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Eight Months On: A Community Still Without a Library

Eight months after the closure of Breck Road Library, residents in Everton and Anfield are still without a vital local resource. What was once a cornerstone of the community has left a noticeable gap—not just in access to books, but in essential services that libraries provide.

Since before Christmas, locals have been forced to travel to Kensington, Norris Green, or County Road just to borrow books or access basic facilities. For many, especially those without easy transport, this is more than an inconvenience—it’s a barrier.

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More Than Books: Why Libraries Matter

At a recent campaign meeting held at Kitty’s Launderette, community leaders made it clear: this fight goes far beyond literature.

Ruth Knox, who is leading the campaign, emphasised that libraries are about community resilience, education, and social cohesion. She highlighted concerns about growing political tensions, referencing movements associated with figures like Nigel Farage and the broader impact on local communities.

Libraries, in this context, are not just buildings—they are safe, inclusive spaces that support learning, connection, and opportunity.

Library: An Unquiet History explores the powerful role libraries have played across time—not just preserving knowledge, but shaping and even destroying it. Matthew Battles takes readers on a journey from Boston to Baghdad, tracing their evolution from ancient scriptoria to institutions like the Vatican and the British Library.

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A Proven Model: Affordable and Effective

One of the most striking revelations from the campaign is the affordability of the former Breck Road Library site. With an annual rent of just £17,000—equating to under £1,500 per month—it represented strong value for money for a public service of its scale.

Alan Gibbons, of Jeremy Corbyn ‘Your Party’, shared insights from previous successful library campaigns, reinforcing that community-driven action can deliver real results.

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Short-Term Solutions: A Step Forward or Not Enough?

Local Labour councillor Portia Farley attended the latter part of the meeting and outlined a proposed interim solution: a book lending facility within a new co-working space set to open near Liverpool F.C.’s stadium.

While this proposal offers some hope, questions remain:

• How large will the lending facility be?
• Will it offer full library services?
• Can it truly replace what was lost?

Farley assured residents it would be “substantial,” but details remain unclear, leaving many cautious.

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The Bigger Picture: Decline on Breck Road

The loss of the library is part of a wider pattern affecting Breck Road:

• Closure of Lloyds Bank and Farmfoods
• Earlier loss of Barclays and the local post office (now under threat)
• Concerns about the future of the North Liverpool Fire Fair

Meanwhile, new developments are shifting towards Oakfield Road, raising fears that Breck Road could be left behind entirely.

Reed offers Town Planning and Urban Development courses that explore urban decline in depth, including issues like those affecting areas such as Breck Road.

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Long-Term Vision: Restoring a Community Hub

Despite uncertainties, there is a commitment from local representatives to restore a fully functioning library in the long term. For residents, however, the urgency is now.

Libraries are not luxuries—they are essential infrastructure for education, digital access, and community wellbeing.

Working from home while library facilities are restored? The Sonny Fabric Office Chair is an affordable and comfortable option for setting up your home office.

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How You Can Support the Campaign

The campaign to reopen a library in Everton and Anfield is ongoing—and community support is crucial.

Here’s how you can help:

• Visit the campaign stall every Thursday outside the former Breck Road Library
• Sign the petition and show your support
• Join the campaign’s Facebook group
• Contact local representatives, including Portia Farley
• Raise awareness about the issue in your community

Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit is a powerful guide to community activism in uncertain times. Blending history and insight, it shows how change happens—tracing movements from the fall of the Berlin Wall to global anti-war protests—while making a compelling case for hope as a force for real political action.

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Final Thoughts

The closure of Breck Road Library is more than a local inconvenience—it’s a symbol of wider challenges facing public services and community spaces.

But as this campaign shows, local voices still have power. With sustained pressure and community action, Everton and Anfield could once again have the library they deserve.

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Have your say: What does a local library mean to you? Share your thoughts and help keep the conversation going.