It was National Library Day on Saturday, and the Save Kensal Rise Library campaigners continued their vigil, guarding the library from closure. They have been dealt a blow this morning by the Court of Appeal, which has denied them leave to appeal to the Supreme Court following the defeat of their case last December.
The Court of Appeal’s original judgment gave the campaigners one glimmer of hope that remains alight. It noted that the local council, Labour controlled Brent, could ‘bear a share’ of keeping Kensal Rise Library open without incurring costs by allowing volunteers to run the library. The campaigners urge the council to ‘preserve this vital local resource’ by allowing a community-run service — they are also urging the secretary of state to intervene under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. The council insists that it is working towards a solution, but points out that the courts have ‘vindicated’ its actions at every stage.
The legal avenue has been far more profitable for campaigners against library closures in Gloucestershire and Somerset.
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