Description

Giving only 24 hours notice, Barnet Council closed Friern Barnet Library in April, despite strong protest by local residents. In response, a local group opened a book exchange on the adjacent green. They saw the library closure as part of Barnet Council’s plan to outsource over 70% of public services in the borough, and to profit from the sale of the site.



In September the library was re-opened by Occupy activists. Since then, library services and on-site community events have been organised by a diverse group including experienced librarians, local residents and political activists, all working to maintain this essential service on a voluntary basis. For most of those involved, the project remains a protest. Vitally, volunteers do not see the current situation as feasible in the long term; they are united in calling for the re-institution of a publically-funded, professionally-run library at Friern Barnet.



We are open from Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm.

This is a space for the people of Barnet to reclaim their community and we are seeing that happen more and more everyday.

Please note that all children’s events are run by volunteers who have been CRB checked.

How to get involved

Come and meet us - we have organising meetings every Monday at 6pm.
Make yourself heard – phone, email, text, tweet and visit Barnet Council and explain why Friern Barnet is so important to you.
Sign up to help in the library – the library can sustain itself in this interim period if we all get involved! You could volunteer for a short shift or contribute in any way you can.
Donate – check the wish list at the library and online. We are also collecting donations to support the court case.