Residents living within the West London tri-borough area are poised to get access to a library collection containing than one million books through a card scheme launched today.
Known as the ‘One Library Card' system, people living, working and studying in Hammersmith and Fulham LBC, Kensington and Chelsea RLBC and Westminster City Council can use their existing library card at any one of 21 libraries across the three boroughs.
In addition to borrowing books, people will be able to use one of nearly 500 library computers, take out CDs and DVDs, visit specialist collections and reference libraries. Residents should also benefit from better opening hours, with nine of the libraries open on Sunday.
Developed as part of wider pooled service arrangements, designed to make annual £40m savings by 2015/16 across the three London authorities, the library programme joins existing shared schemes, such as combining the boroughs' adult and children's social services, pensions and treasury departments.
Westminster City Council leader, Cllr Philippa Roe hailed the project as ‘a huge victory for literacy in London' that would 'revolutionise' the role of libraries in central and west London.
‘We are firmly committed to keeping our libraries open, and the launch of the One Library Card is proof that our tri-borough programme is not only helping to save money and protect our libraries, but it is dramatically improving our existing service,' said Cllr Roe.
Hammersmith and Fulham LBC leader Cllr Nicholas Botterill said: ‘In an age when so many local authorities are lazily closing their branches, we are proving that by thinking innovatively, it is possible to save millions of pounds of taxpayer's money and actually enhance the services our residents receive.'
Sir Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea RLBC added: ‘By combining senior management and working closely with our neighbours we are ensuring that our libraries will continue to thrive at a time when library services in other parts of the capital are under pressure.'
