guy-nicholson-high-res

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor for Housing Supply, Planning, Culture and Inclusive Economy, encourages residents to take part in the Council's conversation about improving the Borough's Libraries. 

"Our borough-wide conversation ‘Our Libraries’ is your opportunity to reflect on your local Library and how you have used it, prior to lockdown, and what you think it could offer in the future. 

"How do you want to use your Library? What kind of services or facilities do you think ‘Our Libraries’ could offer in our increasingly digital and multi-channel world?

"Our engagement campaign provides an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts and ideas about the Library service. The purpose of the consultation is not to close a Library, but to ensure that Our Libraries remain central to our daily lives and that we better understand the variety of services you would like to see your local Library provide. 

"You might think that your local Library could develop stronger links with community groups, or with arts, cultural and heritage-led activities. It may be a place to provide quiet workspaces, more free wifi or access to computers. You might want to find more Council services on offer, more books on offer or more homework spaces and learning opportunities. Our objective is to place Our Libraries at the heart of Hackney’s community and cultural life.

"More often than not whenever we talk about Libraries we speak of them with fondness. For many we have carried on visiting Libraries as we get older, using the spaces they provide to inform ourselves, to use computers or just find a quiet indoor space to read, to do some work or revise for an exam! 

"For some visiting the local Library helps tackle loneliness and social isolation, for others they are meeting places to meet friends or like minded neighbours.

"But others pass by their local Library reassured by its presence but never actually go in to use it, and there are others who are completely ambivalent about the need for a Library and don’t intend to ever visit.

"We think there is an important role for Libraries in our Borough. Already they are open and inclusive places that help create a fairer, more equal Hackney, they are places that can and do provide an open door to opportunity for all residents. Our Libraries are run by experienced and professional staff and we have made sure the Council is committed to a programme of works to refurbish and renovate our Libraries and in some cases rebuild a Library. 

"Now it's your turn to tell the Mayor and the Council what you would like to see happening in your local Library and just as importantly, what you don’t need. Get in touch with your thoughts and ideas and let’s together, build a thriving future for ‘Our Libraries'." 

To take part in the conversation, visit the Our Libraries engagement page. To request assistance or an accessible version of the survey, or one in a different language, call: 020 8356 6199.