- Status:
- Closed consultation
- Start date:
- 22 August 2024
- Closing date:
- 14 November 2024
Details
We want to provide a comprehensive, sustainable and efficient library service for people who live, work or study in Enfield. This includes books and access to digital resources, quiet spaces for study and reflection, access to support groups and social activities for all ages, health and wellbeing support, makerspaces, training and employment advice.
The council faces budget challenges after over a decade of government underfunding, historic inflation levels and recent interest rate rises, and the ongoing cost of living crisis resulting in more residents needing our support. Savings will inevitably need to be made now and in years to come across council services to balance our budgets. In this context, we need to ensure our libraries are delivering accessible and responsive services in the best and most efficient way to meet local need, and matches the offer delivered by other London boroughs.
Our library service plays a critical role in helping people realise their full potential -including those living, working, studying in or visiting Enfield and particularly those facing disadvantage. A number of factors have impacted what people need from their library service, including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
To meet the council’s principles to deliver accessible and responsive services and be financially resilient, we have considered how our library service can be delivered in a more efficient way, while ensuring that it continues to meet people’s needs and is comprehensive.
The draft strategy proposed to:
- Improve and enhance the library service at Ordnance Unity Centre, Edmonton Green, Ponders End, Fore Street, Millfield House, Palmers Green, Enfield Town and Ridge Avenue, by increasing opening hours at these libraries by a total of 56 hours per week
- Retain the home library service and digital library service
- Reduce the number of libraries by closing Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson. This is a reduction of 281 hours per week in available services across the borough.
- Formally declassify Angel Raynham as a public library, (Angel Raynham is classified as a public library, but it is staffed and managed by the primary school and is not open to public)
We asked to hear your feedback to help us further develop and improve our proposals. We plan to finalise and publish our final strategy in early 2025.
Who could participate
Residents of Enfield, people who study in Enfield and people who work in Enfield, representatives of schools, colleges, health organisations, local business, voluntary and community sector organisations, and Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade.
How you shared your views
Completing either our standard or easy read questionnaire, sharing views by email and participating in our drop-in sessions at libraries across the borough.
Closing date
14 November 2024 (11:59pm).
Further information
Read our draft strategy (PDF, 825.47 KB).
Read our strategic review of our library service (PDF, 1282.74 KB).
Read our equality impact assessment on our proposed changes to the library service (PDF, 1127.42 KB).
Read our proposed changes to opening hours (PDF, 77.8 KB) at Ordnance Unity Centre, Edmonton Green, Ponders End, Fore Street, Palmers Green, Enfield Town and Ridge Avenue.
If you have any queries about this consultation, please email libraries.engagement@enfield.gov.uk.