The fight to save two London public libraries from closure came closer to victory June 22, when a dozen rebellious Labour Party councilors in Camden voted for a Tory amendment that will keep the Chalk Farm and Belsize Park libraries open for at least another nine months. A plan to cut the hours of the Queen’s Crescent library was also put on hold.
The councilors’ actions defied Labour’s national leadership and the go-ahead given to the cuts and closings by Heritage Secretary Chris Smith. Camden will have to find up to £500,000 to keep the two libraries operating, according to London’s Evening Standard newspaper, which has led a campaign against closure.
The campaign won wide support from local residents, including author Alan Bennett and television personality Joan Bakewell, both of whom sent video messages that were played at the council meeting. Film star Ewan McGregor also joined the cause, saying, “The right of access to a library is as basic as the right to clean water.”
Posted June 28, 1999.