Six years ago, when four libraries became community libraries in Lewisham, no organisation other than the council had experience of running libraries. The fact that some organisations have taken this on and learned to run libraries shows that it is possible for different types of organisations to run libraries.

But from the start of the process of moving Forest Hill library to a community library, The Forest Hill Society, P1971 (and the majority of local residents who expressed a view) have had some major concerns about the degradation in levels of book borrowing and other services at some of the community libraries. We have also recognised that it is thanks to the hard work of the volunteers at these libraries that they have been able to continue to provide a vital service in the local communities.

It was never our intention of running a library or even bidding to do so. But the Forest Hill Society, local traders, and residents care about maintaining a good level of service at our library (with more books borrowed than all the existing community libraries in Lewisham combined), so we wanted to ensure that a good quality bid was put together and we continue to work on doing exactly that.

Personally I wish any other bidders well, I would love it if Lewisham found somebody even better to run the library (and work with the local community), and I could get on with other things. I just hope that whoever takes on running the library does a first class job - and it won't be easy in the third busiest library in the borough.

I also want to thank all the people who have volunteered time to help keep the library running (regardless of operator). Well in advance of switching to a volunteer model more than 40 people have already said that they are willing to give up time to help out.