Photo caption: Alan with local councillors and Cllr Sean Woodward, HCC Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries
This page contains information in relation to Alan's successful work to keep Emsworth Library open.
Local MP Alan Mak has opened the newly relocated library for Emsworth at the Emsworth Community Centre after leading a successful campaign to keep it open.
The library has moved from its original site in the town centre to the Emsworth Community Centre on North Street after Hampshire County Council said it was due to close. Following a successful campaign by Mr Mak, the decision was made to move the library into the Community Centre. This enables the facility to retain its town centre location, as well as Hampshire County Council Services such as a full-time librarian.
In addition to these services being kept, the new space features a dedicated room for a new, larger children’s library, free Wi-Fi, remote printing, and a bookable public computer. The library also has a good selection of talking books and magazines, as well as stocking local newspapers.
Local MP Alan Mak said: “I’m delighted that the Emsworth Library has stayed open and moved to the Community Centre, where it is now well positioned to be used by more residents more than ever. I have been working hard to make sure this was possible after Hampshire County Council said the old library had to close, so I’m very pleased to see the County Council’s services retained here, along with new and modern facilities.”
Jill Millar of the Emsworth Residents Association said: “Thank you to Alan Mak for supporting the campaign to keep the library open, working with local councillors and the community. It’s fantastic to see the library open in a new building with a new children’s area- I’m looking forward to using it in the near future”.
The Emsworth Library can be accessed by residents for free at the Emsworth Community Centre. It is open from 9:30am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9:30am to 1:30pm on Saturdays.
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Below is information documenting Alan's journey to keep Emsworth Library open:
Local MP Alan Mak and Emsworth councillors are urging residents to sign-up for their community campaign to keep Emsworth Library open.
Hampshire County Council (HCC) are currently consulting on the future of its Library Services around Hampshire, including Emsworth Library. HCC believe that Emsworth Library is under-used and the rent for the building that houses the Library is too high. Options for its future include reducing opening hours, greater community involvement in its operation, moving the Library to a cheaper site or complete closure.
Both Mr Mak and the Emsworth councillors have been in close contact with the HCC Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, Cllr Sean Woodward, including organising a meeting to discuss the issue where they called on Cllr Woodward to keep the Library open.
Mr Mak said: “I want Emsworth Library to stay open, and I will be working with local councillors and the community to persuade Hampshire County Council to keep the Library even if it moves to a new location with cheaper rent. Libraries are about more than books – they are an important community hub. My meeting with Cllr Woodward was very constructive and I am pleased that Hampshire County Council is open to new solutions to provide library services in Emsworth.”
Mr Mak and the local councillors hope to find a solution that would involve a new town centre location but retaining services maintained by HCC on a daily basis, such as a full-time librarian. This would enable HCC to make substantial savings on rent and business rates.
Emsworth Borough Councillor Lulu Bowerman said: “Emsworth councillors share residents’ concern and disappointment about the potential closure of our Library which is such an important facility for so many in our community. We will continue working with the local community groups, Ray Bolton our county councillor and Alan Mak MP to explore all options to maintain a County Council run library in our town."
While the consultation is ongoing Mr Mak is also calling on residents to sign-up to his community campaign. You can do this by visiting AlanMak.org.uk/EmsworthLibrary. This will then be turned into a petition that can be presented to Cllr Woodward and other decision-makers at HCC.
Mr Mak added: “I’m asking Emsworth residents to sign-up for our Emsworth Library Campaign, helping me emphasise to Hampshire County Council that this is an subject important to many people in the community. I’ll also be sending out regular updates to those that sign-up.”
Hampshire County Councillor Ray Bolton said: “I also urge residents who care about the issue to use the Library so its usage figures rise and respond to the consultation. Currently the response to the consultation is lower from Emsworth than from other affected areas, so we need to make sure decision-makers know the strength of feeling in Emsworth.”
County Councillor Bolton also asked Cllr Woodward at a Main County Council meeting on 13 February, to confirm that no decisions have been taken in relation to Libraries and that there are many options for consideration as to their future operation. Cllr Woodward in his answer, provided this confirmation to all the County Councillors.