To Councillor Jane Roberts, Leader of Camden Council
and Councillor Phil Turner,
Camden Town Hall, Judd St.,WC1H 9JE
19th June 2001

Dear Councillor Roberts and Councillor Turner

I am writing to you as you have both expressed interest in what is happening at Highgate library.

At the meeting of the Leisure & Community Committee on June 12, the Head of Libraries tabled some data about the number of issues, visits and new members at Highgate library. These need some explanation and no opportunity was given then for us or Tom Selwyn of CPLUG to make a response.The information which Neal provided compared figures for the first quarter of 2000 with those for the same quarter in 2001.I have included these figures here WITH my addition of some percentage increases in the right hand column and also figures for the ADULT book issues per hour ar the bottom of the table.

Firstly, I want to make clear (-yet again! we do get tired of repeating it)-that the Friends of Highgate Library is in favour of the free access to IT. Our concern stems from the introduction of such a large Learning Centre resulting in serious loss of bookspace,reading space and,of course BOOKSTOCK in the adult section of the library.

The Learning Centre opened in April 2000. Neal's figures show a marked, and expected, increase in the use of the library which is welcome -as is the hard work of the staff involved appreciated. However, in comparing the two quarters mentioned,TWO other important factors have a bearing on the data.:-

a) In October 2000 opening hours were increased by one day,from 24 to 32 hours i.e.33.3 % an appreciated and welcome increase.

b) During Jan-Mar 2001, Brookfield, the adjacent primary school, has been seriously disrupted because of building work and has been using Highgate library for regular class visits. This would account for much of the marked increase in children's book issues and the number of new members aged 5-12.In fact, this is good evidence of the value of such school visits and their impact on library membership.

Back to bookstock. It was cut by about one third in the adult library to make space for computers. In spite of a 33.3% increase in opening hours and an increase in adult members (and presumably visits), adult book issues have risen by only 7.3% for fiction and 21.3% for non-fiction.Actually adult book issues per hour have fallen by over 22% between the rwo periods.

These book issue figures in our adult library confirm our view that the balance between conflicting provisions is wrong and many library users are depressed by the cramped,poorly stocked book section This is why we are pressing for the feasibilty study relating to the Mobile Services space to proceed quickly with restoration of the space to Highgate library and for an urgent increase in the bookstock to at least the level before it was drastically reduced.

Yours sincerely
E.Evans Treasurer. Friends of Highgate Library & Joint Sec. CPLUG
cc to Director Leisure & Community Services, Councillors on L&C; S.Committee, Head of Camden Libraries, Glenda Jackson,MP, Highgate Ward Councillors, Highgate Library Manager,