Crystal Palace Local

(MEANWHILE CROYDON COUNCIL GET AN E-MAIL EARFUL.....)

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE to show YOUR support and appreciation for Upper Norwood joint library this Saturday.

The library faces a desperate financial crisis because of anti-social behaviour by Croydon's Conservative councillors who want to scrap ALL Croydon funding for the library from March 31st. (see previous stories)

But this Saturday (February 4th) is National Libraries Day - with events planned inside the library - and by library supporters outside.

INSIDE the library on Westow Hill - currently jointly funded by Croydon and Lambeth councils - there will be the chance for well-wishers to leave 'Post-It' notes showing their support for the library and/or for libraries in general. These will be photographed for the library's archives to mark the occasion and record the names of those people using the library on National Libraries Day.

There will also be: an Usborne duck treasure hunt for the kids; word search fun for children  where five to eight year olds can draw their favourite book character; nine to 11 year olds can write a poem about Upper Norwood library or libraries in general or a review of their favourite book and 12 to 14 year olds can write a poem about libraries or a review of their favourite book - or redesign the book cover of Tamsyn Murray's 'My so-called afterlife'. The top three in all three categories will then be posted on the library website.

Plus: a book review competition for adults - with the top 20 reviews being posted on the library website.
There's also a photo display of the library's history, Dan Swinton reading Roald Dahl's 'George's Marvellous Medicine" for children aged five and above and their parents and a prize draw for a week of free DVD and music loans.
And if none of that can tempt you: Celebration cake, hot drinks and nibbles. (Or, as the library leaflet announcing the event calls it: food for thought).

DETAILS of outside events to follow later this week.

**********************************************************************************************************

CROYDON COUNCIL GETS AN E-MAIL KICKING

Huge response to Evening Standard
article

AN ARTICLE in Monday's (Jan 30th) London Evening Standard has caused an
avalanche of criticism regarding Croydon council's antics over the library.
Initial responses to the article - headlined: Legal row 'an excuse to close
library'  - written by Miranda Bryant - include:

SO MUCH for the Conservative government's big idea of Localism. Here is a
potential poster boy for the Localism idea, a long serving privately run
community library with funding from Lambeth and Croydon that costs around
half as much as the next best run library in either borough.

A library that should be the template for the other publicly run libraries
in London is now in real danger of being closed because Croydon refuses to
fund it despite overwhelming backing from Lambeth council who are more than
happy to keep funding their share in it.

I think Downing St and City Hall need to remind their outer borough Tory
leaders at Croydon that this is not quite what localism is all about.
- AQ, London, 01/02/2012 09:44*

THIS 111 year old library is the UK's only independent and an absolute
beacon with amongst the lowest costs in the UK! It is, however, an
embarrassment to Croydon council, whose libraries costs are double those of
Upper Norwood. The council is currently sifting through outsourcing bids
for all their library services including Upper Norwood; which they jointly
fund with Lambeth.

In council minutes, Croydon have admitted they do not have the ability to
drive down costs at their own libraries- but are considering outsourcing
bids from other councils, who obviously do possess these skills.
Croydon should use this library as the blueprint for all of its library
services- after all, a service run cost efficiently and independently by
the community for the community is surely what BIG SOCIETY is all about!
The library should remain independent, irrespective of Croydon's decision
on the rest of its library services- Croydon should not be perturbed when
Upper Norwood continues to run a great service at a lower cost than the
rest of its libraries. Instead it should celebrate its own part in this
unique library.
- Damien, London UK, 31/01/2012 16:40*

CROYDON'S position on Upper Norwood Library runs counter to the positions
of the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sports) and the Local
Government Group and Arts Council England for the future of libraries. Only
last week Prime Minister David Cameron was angsting over the UK's literacy
levels and bigging up the role of libraries in his Big Society. Time for
the powers that be to whip the wayward Croydon Tories into shape.
Time also for a bit of fiscal disobedience. Croydon residents should send
notice of intent to deduct £20 per annum from their council tax payment and
pledge it as a gift to the Upper Norwood Library.
- Amanda, London, England, 31/01/2012 12:13*

IT IS OBSCENE that Croydon council, a public body that is supposed to
represent its residents and provide our public services, is treating this
issue with such contempt. This petty wrangle over meetings and agreement
clauses is being used as an excuse by Croydon to cut yet another library
out of their budget. My pre-school children and hundreds of other families
who regularly use this wonderful resource will be disadvantaged as a result
of such an awful decision.

Shame on those councillors and shame on Prime Minister Cameron for allowing
this to happen
- Elaine, Crystal Palace, 31/01/2012 18:22*


SINCE HAVING a baby I've really seen the importance of this library. The
children's section is great and the singalongs with the librarian are
fantastic - enjoyable and a real social hub.

With funding being pulled for various childrens' projects in the area,
having such an efficiently run multi-function building in the heart of the
community is more important than ever. If the library goes it will be gone
for good.
It's an emotive vision, but I can't help contrast the happy faces of
children and adults at the singalongs with the pathetic squabbling of the
councillors. They are not serving their community. With intelligence and a
bit of effort this could easily be sorted out.
- Steve, Crystal Palace, 01/02/2012 14:02*

THIS LIBRARY is fantastic with excellent staff. My daughter has been going
to the rhyme time there every week and her language development is going
exceptionally well, quoting words and actions from the different songs. She
loves reading the books that we regularly borrow from the library. I
remember reading an article about child intellectual development and the
top scoring action, higher than what school they go to, was if they were
read to or liked reading books.

This wonderful library must stay open for many years to come and be part of
our national heritage and joy. We love Upper Norwood Library!
- Michelle Jones, Crystal Palace, 31/01/2012 14:16*

LISTEN up Croydon, you have a battle on your hands!!!
- Lou Garrett, Crystal Palace, 02/02/2012 08:56

NOTE: Anyone having problems finding the full text of the Evening Standard
article can also find it on the Virtual Norwood website under 'News and
Local Issues'. Go to page 12 of the item marked 'Upper Norwood Library
Campaign' - see post from 'GillW'. The full text of the press release on
which the Standard article was based can be found on the previous Library
Campaign page under a post from 'deirdremahon'.

*************************************************************************************************
SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS VISIT LIBRARY

SECONDARY school pupils from St Joseph's College which is close to Crown Point, Upper Norwood have been given a guided tour of Upper Norwood Joint Library.
Children's and youth librarian Fiona Byers said: "This is the first secondary school whose pupils have used the library as a group.

"They were very enthusiastic about reading; very positive; very pleased to be here and wanted me to recommend books to them. "Those who weren't members now want to join the library.

"We look forward to welcoming more pupils from St Joseph's and other secondary schools in our catchment area" added Fiona.
Note: The library currently caters for primary and secondary schools in its catchment area. For further information please contact Fiona Byers at the library on 0208 670 2551.

********************************************************************************************************
CROYDON COUNCIL QUESTION TIME
or: CROYDON'S MINISTRY OF TRUTH

The following written questions about the library came from members of the public at Monday night's full meeting of Croydon council.*

*All responses come from Cllr Sarah Bashford, Croydon's cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport.

*Question 25 by Joe Figueira, vice chairman Upper Norwood Library Campaign:

Mary Portas, 'Queen of Shops', has said that local authorities have to play
their part in protecting districts. Libraries encourage people to an area; they then go
on to use the shops and businesses. Why is Croydon Council terminating the UNJL and so
threatening the economic viability of Crystal Palace?

Reply:

Croydon Council terminated the Upper Norwood Joint Library Agreement due to
the fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth councillors. Without a
functioning committee there was no proper governance over the library and the
expenditure of public monies.
There is no link between this and the economic viability of Crystal Palace.

Question 26 by Dr Rachel Ward:

I bring my children to Waggle and Hum and other activities at UNJL. This
gives me respite and lets me form mutually supportive bonds with other parents.
Attending the library is giving my children a great start in life. Why is Croydon
shutting the 111-year old UNJL and destroying their birthright?

Reply

Croydon libraries run an extensive programme of baby bounce and rhyme times, Wiggle and Jiggle sessions, and story times for early years at all
branches. They also support early year’s nurseries and centres in running these sessions
through the Bookstart scheme.

These library events are often themed around information sharing for
parents e.g. Healthy Eating, when partner organisations will provide information and
talk to parents.

Parents get valuable information, mutual support and make friends
at these events which are held at every library. All parents and carers of young children, including those living in Upper Norwood are welcome to attend.

Question 38 by Mr Mark Richardson:

Would the council leader please run through the rationale for and justify
the council's approach to the question of continued funding for Upper Norwood
Joint Library?

Reply

The rationale for the council’s approach to the Upper Norwood Joint Library
is based on the fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth Councillors. The
council is not able to continue to participate in and fund an arrangement which, as a
result of this breach of a formal agreement, does not have appropriate governance.

Question 39 by Dr Christina Richardson:

Given the well established link between access to books and children's
level of literacy, would the Council agree that the continued funding of the Upper
Norwood Joint Library is essential for the education of our local students.

Reply

Access to books and reading opportunities through libraries does contribute
to children’s literacy. Croydon’s library service supports this in many ways,
by providing extensive access to books, by participating in initiatives such as
Bookstart, Summer Reading challenges and reading clubs for children.
These are just a few
examples of how Croydon libraries support children’s literacy. Croydon residents of the
Upper Norwood area have full access to these services through the network of
branch libraries and the Central Library.

******************************************************************************************************

(MEANWHILE CROYDON COUNCIL GET AN E-MAIL EARFUL.....)

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE to show YOUR support and appreciation for Upper Norwood joint library this Saturday.
The library faces a desperate financial crisis because of anti-social behaviour by Croydon's Conservative councillors who want to scrap ALL Croydon funding for the library from March 31st. (see previous stories)

But this Saturday (February 4th) is National Libraries Day - with events planned inside the library - and by library supporters outside.
INSIDE the library on Westow Hill - currently jointly funded by Croydon and Lambeth councils - there will be the chance for well-wishers to leave 'Post-It' notes showing their support for the library and/or for libraries in general. These will be photographed for the library's archives to mark the occasion and record the names of those people using the library on National Libraries Day.

There will also be: an Usborne duck treasure hunt for the kids; word search fun for children  where five to eight year olds can draw their favourite book character; nine to 11 year olds can write a poem about Upper Norwood library or libraries in general or a review of their favourite book and 12 to 14 year olds can write a poem about libraries or a review of their favourite book - or redesign the book cover of Tamsyn Murray's 'My so-called afterlife'. The top three in all three categories will then be posted on the library website.

Plus: a book review competition for adults - with the top 20 reviews being posted on the library website.
There's also a photo display of the library's history, Dan Swinton reading Roald Dahl's 'George's Marvellous Medicine" for children aged five and above and their parents and a prize draw for a week of free DVD and music loans.
And if none of that can tempt you: Celebration cake, hot drinks and nibbles. (Or, as the library leaflet announcing the event calls it: food for thought).

DETAILS of outside events to follow later this week.

**********************************************************************************************************

CROYDON COUNCIL GETS AN E-MAIL KICKING

Huge response to Evening Standard
article

AN ARTICLE in Monday's (Jan 30th) London Evening Standard has caused an
avalanche of criticism regarding Croydon council's antics over the library.
Initial responses to the article - headlined: Legal row 'an excuse to close
library'  - written by Miranda Bryant - include:

SO MUCH for the Conservative government's big idea of Localism. Here is a
potential poster boy for the Localism idea, a long serving privately run
community library with funding from Lambeth and Croydon that costs around
half as much as the next best run library in either borough.

A library that should be the template for the other publicly run libraries
in London is now in real danger of being closed because Croydon refuses to
fund it despite overwhelming backing from Lambeth council who are more than
happy to keep funding their share in it.

I think Downing St and City Hall need to remind their outer borough Tory
leaders at Croydon that this is not quite what localism is all about.
- AQ, London, 01/02/2012 09:44*

THIS 111 year old library is the UK's only independent and an absolute
beacon with amongst the lowest costs in the UK! It is, however, an
embarrassment to Croydon council, whose libraries costs are double those of
Upper Norwood. The council is currently sifting through outsourcing bids
for all their library services including Upper Norwood; which they jointly
fund with Lambeth.

In council minutes, Croydon have admitted they do not have the ability to
drive down costs at their own libraries- but are considering outsourcing
bids from other councils, who obviously do possess these skills.
Croydon should use this library as the blueprint for all of its library
services- after all, a service run cost efficiently and independently by
the community for the community is surely what BIG SOCIETY is all about!
The library should remain independent, irrespective of Croydon's decision
on the rest of its library services- Croydon should not be perturbed when
Upper Norwood continues to run a great service at a lower cost than the
rest of its libraries. Instead it should celebrate its own part in this
unique library.
- Damien, London UK, 31/01/2012 16:40*

CROYDON'S position on Upper Norwood Library runs counter to the positions
of the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sports) and the Local
Government Group and Arts Council England for the future of libraries. Only
last week Prime Minister David Cameron was angsting over the UK's literacy
levels and bigging up the role of libraries in his Big Society. Time for
the powers that be to whip the wayward Croydon Tories into shape.
Time also for a bit of fiscal disobedience. Croydon residents should send
notice of intent to deduct £20 per annum from their council tax payment and
pledge it as a gift to the Upper Norwood Library.
- Amanda, London, England, 31/01/2012 12:13*

IT IS OBSCENE that Croydon council, a public body that is supposed to
represent its residents and provide our public services, is treating this
issue with such contempt. This petty wrangle over meetings and agreement
clauses is being used as an excuse by Croydon to cut yet another library
out of their budget. My pre-school children and hundreds of other families
who regularly use this wonderful resource will be disadvantaged as a result
of such an awful decision.

Shame on those councillors and shame on Prime Minister Cameron for allowing
this to happen
- Elaine, Crystal Palace, 31/01/2012 18:22*


SINCE HAVING a baby I've really seen the importance of this library. The
children's section is great and the singalongs with the librarian are
fantastic - enjoyable and a real social hub.

With funding being pulled for various childrens' projects in the area,
having such an efficiently run multi-function building in the heart of the
community is more important than ever. If the library goes it will be gone
for good.

It's an emotive vision, but I can't help contrast the happy faces of
children and adults at the singalongs with the pathetic squabbling of the
councillors. They are not serving their community. With intelligence and a
bit of effort this could easily be sorted out.
- Steve, Crystal Palace, 01/02/2012 14:02*

THIS LIBRARY is fantastic with excellent staff. My daughter has been going
to the rhyme time there every week and her language development is going
exceptionally well, quoting words and actions from the different songs. She
loves reading the books that we regularly borrow from the library. I
remember reading an article about child intellectual development and the
top scoring action, higher than what school they go to, was if they were
read to or liked reading books.

This wonderful library must stay open for many years to come and be part of
our national heritage and joy. We love Upper Norwood Library!
- Michelle Jones, Crystal Palace, 31/01/2012 14:16*

LISTEN up Croydon, you have a battle on your hands!!!
- Lou Garrett, Crystal Palace, 02/02/2012 08:56

NOTE: Anyone having problems finding the full text of the Evening Standard
article can also find it on the Virtual Norwood website under 'News and
Local Issues'. Go to page 12 of the item marked 'Upper Norwood Library
Campaign' - see post from 'GillW'. The full text of the press release on
which the Standard article was based can be found on the previous Library
Campaign page under a post from 'deirdremahon'.

*************************************************************************************************
SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS VISIT LIBRARY

SECONDARY school pupils from St Joseph's College which is close to Crown Point, Upper Norwood have been given a guided tour of Upper Norwood Joint Library.
Children's and youth librarian Fiona Byers said: "This is the first secondary school whose pupils have used the library as a group.
"They were very enthusiastic about reading; very positive; very pleased to be here and wanted me to recommend books to them. "Those who weren't members now want to join the library.

"We look forward to welcoming more pupils from St Joseph's and other secondary schools in our catchment area" added Fiona.
Note: The library currently caters for primary and secondary schools in its catchment area. For further information please contact Fiona Byers at the library on 0208 670 2551.

********************************************************************************************************

CROYDON COUNCIL QUESTION TIME
or: CROYDON'S MINISTRY OF TRUTH*


The following written questions about the library came from members of the public at Monday night's full meeting of Croydon council.*

*All responses come from Cllr Sarah Bashford, Croydon's cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport.

*Question 25 by Joe Figueira, vice chairman Upper Norwood Library Campaign:

Mary Portas, 'Queen of Shops', has said that local authorities have to play
their part in protecting districts. Libraries encourage people to an area; they then go
on to use the shops and businesses. Why is Croydon Council terminating the UNJL and so
threatening the economic viability of Crystal Palace?

Reply:

Croydon Council terminated the Upper Norwood Joint Library Agreement due to
the fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth councillors. Without a
functioning committee there was no proper governance over the library and the
expenditure of public monies.
There is no link between this and the economic viability of Crystal Palace.

Question 26 by Dr Rachel Ward:


I bring my children to Waggle and Hum and other activities at UNJL. This
gives me respite and lets me form mutually supportive bonds with other parents.
Attending the library is giving my children a great start in life. Why is Croydon
shutting the 111-year old UNJL and destroying their birthright?

Reply

Croydon libraries run an extensive programme of baby bounce and rhyme times, Wiggle and Jiggle sessions, and story times for early years at all
branches. They also support early year’s nurseries and centres in running these sessions
through the Bookstart scheme.

These library events are often themed around information sharing for
parents e.g. Healthy Eating, when partner organisations will provide information and
talk to parents.

Parents get valuable information, mutual support and make friends
at these events which are held at every library. All parents and carers of young children, including those living in Upper Norwood are welcome to attend.

Question 38 by Mr Mark Richardson:

Would the council leader please run through the rationale for and justify
the council's approach to the question of continued funding for Upper Norwood
Joint Library?

Reply

The rationale for the council’s approach to the Upper Norwood Joint Library
is based on the fundamental breach of the agreement by Lambeth Councillors. The
council is not able to continue to participate in and fund an arrangement which, as a
result of this breach of a formal agreement, does not have appropriate governance.

Question 39 by Dr Christina Richardson:

Given the well established link between access to books and children's
level of literacy, would the Council agree that the continued funding of the Upper
Norwood Joint Library is essential for the education of our local students.

Reply

Access to books and reading opportunities through libraries does contribute
to children’s literacy. Croydon’s library service supports this in many ways,
by providing extensive access to books, by participating in initiatives such as
Bookstart, Summer Reading challenges and reading clubs for children.
These are just a few examples of how Croydon libraries support children’s literacy. Croydon residents of the
Upper Norwood area have full access to these services through the network of
branch libraries and the Central Library.

******************************************************************************************************