Wembley mother joins fight to reopen Barham Library
Waheeda Bibi collected more than 100 signatures calling for action
A mother from Wembley has collected more than 100 signatures from residents calling for their local library to be re-opened.
Waheeda Bibi, who lives in Chaplin Road, has been busy collecting signatures from local residents affected by the closure of Barham Library.
The mother of three currently runs a mother and toddler group at the community run pop-up library in Wembley High Road.
Volunteers have been forced to rent temporary premises in Wembley High Road and previously Barham Primary School, in Danethorpe Road, following the closure the reading room in Barham Park last year.
Mrs Bibi told the Times it was ‘desperately said’ to see the building standing empty.
She said: “We remember it buzzing with activity. The library was especially popular with children and with some of the area’s older residents who appreciated the parkland setting.
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“Most of them have not been able to switch to Brent’s few remaining libraries given the inconvenient and time-consuming journeys required.”
The petition, which currently has more than 150 signatures, is expected to be handed to the council in the coming weeks. Barham Library, which has now been put on the market, was given to the council as a gift from Titus Barham 60 years ago alongside two other buildings in the park.
A covenant attached to the buildings stipulates that they must be used for the enjoyment of local people.
The move to close down Barham, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Tokyngton and Preston libraries will save the local authority �1m.
The Barham Volunteer Library at 428 Wembley High Road is open on Saturdays between 11am and 4pm and on Mondays and Wednesdays between 12 and 5pm.
