One of Enfield's future "community libraries" has reportedly found a partner organisation. Ridge Avenue Library at Bush Hill Parade will be partnering with West Lea School, a specialist sports school situated in the Haselbury area of Edmonton.
© Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons LicenceWe've written several times about Enfield Council's plans to turn most of the borough's libraries into "community libraries", each of which would share its premises with a "partner" organisation - which ideally would come from the council or voluntary sector, but if necessary could be a for-profit company. But this is the first report to indicate any success in the search for partners.
The news was reported in the most recent newsletter issued by the Bush Hill Park Residents' Association:
Ridge Avenue Library in School Partnership
West Lea School (Edmonton) is now working in partnership with the Enfield library service. This new partnership will see West Lea basing some of its staff at the library in Ridge Avenue, with a view to offering work experience opportunities to pupils with additional needs. The young people will also run a coffee cart on certain days, providing tea and coffee for the public.
This innovative partnership will see the library continuing to open for the same number of hours per week and deliver similar services. The library is open Monday-Friday 8.30am-6.30pm (6pm on Friday) and 1.30pm-4.30pm Saturday.
These opening times have been in force since the end of February. Previously the library was open until 8pm three days a week, but completely closed on Wednesday as well as Sunday.