Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Consultation on Haringey's Library Strategy is now open
Hi all,
Haringey Council has just launched a consultation on the development of the new Library Service Strategy. This is an opportunity for residents to share their views and ideas on how to ensure our libraries deliver services and facilities that are fit for the future.
The consultation is available here and is open until 14th September. There are two surveys: one as either a library user or non-library user, and a second, which invites you to share your views on the guiding principles of the Library Service Strategy.
I warmly encourage you to participate in the consultation.
Best,
Anna
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Cllr Anna Abela (Harringay ward)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Maddy
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I notice there is no mention of the fact that the libraries budget has been massively cut this year by almost £700,000 -perfectly timed for Haringey becominging "Borough of Culture" in 2027. (I read an article somewhere linking this to the increased costs of running the sports centres and swimming pools that have been taken back in house, but I don't know the truth of this.)
This survey focuses on accessibility, diversity and how to attract more people to use the libraries by widening the offering in some way or other. I suggest they might start with keeping them all open for longer hours, as previously, so that more people can get to them (and not randomly closing them due to 'staffing shortages' as has happened with Stroud Green and Harringay recently.)
I filled in the survey, but since the budget cuts have already gone through it just feels like window dressing to me.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter
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MADDY, I strongly agree with you about restoring library opening hours.
In my view, this would be the single action the council could take that would have the greatest effect to encourage library use.
I don't bother going to our local library (Stroud Green & Harringay) because as you say, it is randomly closed.
Slashing library opening hours by about a third was a political decision, just as much as deciding to employ a Director of Culture—with two part-time assistants—is a political choice.
The total wage bill for this trio approaches a third of a million pounds. And this, in a council that teetered on bankruptcy, but for the Government's Emergency Financial Assistance package.
Slashed library opening hours sit uneasily alongside Haringey as London Borough of Culture 2027.
I won't be filling out the Haringey's library survey because unfortunately, I have no trust or confidence in the council's library "strategy", indeed, its entire approach to our public library service.
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