Harringay library users recognised after renaming campaign

Story from Haringey Independent today:

A library celebrating its 110-year anniversary has been renamed after a campaign by the local community.

Stroud Green Library, in Quernmore Road, is now Stroud Green and Harringay Library, after amateur historians found that the building was initially intended to served both communities.

The title was never adopted, but Haringey Council agreed to change the name and launched the new name last Wednesday with a cake-cutting ceremony.

Hugh Flouch, who suggested the change, said: “Knowing that the library had been trying to increase use from residents in the Harringay part of its area, I suggested to Diana Edmonds, head of Haringey Libraries, that a name change might be in order.

“The change would after all reflect the intentions of the library's founders and if people in Harringay feel that the library is for them, they're more likely to visit. I've been really impressed with the positive response the idea got from Diana and also the Friends of the Library.

“Now just a year after I first talked with Diana, Harringay residents have a library to call their own.”

The original idea for the name was found in a book by Mr Flouch called The Library by Sir Frank Charlton Francis.

Councillor Alan Strickland, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “I hope that it will continue to serve the needs of this area for many years to come and I was pleased to see it so busy and full of life when I visited.”