Libraries Fight Social Isolation

Beyond Books: Britain's Library Closures Erode Community Life

Kiran Choda depended on Broad Green Library in Croydon. It offered respite from her demanding role as a full-time carer for her elderly mother. The library provided connection, support, and a vital link to the outside world. Its recent closure, however, left a significant gap in her life and the lives of many others. This story mirrors a worrying trend across Britain. Studies reveal around forty public libraries shut their doors each year. These closures inflict deep wounds on communities. Libraries function as far more than places to borrow books; they are essential hubs, community centres, and lifelines for countless individuals. The disappearance of these local institutions raises urgent questions about the social cost. What happens when the heart of a neighbourhood stops beating?

A Personal Sanctuary Lost

The unassuming, modern building of Broad Green Library sat within a busy Croydon residential area. For Kiran Choda, it represented a sanctuary. The library offered a much-needed escape from the constant demands of her caregiving responsibilities. Its closure last year deeply affected regular visitors. Many described the single-level structure as a second home. Their distress highlights a wider national crisis affecting countless communities. Living with fibromyalgia brings Choda relentless discomfort and fatigue. Broad Green was not just emotionally significant; it was practical. Her health condition makes using touchscreen devices difficult. Maintaining concentration long enough for weekly administrative tasks or online shopping proves challenging. The library provided the necessary tools and quiet space.

Bridging Isolation Through Connection

Broad Green Library operated with an annual budget of just over £100,000. Yet, its value extended far beyond monetary figures. It served a crucial role in facilitating social connections for Kiran Choda. She actively participated in several groups hosted there, including gatherings focused on poetry readings. These activities opened up a completely new dimension in her life. Choda credits these groups with cultivating important friendships. Her circumstances might otherwise have prevented such connections. The library granted her precious moments of personal calm and opportunity. The closure severed these vital social ties, intensifying feelings of isolation for Choda and others who relied on the library’s welcoming environment.

Image Credit - BBC

Echoes of Communal Loss

The sense of loss extends beyond individual experiences like Kiran Choda's. Stephen Powers, often seen at the library, viewed the now-closed institution as a vital space. He found it easy to detach from the chaotic outside world within its walls. The library offered a calm refuge, a place for quiet contemplation or focused work away from daily pressures. Its closure removed this valuable escape hatch for many local residents seeking peace. Andrea Perry also frequented the library. She emphasised its importance to the neighbourhood’s character. The library fostered a unique sense of friendliness and community spirit. Perry felt the place possessed an intrinsic significance, radiating a welcoming atmosphere that drew people together.

Disrupting Essential Community Groups

The closure’s impact rippled outwards, affecting organised groups that used the library space. Twenty minutes away at Croydon Voluntary Action, the consequences are clear. Empowering Tamil Families previously held its meditation and physical activity sessions for predominantly senior ladies at Broad Green Library. The library’s elimination forced the group to relocate. This change resulted in a significant drop in attendance. Many regular participants could no longer make the journey. The additional effort required proved too much for some older members. The convenience of the library's location had been a key factor in the group's success.

The Challenge of Relocation

Meera Jeyakumar coordinates the Empowering Tamil Families sessions. She valued every one of the participants, often numbering more than twenty women. Jeyakumar noted a major benefit of the previous library venue. Consistent attendance was guaranteed because access was so straightforward. Many attendees lived just a short walk, perhaps only a block, from the Broad Green Library on Canterbury Road. The ease of transit ensured the group remained vibrant and accessible. The forced move disrupted this established routine. It created barriers for women who relied on the group for wellbeing and social interaction. The struggle to maintain participation highlights the library’s hidden role in supporting vulnerable community members.

Cherished Memories and Lost Opportunities

Meera Jeyakumar herself has deep roots in the area surrounding Broad Green Library. She lived nearby on Midhurst Avenue until about a decade ago. Jeyakumar often brought her three sons, now grown adults with their own families, to spend time at the library. She recalls their family routine. They would head to the library almost daily to play, read, and study together. Returning to the area evokes powerful memories of that quality family time. The library served as a backdrop for childhood development and learning. Its closure represents not just the loss of a current resource but also the erasure of a space intertwined with personal histories and community memory.

Image Credit - BBC

A Symbol of Neglect

Today, a solitary bench sits beside the shuttered Broad Green Library building. Discarded refuse and bird droppings mark the neglected space. This lonely seat serves as a poignant symbol of a neighbourhood institution’s demise. It represents the void left behind – a space once filled with activity, learning, and connection, now silent and overlooked. The visual decay mirrors the perceived neglect of community needs. Residents witness the physical manifestation of a service withdrawn, a communal asset abandoned. This tangible loss fuels feelings of disappointment and reinforces concerns about local priorities. The empty building stands as a constant reminder of what the community has lost.

Croydon's Difficult Decision

Last year, Croydon Council made the controversial decision to close four libraries. Broad Green, Shirley, Bradmore Green, and Sanderstead libraries ceased operations. The council’s executive mayor, Jason Perry, described the choice as incredibly difficult. He pointed to the financial pressures facing the borough. Croydon had assumed control of thirteen library facilities in 2022. Many of these operated only a few days each week. Perry argued this limited service failed to adequately meet residents' needs across those neighbourhoods. The council stated its intention was strategic consolidation. They aimed to channel financial resources saved from the closures into the remaining libraries.

Justifying Closures Amidst Financial Strain

The council’s rationale hinged partly on facility usage data and reported low public participation levels. Official figures presented during deliberations suggested under ten per cent of Croydon’s population visited local libraries. The closures targeted libraries deemed less busy or costly to maintain. The executive mayor framed the decision as a necessary step towards creating a more sustainable and effective library service overall. By concentrating funds, the council hoped to improve opening hours and resources at the libraries left operating. This justification, however, faced significant challenge from residents and library users who felt the data failed to capture the true value of the closed branches.

The National Context: A Decade of Decline

Croydon's situation is not unique. Library closures represent a persistent trend across the United Kingdom. Research conducted by the BBC revealed approximately 190 library closures nationwide in the five years leading up to the report. Twenty of these were located within London alone. Further data suggests this pattern continues. Libraries Unlimited reported a net loss of over 800 public libraries in Great Britain between 2010 and 2019. Local government budget cuts remain the primary driver behind these closures. Councils facing severe financial constraints often view libraries as discretionary spending, making them vulnerable targets for savings. This ongoing erosion of the library network weakens community infrastructure nationwide.

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Councils Under Continuing Pressure

Several local authorities faced difficult decisions regarding library services around the time of the Broad Green closure, and pressure continues. In Enfield, North London, plans initially threatened seven branches, although campaigns led to revised proposals focusing on reduced hours rather than outright closures in some cases. Havering Council in East London also considered closing multiple libraries, sparking significant local opposition. Slough Borough Council faced proposals impacting Langley and Cippenham libraries, with decisions often deferred or modified following public consultation. Peterborough City Council initially proposed closing seven libraries but later revised plans after public outcry, seeking alternative operating models. Rutland County Council also debated the future of smaller branches like Ryhall Library, reflecting widespread financial challenges impacting library provision, particularly in smaller authorities. These examples illustrate the ongoing struggle to maintain library services amid austerity.

Challenging the Official Narrative

Kiran Choda and fellow library advocate Chloe Smith firmly contested the council's reliance on simple footfall figures. They argued that Broad Green Library's social worth extended far beyond the number of books borrowed or people counted entering. Its role as a digital access point was crucial. Numerous users relied on the library's publicly accessible computers and internet connection. They used these facilities to pay bills, apply for jobs, access essential services, and stay connected. This vital function disappeared with the library's closure, disproportionately affecting residents without home internet or digital confidence. This aspect of the library’s service was critical for social inclusion.

Measuring the Unmeasurable: Beyond Visitor Logs

The official data used to justify the Broad Green closure acknowledged limitations. Information collected confirmed Broad Green ranked among the least-visited libraries in Croydon based purely on entry counts. It received just over seventeen thousand visits in the year preceding the decision. However, council documents admitted this data collection was incomplete. The metrics failed to account for individuals using the study areas. They did not count attendees of various meetings and group activities held within the library. Furthermore, usage of the free internet service often went unrecorded. These omissions painted an inaccurate picture of the library’s actual activity levels and community engagement.

Hubs of Activity and Learning

The uncounted users included diverse groups benefiting from the library's resources. A literature group initiated by author Chloe Smith met regularly at Broad Green. This group attracted a wide range of participants from across Croydon. Some members were full-time carers seeking respite and intellectual stimulation. Others attended professional development sessions or workshops hosted there. For many, these groups represented vital opportunities for social interaction and personal growth. The library provided the physical space and supportive environment necessary for these activities to flourish. Its closure disrupted these valuable networks and learning opportunities, leaving participants adrift.

Libraries as Essential Community Anchors

Chloe Smith drew a powerful parallel. She compared closing a library to the demise of other essential community spaces like local pubs, sports centres, or village halls. These places serve as crucial points of social interaction. Smith described the Broad Green library as exactly such a place – an area where people connected and built relationships. Her literary society became itinerant after the closure. While adapting and continuing its valuable work, the group lost its established home. Smith lamented the loss of this "second home" feeling. She predicted the closure would generate a detrimental impact across Croydon, leading directly to higher levels of social isolation.

Image Credit - BBC

Widening the Digital Divide

The loss of free computer and internet access hits vulnerable residents hardest. Library closures exacerbate the digital divide. Many people lack reliable internet access at home due to cost or infrastructure limitations. Others lack the skills or confidence to navigate the increasingly digital world. Libraries provide essential digital lifelines. They offer not just equipment but also staff support to help people learn basic IT skills, apply for jobs online, access government services like Universal Credit, connect with family, and participate fully in society. Removing this support system further marginalises those already struggling, potentially hindering their ability to find work, manage finances, or access vital information.

Impact on Health and Wellbeing

Public libraries actively contribute to community health and wellbeing. They offer safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental spaces. Many libraries host health information sessions, wellbeing activities like yoga or mindfulness, and support groups for conditions like dementia. They provide access to reliable health resources, countering misinformation found online. For older people, carers, or those experiencing mental health challenges, libraries can be vital sources of social contact and support, combating loneliness and promoting mental resilience. Closing libraries removes these accessible, community-based health assets. This loss can potentially increase pressure on formal health and social care services down the line as preventative community support disappears.

The Economic Argument Revisited

While closures are often framed as necessary cost-saving measures, the economic argument warrants closer scrutiny. Libraries generate significant economic value, although it can be hard to quantify directly. They support education and skills development, boosting employability. They provide resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Libraries attract footfall to town centres, potentially benefiting nearby shops. Furthermore, the social and health benefits they provide can reduce long-term costs associated with social isolation, poor health outcomes, and digital exclusion. Cutting library services may represent a false economy, potentially leading to higher societal costs elsewhere. Investing in libraries can be seen as investing in community resilience and opportunity.

Resistance, Adaptation, and Innovation

Despite the trend of closures, communities often fight passionately to save their libraries. Campaigns involving petitions, protests, and lobbying local councillors demonstrate the high value residents place on these services. In some areas facing council cuts, alternative models have emerged. Community-managed libraries, often run by volunteers with some council support, attempt to keep services going. Libraries are also adapting, becoming integrated hubs co-locating with other council services or community organisations. They innovate by expanding digital offers, developing outreach programmes, and tailoring activities to specific local needs. These efforts show a determination to preserve the core functions of the library service in challenging circumstances.

Securing the Future of Public Libraries

The future of public libraries in Britain requires a clear vision and sustainable funding. Constant pressure on local government finances poses an existential threat. Greater recognition from national government of the library network's vital role in delivering key agendas – from levelling up to digital inclusion and public health – is needed. Libraries must continue to adapt, embracing digital technology while retaining their crucial role as physical community spaces. Ensuring equitable access for all, regardless of location or background, remains paramount. Protecting these institutions requires a collective effort from policymakers, local authorities, and the communities they serve.

Conclusion: More Than Just Buildings

The closure of Broad Green Library serves as a stark case study. It illustrates the profound and multifaceted impact of removing these vital institutions. For individuals like Kiran Choda, it meant the loss of a personal sanctuary, practical support, and social connection. For groups like Empowering Tamil Families, it meant disruption and diminished access. The official justifications based on footfall figures failed to capture the library’s true value as a digital hub, a learning centre, and a social anchor. Across Britain, library closures driven by budget cuts erode community infrastructure, widen the digital divide, impact wellbeing, and threaten social cohesion. Libraries are far more than buildings filled with books. They are essential engines of opportunity, connection, and support. Protecting their future is crucial for the health and resilience of our communities.