There is currently a lot of confusion re the Upper Norwood Library Service and staffing - the Upper Norwood Library Campaign has asked for a meeting with the Upper Norwood Library Trust for clarification of its position . Croydon and Lambeth have provided the Trust with funding of £170,000 for capacity building to manage the building, generate extra activities and funding streams to create what they are calling a community learning hub. The library provision is set to be moved to the ground floor and will be managed by Lambeth. Lambeth and Croydon seem to be happy to offer no library staff and only self service machines - there will be one half hour visit a week from staff from one of the few libraries in Lambeth that will still be open. In order to provide that library service Lambeth has set a budget of £20,000 per year. It is the view of the Upper Norwood Library Campaign and the Friends of Lambeth Libraries that Upper Norwood should have a town centre library with professional staff. To all intents and purposes what Lambeth and Croydon are offering the residents of Crystal Palace is not a library service whilst totally supportive of the tremendous work that the Trust has put in. The Campaign can be a lot more forthright than the Trust and we stand full shoulder to shoulder with the staff and Friends of Lambeth Libraries on this. Lambeth has tried to argue that Upper Norwood does not meet its town centre criteria - this is spurious in terms of numbers using the library and the population it serves across our five boroughs. Both our local MPs Steve Reed and Helen Hayes understand this and we will be looking for them to bring reason to both Croydon and Lambeth. Southwark and Bromley Labour councillors are also lobbying their party colleagues in both Lambeth and Croydon. I look forward to urgent constructive engagement on this matter. Robert Gibson Chair of the Upper Norwood Library Campaign Former Chair of the Upper Norwood Library Trust Friend of Lambeth Libraries Board Member of Crystal Palace Chamber of Commerce