Hackney Central Library set for major revamp

A plant-inspired children’s area, new spaces for collaborative work, comfortable reading areas and meeting rooms are just some of the exciting improvements coming soon to Hackney Central Library.

The upgrades represent the first major investment in the library since it opened 22 years ago and respond to feedback from a wide range of local people and organisations, including schools, older residents, and people with visual, learning and physical disabilities.

It is one of a number of projects funded by the UK government to transform Hackney Central. These also include a new linear park along Amhurst Road, improvements to Pembury Circus junction to make it safer and upgrades to Hackney Town Hall Square.

Hackney Central Library will be closed for refurbishment from September to December 2025. During this time, a book drop will be available at the Hackney Service Centre, and activities will be relocated to other libraries in Hackney and to Hackney Museum.

The redesign will make the library more welcoming and accessible. Based on community input, it will feature new, more attractive furniture, clearer signage inside and outside the building, and a decluttered layout that’s easier to navigate.

Other improvements and additions include better lighting, a digital screen to advertise events, a display of archive posters from the museum’s collection, bookable video and phone call booths, new study areas, and fabrics co-designed with local families and school children.

The plant theme for the children’s area pays tribute to the world-famous plant nursery once located on Mare Street, which collected and sold species from across the globe. This also acknowledges the more complex side of this history, including the practice of ‘colonial botany’ and its likely links to the slave trade. Artwork in the space features children’s versions of Loddiges’ botanical drawings and palm trees from the giant palm houses, alongside collages by families using traditional patterns from the plants’ countries of origin to encourage reflection on, and celebration of, Hackney’s diversity.

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, said: “Government funding for improvements to Hackney Central Library comes at a very welcome time, and I’m really excited to see these plans come to fruition.

“So much thought has gone into the redesign. We’ve worked closely with organisations such as Hackney Young Futures Ambassadors, Hackney Reading Champions, Scope Youth Ambassadors, RNIB and Scope, ensuring the changes reflect what people liked, disliked, and wanted to improve about Hackney Central Library. We hope residents will see their ideas and aspirations reflected in the final designs.”

Hackney Museum is also undergoing a separate refurbishment, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and will be closed for most of 2026.

Pop down to Hackney Central Library to view the new designs today! You can provide feedback until 6 September 2025.