Four libraries across Croydon borough will close to save cash. 

Croydon Council said the closures will allow them to increase the opening hours of its nine most visited libraries, according to a paper published on its website today (Tuesday, September 10).

The council first proposed the closure of the Bradmore Green (Coulsdon), Sanderstead, Broad Green and Shirley libraries back in January of this year.

Following a public consultation and impact assessment, Croydon confirmed these libraries will close on October 25, 2024.

The council has said the decision has been based on measuring footfall, the impact on the area the libraries serve and the libraries abilities to provide a wide range of services outside their primary purpose.

While the consultation found that WHILE  many locals objected to the closure of what they saw as a vital community asset, the four libraries were deemed near enough to other services that people could use in their absence.

According to the council, less than 10 per cent of Croydon residents use their local libraries, and these four libraries saw some of the lowest footfall in recent years.

All but one of Croydon’s libraries have significantly shortened their hours of operation since the onset of Covid in 2020.

This downscaling is also the result of the stringent spending constraints imposed on the borough following its bankruptcy.

Croydon has said that the money saved from this new ‘model’ will mean that its nine most popular libraries will be able to open five days a week, including Saturdays.

The following nine libraries will see opening hours increase, following years of opening to the public between two to four days a week.

Central Library (Opening days to be increased from 5 to 6 days per week)

Ashburton Library (Opening days to be increased from 4 to 5 days per week)

New Addington (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week)

Selsdon Library (Staffed opening days to increase from 3 to 5 days per week with two days self-service access retained*)

Coulsdon Library (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week)

Purley Library (Opening days to be increased from 2 to 5 days per week)

South Norwood Library (Opening days to be increased from 2 to 5 days per week)

Thornton Heath Library (Opening days to be increased from 3 to 5 days per week)

New Addington, Purley, South Norwood, Coulsdon and Thornton Heath libraries will see some periods of self-service access during opening hours.

Croydon has also said that the money saved by these closures will allow them to make improvements to these libraries.

Purley Library will see a new classroom created on the premises, the South Norwood library will be joined with the adjoining Samuel Taylor Coleridge Youth Centre while the New Addington library space will be resigned to incorporate adult learning and training provision.

Croydon Council has also said it will attempt to reach more non-library users, in an effort to address the impact of the closures.

Alongside greater promotion of the services, they have committed to improving a care home and school library service as well as holding more community events.

In its proposals, the council has also said it will improve the provision of book collections for schools most impacted by the closures.

It will also provide a scheduled weekly accessible bus shuttle service for residents with access needs to visit their nearest library.

However, many in Croydon believe the decision to close the libraries was a forgone conclusion that will deprive the borough of more important community assets.

Croydon’s Labour opposition in particular feels that the decision will not address the borough’s wider financial woes.

A spokesperson from Croydon Labour said: “The Mayor’s decision to close these libraries shows once again that he doesn’t listen to local residents on the issues that matter most to people.

“Closing libraries is not the answer to the council’s financial problems. The amount of money that would be saved by closing these libraries is a drop in the ocean compared with the council’s debt”.

All four closed libraries occupy purpose-built buildings owned by the council. Some of the buildings like Shirley Library, with its distinct Art Deco style, have become focal points for the community.

It is expected that, following further discussions with the affected communities, Croydon will sell off the buildings in an attempt to service its large debt burden.

The council continues to face serious financial challenges and the authority carries a £1.4bn debt burden, due to what the council calls ‘a legacy of past mismanagement’.

Peter Underwood, a Green Party activist, believes the closure of the services will deny future generations of a service that has been enjoyed by many over the years. He said: “The libraries were set up as a long-term investment in the future of our community. Closing them is just a panic reaction to a short-term financial problem.

“It is obvious that Jason Perry is only interested in selling off these library sites to developers to fill the hole in his budget.

"These planned closures are a disgrace to the memory of those people who set them up and a betrayal of future generations who won’t have the benefit of these vital community services.”

In a response published with the decision, Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “We know how loved and valued our Croydon library service is – and that is why we have to do something to improve it.

“Residents have told us that despite the best efforts of library staff, the current model simply isn’t working – following past budget cuts, residents have ended up with a model that is the worst of both worlds.

"It isn’t efficient, it isn’t cost-effective and most importantly, it isn’t available when people want to use it.

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. We have listened and understand that residents do not want libraries to close but do want libraries open for longer including weekends, and more events and activities.

“The decision to close library buildings is a very difficult one and I know people who are losing their local library will be sad to see it go.

"I am committed to supporting community and voluntary organisations with an interest in taking on a building to keep these well-loved buildings in community use and encourage anyone interested to join the upcoming workshops.

“Resident feedback from the consultation has helped us to design the new model and outreach service in the areas where we are proposing to close library buildings so that services are easy to access and available to as many residents as possible.”

The proposals in the report will go to a decision at a Cabinet meeting later this month, where they are expected to be approved.

If the proposals are approved, the council will start to work with the libraries impacted.