Key Points
- Haringey Council has unveiled a new five-year Library Strategy 2026-2030, agreed at Cabinet on Tuesday night, 20 January 2026, focusing on promoting a love of reading and learning at every stage of life.
- Strong emphasis placed on enhancing Early Years provision, specific services for teenagers, and encouraging learning and engagement for children and adults through diverse resources, activities, and partnerships.
- Extensive community engagement and co-design exercise conducted throughout last year with Friends groups, library users, staff, residents, stakeholders, and young people across the borough.
- Strategy aims to make libraries the beating heart of community life, with accessible and inclusive facilities fostering creativity, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
- Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Emily Arkell, highlighted that hundreds of voices shaped the strategy via community conversations, focus groups, surveys, and workshops.
- Strategy rooted in residents’ aspirations and lived experiences, launching at the start of the National Year of Reading.
- Key commitments include championing equity and inclusion, embedding resilience and sustainability, harnessing digital innovation, inspiring creativity and learning, and strengthening community wellbeing.
- Individual development plans for each of the borough’s nine libraries to be compiled collaboratively with council staff and Friends groups, refreshed regularly, and made publicly available.
- Aligns with the wider Arts and Culture Strategy (2024-2028), supporting Haringey’s successful bid to become London Borough of Culture 2027, where libraries will play a key role.
- Contributes to Haringey 2035 borough vision: “to be a place where all our residents have the opportunity to thrive and enjoy the best possible version of their life…a place where people can put down roots and feel they really belong.”
Haringey, London (North London News) 21 January 2026 – Haringey Council has approved an ambitious five-year Library Strategy 2026-2030 at its Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night, 20 January 2026, embedding lifelong learning and a love of reading at every life stage with enhanced Early Years provision, targeted teenager services, and broad engagement initiatives for children and adults. The strategy, shaped by extensive resident input, positions libraries as central community hubs promoting equity, digital skills, creativity, and wellbeing amid the National Year of Reading launch.
How Was the Strategy Developed Through Community Engagement?
Residents across Haringey played a pivotal role in crafting the Library Strategy 2026-2030. An extensive community engagement and co-design exercise unfolded throughout last year, involving Friends groups, library users, staff, residents, stakeholders, and young people borough-wide.
Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Emily Arkell, emphasised the depth of this involvement. As reported in the council’s official release, Cllr Emily Arkell stated:
“Hundreds of voices have shaped the strategy through community conversations, focus groups, surveys and workshops, thereby helping the council to better understand what Haringey residents value most about their local libraries and the improvements that they want to see in them.”
This collaborative approach ensures the strategy reflects genuine community aspirations. Cllr Emily Arkell further noted:
“As a result, this strategy is rooted in the aspirations and lived experiences of our communities and – launching right at the start of the National Year of Reading – sets out a very timely direction of travel and vision for the future.”
The process underscores Haringey’s commitment to participatory governance, transforming libraries into responsive, resident-led spaces.
What Are the Core Commitments of the Library Strategy?
The strategy outlines five bold commitments to future-proof Haringey’s libraries. First, it champions equity and inclusion, ensuring libraries remain accessible, welcoming, and tailored to diverse resident needs.
Second, it embeds resilience and sustainability, preparing libraries to endure economic pressures while staying future-focused. Third, harnessing digital innovation expands online services and equips residents with digital-age tools.
Fourth, it inspires creativity and learning, bolstering digital skills, lifelong learning, and literacy for children, young people, and adults. Fifth, it strengthens community wellbeing by establishing libraries as safe, trusted hubs fostering belonging, cultural participation, and resilience.
These pillars, drawn directly from resident feedback, aim to make libraries vibrant centres of activity. Individual development plans for each of the borough’s nine libraries—compiled jointly by council staff and Friends groups—will operationalise these goals. These living documents will refresh regularly over the strategy’s lifespan, with priorities published publicly upon completion.
Why Do Individual Library Plans Matter for Implementation?
Each of Haringey’s nine libraries will receive tailored development plans, ensuring localised responsiveness. These plans emerge from close collaboration between council staff and the Friends of each library, addressing unique community needs.
As part of the council’s official announcement, the plans are described as dynamic tools, refreshed periodically to adapt to evolving priorities. Once finalised, they will enter the public domain, promoting transparency and accountability.
This granular approach complements the overarching strategy, allowing libraries to thrive as distinct yet unified community assets. By publicising priorities, the council invites ongoing resident scrutiny and input, reinforcing the co-design ethos established last year.
How Does This Align with Broader Haringey Strategies?
The Library Strategy 2026-2030 dovetails seamlessly with Haringey’s wider Arts and Culture Strategy (2024-2028). This alignment bolstered the borough’s successful bid to become London Borough of Culture 2027, where libraries are poised to play a starring role in cultural festivities.
The strategy also advances Haringey 2035, the borough’s long-term vision. As articulated in council documents, Haringey 2035 aspires
“to be a place where all our residents have the opportunity to thrive and enjoy the best possible version of their life…a place where people can put down roots and feel they really belong.”
Successful rollout promises significant contributions to these ambitions, weaving libraries into the fabric of cultural, educational, and social progress. Libraries will not merely house books but serve as engines of belonging and opportunity.
What Role Will Libraries Play in London Borough of Culture 2027?
Haringey’s designation as London Borough of Culture 2027 marks a cultural milestone, with libraries integral to the celebrations. The Library Strategy positions them as key venues for events, workshops, and exhibitions, amplifying the Arts and Culture Strategy’s impact.
This timing aligns perfectly with the National Year of Reading, maximising visibility and participation. Enhanced Early Years and teen services will draw families and youth into cultural programming, fostering intergenerational engagement.
Stakeholders anticipate libraries hosting innovative activities—from literacy drives to digital creativity sessions—showcasing Haringey’s vibrancy. Cllr Emily Arkell’s vision ensures these spaces evolve beyond traditional roles, becoming cultural beacons.
How Will Digital Innovation Transform Library Services?
Digital innovation stands as a cornerstone, expanding online access and skill-building. Residents will gain tools to navigate the digital world, from e-resources to training programmes.
The strategy targets digital literacy for all ages, bridging divides in a tech-driven society. Sustainability measures ensure these services withstand economic flux, maintaining reliability.
By 2030, libraries aim to be digital hubs, complementing physical spaces with hybrid offerings. This forward-thinking harnesses technology to enhance, not replace, community interaction.
What Challenges Does the Strategy Address?
Economic pressures loom large, but the strategy’s resilience focus equips libraries to persevere. Equity commitments tackle inclusivity gaps, making services responsive to diverse needs.
Sustainability embeds long-term viability, while community wellbeing counters isolation. These elements address post-pandemic shifts, repositioning libraries as essential lifelines.
Resident-led design anticipates challenges, grounding solutions in real experiences. The council’s proactive stance signals confidence in overcoming hurdles through partnership.
Who Are the Key Figures and Groups Involved?
Cllr Emily Arkell leads as Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, voicing the strategy’s community roots. Friends groups, staff, users, and youth form the collaborative backbone.
Cabinet members approved the plan on 20 January 2026, formalising resident input. Stakeholders span the borough, ensuring broad representation.
This collective effort exemplifies Haringey’s participatory model, with libraries as shared triumphs.
When and How Will Progress Be Monitored?
Implementation begins immediately, with library plans rolling out progressively. Regular refreshes maintain relevance, with public disclosure enabling oversight.
Alignment with Haringey 2035 sets measurable milestones, tying library success to borough thriving. Annual reviews, implied in the living document framework, will track advancements.
Transparency builds trust, inviting residents to witness and influence evolution.
Why Is This Strategy Timely for Haringey Residents?
Launching amid the National Year of Reading amplifies impact, igniting borough-wide literacy passion. It responds to lived needs, turning voices into action.
For North London families, enhanced Early Years and teen provisions promise tailored support. Adults gain lifelong learning avenues, fostering personal growth.
In a diverse borough, inclusive hubs combat disconnection, nurturing belonging. Haringey’s vision transforms libraries into thriving ecosystems, enriching lives through 2030.
