Croydon will have nine libraries open a minimum of five days a week including Saturdays, with more events and activities, and more staff to provide a new outreach service.

The new model, approved by the council’s cabinet last night, does include the difficult decision to close four library buildings – Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley, in order to re-invest into the library service.

There will be no cuts to the libraries budget and existing resources will be used to provide a more inclusive, flexible, modernised service that reaches more residents.

These changes follow a review which highlighted that less than 10% of residents are actively using the borough’s libraries. Staff and residents felt that the opening hours didn’t work after they were reduced in 2022, leaving some libraries only open two days a week.

The Council developed plans for a new, improved library service after carrying out extensive research and listening to residents’ views. The council’s Scrutiny and Overview Committee considered the plans last week, and their recommendations were included in the report to Cabinet.

Library staff will now start preparations to close Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley libraries this autumn.

Books and materials will be distributed across Croydon’s other nine libraries and outreach venues. All local groups who meet in these libraries will be contacted to arrange interim alternative venues.

Residents who use the four libraries will be contacted about updating their library accounts. They will also be provided with information on the home library service, digital collections and a weekly accessible bus shuttle service which will run from the closed libraries, to the next nearest library.

The council is developing a new outreach service so residents can access a library offer in other local community venues. The first phase of this will focus on the four areas where libraries are closing, working with local partners and venues suggested during the consultation. From this autumn, outreach activities such as rhyme times will be piloted in other venues. The new outreach schedule is expected to be fully launched in April 2025, with residents able to benefit from longer opening hours and more events and activities from the nine libraries from January 2025.

Through the consultation, the council heard how important library buildings are to residents. Croydon’s Executive Mayor is committed to keeping the buildings where the four libraries are closing, for community use. This is not about asset sales or developing the sites. It is about improving the overall service for residents across the borough.

The council will now work with community and voluntary organisations such as residents’ associations, and faith and community groups, to explore opportunities to run these community bases on a cost-neutral basis. All ideas are welcomed, and expressions of interest can be emailed to: communityrelations@croydon.gov.uk

Further detail on this process and information on the buildings, including operating costs and plans, will be available on the council website in early October.

The council will be requiring organisations interested in taking on the buildings to continue to provide space for any local groups who currently use the library building.

“I know how important libraries are to communities, which is why the current model has to change. Sadly, the service was just not working; some libraries were only open two days a week and less than 10% of residents were using them.

“The decision to close four library buildings is very difficult, but doing so will help to create a better service right across our borough – one that is modern, meets the needs of our residents and is available when they want to use it.

“I am committed to keeping the buildings at Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead and Shirley open as community bases, recognising their important social value, and keeping them at the heart of their communities.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon