Enfield Council has found partners for two "community libraries" in the east of the borough. The builders are currently in at Ponders End Library, making room for the charity Age UK Enfield, which will be moving its headquarters to the library. Work is also under way at Enfield Highway Library, which will be sharing with a "public health services department".
Enfield Council has found partners for two "community libraries" in the east of the borough. The builders are currently in at Ponders End Library, making room for the charity Age UK Enfield, which will be moving its headquarters to the library. Work is also under way at Enfield Highway Library, which will be sharing with a "public health services department".
Ponders End Library - and the new HQ of Age UK EnfieldTransforming the majority of the its libraries into community libraries is the approach Enfield Council has chosen to take in order to continue to provide library services throughout the borough while reducing costs substantially. The council is having to make savings across the board in reponse to swingeing cuts in central government grants.
Community libraries will have to share their premises with other organisations, which obviously means that there will be less space for books and other library services. They will be staffed not by professional librarians, but by volunteers. There have been complaints that the volunteer librarians at Ridge Avenue Library have limited access to library service IT systems and are unable to issue new library tickets - the library now operates in partnership with West Lea School.
In contrast to the reductions in facilities at community libraries, the four main libraries in Enfield are due to become "flagship libraries" with additional services and 7-day opening. Palmers Green Library is to be one of the flagships, but there has so far been no announcement about when 7-day opening will begin.