East Finchley Library Users Group meeting - this Thurs 14th December

News has reached us that Barnet Council are planning a major review of Barnet's library service in 2007. A document 'Developing a Strategy For Barnet's Libraries' was considered at a council meeting on Monday 27th November. East Finchley Library Users Group submitted a response to the document which you can see in the next post.

While the document looks vaguely positive when read at face value, past
experience leads us to be extremely nervous about the possible implications for our library. This is a large scale borough-wide review which is almost certainly intended to involve relocations and closures.

We have also been told that councils are now able to bid for lottery funding
of up to £2M to improve library buildings for projects benefitting the community. (see http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_community_libraries). The offer closes March 2007 and we have been told that the council has not even decided whether to bid! What they do admit, however, is "There is no capital programme to address maintenance of buildings" - all the more reason to seize this great opportunity!

To consider these two things we are calling a meeting of all EFLUG members and other interested people for Thursday 14th December. If you have suggestions to offer, time to contribute or would just like to be updated on the latest news, please come along at 8pm on Thursday 14th December to Martin Infant School (next to the library and opposite the junction of Church Lane and the High Road).
Mince pies will be provided!