Local Library Plea

[hjj7]

We normally attend Storytime at Friern Barnet Library on a Thursday morning at 10:30, and we were disappointed when we went along yesterday to find that it's not running during the school holidays (unlike in previous years), and that from next term it is likely to only take place once a month, rather than every Thursday.

My daughter loves Storytime, and it's one of our staple activities that we've always been able to rely on at any time of the year. Sessions are usually well-attended, there's no waiting-list, all under 5s are welcome and it's free!

There's a real danger that making Storytime into a once-a-month activity will reduce the number of children attending. The library's other children's activity, Rhyme Time (for under 2s) is held on the first Tuesday of every month, and people find it hard to remember when it's on, or can't make that particular Tuesday so numbers are often small, giving the library the (false) impression that there isn't much demand for this service.

It would be so sad to see Storytime go the same way, and may even lead to it being cancelled altogether.

If we don't complain then the powers-that-be will think that we're not bothered about Storytime and their plans will surely go ahead. The more people who complain, the better!

If you attend Storytime at Friern Barnet Library, or would just like to help, please write to the Head of Library Services at Chipping Barnet Library (3 Stapylton Road, Barnet).

Thanks!