I am writing with my views on Barnet Borough Council’s proposal to make cuts to its libraries across the borough.

I am a resident of East Finchley and user of its library and am extremely concerned about the three options on offer in the consultation. None of these are acceptable.

I understand the council has a shrinking financial envelope that could worsen after the latest local authority funding grant settlement from Government. But what is on offer is not the right way forward. The council must seek the views of Barnet residents, young and old, about what they want from the library service and where they want it. After all, the long-term trend demonstrated in usage figures is an increase in members. It also needs to consider the recommendations in the recently published Independent Library Report for England before making any decision.

The library service can be different things to different people but fundamentally it is about promoting the wellbeing of all in the community. I do not accept the suggestion in the consultation that, if there are no cuts to the library, cuts will have to be made to other parts of the themed budget with which libraries have been grouped. That is simply too short-sighted for reduced library provision can only increase demand on other parts of that budget and possibly on adult social services budgets as well.

In the case of East Finchley, whilst all of the council’s options offer us some kind of library provision, a small room without professional library staff does not a library make. Users are not just taking out books. Young and old find it a safe haven for research and support. I have heard young people say how they do their homework there every day when there is no room to do it at home, teenagers have said they could not have passed GSCEs without revising in the library, and children are taken there because there is no school library.

I have completed the consultation online and trust the council will consider the views of respondents to the consultation who decline, like myself, to choose any of the three terrible options. The community feel very strongly indeed.

Vanessa Carpenter

Baronsmere Road, East Finchley