Croydon’s new model for library services will see nine libraries open at least five days per week, including Saturdays, with more events and activities, and an outreach service to reach more residents.
Croydon Council wants to hear from community groups interested in running their local services from four former library buildings.
The Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, wants to keep the four buildings where library services are being withdrawn, in community use. Expressions of interest are welcomed from organisations or groups who want a neighbourhood base to deliver local services in Broad Green, Shirley, Sanderstead or Bradmore Green.
Groups interested in taking on one of the four buildings are encouraged to join a viewing session to look around the buildings and ask any questions, or to contact the team at: communityrelations@croydon.gov.uk. More details can be found on the Council website.
Interested groups are asked to submit a business case detailing how they plan to cover all running and maintenance costs for the buildings. The Council will then support them in developing plans and, where possible, explore opportunities for grant funding to help with getting set up.
The changes follow a review of library services that started in September 2023, after residents and staff told the Council that the model wasn’t working. Budget cuts of over £800k between 2019 and 2022 resulted in a significant reduction in opening hours, meaning some libraries were only open two days a week and less than 10% of residents were actively using them.
After extensive research and engagement with residents, a new service model was agreed at Cabinet on 25 September. Library services will be withdrawn from four buildings, with the running costs reinvested into the service so that the nine other libraries can be opened at least five days a week and an outreach service can be provided to help more residents access the library offer.
From these dates, library services will be withdrawn from the following buildings:
- Bradmore Green – Friday 8 November
- Broad Green – Thursday 7 November
- Sanderstead – Friday 8 November
- Shirley – Friday 8 November
Library staff will be contacting residents impacted by the changes so they can transfer their library accounts to their next nearest library. Residents will also receive details of the home library service, online library service and details of the outreach services and the weekly accessible bus shuttle service, so that everyone continues to have access to Croydon’s library services.
“During our library service consultation residents told us about the important role these buildings play for local communities, so we want to make sure they remain as community bases.
“This is a great opportunity for any community group looking for a base to run services, in the heart of our local neighbourhoods. We encourage anyone with an idea to bring us a business plan for how you could revitalise one of the buildings and keep it open at the heart of our local communities.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
