Hackney Central library: “beautiful refurbishment a clear demonstration of our commitment to the future”

Hackney Council and its partners celebrated the launch of the beautifully refurbished library in Hackney Central last week, part of the wider transformation of the town centre, which also includes restoring heritage buildings and improvements to public spaces, greener and safer streets, and investment in culture and community assets and local businesses.

As part of Hackney Central’s regeneration programme - shaped by the Town Centre Strategy and funded by Local Regeneration Fund government investment of £19 million - the library has had its first major revamp in 22 years. New features include artworks, murals, wallpapers and fabrics, co-designed by staff, schoolchildren and artists, which take inspiration from the rich culture, history and heritage of Hackney.

With local people collaborating closely on design ideas, the finished library reflects aspirations for it to be more welcoming, collaborative, and inspiring. A children’s area with a ‘Story Tree’, a bookable meeting room, a sensory play area, cosy nooks for reading, meeting pods, and versatile study areas are new features, as well as the usual range of reading materials, digital resources, CDs and DVDs you can find at all Hackney libraries.

A new mural, To Travel this Ship, pays tribute to the Windrush Generation in Hackney. Created by Jazz Grant, a visual artist working with collage, mixed media and animation, the artwork was made in response to a commission for the Hackney Windrush Amplified Art Grant in collaboration with the V&A East Storehouse.

The plant theme for the children’s area relates to the world-famous Loggides plant nursery, historically located on Mare Street, which collected and sold species from across the globe. Children’s versions of Loddiges’ botanical drawings and palm trees from the giant palm houses - alongside collages by families using traditional patterns from the trees’ countries of origin - celebrate Hackney’s diversity, alongside sensitive reflection on its historic and colonial links. 

Since opening at the beginning of February, attendance at the library is high, with up to a 30% increase on last year, with young people in particular making use of the new space and 300 people signing up to join the library in just three weeks.

Speaking at the launch event, Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley said: “This investment in Hackney Central is a clear signal of our commitment to delivering on what our communities have told us they want in their neighbourhoods, supporting our town centres and high streets, encouraging economic growth, and enhancing our cultural and community assets. I'm so proud that we have created a much improved library for our residents and businesses to gather, enjoy, and learn in.”

This beautiful refurbishment of the library is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the future, not just for Hackney Central , but for the entire borough. We know that this central library is a valued destination for residents who travel through Hackney Central and often stop in this area of the town centre. 

“It’s a truly joyful, shared space. I'm incredibly proud to see the co-created artwork resulting from workshops with families, SEND students and primary school children now permanently installed in our new children’s library. Embedding their creativity into the very fabric of this building is a powerful symbol of our commitment to our young people.

Mural artist Jazz Grant, said: “I feel passionately that art should be in spaces that are accessible because many people think art isn’t for them.

“We should be integrating art into more public spaces. It’s interesting to have this mural in the library, among books, because it’s a nod to history and storytelling – and thinking about the stories that are important to the community.”