Muswell Hill Library reopens for first time in two years

Despite the good news the library is open for 16 fewer hours per week than it was previously, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Muswell Hill Library refurbishment (credit Haringey Council)

Muswell Hill Library finally reopened this week after refurbishment works kept the building shut for nearly two years.

The library, which reopened on Monday (29th), now has an accessible toilet and lift, a designated area for young people, new furniture and lighting.

Following completion of the works, the Friends of Muswell Hill Library group said they were “pleased” but raised concerns around cuts.

The library is now no longer open on Thursdays after Haringey Council agreed in December 2024 to reduce the opening hours at its nine libraries to save money.

Muswell Hill was previously open for 57 hours a week but now only opens for 41 hours.

The opening times are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am-6pm and 10am-5pm on Saturday.

Iain Smith, the chair of Friends of Muswell Hill Library, said the group was not “complacent”.

He said: “Libraries are too easy to target when budget cuts loom. Haringey has protected its capital investment in libraries over the years which is great. But the struggle to fend off future running cost cuts goes on.

“At the friends group we are doing more than just protest cuts, our aim is to fill the library and pack it full of interesting, educational and entertaining stuff so that its benefits grow and become even more obvious to more and more people.

“We totally understand the position councils are in. We must help them deliver better value for money to better impact the lives of their citizens. Only by doing that will libraries survive.”

Residents also raised concerns over the delays to the library’s reopening, which was planned for spring but was pushed back after the original contractor, hired to carry out the works, went into liquidation.

Reacting to the reopening, the council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, Emily Arkell, said: “We are thrilled to reopen Muswell Hill Library following its transformation and cannot wait for our residents to explore and experience this brand-new community hub.

“Our residents will benefit from improved facilities and new interior designs. The library will also be bolstered by a new accessible toilet and lift on-site, as well as a designated area for local young people to learn and study.

“We’re sorry that the project has been delayed beyond its original timeframe due to problems outside of the council’s control associated with the previous contractor.

“We also needed to ensure that the revised staffing levels at our libraries and the new operating hours were in place before re-opening.

“We’re grateful to the local community for their patience and are excited to welcome them all back now.

“Our £4.9m investment in this and other libraries across Haringey underlines our commitment to future proofing facilities so they are welcoming, accessible and remain at the heart of the community for generations to come.

“Libraries belong to all of us in Haringey and I’m proud we have kept all of them open despite the financial challenges we face.”

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.