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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Haringey to be congratulated for Library Service Statement

HARINGEY Council is to be congratulated for its statement yesterday about its commitment to our library service.

This is in contrast to the plans of some other councils in the country. Haringey's intention to expand the role of libraries, rather than close them, is definitely the right policy.

At least for once the council is leading and for the right reasons, in the right direction.

 

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Tags for Forum Posts: libraries, public spending cuts, third space

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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on February 17, 2011 at 23:59

Any news from Haringey Enforcement following the success of Tracker McMullan on YouTube?

I was impressed by how you fearlessly followed the long wet slime trail. Apparently lacking all fear of what appalling, savage, huge-jawed creature might lay ahead. The Hound of the Umfrevilles?

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 18, 2011 at 10:16
No news. They said they'd do a door knock but basically I'd have to stand in the dock and be a "witness" if they were to prosecute. When I saw the trail I knew EXACTLY what I'd find at the end of it :)
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on February 18, 2011 at 10:58
Permalink Reply by Helen Riley on February 10, 2011 at 10:01

My own view is that people who argue that we don't 'need' libraries because there are charity shops, secondhand bookshops, Amazon, Kindles etc are missing the point. These are all simply methods by which reading is delivered to people - but if there is no love of reading or wish to increase knowledge or curiosity or a way for people to fill in gaps in their education then you could write a fabulous short story in neon lights using the Blackpool Illuminations - but no-one will be looking and no-one will be buying. If libraries are lost then I think we are taking a massive, ill-advised risk with the education of future generations. Yes, lots of older people feel nostalgic about libraries - and this is a gift we can pass down the generations. Praise where praise is due - I'm really delighted that Haringey Council is working to retain libraries in an innovative way (although I am worried about parks across the borough).

PS - please join the Friends of Stroud Green Library - friendsofstroudgreenlibrary@yahoogroups.com - great books, selection of papers, great librarian and staff, beautiful building, lots of events lined up and a good meeting place.

sphamiltonPermalink Reply by sphamilton on February 10, 2011 at 11:24

I also think another important social function of libraries is missed by well-off writers such as Simon Jenkins. It's a free place to go where you won't be moved on.The old cliche is that the people who go there are tramps who go to sleep, but that's not my experience at all - the borough is full of children who don't have a quiet place to do their homework, and adults who need a place to work on a job application, write an essay or whatever.

I've used mine for study and work when the flat was overflowing with people, and take my son there when the weather's bad but I just need to get him out of the house before we both go mad. Cafes, play centres and bookshops simply don't perform the same function if you don't have much money.

I use the Marcus Garvey library at Tottenham Green regularly - the upstairs study area is almost always full of people studying and working, whether via the library's computers or wifi and a laptop. And I have nothing but praise for the children's library, and its play areas, decent stock and organised activities.

Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on February 10, 2011 at 13:30

'We saved the library and left it to remain what it was, mostly an informal old people's day centre and children's romp room.'

 

'The old cliche is that the people who go there are tramps who go to sleep . . .' 

 

sph, That old cliche and Jenkins' above may have more than a grain of truth, as was brought home to me on Monday of last week.

A chilly windy evening meant that I went along to our local RA meeting hunched up in my old padded jacket and even older green thinsulate 'Compo' headgear pulled down over my ears. My wife was also cosily clad, but with a bit of taste.

As soon as we got in the door I was greeted by a young man in his 4th year, but full of wisdom and observation, with: "Are you a librarian?"  The young man, who is a frequenter of the local library but also knows me well, has apparently drawn the astute conclusion that old codgers shivering against the winter's blast, with woolly green Compos pulled around their ears, haunt libraries and should therefore be properly called 'Librarians'. 

 

Obviously shaken to the core of my being, I took the wife's stern advice and made immediate appointments with my Saville Row tailor, hatter and barber.

Permalink Reply by Liz on February 10, 2011 at 16:12
This strikes me as an excellent moment to bring back this discussion : What would your ideal third space be? if you were given carte blanche with say SG library
Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on February 10, 2011 at 19:21

Right Liz, but I'll keep it on this thread rather than going back to your linked discussion which, alas, some people were treating less than seriously.

 

If Haringey want to (a) encourage traditional library use, (b) develop libraries as genuine community hubs, (c) really give their much promised Credit Union some real footprint across all 19 wards, or the current seven Neighbourhood areas, perhaps every local library could offer a secure mini-office or cubby-hole as a CU outlet/inlet for the convenience of mini-savers and borrowers of micro-finance.

 

Indeed one or two rooms of that fairly spacious flat upstairs in SG&Harringay Library could provide office space, not only for CU activities (say two mornings and two evenings a week) but also for those other community services LBH seems to have in mind. Clearly if sizeable dollops of cash might be involved security would be important.

 

Something like a Credit Union needs a concrete presence on the ground (however 'mobile' or however restricted its hours) in real ('third') space where its 'owners' and users live - not just in some virtual Haringey space piggy-backing on some other City & Islington cyber space.  

 

Where better than that mysterious third space over the Library?  Of course if they also had space for a cafe and a tramps' dossing corner, all the better.

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 10, 2011 at 20:52
In your two minutes, perhaps some library porn?
Permalink Reply by Liz on February 10, 2011 at 21:11
Mmmm that Dutch one in the Hague is hot!
Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 10, 2011 at 21:29
Then may I recommend this Belgian restaurant. No books, but seems to tick other boxes for you.
Permalink Reply by Liz on February 10, 2011 at 21:33
It is true that I am partial to a spot of metalwork. It's the steampunk thing

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