Save Kensal Rise Library!

[Phil O'Shea]

Brent Council is planning to close six

libraries in the borough – they claim in order
to ‘improve the library service’. How you
improve a library service by closing libraries is
mysterious. Brent Council says that it cannot
afford to run these libraries because it is in an
extremely difficult financial position; however
according to its website it will be spending £100
million on a new Civic Centre in Wembley. It
would cost only 1% of that, £1 million, to keep
our libraries open.
Surely if times are hard it makes no sense to
spend £100 million on a Civic Centre which
most of us in Kensal Rise and Kensal Green
will never use?

Kensal Rise library is at the heart of our
community and we might need it more as cuts
from central and local government start to affect
us all, particularly the vulnerable. The council
tried to close the library in 1988 but our
community successfully united to fight and save
it from closure.
If you would like to join the campaign to
keep our library open there are many things
you can do:
1. Fill out Brent’s consultation questionnaire
This can be found online at
http://www.brent.gov.uk/consultation - this
is the formal method for engaging in Brent’s
consultation over the closures, so the more
people who complete it the better. Ask for a
paper copy at the library.
2. Email your local councillors to protest
against Brent’s proposed closure and ask them
to pass on your views to the council executive.
You can find their details on the Brent website
by typing this shortened link into your browser:
http://bit.ly/ghwKYy
3. Email your MP If you live in Brent Central
your MP is Sarah Teather (LibDem) her email
address is [e-mail] If you are in
Hampstead and Kilburn your MP is Glenda
Jackson (Lab) [e-mail]. If you
are not sure which is your MP you can find this
information by visiting
www.theyworkforyou.com
4. Attend the Area Forums: Harlesden Area
(which includes Kensal Green ward) 7pm 11
January 2011 at All Souls Church next to Lloyds
TSB in Harlesden. Kilburn and Kensal Area
7.30pm 12th January 2011 at Queens Park
Community School. Come in groups, bring
placards. Have your say!
5. Attend Brent Council’s Public
Consultation Meetings: Brent Town Hall on
6th January at 6.30pm and Willesden Green
Library Open Day 12th January 2011 10.30-
1pm and 2.30-5pm
6. Come to the next Kensal Rise Library
Users Meeting: We will be holding another
public meeting at 7pm on Thursday 27th
January at the Scout Hall in Leighton Gardens
(just off College Road). Come to show your
support, get an update and help us put
pressure on our elected representatives to
listen to what our community wants.
7. Join the campaign by  emailing us at
[e-mail]
Please join us, we need everybody.
7. Join the Facebook group 'Save Kensal
Rise Library'.
8. Visit our website:

 http://www.savekensalriselibrary.org

 

SAVE KENSAL RISE LIBRARY!