More Reading Time In Colliers Wood

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Longer hours for local library

The library in Colliers Wood will soon be open for longer.

From January, Donald Hope Library will open on Fridays from 9.30am–7.00pm.

West Barnes Library will also be given extra support on Mondays, a move that is supported by the local Friends group.

Councillor Nick Draper, cabinet member for community and culture, said: "Not only are our libraries the cheapest to run in London, they are amongst the most highly regarded and I am delighted we can extend opening hours and increase support at no extra cost. 

"We know how important libraries are to our residents and, despite these difficult economic times, we have fought hard to ensure that not a single library in Merton has closed whilst extending opening hours at all of our libraries."

But local Conservatives called the move an "embarrassing U-turn". Councillor Samantha George, Conservative Spokesman for Leisure and Culture, said: "There was absolutely no rhyme nor reason to Labour's decision back in 2011.

"It doesn't take a genius to work out that cutting opening hours is not the way to boost user numbers at our local libraries. Yet bizarrely that's exactly what Labour did in one of their first acts after coming to power.

"It's taken two years of campaigning by residents and Conservative councillors but I'm relieved that Labour have finally now listened to sense. I would like to pay particular tribute to the two Friends groups who have worked so hard to protect these valued assets for the local community."

October 25, 2013