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August 15, 2010
Haringey to close 9 libraries out of 10 in the borough
There is a rumour tonight that the London Borough of Haringey proposes to close 9 of its 10 public libraries, leaving only one central library in Wood Green
Closures would include Muswell Hill, Hornsey and Highgate.
Haringey has been one of the most successful library services among the London Boroughs since Diana Edmonds became manager there about 5 years ago. Prior to that it was awful.
If other councils operate in a similar way there will be no more community libraries in the country and a there will be a loss of more than 20,000 jobs in the sector.
Haringey is a Labour council which includes the constituency of former libraries ministers David Lammy and Andrew McIntosh.
Posted by Perkins at August 15, 2010 10:45 PM
Comments
Hi, we're the local paper for west Haringey - we wrote a story about a similar rumour about a month ago, which was denied by the council. Do you have any more info on the story, or a source of where the rumours are coming from?
If so, please email me.
Thanks
Posted by: Ham&High at August 16, 2010 10:21 AM
This would be terrible for the people of the Borough who got back into the 'Library habit' with the developments in service during the Interim period between 2002 and 2004 #more than 5 years, Tim# and since.
The borough is very large and diverse and the service points were community hubs - it does haringey no good at all to plan this if the rumours are true.
Posted by: Richard Beveridge at August 16, 2010 5:30 PM
This would never fly? Please, can you see Highgate, Muswell and Hornsey [correct spelling] closing? The affluent users would be up in arms. And Diana Edmonds certainly wouldn't sit back and take this. She's oe of the few managers who could get the press on her side.
Les-- thanks for spelling correction. Have made the change.
Posted by: les at August 16, 2010 9:25 PM
Hi,
Can you please disclose the source of this news?
Cheers.
Posted by: Aaron at August 17, 2010 12:29 AM
I've had it from three sources now. All reliable and each quite separate, I believe. Can't reveal them.
Posted by: perkins at August 17, 2010 8:30 AM
I am so sorry to hear this if true. I used to live and teach in Haringey. Libraries are so important. Not everyone can afford to buy a personal library of books plus a local library can be the hub of a community in so many ways.
Posted by: Christine Michael at August 17, 2010 12:12 PM
With their poor record for producing library use statistics within a reasonable time frame, and their failure to make these available to the public, I should think CIPFA must be next in line?
Perhaps some of the money paid to them could be redirected to LISU at Loughborough?
Posted by: Martyn at August 19, 2010 11:18 AM
As a professional chartered librarian living in Muswell Hill my heart sinks every time I enter the librsry in Muswell Hill. Staff are disinterested and unhelpful.
It angers me that a profession I have served for over 20 years has sunk to these depths of poor customer service.
Posted by: annonymous at February 12, 2011 2:03 PM