A new group of residents and volunteers that has stepped up to manage Perivale Library has said it aims to create a ‘strong, well-rooted, local community hub.’
Ealing Council recently announced that residents and volunteer groups have come forward to take over the day-to-day running of several local libraries under ‘community managed’ status. Perivale is one of these.
The group called Perivale Community Hive will start to manage the Perivale Community Library on a volunteering basis from the start of the summer, while also offering community activities and events.
In support, the council’s library service is to continue to own and replenish book stock and will be giving training to each of the community groups.
Below is what they told us about their hopes for the library.
What does your local library mean to you?
We see our local library as the unique hearth of our community; and we are determined to ensure we sustain free open access to it.
What does it mean to be taking over your local library?
Perivale Community Hive is excited to build and expand the committed and friendly team of ‘Peri Hivers’ to ensure we co-produce a strong, well-rooted, local community hub that celebrates all and sustains the library for years to come.
How many people have come forward offering to help and how can people get involved?
Perivale without a library is unimaginable to its communities and neighbourhoods. While interest from the wider community and local organisations is strong and growing, we encourage people to get in touch with us via e-mail perivalehive@yahoo.com before we officially launch.
To keep up to date with Perivale Hive follow them on their Instagram and Facebook accounts.
For more information on libraries go to the Ealing Council website.
Residents who are interested in finding out more about what is planned or who would like to be involved should contact perivalehive@yahoo.com by email.
The decision to seek community partners for five of the borough’s 13 libraries was made by the council last July, following a 12-week public consultation involving surveys, events and drop-in sessions. With a 64% cut in the council’s funding from central government, the council has had to explore options of providing services in a different way. It has been facing the challenge with a programme of change called Future Ealing which, among other things, aims to empower local people to do more.
Picture provided by Perivale Hive from left to right: Patryk Starzykowski, Alex Nieora, Derick Kaizilege, Alannah McGovern, Iwona Jakubowska
