Hackney,
23
January
2020
|
14:44
Europe/London

Stoke Newington Library set for refurbishment

Stoke Newington Library is set to be fully renovated after Hackney Council’s Cabinet pledged £4.5m to improve the well-used community facility.

The Grade II listed library, which was built in 1892, currently hosts a full range of library services, as well as the Council’s Community Library Service, providing mobile book and DVD lending to residents who are unable to leave their home.

The renovation is aimed at restoring the library to its former glory and redesigning its layout so it can continue to provide quality library services to residents into the future. It is also hoped that the building’s 1930s reference library will be opened up to residents as part of the renovation.

The Council’s Cabinet agreed to fund the £4.5m refurbishment work at a meeting on Monday. Before the work begins, consultation with library users will take place to ensure that the plans meet their needs.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy
Hackney’s libraries are some of the most well-used in London and with this £4.5million investment we are demonstrating our commitment to protecting and improving them for future generations.

Stoke Newington Library is recognised by Heritage England as a great example of a late Victorian public library, but we can all agree it’s in real need of refurbishment if it’s to continue providing an excellent service into the future. Before any work takes place, there will be a consultation with local library users about the plans and how the building can best be renovated alongside bringing the magical Reference Library back into use and making sure the Community Library Service has a new base to operate from.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy