Following months of consultation Brent Council has finally decided to close 6 libraries. This has been a very difficult decision but will not affect the excellent Kingsbury Library in Kingsbury High Road which was not listed or threatened under the consultation plans.
Why is it necessary to close libraries? The current austerity measures introduced by the Con/Dem Government have cut the grant the council receives to pay for many Council services, like libraries. The council is not allowed to increase Council Tax so has to reduce expenditure.
Despite these current massive cuts forcing the planned library closures library usage has, in fact, declined in recent years. However it is interesting to note that since the Kingsbury Library has moved from Stag lane, visitor numbers have increased significantly. Nevertheless the challenge for the council is to reverse the decline in visitor numbers and attract the 80% of Brent population that currently do not visit libraries.
Whilst it is regrettable that some libraries will close, those remaining will be the subject of major improvements over the next year. They will have an enhanced on line service, with improved IT provision. They will open 7 days a week, this will also include Kingsbury, and receive significant investment in book stock. In addition a new Library will open in the Civic Centre near Wembley Arena in 2013 to replace the Town Hall library, which will remain open until then.
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