Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the draft Haringey Library Strategy 2026–30.1.
   
   
2. Noted the findings of the consultation report and updated Equalities Impact Assessment.
   
   

Reasons for decision

The Council had a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for those who lived, worked or studied in the borough. The duty was supplemented by government guidance, which although not statutory, still had to be taken into account. The guidance advised that changes to library services should be based on strategic plans and consideration of alternative delivery models, and on careful assessment of needs and consideration of impacts and mitigations.

When the Council adopted revised operating hours for the library service in December 2024, in the absence of a specific library strategy, it used the principles which already underpinned its Arts & Culture Strategy – Access, Collaboration, Equity, Growth, Lifelong Learning, Visibility & Representation – to inform that decision. The Council also committed as part of that decision to developing a dedicated library strategy to underpin future development of the library service and put it on a sustainable footing for the future. This report gave effect to that commitment, following detailed consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Alternative options considered

The Council could have decided not to adopt a Library Strategy. However, this would have left the library service without an underpinning strategic direction and would have undermined the Council’s conformity with its statutory duty in respect of library provision. This option was therefore not recommended.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure introduced the report.

It was stressed by the Cabinet Member that libraries functioned as community facilities providing access to books, information and services. In Haringey, libraries had long operated as places where residents of different ages and backgrounds could access learning resources and participate in community activities. It was explained that the Library Strategy set out a long?term plan for the future use and development of these facilities to ensure they remained accessible, relevant and adaptable.

The Cabinet Member stressed that the strategy was informed by engagement and consultation with young people, residents, staff, partners and stakeholders across the borough. Participants contributed through surveys, workshops, focus groups and community discussions. This feedback helped identify the aspects of library services that residents valued and the areas they wished to see developed. The strategy established a direction of travel supported by individual library plans, which would be developed alongside friends/supporter groups and relevant engagement groups to ensure that actions reflected local priorities.

It was explained that the strategy outlined how libraries would contribute to Haringey’s wider priorities relating to equality, opportunity and sustainability, while incorporating developments in service delivery and technology. The document drew on resident feedback collected during the consultation process.

Following questions from Cllrs Brabazon, Carlin and Emery, the following points were made:

• It was explained that the recent initiatives that had been introduced to highlight the year of reading were looking to encourage schools and young people to engage with libraries and encourage reading wherever possible. It was stressed that this was a part of the strategy. It was additionally noted that the needs of young people for libraries were considered as part of engagement for the strategy and that there had been a series of events which were undertaken at libraries focussed on involving young people.
  
  
• It was noted that the strategy highlighted that libraries were cultural and community assets. It was stressed that the Council had worked to prioritise the affordability and the quality of the service. It was also explained that the strategy noted changes of use over time, including digital borrowing, which the Council had worked, as part of the strategy, to make accessible and relevant.
  
  
• It was explained that the Cabinet had been clear on opening hours for libraries in December 2024, and that it had been a difficult decision to make. It was stressed that the Council made the decision based on quantitative data. It was additionally noted that the Council was looking at ways to ensure library sustainability, which included potential future changes to opening hours.
  
  
• It was explained, following questions relating to developing a Library of Things, that this would not be financially viable in Haringey.
  
  
• It was noted that there had been a staffing restructure as part of changes to library opening hours in December 2024. As part of this, there had been the development of a Community Librarian, which would allow for a better connection with the community. It was explained that every library would have one Community Librarian. It was noted that this had been welcomed as part of overall library community engagement.
  
  

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the draft Haringey Library Strategy 2026–30.1.
   
   
2. Noted the findings of the consultation report and updated Equalities Impact Assessment.
   
   

Reasons for decision

The Council had a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for those who lived, worked or studied in the borough. The duty was supplemented by government guidance, which although not statutory, still had to be taken into account. The guidance advised that changes to library services should be based on strategic plans and consideration of alternative delivery models, and on careful assessment of needs and consideration of impacts and mitigations.

When the Council adopted revised operating hours for the library service in December 2024, in the absence of a specific library strategy, it used the principles which already underpinned its Arts & Culture Strategy – Access, Collaboration, Equity, Growth, Lifelong Learning, Visibility & Representation – to inform that decision. The Council also committed as part of that decision to developing a dedicated library strategy to underpin future development of the library service and put it on a sustainable footing for the future. This report gave effect to that commitment, following detailed consultation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Alternative options considered

The Council could have decided not to adopt a Library Strategy. However, this would have left the library service without an underpinning strategic direction and would have undermined the Council’s conformity with its statutory duty in respect of library provision. This option was therefore not recommended.