The Save Crofton Park Library Campaign
Crofton Park Library in the borough of Lewisham is one of the 5 proposed for closure. It is a Carnegie library, the only one in Lewisham, located in an attractive Arts and Crafts building built in 1905. It serves quite a wide area Crofton Park, Brockley, Honor Oak and part of Telegraph Hill. Several established writers have connections with it, the most well-known being Lindsey Davis who did the early research for her Falco detective novels at that library. The chief librarian has worked there her entire working life and has developed a wide range of activities over the years, including reading sessions for babies and young children, writers workshops and guest appearances of writers. Some local groups meet there, for example Neighbourhood Watch, but only within library opening hours. There is a very good computer suite which is always very well-used by all sections of the community. Most recently the library received a grant of £3000 from the Ward Assembly (Funded by Lewisham!) to create a sensory garden behind the library with a mosaic wall panel, designed and constructed by local people.

As soon as the news about the proposed closure was heard, I set up an on-line petition. By 4th August there were 434 signatures. Many of the signatories have made heartfelt comments about what the library means to them, which will provide useful points to be made at the imminent public consultation meeting. I also printed off a paper petition and small poster which has gone into a wide range of shops and businesses in the area served by the library. Several of these venues now have coloured stickers to give to signatories.

A useful focus and way of disseminating information has been the Facebook page Save Crofton Park Library from Closure. This has attracted over 200 friends. I have put on links to LLL, the Save New Cross Library campaign and Community Action Lewisham.

September Update

The Crofton Park Library campaign continues to gather petition signatures, now approaching 3500 names. The original target of 2500 has been revised to 4000.The petition will end on 17th September, to be sorted then presented to the council on 23rd September by 2 of the ward councillors. A particularly fruitful source of signatories has been school gates at 8.50am and 2.50pm, with many of the parents stating that this was the first they had heard of the threatened library closure. There have now been 3 street stalls and the banner will be taken to the demonstration planned for 23rd September at the town hall. The month of October is crucial to put pressure on the individual councilors before they vote on the final cuts proposals. Therefore the Crofton Park campaign will be urging its supporters, via the Facebook page to write to councillors as well as the Mayor. The campaign has also featured on the BBC1programme on 9th September on cuts in London, with several mentions in thelocal press

click to see posters

Karen Jonason, Save Crofton Park Library
from Closure Campaign