Croydon residents are being urged to have their say on three detailed options put forward by the council to adapt the borough’s library service.
The council is consulting on three options around reducing opening hours or working with another organisation so it can continue its borough-wide service while making necessary budget savings.
In response to public feedback from an initial consultation phase, the council has already confirmed it will keep all 13 of its libraries open after rejecting options that would have involved branch closures.
Now the council is asking for local people to have their say on the three remaining options.
Option one would mean all libraries remain in council control and be open two fewer days per week, except the central library that would open five days per week.
Under option two the council would work with an organisation to run all 13 libraries, which could include a charity or social enterprise.
Option three would keep eight libraries in council control and open two fewer days a week. The other five would be leased to community groups, with the council providing some staff two days a week, as well as books and IT support.
To take part in the consultation, visit the council website by 26 July.
The first consultation phase from January to March had included proposals to close five of Croydon’s libraries with the highest maintenance costs and lowest visitor numbers, but this has now been ruled out. Since this initial consultation, the council has identified external funding to meet these five libraries’ repair costs.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who took part in the first consultation phase about our libraries service – we have made some big changes in response to this feedback, and now we want to hear what people think of the remaining three options.
“Whether you took part in the first consultation phase or not, between now and 26 July we want to hear from as many people as we can on these detailed options ahead of a final decision in late summer at Full Council.”
Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture and regeneration
