Lynne Featherstone and local Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a campaign to save Muswell Hill Library, an historic listed building.

The future of the library is in doubt after the Labour-run council announced plans to relocate the library. The plans are due to go ahead even though the council admits in the budget report that the library is ‘well used and popular.’

No alternative location for the library has so far been identified, raising fears that the library will close with no replacement in place. The Labour council’s draft budget only has vague references to alternative sites and suggests the library site could be used for development.

Ms Featherstone is calling on the local community to support the Lib Dem campaign to keep the library on Queens Avenue open. She fought to save Muswell Hill Library from closure by Labour in the 1990’s and is determined to fight to save it again.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:

“Budget papers show Haringey Labour’s clear intention to close Muswell Hill Library. And they haven’t given any assurance about where the replacement would be – leaving local residents very concerned about the future of the service.

“Libraries play such an important role in local communities, providing space for people to meet, hosting community events and giving people access to books, newspapers, computers and more.

“We need the library in Muswell Hill – and money should be spent making the existing library more modern and accessible, rather than relocating the service. That’s why I’ve launched a campaign to protect the service from closure. I hope the local community will support the campaign.”

Gail Engert, Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill, comments:

“I am very worried that the council’s budget papers imply that Labour has plans to use the library for a development without giving a firm commitment to keep a local library service in Muswell Hill.

“The closure of Muswell Hill Library, which occupies a precious listed building, would be a great loss to the local community. We will be fighting hard to keep the library open.”