has helped make us a stronger community.  Even those of us who haven't actually done much have been supporting in spirit and it has given us a common cause.  

I'm amazed and in awe of all who continue to fight and want to pass my appreciation on

People have been brought together, new friendships formed and a sense of common purpose shared.  This could continue INSIDE the building rather than relegated to the cold outside.
This building should not be destroyed by using it for flats. It should  definitely be listed and remain as a library and maybe for other community uses to make it more viable.

There are so few public places that we can go without being expected to spend money or pass through as quickly as possible. So few places where parents with young children or elderly citizens can feel genuinely welcome and unhurried. So few places that seek to expand our minds rather than entice us to empty our pockets. This is a thing worth fighting for.

We should never stop fighting to save a cause so vital in an age where so many people think the internet is a sufficient resource for finding knowledge. It will never replace books or libraries where people can meet in a haven of knowledge, discovery, and community.

I do not know anyone who would consider travelling as far as Wembley to use the library. The point about libraries is that they should be a local resource.  I am deeply indebted to campaigners for their sustained efforts on our behalf.
Note: 
The survey is based on a poll of 272 residents conducted between May and July 2013. With 272 responses, the survey is representative of the 10,668 population of the Kensal Green ward and the 268,000 population of Brent. The respondents reflected the area’s diversity in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender of respondents.

Monday 20 May 2013

Get down to Kensal Green on Tuesday to help save the library

A message from the Save Kensal Rise Library Campaign

Public Meeting Reminder!
 
A reminder that we are holding a public meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 21st May in St Martin’s Church, Mortimer Rd, Kensal Green (first street on the right from Kensal Green Tube as you walk up College Rd, about 1 minute walk).
 
The Leader of Brent Council Cllr Muhammed Butt will be there and local councillors and we hope that Roxanne Mashari, the new Lead Member on the Executive responsible for Libraries will be able to make the meeting.
 
Roxanne came to a meeting of SOS Brent Libraries (the umbrella group of the campaigns attached to the closed libraries in Brent) on Sunday and stated most strongly that she wanted to have a dialogue with us and envisioned a partnership between the council and our community.
 
It is really important to let both the Leader of the Council and Cllr Mashari know how strongly this community feels about the loss of our library and the importance of the Kensal Rise Library building as a library and community space, a space that we will lose if the building is turned into flats.
 
To achieve this we really do need as many of you as possible to come to the public meeting.
 
We are still fighting after nearly three years and they need to know what we are fighting for and what we value in this community.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Butt: A seventh library would undermine Transformation Project

There a report on BNCTV of a meeting between Kensal Rise Community Library campaigners and the Council LINK.

In his  interview Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council,says that  if the freehold of the Kensal Rise building remained with Brent Council, despite being run by volunteers,  as the campaigners had requested,  it would be a problem. It would be adding a seventh library to the six remaining in Brent and open the way for Preston and other campaigners to make a similar request. .He goes on to say that as the Libraries Transformation Project is based on six libraries this would undermine the  whole Project.

For the campaigners  a sticking point is the removal of books from the library. If they are removed by the Council could it lose its designation as  a library?

Have a look at the video and see what you think.

Monday 21 May 2012

The Queen is dead! Long live the King!

Outside Brent Town Hall tonight
In fact Muhammad Butt's first Executive meeting as leader was a muted affair - no fanfares, cheers or even a 'well done, chum' from his colleagues. Instead a few mumbles about the order of business, a murmured exchange or two with Anne Reid, and we were away.

If there was any tension in the Executive after it was split by the leadership election it didn't show in any obvious way. Perhaps more councillors than usual arrived at the last minute to take their seats and there was little social interchange, but it was heads down and on with the agenda.

It was left to the public to inject a bit of life and passion into the proceedings and this they did through making representations on the Progress Report on the Library Transformation Project. All the contributors congratulated Muhammed Butt on his election win  and called on him to engage with the community.

Philip Bromberg for Brent SOS Libraries Campaign said the report reminded him of the saying 'the operation was a complete success but the patient died'. He had figures to show a huge drop in the number of visits and book issues at the remaining libraries and queried the escalation in the cost of the Kilburn Library refurbishment from £117,000 to £650.000.  He showed the audience and Executive a leaflet produced by Brent Labour Party asking people to 'Join Labour Campaign for Our Libraries' with a quote from Dan Jarvis shadow Culture Secretary. Bromberg reported that earlier in conversation Jarvis had express 'serious concern about what is happening in Brent over libraries'.

Martin Redston, speaking for the Keep Willesden Green Campaign urged Butt to be proactive, engage with the community and see the issue of the Willesden Green regeneration with fresh eyes. He pointed out that the only increased space int he new building would be for council offices and that the actual library would be smaller. English Heritage had recognised the community's valuing of the 'meaning of space' provided by the 1894 building. Redston pointed out the contradictions between the flowery words of the planning brief and the actual plan, which included a small door as an entrance to the new building, in contrast to the substantial entrance of the 1980s building. He urged Muhammed Butt and the Executive to 'stop, listen and reflect', because the majority of the local community did not want the scheme.

A speaker from Cricklewood Library spoke for how local nurseries and schools had been deprived of their library and older students of their study space.  She urged Muhammed Butt to restore good relations with the community by keeping the building open,

Cllr Paul Lorber said that the Executive had not been provided with proper financial information and said that the suggested 'savings' had not factored in the cost of rent and business rates for the closed buildings. He asked regarding Cricklewood and Kensal Rise's reversion to All Souls, 'Why give away buildings with £1.5m'. He claimed it was the Executive's responsibility to safeguard local assets. Speaking about the Barham pop-up library he said that most of the people who were using it were precisely those most affected by the closures: children brought along by their parents and mainly from an Asian of African Caribbean background.

A Conservative councillor urged that ward working money should instead be spent on keeping libraries open.

In response Cllr Powney said that most of the people who had spoken were just saying that they disagreed with the decision to close libraries that was taken last year. That decisions was to keep six 'excellent' libraries (one of which his Executive has since declared unfit for purpose and scheduled for demolition'  and develop those. He claimed that he had always said the the increase in the number of visitors and borrowers would not happen until 2014 when the refurbishments had finished and the new Wembley Library at the Civic Centre had been opened. He said, to heckling, that by 2014  the figures would be 'higher than now'. He confirmed that reversion of Cricklewood and Kensal Rise to All Souls had been completed, and that was the opinion of both council officers and All Souls.  In response to the questions about the increase in Kilburn refurbishment costs he said that the £117,000 had just been minor repairs and redecoration and the £650,000  was for a more extensive refurbishment.

At the end of the item, Muhammed Butt said he was meeting with Kensal Rise campaigners tomorrow and promised to meet with the Preston and Keep Willesden Green campaigns.

All other items on the agenda, including the Air Quality Action Plan, Animals at Events policy, and the provision of a Brent Carers' Hub were approved without discussion.








Saturday 15 October 2011

Latest news from Kensal Rise campaigners - Camp out vigil continues - help needed

Outside Kensal Rise Library last night

Hi all,

Firstly thanks to everyone who has supported the vigil outside the library (especially all the brilliant kids).
This support has sent out a very important message about how much we care about what happens to our library and community and its significance has gone beyond our own neighbourhood.‬

‪Lots of library campaigners throughout England have been heartened by our actions and we have received loads of messages of support.‬

Great stuff Kensal Green and Kensal Rise.‬
As you may know our legal team are in the process of lodging an application to  appeal the decision handed down by Justice Ousley on Thursday. We should know the result of this application by next week (possibly Tuesday). We would like to maintain a presence outside the library until then, not only to prevent Brent boarding up the library but also because our presence is sending out a powerful message.‬
‪ ‬
‪We really do care about our library and how much it means to this community.‬
‪ ‬
‪So, we need your support. For the next few days we need your help in maintaining a presence at the library. We need you there during the day for whatever time you can spare.‬
‪ ‬
‪If you can be at the library from midnight to 5am that would be fantastic.  We have people taking over at 5am.‬
Of course you are welcome to come at any time but midnight to dawn is when we really need help. I know this is a big, big ask but it is only for a few days.‬

If you do intend to come make sure you wrap up warm. IT IS COLD. We have a tent. There will be company. You could bring your car.‬

Kind souls have been supplying us with coffee and biscuits and chocolate.‬
If you find that request irresistible see you at the library maybe?‬


Regards and thanks,‬
‪ ‬
‪Margaret Bailey

Great write-up of the events on the I spy in Queens Park blog.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

First Salvo Fired in Library Legal Campaign

Brent Council has now been sent the Letter Before Action from Bindmans that begins the legal process for a judicial review. The action is backed by S.O.S. Brent Libraries which brings together the campaigns against the closures of six Brent libraries.

The Letter Before Action in summary claims:
1. a fair-minded and informed observer, having full regard to the facts, would conclude that there was a real possibility of predetermination by the decision-makers that these closure proposals should go ahead (indeed that there was no alternative) which, in turn, meant the results of the consultation exercise were not taken into account conscientiously and with open minds on 11 April 2011;
2. insufficient information was gathered to enable the decision- makers to take into account mandatory relevant considerations at the appropriate time, particularly in relation to questions of need for library services and equality;
3. some consultation responses were not made known to members, significant errors of fact were made in the consultation document and officers’ reports and irrational conclusions drawn;
4. the Council misdirected itself on the means by which its duty to provide a library service could be discharged; and
5. those who had made alternative proposals were not dealt with fairly.
Unless Brent Council backs down the legal process is expected to proceed by way of a judicial review of the council's decision.
John Halford of Bindmans is acting for the campaigners of the threatened libraries. He is a human rights and public law department partner who acts for individuals and groups to challenge abuse of power, human rights breaches and discrimination. He has experience of bringing cases against a wide range of public bodies and organisations, and of advising national charities, NGOs, campaigning groups and regulators. In 2007 he won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for social and welfare law. 

David Butcher from Kensal Rise speaking on behalf of the Brent SOS Library Campaign said,
Thousands of people across the whole of Brent are supporting the campaign to save the local community libraries of Barham, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton. 

While Councillors Ann John and Powney are using the resources of Brent Council to force through the closures local people are determined to fight their closure plans all the way.
Brent SOS Libraries; Save Our Six Librarie have agreed to raise funds for the judicial review of the council’s decision. The Legal Services Commission requires a ‘community contribution’ of £30,000 towards the costs. Each of the library groups has pledged to raise a contribution.

Library campaigners are asking everyone to donate £5 if they can afford it. Campaigners are hopeful that the money will be raised quickly.

Information about how to make donations can be found on the website www.brentsoslibraries.org.uk

Meanwhile Save Kensal Rise Library Campaign who had advertised a lobby of Cllr Powney, who is spearheading the library cuts, claim that he went into hiding when his electorate arrived to see him on  May 7th. LINK

Monday 18 April 2011

The Wall Street Journal sums up Brent's library closures and the Civic Centre

When they write the history books, the councilmen and bureaucrats who chose to close a library rather than postpone some self-aggrandizing boondoggle won't make the cut, even if, for now, they are making the headlines.

See what the kids of College Green Nursery think LINK

Sunday 17 April 2011

URGENT - library consultation critique needed by noon tomorrow

The Kensal Rise Library Users have put out an urgent call for feedback to to their legal advisers concerning the Council's consultation on libraries. The feedback is need by noon tomorrow (Monday 18th April). Send to kensalriselibraryusers@hotmail.co.uk
1. in what ways is the statistical information about use of the
 libraries up for closure misleadingly presented in the officers'report?:
2. what relevant information about local needs and impact of the
proposed closures could the Council gave gathered, but did not (e.g. the
views of schools, the Education Dept., regular users who were
disproportionately under represented amongst consultation responders)
and what difference might that information have made?;

3. what else is wrong with the needs assessment included in the
officers' reports?;

4. the impact of the six closures on use of the remaining libraries (and
indeed the impact of the future planned closure of one of the remaining
ones) does not seem to have been analysed. This seems to be a serious
shortcoming. In your view, if the Council's plans are successful and all
those who currently use the six libraries up for closure do use the six
remaining ones, will that be practical? If not, what particular problems
will there be;

5. are there groups that can be defined in terms of race, gender,
sexuality, disability and religion whose particular needs are met by one
or more of the libraries up for closure, but will not be in future and
have not been taken into account in the equality impact assessment: and

6. what comments the public made in response to the consultation (by any
means - i.e. in meetings or written submissions as well as on the
on-line questionnaire) that were either not passed on to the Cabinet, or
were summarized in a misleading way?