Councillor Emily Arkell, Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, confirmed the implementation of revised library operating hours across Haringey. This decision follows a period of staff consultation and the development of a new staffing structure, as originally approved by Cabinet in December 2024.

Variation of Libraries Operating Hours - Confirmation

Councillor Emily Arkell confirmed the approval to implement the revised operating hours for Haringey's libraries. This decision, originally made by the Cabinet in December 2024, has now been finalised following staff consultation and the establishment of a new staffing structure. The council has a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. This duty, alongside government guidance, necessitates strategic planning and consideration of alternative delivery models.

The decision to alter library hours was driven by the council's challenging financial position, necessitating savings of £675,000. To inform the changes, officers conducted a detailed Needs Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment. Public consultation, held between August and October 2024, provided valuable feedback on how residents use libraries and what they value most. The adopted Option 3 aimed to mitigate the impact of reduced hours, particularly for those with protected characteristics. Key changes include maintaining lunchtime opening hours to ensure continuous access to all library services.

To facilitate this, the library service increased lone-working practices, a focus of staff and Trade Union consultation. Measures implemented to ensure staff and customer safety include staff training, provision of lone-working devices, and CCTV coverage in all libraries. Lessons were also learned from other boroughs with experience in lone working. The final staffing structure incorporates changes to job titles, roles, and reporting arrangements based on staff feedback, but the operating hours remain as agreed by Cabinet in December 2024.

During the meeting, a deputation was presented by John Fynaut, Theresa Finnegan, Sarah McGuire, and Ana Reynal, requesting an increase in the total weekly hours for Alexandra Park Library and an extension of its opening days. They argued that the current allocation was inconsistent with actual usage and did not adequately consider equal opportunities for protected groups or the wide area served by the library. They also highlighted that a community volunteer survey had been conducted to support their request. The deputation noted that the library is well-used by students, new parents, disabled individuals, pensioners, and Council staff, and suggested that the equalities implications for the site needed better consideration.

Councillor Arkell responded by stating that the council had protected and invested £4.9 million in the borough's libraries, despite austerity measures and rising financial pressures. She emphasised that the decision to reduce opening hours to align with the capital's average was made to keep all nine libraries open. Councillor Arkell assured the deputation that Alexandra Park Library had been treated equitably within a borough-wide strategy and that the council had conducted a fair consultation process, engaging with residents, central government, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. She also noted that toilet access would be reviewed as part of a forthcoming Toilet Strategy and Action Plan, and that a library strategy review was scheduled for early 2026.

The report detailed that alternative options considered included taking no action, which was discounted as the savings were necessary, and various alternative proposals put forward during staff consultation. Where these alternatives could be incorporated without compromising the agreed financial envelope, such as retaining the Library Development function and Home Library Service, they were adopted. Concerns regarding lone working were carefully considered, and mitigations were found.

The revised operating hours for all libraries in Haringey are as follows:

• Alexandra Park Library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm (32.5 hours/week)
• Coombes Croft Library: Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (49.5 hours/week)
• Highgate Library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (32.5 hours/week)
• Hornsey Library: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Tuesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (52 hours/week)
• Marcus Garvey Library: Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (56 hours/week)
• Muswell Hill Library: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (41 hours/week)
• St Ann's Library: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (41 hours/week)
• Stroud Green & Haringey Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (32.5 hours/week)
• Wood Green Library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (52 hours/week)

The decision contributes to the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-26 under the theme A Culturally Rich Borough. The report also noted that the library service only collects limited information about registered users' sex, race, age, and religion, and does not collect data on disability or socioeconomic status. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) was conducted, which indicated that the proposed library strategy is expected to have a positive impact on most protected groups, with no anticipated negative impacts. The EQIA highlighted data gaps, particularly concerning sexual orientation and non-users from the 'White Other' demographic.