Cookies help us to understand how you use our website so that we can provide you with the best experience when you are on our site. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Social media cookies:
We use social media cookies from Facebook, Twitter and Google to run Widgets, Embed Videos, Posts, Comments and to fetch profile information.
Have your say on proposed changes to library services
Share Have your say on proposed changes to library services on FacebookShare Have your say on proposed changes to library services on TwitterShare Have your say on proposed changes to library services on LinkedinEmail Have your say on proposed changes to library services link
Following changes made to our library service in 2022, we've been listening to residents and staff who have said that despite best efforts, the service model isn’t working – that it doesn’t provide the opening hours needed or enough of the services that our residents want and need.
We have been working with Activist Group, specialists in research and advice, to review the library service and to develop recommendations for change. They have been looking at how we can make better use of the existing resources to meet the needs of Croydon’s residents. Research included looking at demand, local need, usage, demographics, the condition of buildings and resident feedback to date.
The cabinet report sets out the detailed research findings and proposed recommendations for a more sustainable library service. It proposes longer opening hours including weekends, with more events and services available to residents, by reducing the number of buildings and investing in well-used sites. No job losses are proposed, with the council intending to use the majority of the money saved from building costs to increase the number of library staff to provide the extended opening and outreach services.
The proposal:
Six 'library hubs' (Central, Ashburton, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Selsdon and Coulsdon) are proposed to be open five to six days a week, including Saturdays, and will deliver an extensive offer of books, wifi, PCs, study spaces and events. These libraries have all proved to be well-used, accessible buildings that meet local needs. Future investment in these sites is recommended to improve the facilities and extend the opening times and services available.
To make the improvements proposed, four library buildings; Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley are proposed to be closed. This proposal is based on analysis of the buildings including visitor numbers, size and condition of the buildings, the size and needs of the communities they serve and running costs.
Activist’s research found three areas — New Addington, Purley and South Norwood — need library services, but low visitor numbers suggest the current set-up isn’t working. The council is proposing to introduce 'community hubs' in these areas, where a library would be available alongside other services such as family and adult education services and community partnerships.
Other library services – such as the home library service and the extensive digital offer, including e-books and magazines, online learning and training resources – are set to continue and be improved as part of the future service.
Have your say:
The council is keen to hear the views of residents including any impacts and alternative options to closing buildings and improving the service for residents. The consultation will also ask for ideas for future library outreach services and community venues that could be used to reach more people.
Through the consultation, residents will be asked for their views and ideas for developing the offer in New Addington, Purley and South Norwood to help design how library services can be improved in these areas, to make them more accessible and better used by local people.
There are many ways you can get involved in the consultation:
Take the online survey by 11.59pm, Friday 19 April 2024
Pick up a paper survey from a Croydon library (available from Monday 12 February) - check library opening times here
Join one of the public events being held in libraries and community venues. Check March events here, and April events here.
Request a paper copy of the consultation proposals and questionnaire by calling 020 7884 5159 and leaving a message including your name, full postal address and a contact number
Please return paper surveys by Wednesday 17 April 2024. Paper surveys can be returned to libraries. Or by post to: Library Consultation Questionnaire, Croydon Central Library, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET Alternatively, you can return your questionnaire to your nearest library with a letterbox: Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Norbury, Purley, Sanderstead, Selsdon, Shirley, South Norwood or Thornton Heath.
What happens next?:
Feedback received will help the council develop further recommendations which are due to go back to cabinet in June 2024.
Results of the consultation
We received a great response to the consultation with over 3,600 responses to the survey and over 1000 people joining us at meetings and events around the borough.
Since the consultation closed on 19 April, the library team has been reviewing all the feedback received.
We had originally planned to bring a report on the consultation findings and revised proposals for the library service to a Croydon cabinet meeting in June or July, however, following the calling of the general election, the council entered a pre-election period, which limits aspects of the council’s work until after the general election. This has impacted cabinet meeting timetables and the libraries review has now been rescheduled to be discussed at a meeting on 25 September 2024.
Papers for the 25 September cabinet are available here.
We will contact anyone who asked to be kept informed about the consultation with the link to the reports once published.
Following changes made to our library service in 2022, we've been listening to residents and staff who have said that despite best efforts, the service model isn’t working – that it doesn’t provide the opening hours needed or enough of the services that our residents want and need.
We have been working with Activist Group, specialists in research and advice, to review the library service and to develop recommendations for change. They have been looking at how we can make better use of the existing resources to meet the needs of Croydon’s residents. Research included looking at demand, local need, usage, demographics, the condition of buildings and resident feedback to date.
The cabinet report sets out the detailed research findings and proposed recommendations for a more sustainable library service. It proposes longer opening hours including weekends, with more events and services available to residents, by reducing the number of buildings and investing in well-used sites. No job losses are proposed, with the council intending to use the majority of the money saved from building costs to increase the number of library staff to provide the extended opening and outreach services.
The proposal:
Six 'library hubs' (Central, Ashburton, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Selsdon and Coulsdon) are proposed to be open five to six days a week, including Saturdays, and will deliver an extensive offer of books, wifi, PCs, study spaces and events. These libraries have all proved to be well-used, accessible buildings that meet local needs. Future investment in these sites is recommended to improve the facilities and extend the opening times and services available.
To make the improvements proposed, four library buildings; Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley are proposed to be closed. This proposal is based on analysis of the buildings including visitor numbers, size and condition of the buildings, the size and needs of the communities they serve and running costs.
Activist’s research found three areas — New Addington, Purley and South Norwood — need library services, but low visitor numbers suggest the current set-up isn’t working. The council is proposing to introduce 'community hubs' in these areas, where a library would be available alongside other services such as family and adult education services and community partnerships.
Other library services – such as the home library service and the extensive digital offer, including e-books and magazines, online learning and training resources – are set to continue and be improved as part of the future service.
Have your say:
The council is keen to hear the views of residents including any impacts and alternative options to closing buildings and improving the service for residents. The consultation will also ask for ideas for future library outreach services and community venues that could be used to reach more people.
Through the consultation, residents will be asked for their views and ideas for developing the offer in New Addington, Purley and South Norwood to help design how library services can be improved in these areas, to make them more accessible and better used by local people.
There are many ways you can get involved in the consultation:
Take the online survey by 11.59pm, Friday 19 April 2024
Pick up a paper survey from a Croydon library (available from Monday 12 February) - check library opening times here
Join one of the public events being held in libraries and community venues. Check March events here, and April events here.
Request a paper copy of the consultation proposals and questionnaire by calling 020 7884 5159 and leaving a message including your name, full postal address and a contact number
Please return paper surveys by Wednesday 17 April 2024. Paper surveys can be returned to libraries. Or by post to: Library Consultation Questionnaire, Croydon Central Library, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET Alternatively, you can return your questionnaire to your nearest library with a letterbox: Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Norbury, Purley, Sanderstead, Selsdon, Shirley, South Norwood or Thornton Heath.
What happens next?:
Feedback received will help the council develop further recommendations which are due to go back to cabinet in June 2024.
Results of the consultation
We received a great response to the consultation with over 3,600 responses to the survey and over 1000 people joining us at meetings and events around the borough.
Since the consultation closed on 19 April, the library team has been reviewing all the feedback received.
We had originally planned to bring a report on the consultation findings and revised proposals for the library service to a Croydon cabinet meeting in June or July, however, following the calling of the general election, the council entered a pre-election period, which limits aspects of the council’s work until after the general election. This has impacted cabinet meeting timetables and the libraries review has now been rescheduled to be discussed at a meeting on 25 September 2024.
Papers for the 25 September cabinet are available here.
We will contact anyone who asked to be kept informed about the consultation with the link to the reports once published.
Share Libraries review consultation on FacebookShare Libraries review consultation on TwitterShare Libraries review consultation on LinkedinEmail Libraries review consultation link
Hear about the proposals and answers to questions asked by residents.
