• FURTHER to your recent coverage and letters published relating to the borough’s libraries, I would like to clarify Camden’s approach to these valuable community assets.

Libraries are a vital space within our neighbourhoods; they provide members of the community with spaces to learn, join in with activities, work and socialise.

Despite the financial challenge we are facing, we are dedicated to keeping all nine of our libraries open and ensuring that they continue to thrive. To this end, we have made the commitment to invest £1.5million over the next two years.

We will be investing in the latest digital technology, including computers and self-service kiosks, making our computers easier to access and better integrate with residents’ own devices, helping bridge the digital divide for those who do not have access to this technology at home, and also develop skills for the future.

We will also be investing to make the available spaces in our libraries work better, including providing new furniture and to enable the space to be better used. Our libraries however rely on their hard-working and knowledgeable staff and volunteers.

We are not seeking to use volunteers to replace staff; rather we are working with staff and the local communities to develop a range of activities, suitable for each library, while further developing volunteer opportunities to help deliver these.

We will be working together with residents to ensure that our libraries meet the needs of the future. Residents are integral to this process and their input and feedback is essential to ensure that people will continue to access our libraries and the services they offer.

If you have not yet joined, we would love you to become part of our thriving library community. To find out more about Camden’s libraries, including opening times, you can go online and visit: camden.gov.uk/libraries or visit any branch, where we will be happy to assist you further.

CLLR JONATHAN SIMPSON
Cabinet Member for Promoting Culture & Community Services