Labour Lambeth is once again considering a plan to sell off the Carnegie Library for conversion into private flats.  At its July Cabinet meeting Labour Councillors passed a report without changing any of the wording which reads:

“Building operates well as a library however its location is not ideal and suffers from low service numbers, high maintenance and high running costs. High running costs and poor location suggest this facility should be closed and relocated to Herne Hill…  This property would be ideal for sale for a private residential flat conversion.”

Labour councilors have previously proposed selling off the library-most recently in 1998-1999-but were defeated by a community campaign lead by Friends of Carnegie Library and supported by Conservative councilors.  When Labour lost office between 2002-2006 the new administration reversed Labour’s plans and improved the resources for the library.

Since gaining power in 2006 Labour has failed to fund Lambeth libraries adequately-several buildings closed last winter because of broken boilers.  A review of the libraries carried out in 2007 failed to solve any of the issues and nothing happened as a result.

Conservative Group Leader Councillor John Whelan says:  “Labour is once again considering selling off the Carnegie for yuppie flats.  This puts the future of the library in doubt and will hopefully produce an outcry in the local community as the plan to provide another library in Herne Hill is a pipedream.  Labour only cares about Brixton and Herne Hill is left off their shopping list for improvements in services.”