Have your say on the future of Hackney’s Libraries and Archives

Hackney Council are to hold a public consultation into the future of Hackney’s Libraries and Archives.

The consultation will aim to find out residents opinions on libraries in the borough and takes place from 18 April till 27 June 2011. 

Hackney Council is keeping all eight of its libraries open and wants to hear what local people, whether they use libraries or not, think of the plans for the future, set out in the Library and Archives Development Strategy 2011 - 2015. 

Later this year the brand new, state of the art Dalston C.L.R. James Library and Hackney Archives will open its doors. 

The Council is proposing to make some changes to the opening hours across all libraries in the borough, with the greatest number of hours being provided at the most popular facilities. 

Overall the opening hours in total will remain the same, but some libraries will open later. For instance Dalston C.L.R. James Library and Hackney Archives will open two hours earlier, Monday to Friday so that people can use the library on their way to work.

The Council is also proposing to concentrate a reduced number of events and activities at the three main libraries: Dalston C.L.R. James, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington. These events will be organised by trained library staff. Events for children will continue to be held at all libraries 

The council is also looking for people who would be willing to offer time as a volunteer at one of the Hackney libraries. 

A Hackney Council spokesperson said: "Woodberry Down library is an excellent example of a community run library. It has been run by volunteers since it opened in 2007, and has provided an opportunity for those who wish to give something back to the community as well as people on the route back to employment. Already thirty volunteers have found work, several of them with the council’s library service."

Residents’ views on the proposals will help shape the future of the service at Hackney libraries. The final proposals will be announced in the summer - so make sure you have a say!

To have your say on the proposals you can complete our online survey available at www.hackney.gov.uk/libraies. Alternatively, you can send your written views to Freepost LON 18819, Consultation Team, London Borough of Hackney. Or, by email to consultation@hackney.gov.uk (please include Library and Archives Development Strategy in the subject line). 

You can also come along to one of the drop in session at C.L.R. James Library, from 10am to noon on 18 April and;

Stoke Newington, from 2pm to 4pm on 16 May.

Hackney Council request that completed questionnaires or written views are sent by 27 June 2011.

Photo courtesy of sleepyneko/Flickr.