Politics & Policy

Council Budget Cuts Threaten Local Library Programmes

Proposed funding reductions could see major reductions in free events and staff hours across several community libraries in London.

4 June 2025 at 4:11

By By Marcus Reed, Southbank Signal

Budget cuts proposed by Southwark and Lambeth councils could spell trouble for local libraries, with several community programmes now at risk. Under the new austerity measures, funding for weekend events, youth outreach, and digital literacy courses may be slashed by up to 40%.

Waterloo Library and John Harvard Library are among those most affected. Staff there have been informed of possible reductions in opening hours, including the suspension of evening and Sunday services that many working residents depend on.

Library workers have spoken out about the potential consequences. 'These aren’t just book-lending facilities — they’re lifelines,' said Karen Doyle, a senior librarian in Southwark. 'We support jobseekers, schoolchildren, elderly residents — it’s more than shelving books.'

Parents have also raised concerns over the future of children’s storytime sessions and after-school homework clubs. These services, often free and open to all, are especially valued by families without internet or quiet study space at home.

In response, local campaign group Save Our Libraries held a rally outside Southwark Council’s offices, demanding that core services be preserved. Protesters carried placards reading “Knowledge Is a Right” and “Libraries Are Community Hubs, Not Luxuries.”

The proposed budget outlines a shift toward digital access, with more investment in online eBooks and virtual programming. Critics argue that this overlooks the real needs of elderly users and those who rely on in-person interaction for social inclusion.

Council officials claim the changes are necessary to close a growing funding gap. 'We face unprecedented financial pressures,' said a spokesperson for Lambeth Council. 'Difficult decisions are required to maintain essential services across the board.'

Some branches may be transformed into hybrid community spaces, co-locating with youth services, mental health clinics, or coworking hubs. While the idea has attracted funding interest, library professionals are wary of diluting the core purpose of these spaces.

Volunteers have begun stepping in to maintain some services, but they caution that such support cannot replace trained staff. 'We’re here to help, not to hold the whole thing together,' said a volunteer coordinator at the Tate South Lambeth branch.

An online petition opposing the cuts has gathered more than 10,000 signatures. Residents are also planning a 'read-in' protest where library users will gather and read aloud as a form of peaceful demonstration against the austerity measures.

Teachers from local schools have added their voices to the campaign, noting that libraries play a vital role in literacy development. 'If these cuts go ahead, we’re undermining decades of progress in closing the achievement gap,' warned one headteacher.

As council hearings approach, the fate of the library network hangs in the balance. For many, the issue has become symbolic of a broader struggle over public services and community values in the post-pandemic era.

Southbank’s libraries have long been cultural and educational anchors — and residents are determined not to see them shelved in the name of savings.