Defend Friern Barnet Library!

Newsletter from the campaign to save Friern Barnet Library. They are in court tomorrow as Barnet Council has become all hard-nosed about its intention of closing the library forever and flogging it off to a developer to make into flats or a supermarket, thus ripping the heart out of the local community. Please go and support the campaigners in court... and afterwards if it is needed.

IMPORTANT - please read email below from Bill Murphy sent today

COURT CASE: TOMORROW, Wednesday 10th Oct, 10am – Come and support the occupiers at COURT:
Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre. St. Marys Court, Regents Park Road, Finchley Central, N3 1BQ (Buses: 82, 125, 143, 326, 382, 460)

Please check later today for further updates. It is suspected that there will be contractors waiting to board up the library building if the Court rules in favour of Barnet Council. We need supporters outside the library if this happens to save our Friern Barnet library. Tell friends and neighbours.

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR NETWORKS.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Murphy, Bill <Bill.Murphy@barnet.gov.uk>
Date: Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Subject: Friern Barnet - repossession of the building
Cc: "Taylor, Julie" <Julie.Taylor@barnet.gov.uk>, Paresh.Mehta@harrow.gov.uk, "Doody, Lauren" <Lauren.Doody@barnet.gov.uk>, "Fahey, Mike" <Mike.Fahey@barnet.gov.uk>

Dear X,
I write further to our meeting on 3 October 2012. There were a number of options presented to the Council as to how you proposed to run a community library at the former library premises. Having carefully considered the various options the only viable option would be option 4 i.e. for the community interest group to purchase the premises.
The premises have been earmarked for sale and the Council now need to market the premises for sale. Naturally, the community interest group can put forward offers for the purchase of the property at the appropriate time and the Council will consider that proposal along with any offers received from other interested parties.
It was made abundantly clear to the Council at the meeting by those who attended that the possibility of opening a community library from Friary House was no longer of interest.  
In order to consider any offers for the purchase of the premises the Council requires vacant possession.
Having now explored all options in respect of your proposal to open a community library at the current premises the discussions are now concluded.
The Council now insists that you give peaceful possession of the premises so that the property can now be marketed for sale. Once the premises have been put up for sale you will have the opportunity to put forward an offer for the purchase of the property.
Bill Murphy
Assistant Director, Customer Services
London Borough of Barnet, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, London N11 1NP
Tel: 020 8359 2142
Mobile 07847188983
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In solidarity,

Save Friern Barnet Library Group
savefriernbarnetlibrary@gmail.com
http://tinyurl.com/savefbliby