A library will not remain open on Mondays unless more volunteers come forward, a committee has warned.
After announcing £26m worth of sweeping budget cuts for this year, Merton Council will close West Barnes Library on Mondays unless enough volunteers come forward by July.
But The Friends of West Barnes Library, an elected committee overseeing volunteer recruitment, has said not enough people are coming forward.
The Friends’ secretary, Bob Forsberg, said: “Unless more volunteers come forward by July, the library will succumb to the council’s stay of execution.
“We’re starting to run out of time now and we’re doing everything we can, because we need to make sure the library remains open as much as possible in case the council decides to shut it altogether next year.”
In order to increase the usage of the library, the committee is offering Friends’ members, who must pay £3 for a year’s membership, three free audio visual loans and three free reservations a year.
But the committee itself is still yet to appoint a volunteer co-ordinator, who would plan the rota of helpers, which Mr Forsberg said was a crucial position which urgently needed to be filled.
The Committee’s vice-chairman, Reverend Rachel Taylor (Holy Cross Church) said: “We’re doing something very unique in West Barnes where we could potentially have volunteers at the library at all times, not only on Mondays.
“Obviously, the more people that volunteer, the shorter the number or length of shifts that everyone will need to do.”
Volunteer cards are available in the library, based in Station Road next to Motspur Park station, on which those interested must indicate they are interested in helping on Mondays.
These cards will be fast-tracked to Merton Council’s library manager, Anthony Hopkins, although application can take up to six weeks as some volunteers may require training and Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks.
Councillor Martin Whelton, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said he believed there needed to be at least four people on a rota of volunteers to work at the library on Mondays.
Coun Whelton said: “The council’s officers have provided considerable support to the Friends group in order to get people to come forward to open the library on Mondays.
“Some people have come forward but we do need more participants to get involved.”
The Friends of West Barnes Library will next meet on May 3.
To register your interest, call 020 8942 5959 or email: friendsofwestbarneslibrary@gmail.com.
Have you signed up to volunteer at the library? If not, why not? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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