The council is consulting on proposals to reduce the opening hours of its nine libraries, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Placards outside Stroud Green and Harringay Library (credit Clive Carter)

Haringey Council is looking for children and young people to give feedback in response to criticism over plans to reduce library opening hours.

The council is consulting on proposals to reduce the opening hours of its nine libraries which, if implemented, will see six libraries go from being closed one day a week to being closed for three.

The six libraries are Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Highgate, Stroud Green and Harringay, St Ann’s and Muswell Hill.

Wood Green, Marcus Garvey and Hornsey, the three large libraries, could see the loss of one opening day.

Due to the financial challenges faced by “all local authorities” the council said current opening hours were “no longer sustainable”.

In response, friends groups have raised concerns that the move could lead to a “future of library closures” due to reduced usage, and that children and young people hadn’t been consulted.

An engagement session was held at Stroud Green and Harringay Library on 12th September and, according to Joanna Bornat, an attendee and Friend of Reading and Education (FORE) member, residents were angry and dismayed.

Two sets of new opening hours for libraries have been put forward and they “didn’t make for easy reading,” she said.

One option prioritises the “even distribution of available hours” and the second a “balance between need and provision”.

Larger libraries such as Wood Green currently open 61 hours per week, but option one proposes lowering that to 52 hours, and option two to 48.

For branch libraries such as Alexandra Park, currently open 57 hours a week, the changes proposed could see that reduced to 29 hours or 30.5 hours.

Speaking on Stroud Green and Harringay, Joanna’s local library, she said the cuts suggested amounted to an almost 49% reduction.

Joanna added: “People have found much to criticise in the consultation’s presentation and style of engagement.

“No attempt has been made to involve children and young people, key to libraries’ current and future use, which reflects badly on Haringey.

“Hard copies of the consultation document are not on show at some libraries and there was concern that because of digital exclusion some people would be unable to take part in this consultation.”

Emily Arkell, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said to help maximise “reach and engagement” all schools were being contacted.

She said: “We are producing a child-friendly summary document so this important group can feedback. We’ve also been in touch with the groups who use libraries, including those who work with children and young people.”

Cllr Arkell advised residents to tell library staff if they could not see hard copies of the consultation so they could be printed or ordered.

“All libraries have been sent multiple hard copies of the consultation documents and we have made arrangements to replenish stocks when they run low,” she said.

Concern was also raised over changes in rates to hire library spaces, but Cllr Arkell said this was not being proposed “as part of this consultation”.

In defence of the move, she reiterated that no closures were being proposed and said the borough currently had “some of the longest” opening hours in The Library Consortium, a group of 23 public library authorities that come together to share resources.

“We are proud of our libraries and have invested in them, but due to the financial challenges facing all local authorities our current opening hours are no longer sustainable,” Cllr Arkell said.

She added: “We urge all our residents to respond to the consultation and help us develop a sustainable library service.”

Joanna said: “Libraries play a central role in lifelong learning and education, safe spaces, warm hubs and opportunities for creative activities. Given there are so few free accessible indoor open spaces, libraries are now more valuable than ever and essential to local communities.”

The six-week consultation will close on Thursday, 10th October. For more information and to take part:
Visit Have Your Say Today – Haringey Libraries – Commonplace

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