Greetings Supporters,

Please find below a copy of a letter I have emailed Councillor Bell to request clarification of the Council's position regarding the longer-term means of providing the library service.

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19th December 2018

Dear Councillor Bell,

As the end of 2018 draws near I am writing to ask for an update on behalf of the 3,519 people who have signed the Save Ealing Libraries from Being Outsourced petition via Change.Org since 29th January 2018 and the 50 Ealing residents who signed the follow up Open Letter -addressed to you- on 17th April 2018 regarding  the future of Ealing’s Library Service.

In your written response letter dated 20th April 2018 you stated that the “Council will be making a decision on the longer-term means of providing the library service later in the year” but you can assure us that “continuing to provide the service in-house will be firmly on the agenda”.

Since your letter, I was made aware in July through media reports and library collaborators that Ealing council decided to not to renew the lease on the award-winning library in Pitshanger Lane and to explore relocating the library, possibly to be run by community volunteers. This is amidst an impassioned campaign by residents and businesses which has gathered more than 2000 signatures on a petition, backed up by the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, August 2, calling on the council to rethink its decision. 

In August Ealing residents have also seen its Council act on plans to relocate Ealing Broadway library to a smaller building in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre to make way for a new town centre, which is set to open in Spring 2019. A temporary replacement pop-up library for residents is currently available to collect book reservations and return items.

It is claimed the new library will offer “greater access to digital and self-service facilities” as well as roughly 40,000 books and a “range of study areas” and should accommodate community events and adult earning classes.  However, critics point out that the book stock in the new library will be reduced from 124,000 to 35,00 – a 71% reduction. Vital designated study spaces will also be reduced from 155 to 65 – a 58% reduction.  According Councillor Greg Hill, the relocation will negative impact on residents.  So, who are we to believe??

When I presented the Save Ealing Libraries petition at the Council meeting on 5th April, I believe there was no mention of the proposed Pitshanger Library closure? 

It will be helpful if you could clarify the Council’s position on the status of our libraries, in particular if there are to be any library closures including Pitshanger, job lob losses and an erosion of our library service across the borough?                                                                                                                                                                                       

Thank you for your attention to this letter ad I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Your sincerely,

Grace

Grace Quansah (Akuba)