Library closures will go ahead despite objections from almost two thirds of people who took part in a consultation.

Funding for libraries across the borough was slashed by £500,000 in Harrow Borough Council's budget for the 12 months from April, with further cuts expected in the coming years.

Yet despite 71 per cent of consultation responses stating they were against the closure of libraries, the council still plans to close Bob Lawrence, Hatch End, North Harrow and Rayners Lane Libraries – despite pledging to open a new library in Harrow town centre.

The report also states that both children and adults will be affected by the closures, with 21 per cent of library users being aged between five and 11-years-old and a further 22 per cent aged between 36 and 59.

Kamal Shah, chairman of the North Harrow Community Partnership, said: “Harrow Council's 'Take Part Consultation' is a total sham.

“We put in a serious and considered case to run North Harrow Library as a community library but the decision has been made to close the library by May 16, just after the General Election. This shows that the council did not take the views of the residents seriously.

“These closures have just been rubber stamped without listening to any of us. The council needs to start to do a bit of creative thinking rather than just cut cut cut.”

A review into opening hours of the remaining libraries will also be undertaken, along with refurbishment work.

Farah Sadiq, campaigner for the Bob Lawrence library, said: "It saddens me that in spite of our most valiant efforts, there is a high probability the all four libraries will close including the Bob Lawrence Library.

"The library strategy document was released today and its begining to look extremely bleak. May 16 will mark a black day, when the shutters to the four libraries will come down for the very last time.

"We can only hope that in these final days the council reviews the various proposals for all four libraries and gives it the thought and consideration deserved. 

"I am sure many people have worked hard to get each of the campaigns to this stage. More than 15,000 combined signatures has taken hard work, personal time and dedication to a worthy cause."

According to the report, 51,023 library members had used their card to borrow an item of stock or use a public computer from September 2013 to August 2014.

But the number of active library borrowers has decreased from 68,141 in 2009/10 to 29,584 during 2013/4.

In 2013/14 Gayton, Wealdstone, and Roxeth libraries had the most library visits, with Bob Lawrence, North Harrow, and Rayners Lane libraries having the least visits.

Gayton, Kenton, and Stanmore libraries lent the most books and other items in 2013/14, with Bob Lawrence, North Harrow, and Rayners Lane libraries lending the fewest.


Cllr Sue Anderson, responsible for Community, Culture & Resident Engagement, said: "With £83 million of cuts being imposed by the Conservative Government on Harrow Council and our residents we are faced with a choice between providing vital council services for our most vulnerable residents or reducing the library service. 

"Most residents in responses to consultations over the past months wanted us to protect services for those most in need, which we have tried to do through investments into social workers and tackling domestic violence.
 
"We are still in discussions with the community and campaign groups to explore other options and I would like to thank all residents who have come forward with ideas. 

"In the meantime we will be providing transport links between the closed libraries and those that remain open, so residents can still access libraries wherever they live in the Borough."